There is one thing you can always count on with George Thorogood,
his music is not going to change. Ride Til I Die continues his firm
grasp of blues-rock. Making music now in his fourth decade, there
seems to be no stopping George. He can still sing and grind away with
his one and only gruff voice and his guitar slung low on hips with
the energy and verve of performers half his age.
All I can think of is one thing when his name is mentioned-Ba-ba-ba-bad
to the bone! There is no doubt that he is. He laid down his tracks
long ago for his locomotive blues-rock train (1977 to be exact, with
his self-titled album) and he shows no signs of turning off his engine.
If there is one man alive that has carved his own unique niche in
blues-rock history, it is George. Like I said, his music never changes
and you know what to expect, and the best part about it is that he
always delivers the goods. The blues are generally predictable and
the stories are always surrounding woman, ego, money, and booze, then
all the emotions that play into those subjects. You can bet your last
dollar that it is who is telling the story that makes all the difference,
and of course, the music that provides the navigation. GT makes it
all new even though you have heard the stories told a thousand times
before. He has the gift of gab, only its set to rousing music. Maybe
it is his voice, the driving rhythms, the guitar, or the deadly combination
of all of those factors coming at you like a speeding bullet aimed
right at your heart and soul. Yes, he sure does have crosshairs on
that six-string and he is an accomplished sharpshooter.
The hard driving rock solid Fixer ends with George spelling out fixer
as fix her, as he sings and plays about being the savior to all womanhood.
Let us say that George is the proverbial rock n roll chauvinist with
a tale to tell. He can get away with it though, he lets his music
do the talkin and I do not see anyone putting up a fuss since he started.
After all, it is all in good fun. Ride Til I Die is not about breaking
in a horse at the ranch; it is immodest statement of sexual virility
from a musical stud. That is the blues baby, take it or leave it.
It is Georges way or the highway on My Way, although he says that
he is a steady unflappable gent, he still likes it his way.
This man has always flexed his musical muscles with the words to back
it up and people love him for it. I am sure many folks wish they could
be as bold in their lives. Yup, GT and the boys are back with a bang
on their new label Eagle Records and ready to rock you for another
decade. Same old story, same old George...You betcha! I wouldnt want it any other way.
Credits
Produced By Jim Gaines and The Delaware Destroyers
Executive Producer - Mike Donahue
George Thorogood - Slide Guitar & Vocals
Jeff Simon - Percussion, Vocals
Bill Blough - Bass
Hank Carter - Saxophone & Vocals
Jimmy Suhler - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
1. Greedy Man
2. American Made
3. Sweet Little Lady
4. Dont Let The Boss Man Get You Down
5. Devil In Disguise
6. Shes Gone
7. The Fixer
8. You Dont Love Me, You Dont Care
9. My Way
10. Thats It, I Quit
11. Wash My Hands In Muddy Waters
12. Move It
13. Ride Til I Die
