"Top to bottom, this CD is all the proof you need that J Thack is one of the hottest guitarists around. The title track alone is worth the price, with a classic Peter Gunn feel, and Jimmy Carpenter blowing incredible Sax. You want Memphis R&B? You got it. R&R? You Got It. Blues? You definitely got it. Make a note to catch Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers when they blow into town."
Not Bad!
deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 12/27/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I am a long time Thackery fan and own all 8 of his CD's. I was hooked after one live performance during which he demonstarted his unequaled mastery of the blues guitar. Next to the originals, his live versions of Red House and Star Spangled Banner are second to none. For that reason, I subscribe to the notion that he is the 100 mile man, meaning that is how far you should drive to see him perform.However, as I soon discovered, a live Thackery performance cannot be mistaken for Memorex. For example, the CD's "Sideways in Paradise" and "That's It" show none of his guitar wizardry while only flashes of brilliance shine through on what is arguably his best CD to date, "Wild Night Out".While this CD is good, it does not measure up to either "Wild Night Out" or a live performance. The CD seems to lack consistency and an overall theme. Instead, it is a collage of popish blues such as "Grab The Rafters", "Bad News" and "Having a Heart" complete with unnecessary doo wop style backup vocals, the funky "Chained to the Blues Line" with James Brown sounding sax, the ZZ Top texas boogie style in "Detroit Iron" and "Million Dollar Bill" to the swinging Roomful of Blues style "Hundreds into Ones"The only three tunes which stand out on this CD and hint at Thackery's capabilities are "Million Dollar Bill", "Sinner Street" and "Blues 'Fore Dawn". All three are good examples of what you might experience at a Thackery show. Buy the CD for variety, but see him LIVE for a real experience."
Not the old Jimmy Thackery
Patrick Earley | Edmond, Oklahoma USA | 01/25/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"It's become evident over the last couple albums that Jimmy wants to take his music in other directions.On this album, he's added on a full horn section. Something you never heard in earlier albums like 'Empty Arms Motel' or Trouble Man'. Even though he's still got his great songwriting skills, I feel like his guitar is starting to take a back seat to the arrangments. As a person who owns all of Jimmy's albums, I miss that unique trademark echo-laden guitar sound that spoiled me on his earlier albums. I'm giving this one 3 stars, but keep in mind that a 3 star Jimmy Thackery is better than 90% of all the other bluz-rock out there."
This CD is worth the price of admission!
Frank Nye | Shippensburg, PA | 11/29/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have to disagree with Filthybiker's review of this CD ("My hero has let me down"). I am a Thackery fan but I must admit that I was not very impressed with his previous cd (Switching Gears), however, this new release (Sinner Street) is a pretty damn good cd. He has added a sax player but he still rips on the guitar just like always. I ordered the cd without ever hearing it so when I read Filthybiker's review after I had already ordered this cd (but prior to receiving it), I was fully prepared for a disappointment when it arrived. NOT SO! I like this cd and am giving it 4 stars. For those not familiar with Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, I would categorize their music as Rockin' Blues and their best two cd's (in my humble opinion) are: Wild Night Out (a live recording) and Drive To Survive. These are must have CD's. However, Sinner Street is on par with most of their other cd's. The only one I couldn't 'get into' was Switching Gears. For those of you that have never seen Jimmy Thackery play, he is like a cross between Hendrix and Stevie Ray. He is that good. A real showman on the guitar. He plays with his teeth, with his tongue, behind his head, behind his back... he is a maestro. When he plays the Star Spangled Banner live you'd swear you were at Woodstock listening to Hendrix playing it. Listen to his version of Red House (on the Wild Night Out cd) and you will be blown away. Nuff said! I'm listening to Sinner Street as I type this and it is a good cd. Trust me on this. Stand out songs include: Million Dollar Bill, Never Enough, Detroit Iron, Grab The Rafters, and the title track itself (an instrumental). Buy this cd and you won't be disappointed."
Outstanding CD
Brianne Corbett | Buffalo, IL United States | 05/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some diehards don't want to let the world turn... they cry out for the old blues riffs on earlier Thackery CD's. Fact is that Jimmy is giving people what they want and growing at the same time. It was the new hot rock sound that blew away the audience at Chord on Blues Saturday night. The owner even commented on Jimmy's awesome rendition of Wild Thing as being a first for this all-blues club.The audience wouldn't let Jimmy and the Drivers leave the stage! Two multi-song encores! Every hot riff got lavished with stand up/screaming applause. He can still craft complex bluesy creations but he can also shred with the best of them. The man's magical gift of the blues is still there... but there is more... so much more. The critics forgot about Jimmy's years with the Nighthawks. Rock was a big part of the Nighthawk's musical portfolio. Jimmy knows rock as well as he knows the blues. And he can meld the two together exquisitely. That is key to his new sound.The Sinner Street CD is a testament to Jimmy's ear for what the public wants. He added the incredible sax player, Jimmy Carpenter, and it has jump started the Drivers big time. I spoke with Jimmy during a break and he expressed how happy he was with the new sound and Jimmy Carpenter.The new sound even goes to his equipment. His trusty old Strat was stolen. So he got a new Strat with a Floyd Rose trem and a brand new set of Joe Barden's. He said that he never plays his old guitars anymore as he loves this new guitar so much. It showed in concert. His new live performances feature many of the Sinner Street numbers. They are excellent... as they grow on me, I start liking them better than most of my old Thackery favorites. Yes... there is more of a contribution from Carpenter and a bit less Thackery... but the mix is super. Jimmy has hit the nail on the head and you will love it. Jimmy Thackery has grown a band... the Drivers... and they are now his peers and not just background for his guitar pyrotechnics. Don't mourn an imagined loss of the old Jimmy Thackery... welcome his great band... the Drivers... and Jimmy's integration with these wonderful professionals. Sinner Street is about Jimmy's integration with his band and the public's desires.If you love Jimmy Thackery, buy this CD. If you don't love Jimmy Thackery, buy this CD... you will love him now."