Bloodshot - J. GEILS BAND****

(Ain't Nothing But A) House Party/Make Up Your Mind/Back To Get Ya/Struttin' With My Baby/Don't Try To Hide It/Southside Shuffle/Hold You Loving/Start All Over Again/Give It To Me

The release of Bloodshot propelled the J Geils Band into the higher reaches of the US album chart for the first time. Through constant touring the band were appreciated for their energetic live shows. (US:10)

“This J. Geils Band's release is arguably the greatest example ever of the type of music that they built their career on, excellent, high energy party rock and R & B that swings so hard it hurts. Bloodshot is full of some of their most signature songs.”

“For fans of this band, and their type of signature funky R & B bar band style rock, this album seems to have all the right moves. By this release, they were clearly moving in a much more commercial direction than previous outings, but were still enjoyable. This is highly produced bar band driven commercial rock, with funk flavour on some cuts, and featuring guitar, harmonica, and Wolfe's distinctive vocals. I guarantee if you listen to it enough, it'll grow on you.”

“This was a peak moment, combining a well-picked cover of Ain't Nothin' But A House Party with eight originals. The balance towards original compositions shows the band to have absorbed their influences, rather than aping them. The songs range from all-out rockers to funky shuffles to emotional ballads. Throughout the band provides terrific support.”

“Their sound was definitive 'House Band' music for industrial North-eastern and Midwest America during the 1970s. It was full on R & B honky-tonk soul-rock for blue collar and college party USA, and it is a great sound. Anyone who saw J. Geils in their day will speak of them with mist in their eyes for they had a live act like few others. This album captures a lot of that energy which is kinetic.”

“It's one of those rare albums that starts off like a house on fire with one of the great party anthems of all time, grabs you by your feet, and doesn't let up for the whole tight performance. No track is a throw away or filler. The record is a perfect blend of Detroit R & B, soul and bar band music.”