Press

- “Dear Diana” happens to be the third Charlie Shafter song on our Top 40 list. To say that “Charlie Shafter” is a great album is an understatement. It’s a songwriting masterpiece. In recent interviews with us, he’s always mentioned how Ray Wylie Hubbard has given him more than a enough words of wisdom that have given him a better understanding of what it is to be a songwriter. One of those lessons that has really grabbed my attention that Shafter mentioned is this the “timelessness of music.” I’ve probably mentioned it myself a number of times since hearing Shafter speak about it. It’s this belief of writing songs that fit you regardless of age. Write songs that transcend time, genres, labels, phases, and scenes. “Dear Diana” in particular finds Shafter as a maturing songwriter. The song’s melody is an elegant piece where the drumming is at a minimum. There’s a handful of timely foot stomps and handclaps, Starfire playing on the piano, and Shafter strumming a charming resonator which creates this crisp, clean sensation. It’s the perfect early morning song where you’re enjoying the sun rise with a cup of strong coffee. You can feel the cool, gentle wind hit your face as you’re sitting on your porch. Shafter’s soothing croon is as relaxed as ever on a song in which Shafter shares his wisdom beyond his years lyrics about life. You can tell that with “Charlie Shafter” has entered a period of songwriting that’s near perfect. The masses may not become familiar with Shafter (that happens all too often), but he’s becoming that songwriter who is every songwriter’s favorite songwriter.–THOMAS D. MOONEY (NEW SLANG)

- With his song “Sea Wall,” Charlie Shafter may have penned the most personal universal love story not written by Walt Wilkins that I’ve heard in years. “It doesn’t seem so remarkable, looking back on it now,” he sings, but it is — especially with the sumptuous backing vocals of Brandy Zdan helping to focus the emotion. For my money, “Sea Wall” is hands down the best track on Shafter’s 10-song self-titled debut, but the whole album is teeming with heart and earth. Shafter, a native of Illinois, has been living and playing in Texas for enough years now to catch the attention of more than a few discerning singer-songwriter fans, and his smart teaming here with producers Ray Wylie Hubbard and George Reiff only makes his light shine brighter. Hubbard is felt the most in the opening lines of the closing track, “Dog on a Chain,” which starts slow before pouring itself into a jam worthy of the old Snake Farmer at his best. “Drunk on Desire” is another standout, with a strikingly suggestive beat to accompany the lyric and Zdan once again lending sweet support. Although not without moments of swelling grandeur when called for, the organic arrangements and non-flashy production keep Shafter’s strengths as both a writer and singer in sharp relief. If this guy’s not on your radar yet, he will be soon. — CODY OXLEY (Lone Star Music Magazine)