Album review: THIRSTY – Thirsty

THIRSTY - Thirsty

Thirsty is the product of a writing collaboration between ex-Quireboy Guy Bailey and Russian poet Irina D, who wrote the words that he has set to music with stunning results. Produced by legendary Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey and featuring musicians Simon Hanson (Death In Vegas, Squeeze) on drums, fellow ex-Quireboy Chris Johnstone providing bass and keys, backing vocals from Saint Jude’s Lynne Jackaman, and guitar from Bailey himself.

However, it is his vocals though that are the biggest revelation on “Thirsty”- with an earthy quality and a feel that is part Keith Richards and part Dogs D’Amour leader Tyla, with a hint of Ronnie Wood thrown in for good measure- and in this band setting, these work really, really well.

Musically, there are Stones like moments, some great flourishes of ‘60’s soul and each of the 10 songs contained on “Thirsty” has a story to tell, and each is perfectly wrapped up in a ball of joy lasting 3 minutes or less.

With an opening that could be Otis Redding, “Surgery” is a heart wrenching tale, whilst “Flawless” is the true story of the perfect diamond heist at 2013’s Cannes Film Festival- it also sounds like the best Stones song in years.

I am torn between “10, 7 and possibly 6” and “Donnie To Sonny” as my favourite song of 2015. Then we have “God bless America”, the story of JFK’s sister and the lobotomy the family forced upon her, and “Libertine”- the highlights here are endless.

The album also has a softer side- album opener “Thirsty” is a gentle number, “Sniper” has a melancholy feel and is inspired by a Russian sniper who during World War Two killed over 300 enemy fighters. “White” is another slower track and to round things off we have “Black”, based on Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” and featuring both English and Russian lyrics it has more of a duet feel between Irina and Bailey and this works to great effect.

“Thirsty” is a fine album and a band I look forward to seeing live.  *****

Review by Nikk Gunns

Interview (Guy Bailey, October 2015)


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio


David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply