Hootie & the Blowfish - Musical Chairs

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

Name Credits Benjamin Niles Art Direction, Design Boyd Tinsley Violin Bruce Dukov Violin Curt Kroeger Assistant Engineer Darius Rucker Vocals, Mandolin, Guitar David Campbell Arranger David Leonard Mixing Dean Felber Bass, Vocals (Background), Guitar Don Gehman Producer, Engineer, Mixing Doug Trantow Engineer, Mixing Gary Greene Percussion Gena Maria Rankin Vocals Helen Mitchell Stylist Jim Sonefeld Drums, Percussion, Bass, Vocals (Background) Joel Derouin Violin John Nau Wurlitzer, Piano, Harmonica, Vox Jaguar, Organ Larry Corbett Cello LeRoi Moore Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano) Mark Bryan Guitar, Banjo, Vocals (Background) Mary Rozzi Photography Norman Jean Roy Photography Patrick Warren Chamberlin Peter Holsapple Guitar, Piano, Mandolin, Accordion, Dobro Rachel Purkin Violin Robert Becker Violin Roger Sommers Assistant Engineer Susan Cowsill Vocals Suzie Katayama Cello