Search - Fabulous Thunderbirds :: Tuff Enuff

An Excellent Bar Band - A Mediocre Recording

dev1 | Baltimore | 09/21/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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."

An Excellent Blues-Rock record, music for the working man

Martin Lemos | 06/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Fabulous

W. Landis | des moines, iowa | 04/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."