The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Struck Down
Stony Plain Records SPCD1495
10 songs – 36 minutes
Since their foundation at the legendary Antone’s in Austin in 1974, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have endured under the direction of harp player Kim Wilson as one of the best bands in America. And they celebrate their 50th anniversary with this disc. It’s a star-studded effort that’s as contemporary as any album they’ve done yet.
Sure, Jimmie Vaughan, Keith Ferguson, Duke Robillard, Gene Taylor, Kid Ramos, Willie Campbell, Jimi Bott, Richard Innes, Kirk Fletcher, Nick Curran and a host of others are no longer in the lineup, but Kim’s current crew is as tight as a band can get with Johnny Moeller on guitar, Bob Welsh on keys and guitar, Rudy Albin Petschauer on percussion and Steven Kirsty doubling on saxophone and bass.
Recorded in New Jersey and Hamilton, Ont., this album came about after Canadian six-string giant Steve Strongman approached Wilson in the hope of paring up to write some tunes. Their chemistry proved so potent, Kim says, that they’d composed five songs in the first three days and 12 more in the three days that followed. Ten of those compositions populate this album, which includes fretwork from Steve on eight of the cuts.
Guest appearances from a host of heavyweights makes the CD even more special. Both Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’ and Billy Gibbons contribute guitar and vocals, Terrance Simien adds accordion and washboard and Mick Fleetwood sits in on drums, too. Add Taj Mahal’s voice, guitar from Elvin Bishop and Dean Shott, background vocals from Chris Ayries and percussion from Rob Szabo and you’ve got something special.
Propelled by Strongman’s lead, “Struck Down by the Blues” as Kim describes why he’s walked an azure path for 50-plus years. “I haven’t lived in a shotgun shack, but I’ve missed a few meals,” he sings, “talk about down-and-out…I know just how that feels.” When the blues hit him, that was all she wrote. The powerful shuffle supporting the song comes with a traditional, yet modern feel.
“Don’t Make No Sense” delivers plenty of Gulf Coast appeal with Terrance in the mix and Wilson declaring his undying love for a lady, but his exasperation about the way she’s rejecting his affection. “Payback Time” follows with Billy on board. It’s a clever piece that any adult can understand: Life’s a free ride in our youth and we have to enjoy it when we can because we have to pay for it once we’re grown.
“Nothing in Rambling” is a country blues and much, much more. Keb’s on the axe and mic to open before Bonnie, Taj and Mick join in with Kim’s harp shining throughout. The vocalists describe moving from place to place and having the urge to marry and settle down, but trouble abounds. The band shifts to an urban sound for “Won’t Give Up,” a rapid-fire shuffle about trying to overcome poverty, afternoon drinking and more. But the emotion-packed ballad, “The Hard Way,” which follows, complains about life being so hard that when it gets easy – something that happens from time to time — the singer admits he doesn’t know what to do.
The shuffle, “Whatcha Do to Me,” features Elvin and explodes from the jump as it describes the effects a woman has on her man every time she’s close by. It flows into “I’ve Got Eyes,” which keeps the subject going, before the uptempo “That’s Cold” announces the end of the relationship and the slow-and-easy, two-step pleaser, “Sideline,” stresses the need to keep in the action to close.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds have released dozens of albums in the past, but this one might just be their best!
