Deuces
by: Charlie Daniels Band
(Koch/Blue Hat)
Deuces is Charlie Daniels’ finest work since Fire On The Mountain. Now I realize that is a bold statement, given the fact that he has produced dozens of excellent works between that seminal 1970’s album and this new collection, but I stand by my statement.
It’s all about feeling. On Deuces, Charlie seems more young at heart than ever before, having the time of his life, and covering classic songs with the help of some of his very talented friends. The happiness of the sessions comes through on the very first listening, and just begs for repeat listenings.
Charlie duets with Travis Tritt on a rocking version of Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say,” and Bonnie Bramlett simply blows the roof off of the building with Charlie on Stevie Wonder's “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” (Bonnie is on her way back to the top. Just wait until you hear her upcoming record Beautiful.)
Daniels and his band smoke on all of the tracks, and Charlie joins Gretchen Wilson for a fun arrangement of Johnny and June’s “Jackson.” “The Night They Drove Ol’ Dixie Down” begins with Civil War style drumming, and Vince Gill adds his smooth as silk vocals to the song. The Earl Scruggs Revue lives again on Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm,” as Charlie rocks it out with Earl, Gary and Randy Scruggs, and Charlie teams with the legendary Dolly Parton on Dolly’s own song “Daddy’s Old Fiddle.”
Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish duets with Charlie on Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” and Charlie joins The Del McCoury Band for “Evangeline.” Brenda Lee, Brooks and Dunn, Brad Paisley and Montgomery Gentry are all featured in duets with The CDB.
Perhaps the coolest track on the record is a song written by Charlie and sung by him and Marty Stuart- "God Save Us All from Religion” sums up mine and many others feelings in one great song. You go Charlie!
Deuces is jam up and jelly tight, with red hot playing and more talent than you can shake a stick at. I haven’t had an album crack into my all time Top Ten in many years, but this one did. I think you’ll like it too. Charlie is like a fine wine. He just gets better with age.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
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