Customer Reviews

Live

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Kim Wilson is a true master bandleader, arranger and producer. He usually saves the more bluesy material to his "Blues Review" band while the more rock-oriented material gets airplay with this, the institution of blues-infused rock&roll. This is the first live album this ultimate live band has ever made and it also brings a lot of expectations. The material ranges from the rockier "Tough Enough" and "Wrap it up" to more straight blues in "Where were you" and T-Bone Walker's "Hustle is on". This concert was originally produced for a live web-cast and it shows in the strict discipline of the arrangements. The usual flair for improvisations are replaced by tightly orchestrated arrangements where every detail has been placed to receive the ultimate output. The side-effect to this is that it sounds slightly more rehearsed than a usual concert by this fabulous outfit. The backing consists of Kid Ramos, Gene Taylor, Stephen Hodges, Willie Campbell and background singers/organ/horns on some songs. As time constraints has been imposed it lacks that nth degree of fluidity that is so apparent on Kim Wilson's solo outing "Smokin Joint". Kim's wonderful harmonica playing is only heard on 3 songs and has been mixed down very low in the mix. Despite these shortcomings, this is a treat for all fans of the band and a welcome addition to the catalogue. The sheer power of the proceedings is evident and when the band rocks - they certainly rock! Kim's vocals, as always, amazes with that smooth but powerful delivery that never fails but comes out at best in the more bluesy material. There has been quite some time since the band was in the studio and it is overdue to hear this fantastic band in this setting, as the last year's studio efforts have been true studio experiments with studio musicians. This is a rocking tour-de-force that stands as an example of what a tight band this really is. I cannot see how the band members could be any better: Gene's barrelhouse piano, Kid's stinging guitar or Willie's steady basslines and they are definitely a band to catch live, especially since the catalogue of songs are so vast. I will look forward to the next outing and will put this one to my conclusive list of Fabulous Thunderbird recordings!
One interesting fact in regards to the current lineup of the T-Birds is that all current members used to play with James Harman, and can be heard in studio settings on "Extra Napkins" and "Mo Napkins" - absolute must-hears!!

I don't know what album the other reviewers are listening too, but it can't be the one I've got. I'm a HUGE Kim Wilson fan, I just love Kid Ramos to death, and the T-Birds have always been in high rotation in my house. But this? This is "Kim Wilson and the Contractual Commitments featuring Kid Ramos"

Seriously, if you want live Kim Wilson, get "Smoking Joint" if you want live T-Birds, get "Different Tacos" and any of Ramos' solo albums are way better than this. (And if you enjoy hearing Gene Taylor play 8-to-the-bar octaves, there's no hope for you, so buy this...)

I'm giving this 2 stars only because I like Wilson's voice, and Ramos does his usual crack job on most of it.
But T-Birds?!?? No way, man.

The California Geoseismic Institute must have sworn The Big Quake had hit LA when these guys hit the stage and let loose on "The Things I Used to Do." David "Kid" Ramos romps-there's no better word-on guitar behind the bulldozer drumwork of Steve Hodges, Willie Campbell's relentless bass, and Gene Taylor's cracking piano. However, it's Kim's love of singing that makes him the perfect lead vocalist: he can hold a phrase in his voice like Aretha Franklin until the dials jump on their own (check it out on the aforementioned "Things"), and there's that great baritone barrel chest to support it. Even better, when he grabs the harmonica and starts to pump, it literally buzzes like a giant barber's electric shears. Whooo, you can feel it right down to your shoes! This is what a house party should look and sound like.

In this February 2000 concert disc, the Fabulous Thunderbirds eschew the raw rocking sound that made their early records sound so vital for a full band sound complete with horns and (on the closing number) female background singers. Kim Wilson, like BB King before him, obviously sees that many concertgoers want a fuller sound when listening to their music live and the additional musicians certainly provide that sound. The horns in particular have the effect of taking some of the covers, such as "Wrap It Up" and "Things I Used to Do," away from pure blues and back to the rhythm and blues roots they originated from. Kim Wilson's vocals on these tracks are fabulous, and Kid Ramos plays some stinging guitar as well. Old favorites "Tuff Enuff" and "She's Tuff" sound tougher and finer than ever, while "My Babe" takes on the full-throttle rocking power of a high speed locomotive. Fans of Kim Wilson's harmonica playing may feel a little shortchanged; "Early Every Morning" is the only harp showcase on the album, with Wilson blowing like a maniac. A glorious, if all too brief, moment of solo improvisation. Overall, the band is tight, the numbers are together, and the music features many rockable, danceable moments, even though Live, like most such discs, cannot replicate the excitement of an in-person appearance.

Through their various incarnations and personnel changes, the T'Birds have always chugged along like a Rocket train on a mission, and their mission has always been to bring that good rockin' feeling to the masses. The live set presented here is no exception: a perfect example of the band's signature combination of loosely orchestrated blues abandon and serious boogie (pronounced boooogee) momentum. Wilson is in top form, tastefully balancing harp and vocals with a power and panache only a consummate veteran could muster; Ramos is a stunning player and well deserves to fill Jimmie Vaughan's alligator boots; and the current rhythm section is tight as it gets. It's great to hear new live versions of old favorites like "She's Tough," "Wait On Time," and "My Babe." And "The Things I Used To Do" is an apt tribute to the original. Another great T'Birds release. Tattoos, pompadour cuts, and beer guts forever!

Kim Wilson put together an excellent band for this live web broadcast. The guitarist is a man by the name of Kid Ramos. His playing is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Gene Taylor is a wonderful piano player. His name sounds familiar from someplace else, but I can't place it. The rhythm section is tight. The sound quality is 100% top-notch. Of course, it goes without saying that Kim Wilson is awesome. He is singing better than I've ever heard him. I don't even need to get into his harp playing. If you are reading this, than you already know what magic he can perform with it. I could go on and on, but I won't. This CD is a must have. End of discussion.

I have heard of the Fabulous Thunderbirds for years- but never owned any of their music til now. WOW! A High Energy driving band to say the least!
They have an outstanding grasp of blues, rhythm & blues, rockabilly, you name it -they can play it- I highly recommend this for summertime road trips and playing it loudly in the car!

This CD is a perfect example of Texas blues. It's as close to hearing them lived ( as I did last week) as possible. I recommend it to anyone who likes good old fashioned American music. M

I totally agree with the reviews above! This is a great CD, the sound is natural and clear, a sound not common on live-blues Cds.
Ok Kim is great as usual, but the highlight here is Gene Taylor and Dave Mathews on piano and organ, this is master class of boogie and blues keyboards playing! I love that!!!My only criticism is about the "offtune" double-bass!sorry. Anyway this is the blues, and I love it.

This is undoubtedly one of the best "Live" performances released in years!!Scorched set,with clarity sound;Kim Wilson at his best;
Kid Ramos;Campbell;Hodges;and stupendous performance of this genius of barrel-house piano,Gene Taylor!!This is T-Birds as it must be,really the best blues-rock band in activity!!!
Nothing more;Just listen to this sound,and.....OHHHH!!!!!
Great revival, T-Birds,and all of your fans are happierrrrr!!!!
Congratulations to all of this Fabulous Band,specially in the person of Kim Wilson!!!