Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers 1992 Empty Arms Motel

Genre: Blues
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:46:24
Size: 106,31 MB



Review by Roch Parisien

Not a prolific composer, Thackery's strength lies in strong arrangements that make other people's material his own. He covers Stevie Ray Vaghan's "Rude Mood," and one suspects there will be comparisons made in this direction. His solos burn the motel down on Luther Johnson's "Lickin' Gravy," and he manages a more than credible job on Hendrix's "Red House."

Of the two self-penned numbers, the title track is a convincing boogie driven by an ultra-cool, echoed, chicken-scratch guitar riff, while "Getting Tired of Waiting" offers a more traditional blues shuffle.



Tracklist:

01 - Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 04:04

02 - Rude Mood 04:39

03 - Empty Arms Motel 03:40

04 - Lickin' Gravy 06:18

05 - I Can Tell 04:22

06 - Getting Tired Of Waiting 03:51

07 - Honey Hush 04:06

08 - Love To Ride 04:55

09 - Red House 06:00

10 - Last Night 04:29





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Jimmy Thackery 2003 Guitar

Genre: Blues-Rock
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 01:01:31
Size: 140,72 MB



Review by Hal Horowitz

Electric blues fans flock to Jimmy Thackery to hear his fiery guitar, and tolerate his serviceable but far from thrilling gruff vocals. So, the compilers of this Blind Pig-era (six albums from 1992-2000) collection wisely stuck with all instrumental cuts. While that doesn't adequately summarize his career during this time, it sure makes for a dazzling disc displaying Thackery's sizzling six-string prowess. Although it is compiled predominately of previously released material (along with three unreleased live tracks), and these tunes are certainly among his best, by avoiding the "Greatest Hits" tag Blind Pig makes it easy to zero in on Thackery's most incendiary guitar showcases.

Using his stripped down Drivers backing band generally comprised only of bass and drums, allows the guitarist plenty of room to strut his no-nonsense rockin' blues. From the speedy "Hang Up & Drive," to the lumbering power of nearly nine minutes of Roy Buchanan's "Roy's Blutz" and the Dick Dale-styled surf-twang of "Apache," there is no doubt that Thackery is a wildly talented player who effortlessly turns up the heat on his fretboard shenanigans. Whether shuffling around "All About My Girl" or swinging into the jump blues of "Jump for Jerry" (with Jimmy Carpenter's scorching tenor sax), or bopping through "Burford's Bop," Thackery shows he's no one-trick pony by fluently switching musical gears as easily as he slides down the neck of his instrument. Slow blues lovers will slobber over his tasty work on "Blues 'Fore Dawn" and the live "Edward's Blues," but it's on the John Lee Hooker riff of the album closing "Jimmy's Detroit Boogie" (think ZZ Top's "La Grange," but not as grungy) where Thackery pulls out all the stops in a tour de force that intensifies throughout its six minutes.

Sure there's plenty of Stevie Ray Vaughan-type gymnastics here, but the guitarist's obvious talents and fire-shooting licks will cause even the most jaded blues rockers to admit that this guy delivers the goods. A skimpy pamphlet with lackluster liner notes (there is no indication which album the tracks are from) doesn't diminish this disc's non-stop intensity.



Tracklist:

01 - Hang Up & Drive 03:16

02 - Roy's Bluz 08:15

03 - Sinner Street 04:15

04 - Jump For Jerry 03:44

05 - Blues 'Fore Dawn 04:55

06 - Buford's Bop 04:10

07 - Apache 03:58

08 - All About My Girl 04:33

09 - Last Night 04:30

10 - Jimmy's 'Rude Mood' 07:03

11 - Edward's Blues 06:42

12 - Jimmy's Detroit Boogie 06:10





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Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers 2002 We Got It

Genre: Blues
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:53:04
Size: 121,39 MB



Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

For his first album for Telarc, Jimmy Thackery -- backed by his band, the Drivers -- has come up with a near-tribute album to Eddie Hinton, covering eight of his songs on this 11-track set while offering three originals that illustrate the depth of his debt and love for the underappreciated singer/songwriter.

