The Fabulous Thunderbirds — “Struck Down” — Stony Plain Records
“Struck Down” is not only the first album in eight years by the Fabulous Thunderbirds, it also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the band’s founding in 1974.
Band members over the years includes big blues names like Duke Robillard, Jimmie Vaughan, Fran Christina, Kid Ramos, Gene Taylor, and Nick Curran, among others. The current band is Kim Wilson on vocals and harmonica, Johnny Moeller on guitar, Bob Welsh on keyboards and guitar, Rudy Albin on drums and Steve Kirsty on bass.
And co-founder Wilson, the only original T-Bird still in the band, says, “I think “Struck Down” is my best album with The Fabulous Thunderbirds…by far.” It’s hard to disagree. It’s filled with great songs, fine performances and a stellar musical cast.
Special guests include Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’ and Mick Fleetwood on the album’s lone cover song, Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling.” Other guests are Elvin Bishop, Terrance Simien and Canadian guitar whiz Steve Strongman, who with Wilson wrote nine of the album’s ten tracks.
Strongman leads off the opener, “Struck Down With the Blues,” wrapping a torrid guitar around Wilson’s vocals, which after 50 years are as strong as ever, having aged to vintage quality. Simien leads with his accordion on “Don’t Make No Sense,” adding a Cajun flair, with a little help from Wilson’s harp.
“Payback Time” is tough, rocking blues with Gibbons on guitar and backup vocals. That’s followed by the gorgeous acoustic cover version of the Memphis Minnie classic, “Nothing in Rambling,” on which Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ trade vocals, with Mick Fleetwood handling drums and percussion. It’s a classic in its own way and an album highlight.
“Won’t Give Up” is another tough rocker with Wilson adding furious harp lines, and lyrical nod to one of his first big hits: “Don’t tell me I’m not tough enough.” A gently swinging harp opens the acoustic ballad, “The Hard Way,” with a soulful Wilson vocal turn. “Whatcha Do To Me” shuffles in with Elvin Bishop on guitar and more fine Wilson harp.
“I’ve Got Eyes” opens with a percussive beat charged with the blues, and a stinging guitar solo chasing Wilson’s razor-sharp harp. “That’s Cold” keeps the tempo high in a frantic tale of a lover’s distress. The closer is another highlight, the luxurious ballad “Sideline,” with Chris Ayries’ eloquent harmonizing, and a sensuous sax solo from Kirsty.
“Struck Down” is an excellent album. It’s just the right mix of styles and tempos, showing off Wilson’s accumulated musical wisdom and lyrical strength, a half-century into the Thunderbirds’ long and spirited career. They are still tuff enuff!
A live performance of the T-Birds big 1986 hit, “Tuff Enuff”:
“Payback Time” from the album:
Track Listing
1. Struck Down By The Blues (featuring Steve Strongman), 3:41
2. Don’t Make No Sense (featuring Terrance Simien), 2:47
3. Payback Time (featuring Billy Gibbons), 3:35
4. Nothing in Rambling (featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal & Mick Fleetwood), 3:55
5. Won’t Give Up, 3:35
6. The Hard Way, 4:06
7. Whatcha Do To Me (featuring Elvin Bishop), 3:09
8. I’ve Got Eyes, 4:07
9. That’s Cold, 2:18
10. Sideline, 4:03
Blues Roadhouse 