Rating 4.5
T-Bird blastThe 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.Big T-Birds Sound Live!!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.Sorry, but this is disppointing at bestI 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. |
