You know when you are at a show and seeing a band that is just crushing it, then you really listen? And the pedal steel player, or the pianist, or the banjoist just pulls out in the mix in your head and you focus in solely on them? And you are like “holy hell, that guy has a wonderful voice, and everything he has been doing on that instrument all night, just wow. This guy is just incredible and one of the most versatile and talented musicians and singers I have ever seen”…no matter where you are in the world, no matter what band you are watching, 7 times out of 10 I bet that person is Charlie Rose (that’s an accurate statistic, look it up). Luckily for us the man behind so many wonderful artists has his debut record, “Stowaways”, out now…and its a fine, fine work!

Charlie Rose’s voice is fresh. It feels like a late summer breeze on a sailboat or something to me. As cheesy as that sounds, it’s kind of the vibe I get when I close my eyes and just listen. It makes me feel good. He occasional hits these “if Randy Newman’s voice was prettier” kinds of things at moments. This is particularly evident in the records title track, “Stowaways”.  It’s more of the annunciation I guess. With a flow and delicate dance of the piano, banjo and Rose’s voice with the other instrumental parts spattered across the plain, the picture is a pretty one. It’s plain and simply put, just really, really nice to listen to and drift away into. Makes me wonder why it’s taken this long for this gent to step out from behind other folks and really shine.

Smart arrangements (though, would you expect anything less, really?) – much smarter choices that I could dream of making. The songwriter manages to keep the songs interesting, without being too showy. The structure of the songs, the chord changes all of this is absolutely brilliant. I am not sure how, but as varied as the songs could be classified across the board (country tinged folk, piano ballads, and those horns), the collection as a whole works and flows particularly well. I feel that the fact that Rose supports so many different folks and is such a varied talent has seeped into his own influence. And that is a beautiful thing to pay witness to.

One tune I am strongly drawn to is “One Way to Go”. Rose’s voice takes on a bit of grit and twang here,  an attitude that really pulls at the song and your heart. The harmonies and the annunciation of the chorus line is also fantastic and moving. The fiddle kicks in at just the right moment, everything just works here for me so well. I’m not sure there is such thing as a perfect song, but this one has its fingertips grazing the ceiling.

“Cumberland Blue Line” displays Charlie’s songwriting skills at the forefront. Witty and a dry humor speckled into heartfelt songs spread a juxtaposed emotion into his songwriting that isn’t too serious, but is still poignant and deep.

I’ve been here 6 months and I don’t have much to show

But an overdrawn account at the company store.

“Me Vs. the Minibar” takes on a country, rock n’ roll feel where the previous tunes have had a bit subdued feel. It’s a nice divergence from the other tunes and a great transition point in the record. Again showing Rose’s humor and wit in the lyrics of the song as well establishing him as a great writer.

“Oh Darling” is another gorgeous piano ballad that tugs at the heart strings a bit. Rose takes on a certain hesistance to his voice. There is a subtle fragility to his timbre. A song when simple can be the most complex thing in the world. A piano, a guys voice, and a gals voice. It’s one of the most beautiful things I could think of listening to and Rose just nails it here. Plus I am super jealous that he sings this gorgeous song with Aoife O’ Donovan…though I guess I am also equally jealous that Aoife gets to sing with Charlie.

Oh, oh darling, come along with me

I will put away my banjo and I’ll take your company.

What I like the best about this record is how the tables have turned a bit. As much as Charlie has supported countless musicians on the road and in the studio over the years, he deserves the light this time around…and damn, does the guy shine brightly. With guest appearances from Aoife O’ Donovan, Brittany Haas, Mark Erelli, Jocie Adams and more it would be easy to get lost in the mix of talent, but Rose is at the forefront of all of these songs and he is absolutely exceptional.

Charlie officially releases the record this coming Sunday at State Park Bar in Kendall Square at 8 PM with a host of pals!

http://www.charlierosemusic.com/