Customer Reviews

Ride Til I Die

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

 

 

I'm one of the biggest Thorogood freaks in the country, having seen the band in concert around 56 times since the late 80s all over the midwest. But although I do listen to some studio album tracks of his, it was always his CONCERTS that used to make me drive hours and hours, miles and miles across endless blue highways and major interstates to hear songs of George's LIVE. His shows were always loud, ferocious, and George's wildman antics on stage such as playing guitar over his head, twirling around the stage, dropping down to one knee and hoisting the mike stand up and out into the roaring crowds were a million, no, a BILLION miles away from the limited slow songs that we hear repeatedly on the radio, such as I Drink Alone and Bad to the Bone. However, always one to support my favorite band in the world, I went out and dutifly picked up his latest CD, Ride Til I Die. I can, in all honesty, say that this CD(especially with the addition of Thorogood's new rhythm guitarist Jim Suhler), measures up to the same qualities of the live shows. The production is crystal sharp, George's guitar work is as good as it's ever been, the song selection is phenomenal! Thorogood's guitarist, Jim Suhler, is as accomplished a guitarist as they come and adds some very, very interesting solos and rhythm guitar work that, combined with Thorogood's slide and powerhouse style, makes the Destroyers unstoppable now on vinyl AND on stage. Highlights for me are; definately the rocker "American Made", which also features some heart stopping saxaphone work from the legendary Destroyer saxaphonist Hank Carter. Also, for some classic Destroyer energy cuts, give the slide gem "Sweet Little Lady" and "Devil In Disguise" listens. Also, the title track, which features George on acoustic guitar, Jim Suhler on electric, is a John Lee Hooker song which George and Jim COULD NOT play any better than it is on the CD. God, I love this album so much! If you're a fan of Thorogood, please do yourself a favor and go pick this up! It's in my oppinion the best CD of Thorogood's 26 year career.

I've been a fan of the Destroyers for a long time ... since hearing them rip through "I'm Wanted" on stage on a hot summer night at the old Country Club in Reseda.

When they're on, no one rocks like the Destroyers.

But over time, the Destroyers lost their edge. Their studio recordings were spotty ... sometimes lacking the energy, focus, and spirit of their earlier work. And I have yet to hear a live CD that can match some of their earlier bootleg recordings.

All that has changed.

I dunno what happened here. It could be Jimmy Suhler's driving rhythm guitar. It could be great engineering. It could be the little blue pill has found it's way into Thorogood's medicine cabinet.

Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. What matters is on the CD, and on that score, this one has it where it counts. This is one great rock n' roll record.

Take a quick MP3 tour and hear it for yourself. Don't miss "She's Gone", "You Don't Love Me, You Don't Care", and "Greedy Man". And don't leave without sampling a bit of Chuck Berry's "Move It".

And here's a special note to the snobs who dismiss Thorogood as the "Cheez Wiz" of blues and rock n' roll:

Pass me the nachos on your way out.

I have been a Thorogood fan since the mid 70s when he used to play the Philly clubs and I was too young to go so I could only listen to the live broadcasts on WMMR. I have followed Thorogood since then and seen him in concert more times than I can count. this album is definitely a pleasant surprise given that after, "Boogie People" his studio albums got progressively worse. "Haircut" was a huge step down, but still okay in spots. The album after that which I can't even remember the title of was so disappointing that my best friend and I actually threw darts at the Cd until it shattered and "Half a boy, Half a Man" while an interesting idea and a decent listen was not up to the standards that I had come to expect from his earlier albums. so, you can imagine my trepidation when I heard that he had a new album out, but my fears were quickly laid to rest from the opening track. George and the boys are back to that raw bluesy rock sound that made them so great in the 70s and 80s. The production on this record is top notch - clear as a bell, but still with enough rawness to let the instruments do the talking. Jim Suhler is an excellent addition to the band. Let's face facts, george is a decent slide player, but his solos do tend to sound the same after a while and Suhler breaks that trend up very nicely with some classic rock licks. Hank carter as usual is a maniac on the sax and Bill and Jeff are still the tightest engine room in the biz. so why did I give this album only four stars? Well, it's mainly because of george's voice. Don't get me wrong, I know this is a rock album and vocal quality never made a rock album worth cranking, but his voice seems to be getting worse with age. There are several spots, (In "American Made" in particular), where he completely misses the note that he is trying to sing and that makes those songs harder to listen to. My favorite songs on this record are "Move It" and "Devil in Disguise" mainly because I like the harmony vocals. In other words, the instrumentation, production and song choices get five stars and George's singing gets three stars making the album an overall four-star record. Either way, it is definitely worth buying and playing over and over again - preferably at top volume. GEORGE IS BACK!