Hinton was one of the leading white Southern soul singer/songwriters of the '70s, '80s, and '90s, and Thackery learned a lot from him -- especially how R&B, blues, and rock could be seamlessly fused and that roots are as important as strong songwriting. Thackery turns up the volume a little bit more and rocks it hard, not just here but overall, but he can also convincingly deliver a slow-burner like "It's All Wrong but It's All Right," which is what makes We Got It so satisfying -- not just as a testament to Hinton, but as a strong Thackery record. It's a great way to begin his association with Telarc.



Tracklist:

01 - My Searching Is Over 04:08

02 - I Still Want Want To Be Your Man 03:40

03 - It's All Wrong But It's All Right 06:32

04 - Where'd My Good Friend Go? 04:50

05 - We Got It 05:05

06 - Blues Dog Prowl 06:02

07 - Blues For Sale 04:33

08 - Dangerous Highway 05:01

09 - Super Lover 03:33

10 - Get Off In It 04:32

11 - Big Fat Woman 05:08





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Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers 2000 Sinner Street

Genre: Blues
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:50:46
Size: 116,10 MB



Review by Hal Horowitz

On his eighth album, Jimmy Thackery churns out rugged, no-nonsense, authoritative rock, with a passion and commitment that seeps through every track. Thackery's grinding guitar and growling voice pound out each song as if he's playing for thousands of people. He is produced once again by the experienced Jim Gaines who, through his work with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins, Tommy Castro, and Santana, knows his way around a blues-rock record.

The uncut Stonesy chug of "Never Enough" and "Lovin' My Money" is offset by the harder-edged funk of "Grab the Rafters" and the easier jazz shuffle of "Bad News." Saxist Jimmy Carpenter, new to the Thackery band, adds a soulful honk on the latter tune, gradually shifting the disc into more subtle territory. When the band starts wading into swampy waters like on the deep, dark groove of the album's instrumental title track, Carpenter provides a rough bed for the guitarist's poker-hot solo to nuzzle next to. Thackery's gruff and unremarkable voice remains his most limiting asset, and may be the reason his music hasn't crossed over like that of the more ostentatious Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang. But similar to most blues guitarists, the song is secondary to its presentation, and when Thackery unleashes his barely contained six-string fury, there are few who can compare.

Considering the bluesman's arena is predominantly the live stage, Sinner Street is another extraordinarily strong entry into his catalog. Established blues-rock fans will naturally devour this whole, but the disc is as good a place as any for the novice to enjoy one of the more overlooked talents in the field.



Tracklist:

01 - Grab The Rafters 04:02

02 - Bad News 04:26

03 - Sinner Street 04:15

04 - Lovin' My Money 05:05

05 - Chained To The Blues Line 05:02

06 - Detroit Iron 05:04

07 - Hundreds Into Ones 04:18

08 - Never Enough 04:28

09 - Million Dollar Bill 03:43

10 - Havin' A Heart 05:19

11 - Blues 'Fore Dawn 05:04





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Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers 1998 Switching Gears

Genre: Blues
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:57:57
Size: 132,56 MB



Review by Scott Yanow

Guitarist-singer Jimmy Thackery's 1998 set stretches beyond the blues. A ferocious rockish guitarist with a vocal style that ranges from shouting to mellow, Thackery is easily the main star of his disc. However the other members of his Drivers are strong (Al Gamble on organ and piano, bassist Michael Patrick and drummer Mark Stutso), and there are features for guest accordionist Chubby Carrier on "Take Me With You When You Go" (a zydeco romp) and singer Reba Russell ("Dancing on Broken Glass") plus a helpful appearance apiece by Lonnie Brooks and Joe Louis Walker. From blues to rock with touches of zydeco, country, pop and folk, Thackery constantly stretches himself and gives the music his best.



