Rounder Records artist: George Thorogood and the Destroyers - Remastered release review

A second release from Rounder, the reissue and remaster of George Thorogood & The Destroyers first recording is on my desk today and all of the raw passion of a young Thorogood is apparent. Opening with Earl Hooker's You Got To Lose, Thorogood is romping right out of the gate. With raw energy and backed by Jeff Simon on drums, Billy Blough on bass and Ron Smith on second guitar occasionally, this is the beginning of the retro blues. Now memorable hit for Thorogood, Elmore James' Madison Blues was then a great rockin blues giving young Thorogood a chance to play slide like it wasn't heard since the likes of Hound Dog Taylor. Super track. On Mr John Lee Hooker's One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer Thorogood really captures a lot of the original feel laid down by Hook but with a little bit of modern flare. Love the foot stomp. Thorogood does an exemplary job on Robert Johnson's little remembered Kind Hearted Woman, possibly the best interpretation on the release. Keeping much of the feel of the original track, Thorogood really isn't as far from his roots as much of his music may sound to the general masses. Really cool stripped down slide work highlights this track. Another Elmore James track, Can't Stop Lovin', is really smokin with driving rhythm and hot hot slide riffs. Bo Diddley's Ride On Josephine follows the traditional Diddley rhythm and Thorogood has already developed his famous voice and understated guitar riffs. The first original track on the release, Homesick Boy, is a straight up blues rocker with fully developed style and taste. A really primitive version of the traditional John Hardy with Thorogood on harp, guitar and vocals is a nice addition to fill out his hand of cards, showing that he isn't confined to one style. Junior Parker's I'll Change My Style is a perfect R&B track to return to the more modern blues style. Thorogood demonstrated a great balance in singing and slide work on this classic track. Wrapping up the release is another Thorogood original track, Deleware Blues. With classic Rollin and Tumblin trigger lines, this is a terrific track with a lot of rhythm and flashy slide work. This is a classic album and one that is still fresh after so many years. Excellent!

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