Boogie Into The New Year with Peter, John, Dick and The Gang

Being a GenXer rather than a Baby Boomer, I came to The J. Geils Band quite belatedly, and basically only knew the one song that was a hit in my neck of the woods, the Seth Justman-penned and unusually New Wave-y "Centerfold". Little did I know that by the time they made it big in Europe with that song, they already were for a decade and a half a proud institution as America's premier party band and the other bad boys from Boston. Frontman Peter Wolf's show man antics, Magic Dick's harp as a lead instrument and John Geils' guitar playing as well as the choice covers of obscure R&B, Doo-Wop and Soul songs that the band infused with irrepressible Rock'n'Roll energy make the group the ultimate barroom boogie band writ large - something they would probably, and rightfully - be proud of. No hidden agenda or underlying subtle concepts with this band: You better get your ass up and shake it when these guys take the stage...

A monster live group, The J. Geils Band also made monster live albums. "Live" Full House, their first live album from 1972 is a pure blast of energy, capturing what the early R&B-based band sounded like. The single LP means that the band gets their shit in, gets everybody to dance and then leave them wanting for more, leaving the dance party after a scant 35 minutes. 1976's Blow Your Face Out - Live, its very worthwhile successor more than doubles that running time and feels more like an entire gig by the band. I'm not engaging in the whole 'best live shows/records of all time' debate and whether the records should capture what it's like to have the best of a show or rather the feel of a whole concert or yadda yadda yadda. All I'm saying is, if someone were to propose one or both of these albums to join that list, I wouldn't protest. 

And since the One Buck Guy likes his grooves hot, his drinks cold and his ladies...erm, hold that thought, the wife's around. So, anyway, since I don't want to play the 'which one's better' card and there is almost no overlap in track list you, dear One Buck Head, are the winner because you get both records for the same consistently low low price of...nothing. Great, hot, rock'n'roll record to get groovin' into the new year...or get going in 2025 on New Year's morning with some top notch energy...

So, have a great end to 2024, y'all, and an even better beginning to 2025! Upward and onward, excelsior!