Customer Reviews

Tuff Enuff

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

 

 

I first listened to this CD when is was 17 years old and I was blown away. This is a good way to get introduced to the blues. The title track is rockin and a songs such as "Look at That, Look at That", "Wrap it Up", and Two Time My Loving, can stand up against any other songs to come out during the 80's. In an era where hair bands were everywhere this no nonsense band struck gold with this release. Some people know the T-Birds as the band with Stevie Ray Vaughns brother in it but they were much more than that. They are still together minus Jimmie but this is the one where everything clicked

this one has a pop edge to it, it was in the time when you could still get your videos on mtv, and they did. even with a little more middle of the road sound, it is still the fabulous thunderbirds with jimmie freakin' vaughn on the stratocaster. kim wilson leading the boys, they still give their songs that austin edge. always a good one to put in the play rotation.

One of the best blues based rock albums ever made. Jimmie Vaughan's guitar matched with Kim Wilson's vocal and blues harp makes one hell of a cd, I own this one on vinyl as well.

Released in 1986, this was the Fabulous Thundbirds' fifth album and first for a major label. The sound quality is pretty good, but not excellent (but better than most CD's released in 1986). It is 32 minutes long.

If you got to this page, you probably already know who the Fabulous Thunderbirds are. Before this album they were around for something like 12 years. They were started by Jimmie Vaughan who is Stevie Ray Vaughan's older brother. The real star of the band is Kim Wilson, who plays a very good harmonica and has a great blues voice. He makes mediocre songs sound good. (He kind of reminds me of Los Lobos, only maybe a little better). The drummer and bassist are also very good.

Overall, the Fabulous Thunderbirds were a much better band than Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble. But, of course, they didn't have the guitar of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Anyway, this is a very good, but short album. In some ways, it is good that it is short, because I think that some of the songs are played a little bit too long. Many of the songs have great many themes, but the choruses are a little weak and repeated too many times.

Tuff Enuff was the song that got the band National attention. It was used in the movie tough guys, starring Bert Lanchaster and Kirk Douglas. It is a great song. It reminds me of Bo Diddley's Who Do You Love.

With the release of the single `Tuff Enuff' in 1986, the Fabulous Thunderbirds earned the public's attention. The song is a high energy bass-thumping R&B number with an unforgettable shimmering rhythm guitar - great Texas roadhouse blues. The album `Tuff Enuff' is a collection of blues, rock & roll, and R&B - excellent bar music. Unfortunately, in this case, the fervor of a live act (especially after two of three beers) doesn't translate well during the recording session. The Fabulous Thunderbirds are a legitimate blues band, but nothing here matches the vigor of the title song. Producer Dave Edmunds attempts to cover the band's shortcomings with "speed playing." `Amnesia,' `True Love,' `I Don't Care' and `Down At Antones' are played at what seems like 100 MPH. What's the purpose in playing 8 and 12-bar blues at breakneck speed? Fast may get the crowd on the dance floor in front of the band "live," but the muscle and exhilaration just isn't here.

I originally bought the cd when it came out back in the eighties but lost it when my mustang got stolen. I have been looking for the cd ever since. If you like blues rock & roll you will love the thunderbirds tuff enuff. Excellent buy any time. Long live blues and rock & roll.