Party of One is the debut solo album by American blues rock artist George Thorogood. It was released August 4, 2017 by the label Rounder Records.[1][2][3]Party of One is the first album Thorogood recorded and released without his long-time band "the Destroyers".[4]
Background and recording
In 2017, Thorogood returned to his label Rounder Records to release a solo album. Thorogood said: "I guess it was long overdue. The record label (Rounder) had been on me for some time to put out a solo album." It took Thorogood over a year to record the album.[5]
The album was recorded at the House Of Blues Studios, in California,[6] and produced by Jim Gaines.[4][7]
The album is composed entirely of blues covers, from artists Thorogood said "really mean something to me."[8] The album also features a live version of "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" recorded live, at Rockline in 1999.[7]
CD versions of the album also feature a bonus track, "Dynaflow Blues" written by John Ned Shines.[7][9]
Critical reception
Party of One received positive reviews from critics on release.
AllMusic`s Mark Deming says "Party of One suggests Thorogood has had his greatest success playing rowdy electric blues-rock for a reason -- it's clearly his strong suit -- but 40 years after the release of his debut album, the guy is more than entitled to a change of pace."[10] Matt Bauer of Exclaim! wrote "So, while the all-covers Party of One's primarily acoustic instrumentation — performed entirely by Thorogood — may not what be long-term fans were expecting, there's a true reverence for the blues"[16]
