Jimmy THACKERY and The Drivers - True Stories 2003

Jimmy THACKERY and The Drivers - True Stories 2003

Blues

After 2002's We Got It, his tribute to soul singer Eddie Hinton, Thackery returns to mostly original material. He acquits himself with the capability of a veteran bluesman; everything here sounds crisp and clean, and the songs are uniformly excellent. Blues-rock isn't a genre known for subtlety and texture, but Thackery's music offers both, whether he's kicking things off with a bang on "Got It Going On," mellowing out with "Blues Man on a Saturday Night," or stomping ahead on "Being Alone." "I Think I Hear the Rain" is as sad and sweet as can be, but then he tightens things up with the likes of "Puttin' Out Fires" and "Dancin' with the Dawg." Like the best musicians, Thackery lets his music do a large share of the storytelling.
By Genevieve Williams. AMG.
**
Jimmy Thackery is like a noble, precious, complex red vine: he gets better and better as time elapses. This album is, from my point of view, his best effort so far. His guitar playing and his song writing (for the first time he shares this "duty" with his wife) are becoming more mature, more interesting, and most of all more rich in taste, texture and feeling. After the mostly R&B oriented "We got it", this time Jimmy is more focused on blues and he delivers quite a few ones on this album. The CD kicks off with a rock-blues number on which Jimmy proves that his ability in playing slide is second to none and it continues with a couple of blues that by themselves worth the price of admission: "Blues man on Saturday night" and the slow "Baby's got the blues". Throughout the album Jimmy explore different shadows of the blues, from the Albert Collins influenced "Too tired" to the Texas stile blues "Dancin' with the dawg" to finish with the cover of the Roy Buchanan's slow "The Messiah will come". His singing is strong, and his guitar playing is absolutely outstanding in each single song and the rhythm section, provided by the band, is backing him perfectly. In conclusion a great effort that should finally consecrates Jimmy Thackery as one of the best white blues guitarist around. If you share my passion for the blues don't miss this one.
By M. Bernocchi.
**
When I reviewed Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers' We Got It, last year I called it their best work to date. I am going to have to retract that statement because, with the release of True Stories (Telarc), it is completely false. The latest from one of the hardest working quartets in the blues started out as a simple album of blues ditties but evolved through both music's natural progression and it's players into a selection of tunes that both collectively and individually took on a life of their own, according to Thackery. Jimmy leaves no doubt that he has arrived as a songwriter writing nine of the album's eleven tracks,three of which were co written with his lovely wife Sally, with all having an anchor in true events and life experiences.This is the first time Thackery has purposefully made an effort to do so through his writing and the results are superlative. The album's opening gritty number "Got it Going On," finds the whole band kicking things out in high gear with Thackery tearing things up with some blazing riffs and saxman Jimmy Carpenter blasting out a most impressive solo. The cool bop of "Bluesman on Saturday Night," may very well become the anthem for all blues musicians with it's tale of the working gentleman who lets it all hang out once Saturday night rolls around, and let it hang out he does with a few invigorating crisp solos. The mellow "Baby's Got The Blues," and " I Think I Hear The Rain," are the album's two most poignant numbers on which we hear a gentler dimension to Thackery's playing leaning more to the melodic side of things. Jimmy is joined on both numbers by the gorgeous voice of Reba Russell on background vocals for the third consecutive album (Oh just put her in the band already Jimmy it'll work perfectly!). "Snakes In My Mailbox," is a rarity because of its acoustic nature and is highlighted by some fine picking and slick lyrics along with a honky tonk flavoring. The first time I heard "Dancing With The Dawg," it became an instant favorite, as it is one of those numbers that quietly sneaks into your senses and overwhelms you with it's subdued but intricate guitar riffs and silky percussive rhythms. If anyone has ever been fed up with anything then "Too Tired," is sure to strike a nerve with it's "enough already!" attitude and works hand in hand with the following track "Being Alone." It wouldn't be a Thackery and The Drivers album without a tune featuring the vocals of one of the hardest hitting drummers known to blueskind in the form of Mark Stutso punching out his usual high energy, passionate vocals on "Putting Out Fires," a slightly pessimistic story of a man looking for the blues when there are none to be found but is nonetheless a catchy fun tune. Two covers wrap up this tastey biscuit very nicely. Buddy Johnson's jiving"Crazy `Bout A Saxophone," is a showcase for Jimmy Carpenter who rises to the occassion splendidly blowing the roof off (pun intended) with his soulful phrasings and the entire band falling into an intensely hot groove. The lone instrumental "The Messiah Will Come,"closes things out as a tribute to friend Roy Buchanan (who we lost entirely too soon) and might be familiar to Buchanan fans as "The Messiah Will Come Again." Thackery's treatment of this number is beautifully stunning as he wrings every emotion know to man from his guitar along with bassist Ken Faltinson pulling double duty on the B3. True Stories is a dazzlingly captivating album in both content and execution as there is not one bad or "filler" tune to be had here in its close to an hour running time. I've had the pleasure of watching the evolution of Thackery and The Drivers since 1992's Empty Arms Motel and it seems that switching labels completely agrees with Thackery as his playing, which has always been fabulous, and writing have taken on a more creative edge with each endeavor. I won't be quite so hasty this time and call this their best work to date because I have a sneaking suspicion that I will only have to retract it again with the next release. One thing for sure is that True Stories is one great blues record.
By  Steve Hinrichsen.
**
Jimmy Thackery- (Vocals, Guitar);
Mark Stutso- (Vocals, Drums);
Jimmy Carpenter- (Sax);
Ken Faltinson- (Hammond B-3 Organ, Bass);
Reba Russel- (Background Vocals).
**
01. Got It Going On
02. Blues Man On Saturday Night
03. Baby’s Got The Blues
04. I Think I Hear The Rain
05. Snakes In My Mailbox
06. Dancin’ With The Dawg
07. Too Tired
08. Being Alone
09. Puttin’ Out Fires
10. Crazy ‘Bout A Saxophone
11. The Messiah Will Come
**

