Fly Me Courageous is the fourth studio album by Southern rock band Drivin' N' Cryin', released on January 8, 1991, by Island Records.Drivin' N Cryin' >> Fly Me Courageous . Drivin' N Cryin' official website. Retrieved 30 June 2011. The album is the band's most commercially successful release, in part due to the title track striking a patriotic chord in the United States during the start of the Persian Gulf War. In 1995, Fly Me Courageous was certified gold.Gold & Platinum Program searchable database. RIAA. Retrieved 30 June 2011. Search "Fly Me Courageous," with quotation marks.
Overview Originally, Andy Johns was slotted to produce the album, as the band was impressed by his work with Rod Stewart and Cinderella. However, Johns fell ill, so they chose Geoff Workman to produce instead.Drivin' N Cryin' >> History . Drivin' N Cryin' official website. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
Fly Me Courageous was released during the outbreak of the Persian Gulf War. In turn, the album's title track was interpreted as a pro-war song.Moon, Tom. Protest: Songs Are Silent. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 22 January 1991. Retrieved 30 June 2011 "Fly Me Courageous" reached No. 15 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. Drivin' N Cryin's guitarist Kevn Kinney said of the song's success:
"Build a Fire" enjoyed some commercial success, reaching No. 15 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and receiving regular rotation on MTV.
Reception
Tom Demalon of AllMusic called Fly Me Courageous Drivin' N Cryin's "finest moment, both commercially and artistically." Entertainment Weeklys Bob Mack wrote of the album: "Stabs at pop ('Together') and last-ditch efforts to dazzle ('Rush Hour') are too little, too late, but even so, their impulse to integrate influences rather than pick a niche is refreshing". Both reviewers also noted the influence of R.E.M. on the album's sound (Drivin' N Cryin' had toured with R.E.M. during R.E.M.'s Green tour).Blowin’ Wind With Kevn Kinney of Drivin’ N’ Cryin’. The Great Southern Brainfart. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2011
Track listing
Personnel The following people contributed to Fly Me Courageous:Fly Me Courageous – Credits. Allmusic. Retrieved 30 June 2011Drivin' N Cryin Kevin Kinney – guitar, lead vocals Buren Fowler – guitar Tim Nielsen – bass, mandolin, backing vocals Jeff Sullivan – drums, percussionAdditional personnel''' George Marino – mastering Tim "Super Glue" Ray – assistant engineering Geoff Workman – engineering, production
Charts Album Chart (1991) Peakposition US Billboard 200 90Fly Me Courageous – Charts & Awards – Album. Allmusic. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
Singles Year SongChart positions US Modern RockFly Me Courageous – Charts & Awards – Singles. Allmusic. Retrieved 30 June 2011. US Mainstream Rock 1991 "Fly Me Courageous"15191991 "Build a Fire" –151991 "The Innocent" –31 "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
See alsoMacDougal Blues'', a 1990 Kevn Kinney solo album that features members of Drivin' 'n Cryin'
References
External links Fly Me Courageous page on Drivin' N Cryin's official website