Customer Reviews

Guitar

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While this is a compilation from the ex-Nighthawks guitarist's tenure with the Blind Pig label, it effectively works as a showcase for Thackery's diverse influences. The disk also adds a few unissued tracks to the mix. One of the interesting aspects of this disk is that the material is entirely instrumental. While blues guitarists Freddie King and Albert Collins released some great blues instrumental albums in the past there are not many released these days. The approach works here because not only does Thackery get to utilize a variety of styles but it also takes the focus off of his vocals and points it to his great guitar playing (hence the title Guitar). Songs like "Jump For Jerry" and "Burford's Bop" let Thackery exhibit his clean jazzier licks. Tracks like "Apache" and "Sinner Street" bring to mind movie or television theme music. Thackery pulls out all the stops for his take on Roy Buchanan's "Roy's Bluz" and "Jimmy's Rude Mood" is sort of a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan. "Hang Up & Drive" and "Last Night" are uptempo burners while the closing "Jimmy's Detroit Boogie" is based on the tasty John Lee Hooker "Boogie Chillun" or for newer blues converts the ZZ Top "La Grange" groove. All in all this "Guitar" compilation proves to be more tasty than some of his releases for Blind Pig. While not strictly blues the release will please fans of excellent guitar playing and instrumental music. Hopefully more blues/rock guitarists will explore this intrumental genre in the future.

Fans of Jimmy Thackery seem forever split between those who love the sound of his voice and those who wish he'd run out and hire a lead singer. One thing we can all agree on, however, is this guy can play! And that tone! Mixing jazzy bebop, 50's rock-n-roll, 60's surf, and just about anything else into his blues/rock stew, Thackery commands like few others. This all-instrumental "greatest hits" package is a fantastic glimpse into the musical world of Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers. Details for the uninitiated and curious:

Hang Up & Drive (Trouble Man) - Think of a less frantic version of SRV's "Scuttle Buttin'". When Jimmy slams on the bridge pickup in the middle of that slow bend to kick off his lead, you're hooked. Great way to start off the album.

Roy's Bluz (Switching Gears) - This is a loving tribute to a fellow unsung guitar great and lost comrade. Thackery captures Roy Buchanan's spirit with a piercing lead attack and plenty of Roy's trademark squeals and volume swells. Smokin' hot.

Sinner Street (Sinner Street) - Sort of like an amped up "Peter Gunn". Great tune to jam on.

Jump For Jerry (previously unreleased) - That Bebop/50's rock-n-roll influence is evident here. Nice.

Blues 'Fore Dawn (Sinner Street) - Incredible slow blues. Has a slight flavor similar to Rik Emmett's "Little Boy Blues". Very aptly titled as it has that after-hours-end-of-jam-session vibe to it.

Apache (Drive To Survive) - Spectacular version of that old surf classic. Gooood stuff!

All About My Girl (Drive To Survive) - A mid-tempo shuffle propelled by The Drivers allows Jimmy to show off his strat licks. This one swings.

Last Night (Empty Arms Motel) - Rockin' shuffle. Jimmy briefly quotes Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" during one of the breaks.

Jimmy's "Rude Mood" (previously unreleased) - This is the first of two outtakes from the live "Wild Night Out" album. Though perhaps not in Vaughan's league, Thackery proves he's got his own thing going. Nice version.

Edward's Blues (Wild Night Out) - Spectacular slow blues...and it's live! Sensational tone and dynamics. Check out the surf influence here as Jimmy applies some subtle bar dips on a few sweetly reverbed chords. Very tasty.

Jimmy's Detroit Boogie (previously unreleased) - Another outtake from the "Wild Night Out" disk. This is set to a somewhat over-used boogie riff (immortalized by ZZ Top's "La Grange").

For those of you who are new to Jimmy Thackery, this disk is a great introduction. If your preference is for vocals, then I'd suggest starting off with "Drive To Survive" or "Wild Night Out". But for all you blues/rock guitar geeks (yes I'm one too), what are you still reading this for? Click "Add to Shopping Cart" now.