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Jimmy THACKERY and Tab BENOIT - Whiskey Store 2002

Jimmy THACKERY and Tab BENOIT - Whiskey Store 2002

Blues

The first summit meeting for these two journeymen roots-blues-rock guitarists is a rousing triumph. On paper, Tab Benoit's less aggressive New Orleans style wouldn't seem to mesh with Jimmy Thackery's boozy, tough, rough and tumble approach. But like Lennon and McCartney, each complements the other. Benoit lets his Delta and Texas-styled roots seep into the proceedings, tempering Thackery's more bombastic leads. Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble rhythm section and keyboardist Reese Wynans provide dexterous support, as does ace harp master Charlie Musselwhite. Most importantly, this isn't just a bunch of songs built around endless jams. The selections are mostly covers, but the wide range of writers involved -- from Bob Dylan, the Stones, and Neil Young to obscurities from legends like Percy Mayfield and Eddie Jones -- shows the scope of the guitarists' influences. Only on the Benoit-penned slow blues "Nice and Warm" -- reprised from his solo debut and at almost eight minutes the album's longest track -- do the guitar pyrotechnics overwhelm the song. But even here, the musicians are obviously inspired by each other and deliver dazzling solos, each more jaw-dropping than the last. Everything sizzles, yet a mid-album detour into a laid-back version of Neil Young's country-ish ballad "Unknown Legend" works surprisingly well, especially with Musselwhite's poignant harp solo. Jagger/Richards' "The Last Time" gets a rootsy rave-up treatment, as does Dylan's "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat," and the duo clicks into shuffle mode on Thackery's instrumental Freddie King tribute, "Freddy's Combo." For the most part, the over the top guitar shenanigans this partnership threatens thankfully never materialize, with both six-string benders providing short, succinct, yet scorching solos within the framework of the tunes. Lead vocals are shared, although Benoit is clearly the better singer, with Thackery's rasp getting by on sheer enthusiasm. A treat for fans of both artists as well as a stirring contemporary electric blues album by any yardstick, Whiskey Store successfully joins two gifted guitarists in a session that proves greater than the sum of its very talented parts. ~ Hal Horowitz
**
It's hard to articulate what elevates Whiskey Store above your standard, run-of-the-mill, guitar-driven blues album. Certainly the talent of the main players involved has something to do with it, not to mention guests including Charlie Musselwhite and Double Trouble. It's not surprising, then, that Whiskey Store is a topnotch, rollicking good time. It kicks right in with the energetic, riff-heavy opener "I Ain't Broke," and moves on to the title track, a slow blues drenched in trailing guitar lines. Other highlights include "Strange Things Happen," which has some great harmonica from Musselwhite; the ballad "Unknown Legend"; and the bouncy, uptempo instrumental "Freddy's Combo." Overall, Whiskey Store offers a slew of excellent choices.
By Genevieve Williams.
**
Jimmy Thackery, Tab Benoit- (Vocals, Guitar);
Charlie Musselwhite- (Harmonica);
Reese Wynans- (Piano, Hammond B-3 Organ);
Tommy Shannon- (Bass);
Chris Layton- (Drums).
**
01. I Ain’t Broke
02. Whiskey Store
03. Away, Away Too Long
04. Strange Things Happen
05. Nice and Warm
06. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
07. Unknown Legend
08. Bad Luck Blues
09. Freddy’s Combo
10. The Last Time
11. Bone Pickin’
**
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Jimmy THACKERY & The DRIVERS - Sinner Street 2000

