Jimmy Thackery has been around so long that he could be called an old
man of the blues. His guitar skills are legendary, and his live shows
are something highly recommended. Recently his CD's have stressed vocals
and stories rather than the guitar fireworks that he has become well
known for.
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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