Author: Fabulous Thunderbirds

Format: Live

Release Date: 09-10-2001

Details: Amazon.ca Nobody plays rockin' blues with more heads-down authority than the current edition of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Still led by singer-harmonica ace Kim Wilson, whose prowess on the instrument marks him as one of its all-time greats, the band surges through this February 2000 concert at full-throttle. Which means the rhythm section keeps a flat-four chug percolating, pianist-organist Gene Taylor makes like Johnny Johnson on steroids and Kid Ramos dishes out rhythm 'n' leads with reverb-drenched efficiency while Wilson keeps his pushy baritone thundering above it all. Ramos dives into the old T-Birds hit "Tuff Enuff" with a solo that punctuates steely riffing with funky chords. Wilson--although unremittingly powerful--sounds best on the slower numbers like Guitar Slim's "The Things that I Used to Do" (another Ramos showpiece). The slower tempos allow him to wrap his voice around the lyrics, stretching syllables the same way his singing harp elongates and elaborates notes. The only gripe is that this concert's tight arrangements don't give Wilson enough time to solo. As his guest performances on Ronnie Earl's Ronnie Earl and Friends show, the more Wilson stretches, the more inventive and melodic his playing becomes. Plus, Wilson's solo return to the studio is overdue. --Ted Drozdowski

UPC: 060768631526

EAN: 0060768631526

Binding: Audio CD

Item Condition: New