GT and the Destroyers are back with their long anticipated studio release after a series of best of's, live recordings, a recent anthology and the disastrous 1999 studio release "Half a Boy/Half a Man". On his latest release, Thorogood opts for proven material from the legends, Hooker, Chuck Berry, Elvin Bishop and others rather take a chance on original material. In fact, there is only one Thorogood original on the disc, "Sweet Little Lady", which GT has worked into his recent concerts. GT does a excellent job of recreating the live feel he is associated with and, overall, the disc should go a long way towards reintroducing fans to one of the hardest working men in the rock/blues industry. Hands down the best track on the disc is "Greedy Man". Buy it, put it on, dance and be sure to catch him LIVE!

Wow.

"Ride 'Til I Die" is the greatest record of all time. Simple as that.

The heavens must have been aligned perfectly during the recording of this album, because something like this comes along once in a lifetime, if you're lucky.

All the pieces have come together for the Destroyers on this one. Industry legend Jim Gaines takes over the production helm from Terry Manning, and he has pulled a masterpiece from the guys. The production is better than anything you've ever heard, and the mix is perfect - you can every little thing, and you'll be glad you can. This is also the first record to include the newest Destroyer, Jim Suhler, and his contributions make a huge impact.

For me, "Maverick" was always the definitive Destroyer album. Until now. Take "Maverick" and mix it with "Move It On Over" and then take it to the tenth power and beyond.

For whatever reason, George and the boys have been reinvigorated, they've been shot full of adrenaline and power and melody and harmony and rhythm and boogie, boogie, boogie. Suddenly, the band members are all 21 again and ready to prove to the world that they are, without a doubt, the greatest rock band on the planet. They succeed.

Take whatever measures you need to take to secure yourself a copy of this disc, and the sooner the better. You'll be smiling and dancing and pumping your fists, you'll be doing whatever it is you do when you feel happy and alive and free. You'll also be listening to this one twenty years from now doing the same thing.

Like I said before, "Ride 'Til I Die" is the greatest record of all time. Simple as that.

George Thorogood still has it and for that matter never lost it. Thorogood can still make the best albums rock has to offer!!! and we thank him for it! \m/

All I can say is that I love RIDE 'TIL I DIE. At a time when the music seen is so fake, it is always a breath of fresh air when we can get real music from someone that loves what he does. GT & THE DESTROYERS stick to the basic formula that has made them great all these years. I cant find a single weak track from this album. While I dont agree with reviewers that trashed his last two studio albums, here the band is firing on all cylinders. Of the 12 tracks here, the ones that I find myself hitting repeat on are : GREEDY MAN, AMERICAN MADE, SWEET LITTLE LADY, THE FIXER, THAT'S IT, I QUIT, DON'T LET THE BOSSMAN GET YOU DOWN. Like I said, all the tracks are great and this album will not disappoint the listener. I highly recommend it.

GT and the Destroyers are back with their long anticipated studio release after a series of best of's, live recordings, a recent anthology and the disastrous 1999 studio release "Half a Boy/Half a Man". On his latest release, Thorogood opts for proven material from the legends, Hooker, Chuck Berry, Elvin Bishop and others rather take a chance on original material. In fact, there is only one Thorogood original on the disc, "Sweet Little Lady", which GT has worked into his recent concerts. GT does a excellent job of recreating the live feel he is associated with and, overall, the disc should go a long way towards reintroducing fans to one of the hardest working men in the rock/blues industry. Hands down the best track on the disc is "Greedy Man". Buy it, put it on, dance and be sure to catch him LIVE!

I love George Thorogood. I do not love this album.

The song structures are unimaginative, the playing is paint by numbers, and the vocals are uninspired.

Spend your money on one of his earlier albums.