This album, Jimmy Thackery's first for the Telarc label, marks a change of direction for the former Nighthawks frontman, thanks to his decision to focus on the work of soul great Eddie Hinton. Although Thackery has concent... more »rated on R&B before, notably in the late 1980s and early '90s during his stint with the Assassins, that aspect of his sound is very much in evidence here, tempering his trademark gritty blues-rock sound with a touch of smoothness. That's especially evident on the ballads, of which there are quite a few; the title track brims with sultry sweetness. "It's All Wrong but It's All Right," another Hinton song, includes a guitar solo in Thackery's Buddy Guy-influenced style, making it a perfect blend of source material and good, old-fashioned inspiration. By the final notes of the closing track, Hinton's "Big Fat Woman," anyone not already a Thackery fan is bound to be converted. One thing that hasn't changed is the energy and verve the guitarist always brings to his work. --Genevieve Williams« less
This album, Jimmy Thackery's first for the Telarc label, marks a change of direction for the former Nighthawks frontman, thanks to his decision to focus on the work of soul great Eddie Hinton. Although Thackery has concentrated on R&B before, notably in the late 1980s and early '90s during his stint with the Assassins, that aspect of his sound is very much in evidence here, tempering his trademark gritty blues-rock sound with a touch of smoothness. That's especially evident on the ballads, of which there are quite a few; the title track brims with sultry sweetness. "It's All Wrong but It's All Right," another Hinton song, includes a guitar solo in Thackery's Buddy Guy-influenced style, making it a perfect blend of source material and good, old-fashioned inspiration. By the final notes of the closing track, Hinton's "Big Fat Woman," anyone not already a Thackery fan is bound to be converted. One thing that hasn't changed is the energy and verve the guitarist always brings to his work. --Genevieve Williams
deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 06/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thackery's latest release is a tribute CD of sorts to the late Eddie Hinton whose songs, 8 of 11, are covered by Thackery. Hinton, who has been called the white Otis Redding, has composed R&B hits for Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett and the Staple Singers and has performed with the Allman Brothers in addition to releasing four solo CD's. The title of Thackery's CD, like some of the other songs contained here, comes from a song on Hinton's 1978 release "Very Extremely Dangerous". Other songs on this release can be found on import copies of "Dear Y' All" and "Letters From Mississippi". Thackery's guitar playing and gritty vocals brings a new dimension to these often overlooked tunes. Listen for example to the hard driving title song or the foot tapping boogie number "Big Fat Woman". While you're at it, don't miss the fantastic, surf induced, Thackery original "Blues Dog Prowl". I have said in prior reviews and I will say it again, former Nighthawk frontman, Jimmy Thackery, is one outstanding guitarist. This CD continues to prove that point and at the same time bring a little attention to Mr. R&B himself, Eddie Hinton."
More "Road House" (Red House) PLEASE!!
John Casey | Wheatland, Ca. USA | 07/04/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)
"First of all, there are alot of working guitarists today that may be better known than Jimmy Thackery, yet the vast majority of them couldn't carry his guitar case, much less play as good as this man. But I buy Jimmy's Cd's to HEAR his phenomenal gut-wrenching blues playing; this one gives me alot of (too much of) horns, vocals, r&b arrangements, and very little of what this fan wants! A couple of the songs (I understand it's a tribute to the late Eddie Hinton) let Jimmy play, yet just when's he's getting into the "groove", here comes the abrupt "fade-out"! What's up with that? Check out "Dangerous Highway" and "Super Lover". And if I read another reviewer describe Jimmy's vocals as "gritty", I'll SCREAM! Ronnie Earl's best efforts are WITHOUT vocals; Jimmy CAN sing with the best of them, but NOT on any given song! Ever hear "If You Go" from "Wild Night Out"? Stunning. There's nothing on this CD that COMES CLOSE, even allowing that the effort is there. There are cuts you'll play over and over: i.e. "Super Lover"!), but Jimmy! I'll wait for your next CD - take me back to the EMPTY ARMS MOTEL & the WILD NIGHT('S)OUT!!"
Disappointing
M. Mason | England | 11/14/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I am a big Jimmy Thackery fan, but this album is disappointing by his very high standards. His worst album by a long way. The best tracks on it are the ones he wrote, especially "Blues Dog Prowl" - worth the cost of the CD on its own. If you're new to Jimmy Thackery, don't start here - try "Wild Night Out" or "Drive to Survive"."
NOT HIS BEST WORK.
Terry Wilson | Toledo, OHIO United States | 01/22/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Love his guitar work on his songs. But....this CD is not his best. It is not what you would expect from his previous CD's. He sounds tired. But....if you are a fan you will still buy it and listen to the songs. You will play the older CD's again to see the difference."
Not His Best
Sandy Edwards | Atlanta | 07/10/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Although his guitarwork is nice on this release, it seems to be over produced. Not raw enough for me. I still find it hard to get past his vocals too. Wild night out gives a better taste of what Jimmy is all about; In your face guitar. Jimmy, no need to sing my brotha, just jam on it!"