Ride Til I Die
Since the early 1980s, George Thorogood has delivered heart-felt tributes to his favored blues and rockabilly artists, and he’s continued along this expected path withRide ‘Til I Die. Warm and deeply affectionate covers ofBo Diddley's "You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care),"Eddie Cochran's "My Way," and, of course,John Lee Hooker's "Ride 'Til I Die," demonstrate that Thorogood is in fine form, his trademark slide guitar warring with a squealing sax over a pumping blues grind. "American Made" is a sure-fire crowd pleaser; "She's Gone" is a dirty stomper that recalls his biggest hit, "Bad to the Bone"; while the closing title track is an evolving acoustic number punctuated by sudden electric wails. Unlike pop stars, bluesmen often benefit from the passing of time; it lends them weight and gravitas. Thorogood is no exception. He'll peak late--and he's pretty damn good now.--Dominic Wills