Although Hootie & the Blowfish delivered a fine second album, they had no hope of matching the phenomenal success of their debut, Cracked Rear View, so Fairweather Johnson was perceived as a flop, even though it moved over two million copies. In a way, that perception of failure was the best thing that could have happened to the band. With the spotlight being shone somewhere else (Alanis Morissette, to be exact), Hootie & the Blowfish could return to what they loved best -- playing music and being in a band. Musical Chairs, the group's third album, illustrates what a blessing it was for the group. Despite a couple of production flourishes, such as the occasional horn section and strings, it's no breakthrough or stylistic departure -- it's simply a well-made album, filled with catchy tunes. In other words, it's exactly like their first two records, but the performances are more kinetic and fun than on Fairweather Johnson, and the songs are arguably as consistent as those on Cracked Rear View. That's why Musical Chairs feels a bit like a comeback, but it really shouldn't be viewed that way -- it's just a consolidation of their talents and further proof that Hootie & the Blowfish are a fine mainstream pop/rock band. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Gena Maria Rankin (Vocals), David Leonard (Mixing), Don Gehman (Producer), Jim Sonefeld (Vocals (Background)), John Nau (Vox Jaguar), Bruce Dukov (Violin), Peter Holsapple (Mandolin), David Campbell (Arranger), Gary Greene (Percussion), Susan Cowsill (Vocals), Darius Rucker (Vocals), Doug Trantow (Mixing), John Nau (Wurlitzer), LeRoi Moore (Sax (Soprano)), John Nau (Harmonica), Norman Jean Roy (Photography), Rachel Purkin (Violin), Dean Felber (Bass), Benjamin Niles (Design), Don Gehman (Mixing), Mary Rozzi (Photography), Dean Felber (Vocals (Background)), Roger Sommers (Assistant Engineer), Mark Bryan (Vocals (Background)), Don Gehman (Engineer), Peter Holsapple (Dobro), Jim Sonefeld (Percussion), Peter Holsapple (Guitar), Dean Felber (Guitar), Darius Rucker (Guitar), Peter Holsapple (Accordion), Curt Kroeger (Assistant Engineer), Helen Mitchell (Stylist), Benjamin Niles (Art Direction), Peter Holsapple (Piano), Joel Derouin (Violin), Boyd Tinsley (Violin), Doug Trantow (Engineer), Mark Bryan (Banjo), Robert Becker (Violin), Patrick Warren (Chamberlin), Larry Corbett (Cello), Jim Sonefeld (Drums), Suzie Katayama (Cello), John Nau (Piano), Jim Sonefeld (Bass), LeRoi Moore (Sax (Alto)), John Nau (Organ), Mark Bryan (Guitar), Darius Rucker (Mandolin)
Musical Chairs is the third studio album by the band Hootie & the Blowfish, released on September 15, 1998. It has been certified platinum in the USA. Three singles were released off the album: "I Will Wait", "Only Lonely", and "Wishing".
"Hold My Hand" •"Let Her Cry" •"Only Wanna Be with You" •"Time" •"Drowning" •"Hey Hey What Can I Do" •"Old Man & Me" •"Tucker's Town" •"Sad Caper" •"I Go Blind" •"I Will Wait" •"Only Lonely" •"Innocence" •"Goodbye Girl" •"One Love" •"Get Out of My Mind"
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