I'm a fan of Thackery's blues and swing guitar work but have always cringed at his vocals. This album is the perfect answer as it is all instrumentals. The title says it all. Thackery is comfortable with a wide range of styles and all shine through in this collection. There are nice tips of the hat to various artists and style on a few numbers and plenty of great solos. He also steps back nicely into a supporting role behind some great sax solo work as well. If you like the late, great William Clarke's albums, this one from Thackery should have a special appeal.

This CD,at times, sounds like a best of CD from a record company with a long list of very diverse and talented guitarists on their books. The styles span the A - Z of blues/rock/jazz/swing and some other THACKERY bits. Astounding is the fact that he sounds equaly at home in any of these styles. SINNER STREET is worth the price of admission alone, which gives you 11 bonus tracks that are outstanding. The only guitarist that comes close to this master piece is DENNY FREEMAN's 'TONE FOR MY SINS' which gives similar instrumental interpretations of blues/rock/swing/country styles. THACKERY's playing is a lot more adventurous and the extreme's of his tonal spectrum are further apart than FREEMANS. This is a guitar tour de force that is a must in any guitar lovers collection

I picked this one up on a whim, aware of Thackery's history with the Nighthawks. If you like to hear real fretboard mastery, give this one a shot. While he has a sound truly his own, you'll definately hear some of his influences: Buddy Guy and SRV were obvious idols of his. This purely instrumental CD covers nearly all aspects of of the 12-bar march, too. Jazz, chicken picking, a bit of country, jump, swing--an ...-kicking extravaganza. Get it, you won't be disappointed. As a fellow guitar slinger, I've been humbled!!

I TOO CAN'T GET ENOUGH BLUES INSTRUMENTALS & THIS IS EXCELLANT.
I'M NEW TO THACKERY BUT I CAN'T RECOMMEND HIGH ENOUGH RONNIE EARL'S "I FEEL LIKE GOIN' ON" AND "HEALING TIME" FOR PURE INSTRUMENTAL MAGIC. ...

This is one of his best CDs post Nighthawks. He has a diverse groove going is this CD and shows he is a master at his craft. I like the diversity. Other diverse CDs like this are Clapton's Reptile (different than this style but diverse). Maynard Bros. (not well know but huge range of material) and of course, Nighthawks - OPEN ALL NITE.

As a long-time blues fan (and so-so blues guitar player), I want to say that the 3 preceding reviews are right on the money. I heard a cut from this CD on our local alternative radio (WCBE) and boing boing boing, had to spring for it. I agree with the reviewer who liked the fact there were no vocals--I'll say Amen to that. There have never been enough pure unadulterated blues instrumentals out there to suit my taste (Freddie King has a good one). Back to Thackery: I also agree with the reviewer who hears Buddy Guy and SRV in Jimmy's playing. By golly, here's a guitarist who can be under the spell of that kind of influence and go with it and yet be entirely himself, the hallmark of great blues. To play from the heart of the tradition and the heart of yourself at the same time is a paradox, and a really thrilling one when you hear it in action. Thackery lets out all the stops in breathtaking perfection, the "let down your hair/let it all hang out" type of perfection that is to die for. This CD is one to take with you to the desert island and play over and over all your livelong days.

This is a top-notch CD, packed full of Thackery's amazing guitar work. I have been a long-time fan of Jimmy Thackery, I own all his solos CDs and over a dozen NightHawks. To finally come out with a instrumental CD is great !! I have all the songs, except the three new ones, but it is still great to have in one package. The last three songs, which take place live at Sulleys, and last over twenty minutes, is the best part of the CD. I was fortunate to be at the small club when it was recorded, and these excellent grooves of "Rude Mood" and "Detroit Boogie", along with the already released, "Edward's Blues" make in plainly obvious that there is nobody better than Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers when it comes to kickin' out some tasty rockin' blues grooves. This is really a great disc, I highly recommend it, even if you do have all his others.

Hey E ME in Canada: You are a moron! Have you ever seen JT live? I bet not. Just put in your Puff Daddy cds and shut up! Jimmy Thackery is the greatest blues guitarist alive, bar none. Sure his vocals leave a lot to be desired but who cares? He was born with a Fender in his hands. I've seen him live 15 times and he just gets better.

"Guitar" is a brilliant collection of his playing without bringing in the vocals. Listen to all the other reviews and ignore this lost soul in Canada. Keep the faith Jimmy!