Along with Texas’ Fabulous Thunderbirds, New England’s J. Geils Band and California’s Mighty Flyers, Delaware’s George Thorogood and the Destroyers were products of the second blues revival. Having not listened to them in about 25 years, hearing this CD reminds one of when you play 33 1/3 rpm LP record albums at 45 rpm on a turntable. At the time of these recordings, the Destroyers—the perfect name for this band—had just come off a North American tour opening for the Rolling Stones and were considered one of the best blues/roots/rock/bar bands in the land.

Clearly Thorogood and the Destroyers ate their Wheaties before this show and slept well that night. They rip through this set of blues, rock ’n’ roll and country like there was no tomorrow. Even the slower songs like “As the Years Go Passing By” are so intense they can wear out listeners. Thorogood’s influences are many here. Chuck Berry and Hank Williams come to mind, but especially John Lee Hooker, who he perfectly mimics on “One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer” and “New Boogie Chillun.” Thorogood uses the slide on his guitar masterfully, particularly on the raucous “House of Blue Lights” and Elmore James’ “Can’t Stop Loving.” There are a few fine originals sprinkled in along the way, including “I’m Wanted” and “One Way Ticket,” which was the predecessor to Thorogood’s eventual calling card, “Bad to the Bone.”

While Live in Boston 1982 is a fine example of road house music at its apex, it’s certainly not for the faint of heart. I wonder what these guys would have sounded like if they had Red Bull back then?