Tracklist:

01 - I've Got Other Plans 03:04

02 - Take Me With You When You Go 03:32

03 - Dancing On Broken Glass 03:59

04 - It's My Own Fault 06:34

05 - Monkey 03:56

06 - Roy's Blues 08:15

07 - I Wouldn't Change A Thing 05:58

08 - Write If You Find Love 05:26

09 - I Got To Be Strong 03:32

10 - Gin In The Morning 03:34

11 - Still Raining, Still Dreaming 06:06

12 - If This Is Love 03:08

13 - Still Raining, Still Dreaming (Reprise) 00:53





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Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers 1996 Drive To Survive

Genre: Blues
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:45:51
Size: 104,88 MB




Review by Ann Wickstrom

Put your seat belt on before you "drive" this one. Thackery lets loose on both guitar and vocals here, with a solid, screaming set of originals and a handful of covers. Although it probably wasn't the intention, Drive to Survive quickly became synonymous with "Apache," the jungle drum-flavoured surf instrumental that Thackery included simply because he "wanted to do a surf tune that no one had messed with." In reality, more than 20 artists had recorded the Ventures tune by the time Drive to Survive was released. Nonetheless, it served as a much-requested anthem of sorts in Thackery's live shows for years to come. "All About My Girl" is a Jimmy McGriff-meets-Albert Collins instrumental, and "Burford's Bop" is high-energy swing. Thackery delivers tough, gritty vocals on the JL Hooker/ZZ Top-style "You Got Work to Do." The bluesiest offering, "Rub On Up," features some serious guitar licks and has lyrics that could make just about anyone blush. The real gem on Drive to Survive, though, is the ballad "That's How I Feel." Drummer Mark Stutso handles the vocals, and both the song and the singing are superb.



Tracklist:

01 - Drive To Survive 04:10

02 - You Got Work To Do 04:18

03 - That's How I Feel 05:07

04 - All About My Girl 04:33

05 - Play To Win 04:19

06 - Cool Guitars 03:44

07 - Slow Down Baby 03:50

08 - Long, Lean, & Lanky 03:33

09 - Burford's Bop 04:09

10 - Rub On Up 04:12

11 - Apache 03:56





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Jimmy Thackery & Tab Benoit 2002 Whiskey Store

Genre: Blues
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:51:49
Size: 118,55 MB




Review by Hal Horowitz

The first summit meeting for these two journeymen roots-blues-rock guitarists is a rousing triumph. On paper, Tab Benoit's less aggressive New Orleans style wouldn't seem to mesh with Jimmy Thackery's boozy, tough, rough and tumble approach. But like Lennon and McCartney, each complements the other. Benoit lets his Delta and Texas-styled roots seep into the proceedings, tempering Thackery's more bombastic leads. Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble rhythm section and keyboardist Reese Wynans provide dexterous support, as does ace harp master Charlie Musselwhite. Most importantly, this isn't just a bunch of songs built around endless jams.

The selections are mostly covers, but the wide range of writers involved -- from Bob Dylan, the Stones, and Neil Young to obscurities from legends like Percy Mayfield and Eddie Jones -- shows the scope of the guitarists' influences. Only on the Benoit-penned slow blues "Nice and Warm" -- reprised from his solo debut and at almost eight minutes the album's longest track -- do the guitar pyrotechnics overwhelm the song. But even here, the musicians are obviously inspired by each other and deliver dazzling solos, each more jaw-dropping than the last. Everything sizzles, yet a mid-album detour into a laid-back version of Neil Young's country-ish ballad "Unknown Legend" works surprisingly well, especially with Musselwhite's poignant harp solo. Jagger/Richards' "The Last Time" gets a rootsy rave-up treatment, as does Dylan's "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat," and the duo clicks into shuffle mode on Thackery's instrumental Freddie King tribute, "Freddy's Combo."

For the most part, the over the top guitar shenanigans this partnership threatens thankfully never materialize, with both six-string benders providing short, succinct, yet scorching solos within the framework of the tunes. Lead vocals are shared, although Benoit is clearly the better singer, with Thackery's rasp getting by on sheer enthusiasm. A treat for fans of both artists as well as a stirring contemporary electric blues album by any yardstick, Whiskey Store successfully joins two gifted guitarists in a session that proves greater than the sum of its very talented parts.



