Nine of the songs on this CD are self written either by Thackery or collaboration with his wife or friends. Two covers include 'Crazy bout a Saxophone' written by Buddy Johnson and the classic Roy Buchanan 'The Messiah Will Come'. Jimmy states on the liner notes that these songs are true stories, based upon events or people that they know. "I think that's what the blues is all about. If you look back over all the great blues songs, you'll find a lot of truth in them."

The CD opens with with 'Got it Going On', which has a real Rolling Stones rhythm sound to it. This could be a Stones song except for the vocals which bear Thackery's trademark vocal growl. 'Blues Man on Saturday Night' is a medium tempo shuffle with laid back guitar and saxophone. Lately Jimmy has been adding sax to his sound, which gives his music more of a jazzy feel. 'Baby's Got the Blues' sounds like it came straight off a Randy Newman record. Vocally and musically Thackery nails the sound and style of Newman, with his almost spoken vocals and relaxed delivery. 'I think I hear The Rain' leans towards soft county with the guitar fills and vocal style. Musically this song could track on the Country Music Channel without any problem. Think a mixture of early Eagles and Modern Country. 'Snakes in My Mailbox' is pretty basic and sounds like roots 12 bar blues acoustic blues, with minimal backing and production. 'Too Tired' is solid rockin blues which harkens back to early blues artists like Albert King and others.'Puttin Out Fires' could come out of Motown with it's funky groove and horn backing. 'Crazy bout a Saxophone' gives the sax player plenty of room to shine. It sound like it came out of a 50's jazz club or something that Brian Setzer might put in his set. 'The Messiah Will Come' is the only instrumental on this CD. It's a classic and Jimmy does it justice giving the song some Gary Moore style tone. The original vocals that Roy Buchannan did on the song might have added to it, but this is a worth while rendition.

Bottom Line: If your a Jimmy Thackery fan, then of course you'll want this release. His singing is better than on previous CD's and of course the musicianship is always top notch. His approach is more subdued than some of his "guitar hero" CD's but there's still plenty of great guitar playing on this CD. If your hung up on hot guitar, then buy it just for "The Messiah Will Come'. I give it 3 out of five stars.

Jimmy Thackery - guitar & vocals
Mark Stutso - Drums, vocals (Track 9)
Ken Faltinson - Bass, B3
Jimmy Carpenter - saxophones
Reba Russell - background vocals

Web sites:
www.jimmythackery.com
www.telarc.com

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"This review is copyright © 2003 by Robert T. Murphy, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."

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