GREATEST HITS FORTNIGHT (FEBRUARY 6-19, 2012)
If you grew up in the Houston-area in the late '70s/early '80s, you know all these songs from "That Little Ol' Band from Texas." I did and I do with the exception of songs from 1990's Recycler album, which I was unaware of until I bought this compilation. Of course, I did live in the Dallas area at the time of that release. This is great blues-boogie-rock. Sure, most of the band's stuff from 1983's Eliminator and 1985's Afterburner all sounds the same, but it sounds great.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #9
Tracks: 18 tracks and, with one exception, I like everything here from the years 1973-85. I'm not fond of Rough Boy; this band is not suited to power ballads. I'm guessing the decision to record a power ballad was made by the band's label. The "newer" (post '85) stuff, including the two previously unreleased tunes, is okay, but I'm unfamiliar most of it except for their version of Viva Las Vegas which is a decent enough cover.
| Song | Year | Hot 100 | Rock |
| Gimme All Your Lovin' | 1983 | 37 | 2 |
| Sharp Dressed Man | 1983 | 56 | 8 |
| Rough Boy | 1986 | 22 | 5 |
| Tush | 1975 | 20 | * |
| My Head's In Mississippi | 1990 | - | 1 |
| Pearl Necklace | 1981 | - | 28 |
| I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide | 1979 | - | * |
| Viva Las Vegas | 1992 | - | 16 |
| Doubleback | 1990 | 50 | 1 |
| Gun Love | 1992 | - | 8 |
| Got Me Under Pressure | 1983 | - | 18 |
| Give It Up | 1990 | 79 | 2 |
| Cheap Sunglasses | 1980 | 89 | * |
| Sleeping Bag | 1985 | 8 | 1 |
| Planet Of Women | 1985 | - | - |
| La Grange | 1973 | 41 | * |
| Tube Snake Boogie | 1981 | 103 | 4 |
| Legs | 1984 | 8 | 3 |
*Billboard began a rock chart in March, 1981
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: As a musician in college, I would often have to wear a tuxedo to performances. A friend in adjoining dorm room (who we called Buffalo Tom), would see me dressed in the tux and always quote from Sharp Dressed Man: "Looking sharp, looking for love." I've said that to my sons when they dress up, but of course they don't get it.
When I hear the band's '70s music, I'm taken back to my junior high days. That campus (pictured below) closed this past year, but I have many fond memories from my time there.
[2021 update: the building pictured has been razed and a new elementary school erected on the property]
