Welcome back the second of four T-birds records, re-mastered and re-released with new liner notes and some outtakes and live cuts as bonus tracks. The first of these discs, originally released in 1979 as "The Fabulous Thunderbirds" is now "Girls Go Wild" which is what everybody thought was it's name to begin with. This due to "the playful homage to posters that advertised early rhythm and Blues shows"
Products of the crucible of Texas Blues that Austin was in the late 1970's, "the Birds" backed all the touring Bluesmen who came to play in the Texas capital. In fact it was a plug from none other than Muddy Waters, whom they backed at the legendary club, Antone's, that got them booked for their own tours on the east and the west coasts.
As luck would have it the "Birds" manager, Denny Bruce became president of the new Takoma record label, distributed by Chrysalis, in 1979. More good luck arrived through Ray Benson, the leader of the legendary Texas swing band, Asleep At The Wheel. Ray knew Bob Sullivan, a seasoned Dallas engineer who had worked with the likes of everyone from Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys to Elvis. With Bob's help and guidance this first "Birds" album was recorded at Sumet- Burnet Studios in Dallas in late 1979.
The re-released "Girls Go Wild" is a great record with 11 original tunes and 3 bonus tracks. All are killer but some of my favorites are: Scratch My Back, a real chicken picker with a catchy double back beat; Full Time Lover, a slow Blues that showcases Kim Wilson's great singing talents as well as Jimmie Vaughan's marvelously smooth Blues guitar. Next I really like Kim Wilson's E harp boogie tune Pocket Rocket. It SWINGS!!!!; Then we have what I like to call the band's 1st "hit single", She's Tough. This slow rockin' E Blues has become one of the "Birds" most well known tunes. Walkin' To My Baby is a terrific dance tune with a smokin' lead guitar break. The last of the originals is the great, Let Me In. This tune is driven by the steady-rockin' drumin' of Mike Buck and anchored by Keith Ferguson's solid "lefty" bass is the music that has made these guys one of the most well known Blues bands in America today.
The 3 bonus tracks feature Fran Christina on drums, who joined the band in 1980. Look Whatcha Done and Please Don't Lie To Me are outtakes from the 'Birds second record, "What's The Word" and Things I Forgot To Do is an outtake from their 3rd offering, "Butt Rockin' ".
Jeffrey Clements
jclements@americansofmusic.com
Contributing Writer
