After using manager
Denny Bruce as producer for their first three albums,
the Fabulous Thunderbirds tapped
Nick Lowe for their fourth outing,
T-Bird Rhythm. It was more of the same stew of rock, blues, R&B, and lowdown swamp music for which the early
Thunderbirds were known. That was a good thing for anyone just in love with the sound and who wanted more. Those for whom one
Thunderbirds album is good but enough, however, might not have seen much point to investing in another similar recording. Whatever the case,
T-Bird Rhythm is solid, though not innovative, with the usual roots sounds that alternate between
Kim Wilson originals and well-chosen covers of obscure non-hit oldies. The 2000 CD reissue on Benchmark adds historical liner notes. ~ Richie Unterberger