The bonus track, "That Philly Thing", is a fantastic instrumental blues tune with a bit of a jazz feel and beat to it. It’s a great listen that made me think, yeah, that’s what Philly must be like, even though I’ve never actually been there… and I really should go there someday.
I approached the new recordings of "Blue Highway", "New Boogie Chillem", "No Particular Place to Go", "As the Years Go Passing By", "Bad to the Bone" and "Wanted Man" with a personal bias to overcome. I generally really dislike artist’s remakes of their own songs. Not that I’m some kind of purist. There are a lot of song remakes that are even better than the original. Heck, Mr. Thorogood’s version of "One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer" is the perfect case in point.
No, what I’m usually adverse to is when the original artist remakes his/her own song. For example, and I know many will disagree with me, I just loathe Eric Clapton’s unplugged version of "Layla". What is that anyway? Now there was a classic adrenaline rush of a rock and roll song and Clapton shoved Valium down its throat and sent it on its dodgy old way. Eric how could you? But again, I digress.
With a few butterflies I turned to track 12, "Blue Highway" and tried to keep both my ears and my mind open.
Perhaps it was due to my expectation of a disaster, but I was very pleasantly surprised! The new recording of "Blue Highway" was quite good. It was great, in fact. While it’s more of an acoustic version, the country twang gives it an even greater mournful edge. Phew… that was a relief, now on to track 13.
"New Boogie Chillum" is a bit more smooth but still pretty brash, high speed, and quite pleased with itself, which is exactly as it should be. Definitely set the toes a tapping on that track. The same held true for the fast and funny "No Particular Place to Go". I still can’t help but jump up and dance to that tune (curtains closed this time to protect the innocent.)
I’m equally fond of the new recordings of "As the Years Go Passing By" and "Wanted Man". Both new versions offer slightly altered versions on tempo and vocal arrangements, but the souls of George’s original recordings are more or less in tact (if not a little too cleaned up for my taste). Though it must be said, the extended guitar solo on "As the Years Go Passing By" quite simply kicks butt and takes names.
Article comments
1 - Scott B.
George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers(as I will always know them as) are truly one of those great under the radar bands with a huge cult following. They have stayed the course as to their music genre. This band has more than just 1 "real" anthem song that identifies who they are! I have had the pleasure of seeing them live in person on a few occasions. One of the shows they played at my college and I worked as a backstage helper. These guys are one of the best live performers around. They perform with an energy level that doesn't change from start to finish. I have not picked up the anniversary release but will soon. I have been a fan for 20 years. Keep rocking George!
2 - James J
The addition of Jim shuler on guitar on the new tracks are wack. He makes it sound too twangy and polished. GT is and alsways will be a bar band and Jim adds an unwarranted touch of texas showboatism. GT is not to be taken polished.