fabulous thunderbirds

Struck Down is that rare album where every track could be a single. From the solid punch of “Struck Down by The Blues” to the Cajun-flavored “Don’t Make No Sense” to the wistful “Sideline,” this is a record filled with character and heart.

“The T-Birds have spread their wings, but are always straight and true. Soul music became a recurring style for them, and especially for Wilson. Strong Like That retains a blues edge but lights a major blaze under that soul meter mercury…. The songs [Kim Wilson] wrote, and the unique covers here, make for one of the best T-Birds albums in some time.” – Tom Clarke, Elmore 

Taking cues from unexpected influences like O.V. Wright (“Too Much Water”) and Junior Parker (“That’s the Way We Roll”), the T- Birds kick things off with their single, “I Want to Believe,” a driving number with a Lenny Kravitz-meets-Staple Singers vibe. “Lovin Time” has a Los Lonely Boys feel, while the Anker/Wilson original “Hold Me” melds classic rock with soul and reggae.

Though the title may hint at a genre, don’t let it fool you; “Runnin’ From the Blues” is indeed about hardships, though disguised as a pop number; “Got To Bring It With You” is a soulful rocker; while the final track, “Lonely Highway” nods to the blues of the Stax tradition. “Do You Know Who I Am?” and “Diamonds Won’t Kiss You Back” round out the all original 10-song offering.

Take Me Back is deep, authentic, and filled with the gut-wrenching blues sounds Kim has made famous for over 40 years. Recorded live in the studio and in mono, Kim delivers the blues as his heroes did in the golden age of the genre in the 1950s. Kim and his all-star band muscle through 16 tracks with some new Wilson songs and a mix of some great blues and R&B nuggets by the likes of Jimmy Rogers, Jimmy Nolan, Larry Williams, and more. 

"A recording Like this is essential to keep the straightforward blues alive!" - Blues Music  Magazine:  

"I want to tell all of the real blues fans out there what a labor of love this project has been. I’ve been recording many, many tracks for a couple of years now and time has just flown by! A couple of the greatest musicians that ever lived, Richard Innes and Barrelhouse Chuck, have passed away during the process of making this album. One of their dreams was to see this stuff come out. "

The son of legendary bluesman Muddy Waters, Mud Morganfield and Fabulous Thunderbirds frontman Kim Wilson come together for this tribute release. "For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters)" represents some of Mud’s favorite songs from his father including the iconic “I Just Want to Make Love to You” plus “Blow Wind Blow” and “Just to Be With You.” When you hear Mud belt out his version of the classic “My Dog Can’t Bark” it’s clear that the apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Kim Wilson lives up to his reputation as the finest purveyor of the “Little Walter harmonica style” by laying down some of his best work to date.