Tracklist:

01 - I Ain't Broke 03:10

02 - Whiskey Store 03:26

03 - Away, Away Too Long 03:30

04 - Strange Things Happen 04:40

05 - Nice And Warm 07:37

06 - Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat 05:50

07 - Unknown Legend 04:45

08 - Bad Luck Blues 06:14

09 - Freddy's Combo 04:26

10 - The Last Time 03:47

11 - Bone Pickin' 04:24





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Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers 1994 Trouble Man

Genre: Blues
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 00:44:13
Size: 101,13 MB




Review by Ann Wickstrom

Trouble Man is a hard-driving blues-rock album, with more emphasis on the "rock" than Thackery's other releases. It slows down just long enough for the slightly dark "Lovin' You Right" and the jazzy "Anchor to a Drowning Man," arguably the best cut here. "Doin' 100" and the instrumental "Hang Up and Drive" have a strong Stevie Ray Vaughan sound. Thackery applies a steady, yet light-hearted and uptempo pace to William Harris' "Bullfrog," which has also been covered by the likes of Dave Hole and John Hammond. The K.C. Douglas cover "Mercury Blues" has been recorded by everyone from Steve Miller to Alan Jackson (remember the "Crazy 'bout a Ford truck" commercials?), but this is one of the best versions you're likely to hear. The Albert Collins instrumental "Don't Lose Your Cool" is another highlight of Trouble Man; Thackery attacks the tune while remaining in total control of his instrument, as he always does. If you've seen him live, you can just envision his arms swinging wildly on this one. Trouble Man doesn't quite live up to the material on Empty Arms Motel or Drive to Survive, but you really can't go wrong with any Thackery release.



Tracklist:

01 - Doin' 100 04:30

02 - Trouble Man 04:35

03 - Bullfrog 04:45

04 - Mercury Blues 04:13

05 - You Came Back To Me 03:48

06 - Don't Lose Your Cool 03:40

07 - Wild Night Out 04:09

08 - Lovin' You Right 04:01

09 - She Needs Everything 03:39

10 - Anchor To A Drowning Man 03:36

11 - Hang Up And Drive 03:17





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Jimmy Thackery & Tab Benoit 2004 Whiskey Store Live

Genre: Blues
Rate: 320 kbps CBR / 44100
Time: 01:13:30
Size: 168,07 MB

Telarc continues down the booze and blues trail with this appealing live set. Journeymen guitarists Benoit and Thackery both have established comfortable niches fronting their own bands. The powerful combination of their talents insists this blues is best experienced live. Thackery's stinging attack combines nicely with Benoit's bayou leanings, providing a rich stylistic duality. The twin lead guitars are nicely fattened up with Hammond b-3 and sax plus two drummers.

"Freddy's Combo", an instrumental dedicated to Freddie King, kicks things off solidly. Tab Benoit steps up next with an up and jumping "I Got Loaded". Inspired soloing from both guitar slingers permeates the set. Elder guitarist Thackery is known to occasionally drift into 'classic' rock territory and has a mean version of Hendrix's "Rainy Day Dream Away" up his sleeve, though it's not on this set. Dylan's "Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat" is given the Thackery treatment here, though, with excellent results. The younger Louisiana bayou born and raised Benoit brings that region's spicy spin on the blues to the table. One of the most exemplary of latter-day blues artists, Benoit is a consistent pleasure vocally and instrumentally. Benoit lets it all hang out swamp style for nine-plus minutes on the high gear "Bayou Boogie", fueled with funky manic picking. He continues with the band smoldering through an almost 10 minute serving of Otis Redding's "These Arms of Mine". A heavy, dramatic "Whiskey Store" brings the set to a close. Not a wasted moment in this gratifying set of live blues from two talented, unique latter-day blues artists.

"This review is copyright © 2004 by Tali Madden, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved.



Tracklist:

01 - Freddy's Combo 08:22

02 - I Got Loaded 07:06

03 - Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat 07:48

04 - Bone Pickin' 06:11

05 - Away, Way Too Long 07:22

06 - Strange Things Happen 07:35

07 - Bayou Boogie 10:00

08 - These Arms Of Mine 10:02

09 - Whiskey Store 09:04




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