No comments about Too Late, Too Late Blues, Vol. 10: 1926-1951.

No comments about When the Sun Goes Down, Vol. 7: Rock Me Mamma.

2 comments about Chicago Fire.

1. One of Son Seals best albums, but my fav is "Live and Burning". Love the production and the horns of this album (Chicago Fire). The blues doesn't get any better than this. Check out the bass player(s) on ALL of Son's albums.....wonderful!



2. SON SEALS
   Chicago Fire
   Alligator ALCD4720
   
   Son Seals used to wake up and say, "Blues". He had an aggressive sound that was uniquely Chicago. This fierce CD has captured that sound and feel. Although the disc was recorded in 1980, it has a '70s funk/blues sound. The nine energy-laced songs feature seven originals by Seals, and two covers - the more notable one by Cropper and Pickett. Most songs are up-tempo with hearty girth. As on Midnight Son, Seal's mighty five-piece core band is enlarged by a full brass section with sax, trumpet, and trombone. Chicago Fire closely resembles Midnight Son which was recently chosen among the Top 200 greatest guitar recordings of all time by GuitarOne Magazine.
   
   Buzzard Luck highlights the difficulties and challenges faced by Seals upon arriving in Chicago. Tragic lyrics like ("I can't kill nothing and won't nothing die") paint a bleak picture. Flame-like horns musically drive the band and Seals, in particular, to extreme. I'm Not Tired is one of Seals most swinging numbers ever. Leaving Home contains an arrangement that Seals loved. It is also featured on Going Back Home from Midnight Son, and he used to use it on covers performed during his live sets. On the track, Seals' ferocious vocals are as haunting as King Solomon's bewitching organ. Landlord At My Door contains the definitive Son Seals sound that we now deeply miss. What is that sound? A deep, funk groove with lots of hefty blues layered on top pulsating horns with a guitar solo that effortlessly discharges notes and emotions. Like the disc's opening track, the song weighs the advantages and disadvantages of urban versus rural life. On Nobody Wants A Loser, Seals proclaims, ("the game of life is the hardest one to win"). When he was on top and ahead of that game, there was no stopping the Bad Axe man. By the time you get to hearing Watching Every Move You Make, you start thinking you have already heard the song. Although you haven't, this pinpoints the CD's greatest downfall. The songs are too similar.
   
   Seals' gruff vocals sound like your grouchy old uncle or grandfather. Just like them, there is something that welcomes you. On guitar, Son Seals was a precision shooter. You can hear it in every solo he fires on this 41-minute album. Although the sound quality isn't as bright as today's polished productions, and some instruments are too low in the mix, this genuine blues CD will have you falling in love with the blues, and Son Seals, all over again. They don't make greasy, working-class blues albums like this anymore.
   
   --- Tim Holek

No comments about Slip Sliding Away.

No comments about The Real Folk Blues.

No comments about The Blues in Me.

1 comments about In Concert.

1. i just got this dvd today, i can't say enough of the quality of the players. the harmonica is mind blowing, it is non stop blues harmonica. the guitar playing is top notch along with the vocals.great bass player also does a great solo. all 3 execept for the drummer sing, and the drummer (pat ford)has excellent talent as a drummer & band leader a must have for blues lovers. what an overlooked gem.

2 comments about Roll Of The Dice.

1. Bieng a F.T fan for many years I was happy to hear this album. From the cover song (roll of the dice) to the last one (a remake of walt disneys zip a dee do dah) I was thrilled to hear that famaliar sound of Kim Wilson awesome voice. Although the original members are mostly gone, Kim has found some good, solid musicians to fill in, and make another great album. Better than High Water I thought, it makes me want more like it. Thats it!!! I love the thundrbirds.



2. If you have only heard the T-Birds with Jimmie Vaughan and thought anything after that would pale in comparrison, check this out. Kid Ramos is EXCELLENT. A different style than Jimmie but he works very well with Kim Wilson. This CD smokes. Bluesy hard drivin Austin Blues Rock. One of their best, no doubt about it. And if you ever have a chance to see these guys LIVE don't pass up the opportunity.

No comments about Mississippi Delta Dues.

No comments about The Complete D Singles Collection, Vol. 1.