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T-Bird Rhythm

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}

{{Infobox album

| name = T-Bird Rhythm

| type = studio

| artist = The Fabulous Thunderbirds

| cover = T-Bird Rhythm.png

| alt =

| released = {{Start date|1982|1|11}}

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio = Third Coast Sound, Austin, Texas

| genre = Blues rock, Texas blues

| length = 35:27

| label = Chrysalis (Original)
Benchmark (Reissue)

| producer = Nick Lowe

| prev_title = Butt Rockin'

| prev_year = 1981

| next_title = Tuff Enuff

| next_year = 1986

}}

T-Bird Rhythm is the fourth studio album by Texas-based blues rock band the Fabulous Thunderbirds, released in 1982.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-fabulous-thunderbirds-mn0000126048/biography|title=The Fabulous Thunderbirds | Biography & History|website=AllMusic}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=skRmb_RyMikC&pg=PA17|title=The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology|first1=Austin|last1=Powell|first2=Doug|last2=Freeman|first3=Daniel|last3=Johnston|date=February 1, 2011|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=9780292722705 |via=Google Books}} The recording contains a mixture of covers and originals. Chrysalis dropped the band following the release of the album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-25-ca-7015-story.html|title=T-BIRDS ARE 'TUFF ENUFF' FOR A POP HIT|date=May 25, 1986|website=Los Angeles Times}}

Production

The album was produced by Nick Lowe.{{cite book |title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |date=1999 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |page=403}} A video was produced for "How Do You Spell Love?"{{cite journal |last1=Denberg |first1=Jody |title=Dancing in the Streets |journal=Texas Monthly |date=Oct 1985 |volume=13 |issue=10 |page=202}}

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/t-bird-rhythm-mw0000193459|title=T-Bird Rhythm - The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|accessdate=21 January 2018}}

|rev2 = The Austin Chronicle

|rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2000-10-20/79044/|title=The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds|website=www.austinchronicle.com}}

|rev3 = Robert Christgau

|rev3score = B+{{Cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=The+Fabulous+Thunderbirds|title=Robert Christgau: CG: The Fabulous Thunderbirds|website=www.robertchristgau.com}}

|rev4 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music

|rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=3 |page=356}}

|rev6 = The Rolling Stone Album Guide

|rev6score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite book |title=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=1992 |publisher=Random House |page=236}}

|rev5 = The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings

|rev5score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite book |last1=Russell |first1=Tony |last2=Smith |first2=Chris |title=The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings |year=2006 |edition=|publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-140-51384-4|page=190}}

}}

Robert Christgau wrote that "both sides open with fetchingly offhand ravers, Kim Wilson works his shoo-fly drawl for gumbo lilt, and the mysterious J. Miller contributes the irresistible 'You're Humbuggin' Me', which had me tearing through my Jimmy Reed records in a fruitless search for the original." The Globe and Mail wrote: "Jimmy Vaughan's [sic] guitar can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, but the real genius of this band is vocalist and harmonica player Kim Wilson."{{cite journal |last1=Lacey |first1=Liam |title=INSIDE THE SLEEVE POP T-Bird Rhythm The Fabulous Thunderbirds |journal=The Globe and Mail |date=20 Nov 1982 |page=F6}} The New York Times called T-Bird Rhythm "a rocking album that generates excitement without sounding like the work of fanatic blues revivalists," writing: "[It] should win this soulful and accomplished band some pop air play and long-overdue recognition. And it's a welcome change for Nick Lowe, whose productions had recently begun sounding a bit like a formula and washed out."{{cite journal |last1=Palmer |first1=Robert |title=THE POP LIFE |journal=The New York Times |date=1 Dec 1982 |page=C28}}

Track listing

All tracks composed by Kim Wilson; except where indicated

  1. "Can't Tear It Up Enuff"
  2. "How Do You Spell Love?" (Bobby Patterson, Jerry Strickland, Marshall Boxley)
  3. "You're Humbuggin' Me" (J.D. Miller, Rocket Morgan)
  4. "My Babe'" (Ron Holden)
  5. "Neighbor Tend to Your Business" (Huey P Meaux)
  6. "Monkey" (Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King)
  7. "Diddy Wah Diddy" (Willie Dixon, Ellas McDaniel)
  8. "Lover's Crime"
  9. "Poor Boy"
  10. "Tell Me" (J.D. Miller)
  11. "Gotta Have Some/Just Got Some" (Willie Dixon, William Robert Emerson, Don Talty)

Personnel

;The Fabulous Thunderbirds

  • Kim Wilson - vocals, harmonica
  • Jimmie Vaughan - guitar
  • Keith Ferguson - bass
  • Fran Christina - drums, backing vocals

;Technical

  • Colin Fairley - engineer
  • Larry Williams - photography

References

{{Reflist}}

{{The Fabulous Thunderbirds}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1982 albums

Category:The Fabulous Thunderbirds albums

Category:Albums produced by Nick Lowe

Category:Chrysalis Records albums