Jimmy THACKERY & The DRIVERS - Sinner Street 2000

Blues

On his eighth album, Jimmy Thackery churns out rugged, no-nonsense, authoritative rock, with a passion and commitment that seeps through every track. Thackery's grinding guitar and growling voice pound out each song as if he's playing for thousands of people. He is produced once again by the experienced Jim Gaines who, through his work with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins, Tommy Castro, and Santana, knows his way around a blues-rock record. The uncut Stonesy chug of "Never Enough" and "Lovin' My Money" is offset by the harder-edged funk of "Grab the Rafters" and the easier jazz shuffle of "Bad News." Saxist Jimmy Carpenter, new to the Thackery band, adds a soulful honk on the latter tune, gradually shifting the disc into more subtle territory. When the band starts wading into swampy waters like on the deep, dark groove of the album's instrumental title track, Carpenter provides a rough bed for the guitarist's poker-hot solo to nuzzle next to. Thackery's gruff and unremarkable voice remains his most limiting asset, and may be the reason his music hasn't crossed over like that of the more ostentatious Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang. But similar to most blues guitarists, the song is secondary to its presentation, and when Thackery unleashes his barely contained six-string fury, there are few who can compare. Considering the bluesman's arena is predominantly the live stage, Sinner Street is another extraordinarily strong entry into his catalog. Established blues-rock fans will naturally devour this whole, but the disc is as good a place as any for the novice to enjoy one of the more overlooked talents in the field.
By Hal Horowitz. AMG.
**
Jimmy Thackery- (Vocals, Guitar);
Mark Stutso- (Vocals, Drums);
Jimmy Carpenter- (Sax, Background Vocals);
Ken Faltinson- (Keyboards, Bass, Background Vocals);
Reba Russell- (Background Vocals).
**
01. Grab The Rafters 4:02
02. Bad News 4:24
03. Sinner Street (Instrumental) 4:14
04. Lovin' My Money 5:05
05. Chained To The Blues Line 5:01
06. Detroit Iron 5:05
07. Hundreds Into Ones 4:16
08. Never Enough 4:27
09. Million Dollar Bill 3:43
10. Havin' A Heart 5:18
11. Blues 'Fore Dawn (Instrumental) 5:02
**
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Jimmy THACKERY and The Drivers - We Got It 2002

Jimmy THACKERY and The Drivers - We Got It  2002

Blues

This album, Jimmy Thackery's first for the Telarc label, marks a change of direction for the former Nighthawks frontman, thanks to his decision to focus on the work of soul great Eddie Hinton. Although Thackery has concentrated on R&B before, notably in the late 1980s and early '90s during his stint with the Assassins, that aspect of his sound is very much in evidence here, tempering his trademark gritty blues-rock sound with a touch of smoothness. That's especially evident on the ballads, of which there are quite a few; the title track brims with sultry sweetness. "It's All Wrong but It's All Right," another Hinton song, includes a guitar solo in Thackery's Buddy Guy-influenced style, making it a perfect blend of source material and good, old-fashioned inspiration. By the final notes of the closing track, Hinton's "Big Fat Woman," anyone not already a Thackery fan is bound to be converted. One thing that hasn't changed is the energy and verve the guitarist always brings to his work.
By Genevieve Williams. AMG.
**
For his first album for Telarc, Jimmy Thackery -- backed by his band, the Drivers -- has come up with a near-tribute album to Eddie Hinton, covering eight of his songs on this 11-track set while offering three originals that illustrate the depth of his debt and love for the underappreciated singer/songwriter. Hinton was one of the leading white Southern soul singer/songwriters of the '70s, '80s, and '90s, and Thackery learned a lot from him -- especially how R&B, blues, and rock could be seamlessly fused and that roots are as important as strong songwriting. Thackery turns up the volume a little bit more and rocks it hard, not just here but overall, but he can also convincingly deliver a slow-burner like "It's All Wrong but It's All Right," which is what makes We Got It so satisfying -- not just as a testament to Hinton, but as a strong Thackery record. It's a great way to begin his association with Telarc.
By Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide.
**
Jimmy Thackery- Vocals, Guitar
Ken Faltinson- Piano, Hammond B-3 Organ, Bass
Ernie Cate- Keyboards, Background Vocals
Earl Cate- Guitar, Background Vocals
Jimmy Carpenter- Sax
Mark Stutso- Drums, Background Vocals
Reba Russell- Background Vocals
**
01. My Searching Is Over 4.07
02. I Still Want To Be Your Man 3.40
03. It's All Wrong But It's All Right 6.31
04. Where'd My Good Friend Go? 4.49
05. We Got It 5.04
06. Blues Dog Prowl 6.01
07. Blues For Sale 4.32
08. Dangerous Highway 5.00
09. Super Lover 3.32
10. Get Off In It 4.31
11. Big Fat Woman 5.07
**
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