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What's the Word | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 4, 1980 [1] | |||
Studio | Sumet-Bernet Sound Studios, Dallas, Texas | |||
Genre | Blues, R&B | |||
Length | 34:26 (Original) | |||
Label | Chrysalis (Original) Benchmark (Reissue) | |||
Producer | Denny Bruce | |||
The Fabulous Thunderbirds chronology | ||||
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What's the Word is the second studio album by the Austin, Texas-based blues band the Fabulous Thunderbirds, released in 1980. [2] Like its predecessor, the album initially sold poorly, but is now regarded as a noteworthy blues recording of the period. The 2000 CD reissue on Benchmark Records contains three bonus tracks, two of which were recorded live at Club Koda, Austin, Texas.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [3] |
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings | [4] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [5] |
The Boston Globe wrote that the band "play no-frills, gut-bucket R&B and blues with enough enthusiasm and intensity to overcome any doubts one might have about their authenticity." [6]
All tracks composed by Kim Wilson; except where indicated
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are an American blues band formed in 1974. Singer Kim Wilson is the only constant member through the band's entire history. Their 1986 album Tuff Enuff sold over a million copies, and spawned two minor hit singles: the title track and "Wrap It Up".
Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for the Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s, "Tuff Enuff" and "Wrap It Up."
Jimmie Lawrence Vaughan Jr. is an American blues rock guitarist and singer based in Austin, Texas. He is the older brother of the late Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Mike Buck is an American, Austin, Texas-based drummer, and co-owner of Antone's Record Shop located in downtown Austin.
JW-Jones is a Canadian blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and band leader. He is a Juno Award nominee (2015), Billboard magazine Top 10 Selling artist, and winner of the International Blues Challenge for "Best Self-Produced CD Award" for his release 'High Temperature' in 2017 and Best Guitarist in 2020.
Wesley Curley Clark was an American blues musician. He is known as the "Godfather of Austin Blues" for his influence on the Austin, Texas blues scene since the late 1960s.
Tuff Enuff is a 1986 studio album by Texas-based blues rock band the Fabulous Thunderbirds, which pointed the band in a more mainstream direction. The single "Tuff Enuff" was featured in the films Gung Ho and Tough Guys, as was the follow-up single "Wrap It Up". It has also been played a number of times on the sitcom Married... with Children. "Tuff Enuff" remains the band's only Top 40 hit, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Powerful Stuff is a 1989 studio album by Texas based blues rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. It was recorded in Memphis and produced by Terry Manning. It was the last studio album to feature Jimmie Vaughan before leaving for a solo career. The track "Powerful Stuff" achieved mainstream success and was featured in Touchstone Pictures' 1988 hit film Cocktail. It was the first single released from the Cocktail soundtrack album, which reached number one on the Billboard Charts and sold over 19 million copies worldwide.
Hot Number is a studio album by the American blues rock band the Fabulous Thunderbirds, released in 1987. It peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard 200. The band supported the album by touring with Crosby, Stills & Nash.
T-Bird Rhythm is the fourth studio album by Texas-based blues rock band the Fabulous Thunderbirds, released in 1982. The recording contains a mixture of covers and originals. Chrysalis dropped the band following the release of the album.
Butt Rockin' is the third studio album by Texas-based blues rock band the Fabulous Thunderbirds, released in 1981. The recording took the band closer to old rhythm and blues and added additional musicians playing piano and brass. A 2000 CD reissue contains three bonus tracks.
Girls Go Wild is the alternate title of the 1979 debut studio album by the Texas-based blues rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. The album was an eponymous release, but due to the prominence of the words "Girls Go Wild" on the cover it has often been referred to by that name. The album was reissued via Benchmark Recordings in 2000.
Roll of the Dice is a 1995 studio album by Texas-based blues rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds, their second without Jimmie Vaughan.
Walk That Walk, Talk That Talk is a 1991 studio album by Texas based blues rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds and the first without guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. He was replaced by Duke Robillard and Kid Bangham for the recording. The album marks a return to the straightforward blues-rock sound of their early material, abandoning the overly commercial production of their previous three albums.
Different Tacos is a 1996 compilation album by Texas-based blues rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. The album features a collection of rarities, B-sides and outtakes from their first four albums. It also contains live tracks from various UK tours.
Denny Bruce is an American record producer and artist manager. He produced over 60 albums, and managed and produced albums by John Fahey, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Leo Kottke, John Hiatt and many others over his 50 year career in the music business.
Keith Ferguson was an American bass guitarist, best remembered as a member of the blues rock band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, based in Austin, Texas. Ferguson received several awards for his musicianship.
"Tuff Enuff" is a song by the blues rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds. It was written by Kim Wilson. The song was included on the album Tuff Enuff and was produced by Dave Edmunds. Released as a single in 1986, "Tuff Enuff" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks; it reached the top 20 in other countries and number 83 in Australia. It was the band's first single and has since become their signature song. It was ranked number 96 on VH1's "100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s"---although "Wrap It Up" was a minor hit.
The Best of the Fabulous Thunderbirds: Early Birds Special is a 2011 compilation album by Texas-based blues rock band The Fabulous Thunderbirds released on Benchmark Recordings. The album features a collection of songs from the original tracks from their first four albums, live versions, and the hits from their later albums, spanning their first decade of recording and touring.
Francis Anthony Christina is an American drummer known for his work in Texas blues band The Fabulous Thunderbirds (1979–97). He was also the founding drummer of Roomful of Blues (1967-1971).