The Del Fuegos
Roots rock ‘n’ roll revivalists from Boston, Massachusetts, USA, whose early '80s recordings stand as a fine testament to their influences, even if some of their later output was dulled by commercial considerations. The band, led by vocalist Dan Zanes and guitarist brother Warren, with Tom Lloyd (bass) and B. Woody Giessmann (drums), was formally introduced to its public via a 1984 debut album for Slash Records. A winning collection of rounded songs drawing principally from the '60s beat boom, it explored a full complement of moods with energy and belief. 1985's BOSTON, MASS, a eulogy to their working class origins, was a more commercially orientated affair, though it lacked something of the sparkle of their debut. If this set had mapped out the possibility of future indulgence, that fear was confirmed with the arrival of STAND UP. With numerous guest appearances (Tom Petty, James Burton, etc.), neither the songwriting nor performances possessed the same spirit or character of old. It was universally panned by reviewers. Presumably as a result, drummer Giessmann (who had formerly worked with the under-rated Embarrassment) departed. STANDING IN THE FIELDS marked a welcome return to form. With the addition of harp player Magic Dick (J. Geils Band), the band's sound had now soothed to a classy R&B/soul timbre. Producer Dave Thoerner gave the new dynamic a sympathetic treatment and restored the Del Fuegos to critical favour.