Trouble Man is a hard-driving blues-rock album, with more emphasis on the "rock" than
Thackery's other releases. It slows down just long enough for the slightly dark "Lovin' You Right" and the jazzy "Anchor to a Drowning Man," arguably the best cut here. "Doin' 100" and the instrumental "Hang Up and Drive" have a strong
Stevie Ray Vaughan sound.
Thackery applies a steady, yet light-hearted and uptempo pace to William Harris' "Bullfrog," which has also been covered by the likes of
Dave Hole and John Hammond. The
K.C. Douglas cover "Mercury Blues" has been recorded by everyone from Steve Miller to
Alan Jackson (remember the "Crazy 'bout a Ford truck" commercials?), but this is one of the best versions you're likely to hear. The Albert Collins instrumental "Don't Lose Your Cool" is another highlight of
Trouble Man;
Thackery attacks the tune while remaining in total control of his instrument, as he always does. If you've seen him live, you can just envision his arms swinging wildly on this one.
Trouble Man doesn't quite live up to the material on Empty Arms Motel or
Drive to Survive, but you really can't go wrong with any
Thackery release. ~ Ann Wickstrom