T-Bird Rhythm Explained

T-Bird Rhythm
Type:studio
Artist:The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Cover:T-Bird Rhythm.png
Studio:Third Coast Sound, Austin, Texas
Genre:Blues rock, Texas blues
Length:35:27
Label:Chrysalis (Original)
Benchmark (Reissue)
Producer:Nick Lowe
Prev Title:Butt Rockin'
Prev Year:1981
Next Title:Tuff Enuff
Next Year:1986

T-Bird Rhythm is the fourth studio album by Texas-based blues rock band the Fabulous Thunderbirds, released in 1982.[1] [2] The recording contains a mixture of covers and originals. Chrysalis dropped the band following the release of the album.[3]

Production

The album was produced by Nick Lowe.[4] A video was produced for "How Do You Spell Love?"[5]

Critical reception

Robert Christgau wrote that "both sides open with fetchingly offhand ravers, Kim Wilson works his shoo-fly drawl for gumbo lilt, and the mysterious J. Miller contributes the irresistible 'You're Humbuggin' Me', which had me tearing through my Jimmy Reed records in a fruitless search for the original." The Globe and Mail wrote: "Jimmy Vaughan's [''sic''] guitar can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, but the real genius of this band is vocalist and harmonica player Kim Wilson."[6] The New York Times called T-Bird Rhythm "a rocking album that generates excitement without sounding like the work of fanatic blues revivalists," writing: "[It] should win this soulful and accomplished band some pop air play and long-overdue recognition. And it's a welcome change for Nick Lowe, whose productions had recently begun sounding a bit like a formula and washed out."[7]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Kim Wilson; except where indicated

  1. "Can't Tear It Up Enuff"
  2. "How Do You Spell Love?" (Bobby Patterson, Jerry Strickland, Marshall Boxley)
  3. "You're Humbuggin' Me" (J.D. Miller, Rocket Morgan)
  4. "My Babe'" (Ron Holden)
  5. "Neighbor Tend to Your Business" (Huey P Meaux)
  6. "Monkey" (Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King)
  7. "Diddy Wah Diddy" (Willie Dixon, Ellas McDaniel)
  8. "Lover's Crime"
  9. "Poor Boy"
  10. "Tell Me" (J.D. Miller)
  11. "Gotta Have Some/Just Got Some" (Willie Dixon, William Robert Emerson, Don Talty)

Personnel

The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Technical

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Fabulous Thunderbirds | Biography & History. AllMusic.
  2. Book: The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology. Austin. Powell. Doug. Freeman. Daniel. Johnston. February 1, 2011. University of Texas Press. 9780292722705 . Google Books.
  3. Web site: T-BIRDS ARE 'TUFF ENUFF' FOR A POP HIT. May 25, 1986. Los Angeles Times.
  4. Book: MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide . 1999 . Visible Ink Press . 403.
  5. Denberg . Jody . Dancing in the Streets . Texas Monthly . Oct 1985 . 13 . 10 . 202.
  6. Lacey . Liam . INSIDE THE SLEEVE POP T-Bird Rhythm The Fabulous Thunderbirds . The Globe and Mail . 20 Nov 1982 . F6.
  7. Palmer . Robert . THE POP LIFE . The New York Times . 1 Dec 1982 . C28.