ALBUM OF THE WEEK # 45 ANDY TAYLOR - THUNDER (1987) # 9 FROM CRR

DISCLAIMER:

For those folks that posted with me on Classic Rock Revisited before the forum shut down, this album may be familiar as it is a repost from that site. In February I decided to repost my favorite albums from that site, so I began a countdown by posting one album per month. So, with regards to my Top 11 from CRR, this is the next album in line.

Most of you guys will remember Andy Taylor as the guitar player from Duran Duran. Awe, who am I kidding, you guys didn't even know Duran Duran had a guitar player, did you? Well, they did, but I like him much better as a solo artist. Thunder was his first solo release, from back in 1987. I must say, I'm a pretty big fan of this album. I love the guitar playing. It's got a nice, bluesy feel in places, and although it's not an album full of shredding, he does quite a nice job. Check out the playing on Night Train. Andy had some help from Steve Jones (The Sex Pistols), but I couldn't tell you who played what on the album.

The album contained two singles. I Might Lie is one that I absolutely remember getting some MTV airplay for the video. Don't Let Me Die Young was the other single. The album does tend to drag a little at times. For instance, Life Goes On is a little on the repetitive side, while Tremblin' sounds like it's trying to suck the life out of you. I say that, but I still like both tracks for the most part. Night Train and Bringin' Me Down are the true hidden gems here. We even get an instrumental to close the album out, although I do consider it filler.

Thunder has always been on my list of favorite albums and I imagine it always will be. The cover art isn't particularly good, but luckily that doesn't affect the music. You can find it on Amazon for about 8 bucks used, which is better than I did. I had it, lost it, and had to repurchase a couple of years ago. It was hard to find at that time, but I got it for around 20 dollars, which was worth it to me. There is an extended 1987 version listed on Amazon that includes a few singles he had shortly after the album was released, but if you look at the fine print, that is a CD-R that is manufactured by Amazon. Click the album cover below to listen and let me know what you think.

1. I Might Lie

2. Don't Let Me Die Young

3. Life Goes On

4. Thunder

5. Night Train

6. Tremblin'

7. Bringin' Me Down

8. Broken Window

9. French Guitar

Best Single: I Might Lie

Best Album Cut: Night Train/Bringin' Me Down

Most Likely To Skip: French Guitar

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Permalink Reply by Niels (Mod) on April 12, 2011 at 8:25am

When I heard the first few seconds, I thought it was Saxon's "Motorcykleman". Nah, not really.

The "band" he had with Robert Palmer among others, Powerstation, was very populare around this time. I did'nt like them, but this is a LITTLE better, not much, but a little, in fact it's rather boooooring music imo. Very 80's kind of stuff, not in a good way. I never thought he was a very good guitarist. Well, you would'nt be in Duran Duran if you WERE a good guitarist, would you?

"I might lie" is probably the best song, and that says a lot, does'nt it??!!

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Permalink Reply by Jon on April 12, 2011 at 5:07pm

Check out Rod Stewart's "Out Of Order", that feature Andy Taylor on geetar. I don't think he's bad.

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Permalink Reply by Scott on November 27, 2013 at 12:06pm

Woudl love to pick up a Remastered edition of Out of Order ...

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Permalink Reply by Scott on April 12, 2011 at 2:43pm

I remember hearing this fron the other site. I think its very middle-of-the-roadish. Although there is one thing that is pretty cool. Tell me if I am right or not, but to me the style of guitar he plays sounds like it has some Paul Stanley influence in it. Its not a big influence, but I hear it a little bit. Do you hear that too?