Search - George Thorogood & Destroyers :: Ride Til I Die

Best effort ever!!

Adam Fisher | Chicagoland, USA | 06/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm one of the biggest Thorogood freaks in the country, having seen the band in concert around 56 times since the late 80s all over the midwest. But although I do listen to some studio album tracks of his, it was always his CONCERTS that used to make me drive hours and hours, miles and miles across endless blue highways and major interstates to hear songs of George's LIVE. His shows were always loud, ferocious, and George's wildman antics on stage such as playing guitar over his head, twirling around the stage, dropping down to one knee and hoisting the mike stand up and out into the roaring crowds were a million, no, a BILLION miles away from the limited slow songs that we hear repeatedly on the radio, such as I Drink Alone and Bad to the Bone. However, always one to support my favorite band in the world, I went out and dutifly picked up his latest CD, Ride Til I Die. I can, in all honesty, say that this CD(especially with the addition of Thorogood's new rhythm guitarist Jim Suhler), measures up to the same qualities of the live shows. The production is crystal sharp, George's guitar work is as good as it's ever been, the song selection is phenomenal! Thorogood's guitarist, Jim Suhler, is as accomplished a guitarist as they come and adds some very, very interesting solos and rhythm guitar work that, combined with Thorogood's slide and powerhouse style, makes the Destroyers unstoppable now on vinyl AND on stage. Highlights for me are; definately the rocker "American Made", which also features some heart stopping saxaphone work from the legendary Destroyer saxaphonist Hank Carter. Also, for some classic Destroyer energy cuts, give the slide gem "Sweet Little Lady" and "Devil In Disguise" listens. Also, the title track, which features George on acoustic guitar, Jim Suhler on electric, is a John Lee Hooker song which George and Jim COULD NOT play any better than it is on the CD. God, I love this album so much! If you're a fan of Thorogood, please do yourself a favor and go pick this up! It's in my oppinion the best CD of Thorogood's 26 year career."

Nice to have ya back George!

Biker395 | 05/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a Thorogood fan since the mid 70s when he used to play the Philly clubs and I was too young to go so I could only listen to the live broadcasts on WMMR. I have followed Thorogood since then and seen him in concert more times than I can count. this album is definitely a pleasant surprise given that after, "Boogie People" his studio albums got progressively worse. "Haircut" was a huge step down, but still okay in spots. The album after that which I can't even remember the title of was so disappointing that my best friend and I actually threw darts at the Cd until it shattered and "Half a boy, Half a Man" while an interesting idea and a decent listen was not up to the standards that I had come to expect from his earlier albums. so, you can imagine my trepidation when I heard that he had a new album out, but my fears were quickly laid to rest from the opening track. George and the boys are back to that raw bluesy rock sound that made them so great in the 70s and 80s. The production on this record is top notch - clear as a bell, but still with enough rawness to let the instruments do the talking. Jim Suhler is an excellent addition to the band. Let's face facts, george is a decent slide player, but his solos do tend to sound the same after a while and Suhler breaks that trend up very nicely with some classic rock licks. Hank carter as usual is a maniac on the sax and Bill and Jeff are still the tightest engine room in the biz. so why did I give this album only four stars? Well, it's mainly because of george's voice. Don't get me wrong, I know this is a rock album and vocal quality never made a rock album worth cranking, but his voice seems to be getting worse with age. There are several spots, (In "American Made" in particular), where he completely misses the note that he is trying to sing and that makes those songs harder to listen to. My favorite songs on this record are "Move It" and "Devil in Disguise" mainly because I like the harmony vocals. In other words, the instrumentation, production and song choices get five stars and George's singing gets three stars making the album an overall four-star record. Either way, it is definitely worth buying and playing over and over again - preferably at top volume. GEORGE IS BACK!"

Lonesome George Discovers Viagra

Biker395 | Torrance, CA USA | 09/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of the Destroyers for a long time ... since hearing them rip through "I'm Wanted" on stage on a hot summer night at the old Country Club in Reseda.



When they're on, no one rocks like the Destroyers.



But over time, the Destroyers lost their edge. Their studio recordings were spotty ... sometimes lacking the energy, focus, and spirit of their earlier work. And I have yet to hear a live CD that can match some of their earlier bootleg recordings.



All that has changed.



I dunno what happened here. It could be Jimmy Suhler's driving rhythm guitar. It could be great engineering. It could be the little blue pill has found it's way into Thorogood's medicine cabinet.



Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. What matters is on the CD, and on that score, this one has it where it counts. This is one great rock n' roll record.



Take a quick MP3 tour and hear it for yourself. Don't miss "She's Gone", "You Don't Love Me, You Don't Care", and "Greedy Man". And don't leave without sampling a bit of Chuck Berry's "Move It".



And here's a special note to the snobs who dismiss Thorogood as the "Cheez Wiz" of blues and rock n' roll:



Pass me the nachos on your way out."