Hootie Hits CD Due in March

Jahfin · Post by **Jahfin** » February 20, 2004 3:00 pm

From RollingStone.com:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsar ... ?nid=19358

South Carolina rockers celebrate ten years since breakthrough

A decade after Hootie and the Blowfish released their 16-million-selling debut album Cracked Rear View, the South Carolina rockers will release a seventeen-track greatest hits package, Hootie and the Blowfish (1993-2003). Due out March 2nd on Rhino/Atlantic, the compilation favors originals from that debut with tracks such as "Hold My Hand," "Time" and "Let Her Cry," and also features live staples like Hootie's take on Led Zeppelin's "Hey Hey What Can I Do" and Bill Withers' "Use Me."
Also included is the band's biggest hit, "Only Wanna Be With You," which frontman Darius Rucker originally opposed including on Cracked Rear View. "I was wrong," Rucker admits, with a laugh. "Mark brought the music to me and I remember thinking, 'I don't know about this chord progression.' I thought it was kind of cheesy, but it grew on me."

In the song's lyrics, Rucker referenced both his favorite songwriter and his favorite local band. "It was such a shout-out," he says. "[Defunct North Carolina jangle popsters] Dillon Fence is one of the reasons I'm here, and I always wanted to be Bob Dylan. I really have so much respect for both of them."

Over the last few years both Rucker and guitarist Mark Bryan made solo albums and in recording last year's self-titled album with producer Don Was (Rolling Stones, Black Crowes), the singer returned to the group with a new appreciation for his bandmates. "In working on my solo record I met so many bands that don't get along," he says. "I can't imagine that. I really realized how special what we have is."

If Rucker has his way, Was will be back on the boards for a record he hopes Hootie will record after their spring tour. "He's a great producer and great guy," Rucker says. "He gets us, and I'm really looking forward to working with him again."

Hootie and the Blowfish (1993-2003) track listing:

Hold My Hand
Only Wanna Be With You
Let Her Cry
Time
Not Even The Trees
Old Man and Me (When I Get to Heaven)
Hey Hey What Can I Do
Tucker's Town
I Go Blind
Sad Caper
Be The One
Use Me
I Will Wait
Innocence
Space
Only Lonely
Goodbye Girl

Hootie and the Blowfish tour dates:

2/27-28: Lincoln City, OR, Chinook Winds Casino
4/30: Greenville, SC, Bi-Lo Center
5/28: Little Rock, AR, Little Rock Riverfest
5/29: Montgomery, AL, Montgomery Jubilee CityFest
5/30: Atlanta, Chastain Park
6/3: Vienna, VA, Wolf Trap Performing Arts
6/11: Mashantucket, CT, Foxwood Resort and Casino
6/12: Verona, NY, Turning Stone Casino Resort
6/17: Ontario, Casino Rama

COLIN DEVENISH
(February 19, 2004)

Ilph · Post by **Ilph** » February 20, 2004 8:59 pm

Ah man, Hootie is great! What a awesome live show!

Pencil Thin (inactive) · February 23, 2004 10:32 am

Ilph wrote:Ah man, Hootie is great! What a awesome live show!

Ditto. Saw them in Phoenix one year at the Phoenix Open golf tournament. They can also swing the clubs pretty good. From what I hear, you will never catch them without their clubs.

bananaman · Post by **bananaman** » February 23, 2004 10:51 am

I love Hootie too. I heard an awful rumor (still don't know if it's true) that a couple of years ago they played at the state fair here in SC and hardly anybody came to hear 'em play. Someone said it was because they charged admission and it p*** everyone off. I guess they thought the concert should've been free since they were playing in their hometown.

iuparrothead · Post by **iuparrothead** » February 23, 2004 4:34 pm

I didn't even know they had any "hits" since Cracked Rear View...

sunseeker · Post by **sunseeker** » February 23, 2004 4:43 pm

iuparrothead wrote:I didn't even know they had any "hits" since Cracked Rear View...

actually, there last cd (self titled) is GREAT!! They still have strong following here in the south....they are good guys....

Ilph · Post by **Ilph** » February 23, 2004 6:38 pm

Yeah, we got a chance to meet Darius after a benefit show here in St. Louis and he was real cool. And I totally agree that HBF is a great album!

sunseeker · Post by **sunseeker** » February 24, 2004 11:58 am

Ilph wrote:Yeah, we got a chance to meet Darius after a benefit show here in St. Louis and he was real cool. And I totally agree that HBF is a great album!

they just played for some fans at a small club here in NC...invited the people from their webboard. It was pretty cool...imagine Buffett doint something like that for us

Ilph · Post by **Ilph** » February 24, 2004 6:27 pm

It would be insane. Jimmy has a slightly larger following.