I remember back ‘in the day’ my friend Tom catching George Thorogood
& The Destroyers at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, New Jersey. Thorogood
was breezing through town, promoting an album called Bad to the Bone, pulling
off the Herculean task of playing 50 shows in 50 consecutive nights in 50 states
(Jersey was just one stop on this tour). Listening in rapt attention to Tom’s
recounting of the concert, I had to admit I didn’t really know all that
much about Mr. Thorogood or his Destroyers, but what Tom said then definitely
comes to my mind now as I listen to the 25th anniversary edition of Bad
To The Bone. Tom was right — these dudes smoke!
Any rock and roll fan worth his salt has got to be familiar with Thorogood’s
reinvention of the classics. From this album alone we have the oft-played title
track, the chugging and churning “Nobody But Me” and the Chuck Berry
classic, “No Particular Place to Go.” But what becomes apparent
listening to Bad To The Bone is what a subtle guitar player
Thorogood is. We all know him from his blistering big guitar pyrotechnics, but
on this 17-song reissue, we are treated to six tracks ( a bonus track and new
recordings of songs already on the album) that illustrate the depth of Thorogood’s
playing.
For instance, on the original album (and saints be praised, it really was an
album back then!) we have a bluesy, electric “Blue Highway,” a great
version in its own right. It’s typical Thorogood of the time, with his
tighter-than-tight rhythm section, nicely placed and played sax filling in the
background, all hallmarks of what made this man and his band such a concert
draw. The ‘new recording’ of “Blue Highway” is at about
the same tempo as the original, yet softer, sadder and featuring Throgood’s
slide to such a degree I’m hard pressed to pick the version I like best.
The short “That Philly Thing” is a bonus track (an instrumental
B-side) featuring Hank Carter’s sax and Thorogood’s guitar to great
effect. I really liike the new recording of “Wanted Man” (though
the original one is great too, this slightly slower, more ‘acoustic’
version just sparkles); the longer, rockier “Bad To The Bone” (yes
the original is overplayed, but you just got to hear this faster, tougher seven-minute
version!); and the good time rocker “Miss Luann.”
A nod has got to be made to The Destroyers. At the time this album was recorded
the band consisted of Billy Blough on bass, Jeff Simon on drums, and sax man
extraordinaire Hank Carter. Altogether, this special edition of Bad
To The Bone is a gem, a great album in its own right when first released
but with all these ‘alternate’ new recordings it’s a blessing
to be able to celebrate the anniversary of this classic Thorogood record.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
