The Fabulous Thunderbirds began in 1974, when Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson started the band that changed the landscape of modern Texas blues. This four CD box set assembles the complete studio recordings during Vaughan’s 11 years with the band, housed in a 12-inch hardback, vinyl-sized media book that comes with a 40-page book and band patch.
The Doc Pomus Recordings, from 1978, open with “Dirty Work Is Going On”, where the rich saxophones, Vaughan’s spirited guitar and Wilson’s powerful pipes make for a timeless blues-soul climate. “She’s Tuff” lands further into this section, and benefits from Mike Buck’s frisky drums and Vaughan’s rhythmic guitar for an infectious energy.
The tracks from their debut album arrive next, where “Full-Time Lover” meshes Vaughan’s intricate guitar with the expressive vocals and much grit and emotion.
Disc two consists of their sophomore album, What’s The Word, as Fran Christina’s scrappy drumming and the quick melodies invite singing along, and “Learn To Treat Me Right” allows for Wilson’s flowing harmonica and Keith Ferguson’s bouncy bass to shine. Also on this disc is album number three, Butt Rockin’.”Give Me All Your Lovin’” is especially memorable on this portion, thanks to Al Copley’s animated piano that won’t go unnoticed.
On disc three, we’re treated to the T-Bird Rhythm and Tuff Enuff LPs. The former brings plenty of style into the playful rhythm section of “Neighbor Tend To Your Business, while the latter employs Geraint Watkins’ accordion to the dance floor-ready anthem “Amnesia.”
Hot Number and Powerful Stuff exit the box set. “It Comes To Me Naturally” is early in the disc and showcases Chuck Leavell’s colorful keys, quick guitars and backing vocals that are infectious, and much later on, “Emergency” bops and shakes with plenty of warm and memorable blues rock.
We all realize that The Fabulous Thunderbirds will always be known for their lone Top 40 hit, “Tuff Enuff.” But there’s so much more to this band, and the 13 rare tracks from the Doc Pomus sessions that never were formally released are alone worth the investment here. Vaughan would leave the band in 1989 for a solo career, and these eight albums he played on are further proof of their blues rock status as legends.
