George Thorogood & the Destroyers – Baddest Show On Earth – Greatest Hits Live
This is an American band generating rock n’ roll power for 50-years. What? You thought only Bruce Springsteen could do this? You’d be wrong. This is a series of enthusiastic live shows that begin in February 2025. George Thorogood & the Destroyers visit several American cities, then head down to Australia & New Zealand. The showcase includes 4 previously unreleased performances from 1978 to 2024.
So, the bones & skin that hold this body together are made up of many rock classics & are captured live before enthusiastic audiences (who are also captured wondrously live) as George & his reliable troupe fire away on all cylinders. The songs have electricity, spirit & a honking ‘60s styled sax that spews notes like smoke from a winter chimney pot.
“Who Do You Love,” & “Move It On Over” get this program off the tarmac & into the air. George is in fine form & brings the goods. By track 3 (John Lee Hooker’s “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”), you witness how he works an audience in Atlanta, GA, during the 10-minute workout that begins with his deep-voiced narrative. This is R&R when it developed its own signature showbiz burlesque fortification with, instead of scantily dressed ladies & boas, we have teasing guitar notes, growling saxes, suggestive beats & slinky bass lines. Oh yeah. This is how it’s done.
There are 11 blistering tunes to the Baddest Show On Earth – Greatest Hits Live (Dropped June 12/Craft/Concord/69:58), produced by Scott Billington. The recording oozes with the excitement of the shows. It certainly sounds like the audience was enthralled by the skill this band & George Thorogood (guitar/vocals) spread out before them. Yes, some tunes are basic, but it’s the spirit that’s ingrained in each song that’s a marvel. After 50 years, there’s no rust on the fingers of these musicians. The bluesy elements are evident, the grit, projection, & musical succulence are embodied deep. It’s a little rough in spots, but none of it is ever compromised; it’s that never too polished sound that’s what provides that dominating element of consistent excitement.
“Madison Blues” is nothing short of nuclear-powered rock. Proving that despite George never rising to the level of Elvis, Bruce, or Dylan doesn’t mean this man can’t ignite an audience as they did. Live on these songs, George Thorogood is as close to perfect as you get.
Highlights – “Who Do You Love,” “Move It On Over,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Madison Blues,” “Bad To The Bone,” & “Howlin’ For My Baby.”
Musicians – Bill Blough (bass), Jeff Simon (drums), Hank Carter & Buddy Leach (tenor sax), Ron Smith (guitar), & Jim Suhler (guitar/bgv).
Color images courtesy of the band’s website. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.georgethorogood.com/ & https://craftrecordings.com/products/george-thorogood-and-the-destroyers-the-baddest-show-on-earth-greatest-hits-live-cd