Rodney Carrington Albums (8)
What The Critics Say
Coming from a guy who released an album called Morning Wood and a song called "Rhymes with Truck," and who has appeared naked as a jaybird on an album cover, one might think Make It Christmas is a "put the kids to bed" affair with all the breast jokes and beer drinking that usually come with Rodney Carrington. It's anything but, as having teenaged kids has sent Carrington's moral compass in a completely different direction, one that points to tradition, family values, good will toward men, and comfy sweaters, especially come Christmastime. Make It Christmas is the country comedian/television star turning Johnny Mathis, with his surprisingly good and extremely comfortable voice delivering a mixed bag of Christmas standards; new holiday music (including Carrington's own "The Presents Under the Tree [Better Be for Me]"); and a handful of well-chosen, lesser-known numbers such as David Foster's "Grown Up Christmas List." While few will be knocked out by his vocal stylings, his likability and warmth are what matter most. There is plenty of both, front and center with support from either a lush orchestra or polished studio band led by producer/arranger Steve Dorff. The bittersweet and poignant "Camouflage and Christmas Lights" is that rare holiday song that speaks directly to military families, while the title track asks the age-old question of why peace on earth isn't a year-round concern. Peace is the subtle theme of the album, and as Rodney successfully expresses its need and importance -- with a little "Winter Wonderland" along the way -- Make It Christmas ends up both an above average celebrity Christmas album and an easy recommendation to his legion of fans. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Produced by his good friend Toby Keith, El Niño Loco is the first all-song album from Rodney Carrington, with none of the live standup found on his earlier releases. Best of the bunch is one co-written with Keith, "White Shirts & Rain," where Carrington obsesses on breasts like a schoolboy and then begs women, "Could you run through my lawn?/I got my sprinkler on/Because today looks like no rain." Highlight "If I'm the Only One" suspects the wife is cheating ("If I'm the only one you've ever loved/How come you got so many Mardi Gras beads"), while the very funny "Do You All" looks back at Carrington's high-school days as a time of missed opportunities ("There were other girls and I had the chance/But I got down in the wrong one's pants/And I'm married now"). The Mexicali-flavored title track and the country-rockin' "Drink More Beer" are both on permanent vacation and are perfectly suited for Kenny Chesney or Jimmy Buffett fans. Actually, any flipflop-wearing weekend warrior with a crude sense of humor will enjoy the majority of the album, but might want to bail before the closing "Funny Man" spoils the party with its sappy and tedious tears-of-a-clown story. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Rodney Carrington once again divides an album between his standup comedy and a group of comic songs. On the first five tracks, he delves into embarrassing medical and sexual matters, although he seems unembarrassed himself. He gives particular attention to the subject of prostate examinations in "Hypochondriac," revealing an extreme state of homophobia. His sexually obsessed humor has no wit to speak of, but earns laughs for its uninhibited character. Then it's on to the songs, all of them candidates for Dr. Demento. "Carlos, Man of Love" and "Letter to My Penis" are repeated from earlier records. "It's Too Late," a duet with Lisa Cochran, details the deterioration of a romantic relationship in explicit terms. The song is also presented in a "radio edit version" that eliminates one vulgar word but retains its overall tone. (It's amazing what you can get on the radio these days.) ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
'Live: C'mon Laugh You Bastards'
Release Date 10/23/2001
Tracks 27
Label Capitol
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What The Critics Say
On Rodney Carrington's Morning Wood, a couple of the country comic's songs are included twice, in both live and studio versions. It seems to be a requirement of country comedians that they also sing humorous country songs, and Carrington thankfully has a good voice, although his topics are the usual ones. This time around, Carrington's attitude prevails, as he spins out his jokes and relies heavily on audience interaction. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
'Rodney Carrington: Live'
Release Date 10/19/1999
Tracks 1
Label Intersound
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What The Critics Say
A gonzo country comedian in the not-so-grand tradition of Cledus T. Judd, Rodney Carrington delivers a Molotov cocktail of stand-up and satirical songs on his major-label debut, Hangin' with Rodney. While the stand-up material, recorded live in a variety of clubs, is certainly outrageous, listeners will get an even bigger kick out of musical performances like "Dancing with a Man," "Letter to My Penis" and "Fred." Fun-nee! ~ Chuck Donkers, All Music Guide
'King of the Mountains'
Release Date 10/31/1929
Tracks 30
Label Liberty
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What The Critics Say
When he landed a sitcom on ABC in 2004, Rodney Carrington quickly lifted himself out of the world of guest appearances on morning zoo radio and small-time comedy clubs. In other words, he went from Tim Wilson to Jeff Foxworthy and sanitized his act accordingly for prime-time TV. The two seasons of Rodney had a bit of an edge, but the truly trashy side of his act was still there, growing or maybe festering and waiting for its turn. Completely free of shame, King of the Mountains is the hilarious result. Carrington has used the four years since his last new album to hone his ribald act without disrupting the easygoing, everyman charm. His standup material is tight, but it also flows effortlessly with the comedian casually strolling through his day-to-day life of porno, immature friends, dysfunctional family, and a world that's a little too fast for a die-hard Oklahoman. His "aw shucks" attitude tempers the filth and down-home bias, but it's his understanding of what he pretends to not understand that really separates him from the Cable Guys and other Blue Collar comedians. Carrington does a perfect Bobby Trendy impression to play a Rodeo Drive salesclerk on "Shopping on Rodeo Street," while the song "Rap Star" has some current insider and properly used hip-hop slang, even if it's introduced with an "I don't know a dang thing about these rappers" excuse. As good as the standup portion of the album is, King of the Mountains does ramp up to what is always the best part of any Carrington effort: the dirty, silly, and catchy songs. They're presented at the end of the live show and again in their studio versions with a touching, heartfelt tribute to fellow comedian and longtime friend Barry Martin closing the album. With observational humor threatening to take the spotlight away from the novelty songs, King of the Mountains is a good laugh the whole way through and, in turn, his strongest album to date. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
