JULY ALBUM OF THE MONTH
I’ll say it quietly for now, but I may well have just listened to an Album of the Year contender. It’s the first time Guy Bailey’s guitar sound and Spike’s voice have been together for many years – and the result is so powerfully moving and impressive. Here is an album that a lot of career-hungry, keen-to-impress young bands can learn a thing or two from. Great albums don’t need to be clever, over-layered, over-cluttered and over-worked – and we don’t need guitarists to be virtuoso show-offs in order to impress. For this best of Thirsty album, the music is simple but classy: there are vivid moods (or musical colours) and there’s rhythm, feeling and life. Music from the heart; authentic, rugged but true – here is an album that reminds us what the spirit of rock n roll is – and should be – all about.
For me, this fine album and the Quireboy’s release ‘Wardour Street’ sit together like musical companions, perhaps like two sides of the same coin – music that evokes the reconnection of that close, timeless bond between lifelong music friends.
Having spoken with Spike most days during the early months of his split with his then band line-up in 2022, Spike turned to his old pals, Nigel, Chris and Guy Bailey – and that connection gave him a clear sense on the path he needed to take. Against the context ofkeyboard warriors stirring the pot on socials and many rock media seemingly sitting on the fence, perhaps to see which way the wind would blow, Spike relayed to me many times that Guy Bailey wanted him to return with a new Quireboys album. Bailey and Gray – credited as the original songwriting duo behind the hit Quireboys albums and singles – that working bond was rekindled in those months during spring 2022. The pair spoke, shared song ideas, created and were photographed together around London. At the end of that year, Guy Bailey also joined the reformed Quireboys on stage for their sold-out comeback Christmas show in London. ‘Wardour Street’ – the hugely impressive Quireboys comeback album – was deeply inspired by Guy Bailey, the album’s name soaking the album in the nostalgia of the band’s earliest days together – and the record was dedicated in loving memory to Bailey. So much about the very existence and musical spirit of the ‘Wardour Street’ album is a nod to the inspiration of Guy Bailey; as was the band’s return to a looser rock n roll sound for the new album.
With Spike re-recording new vocals for this best of Thirsty album, the Spike/Bailey connection from ‘Wardour Street’ happens again, if through a different context. Thirsty was originally Guy Bailey’s project. He did three albums, working with another Quireboy – Chris Johnstone – and Russian poet, Irina D. For this album, Spike has recorded new vocals to accompany the original music – and the combination of vocal and guitar is so completely good.
Spike adds drama to the understated-but-arresting gritty charm of the Thirsty originals. Furthermore, Spike’s vocals are fully committed and give many of the old Thirsty favourites a new persona. ‘God Bless America’ is a good example of this. It now feels like a different song, but not in a comparative way: Both versions are great – it’s not about better or worse but, rather, seeing great music through a new lens.
This album also gives Spike and Quireboys’ fans the chance to experience Spike’s vocal style and range in a different way. ‘White’ showcases Spike’s falsetto and this is a pretty specialrecording.
There’s a lot more to this album than the new vocal treatments though. Beneath the vocals,one can remember and celebrate the ever-so-distinctive Guy Bailey guitar playing and arrangements. Stones through and through, Guy Bailey nonetheless was such an expressively gifted guitar player and songwriter. Never showy and he didn’t over-play, his guitar work had great rhythm, was sometimes powerful through its economy, and the music always had a sense of space, allowing the music to breathe – and fully come to life.
I have fond memories of doing an hour special radio interview with Guy Bailey back in 2026 (listen again link below). To this day, I remember him as a kind man, with a good sense of humour and a passion for authentic rock and roll.
Listening anew to an album that re-unites the voice of Spike and the guitar of Guy Bailey, one is reminded of the art that made that double-act such a great partnership in the Quireboys’ early days. Spike’s vocals and range on this Thirsty album are as good as they’ve been for years – and that is in part because Bailey’s music leaves room for the vocal to shine. Spike is not having to scream over a band, which gives him more room to express. But the vocals also allow room for the guitar to manoeuvre and arrest the listener – it’s a perfect creative combination.
On ‘Solar’ there’s a very cool, sassy vocal and lyric – and a vocal surprise return for the final track caught me off-guard but also made the album fittingly complete.
I started this review thinking back to those dark and uncertain weeks of Spring 2022. Who would have known, looking back now, that they would have sparked Spike into the most prolific recording phase of his career. From the lockdown late night song book albums, his venture into the folk roots of his home, the Frankie Miller songs, to the Quireboys’ comeback album (and first-ever Christmas single, with the pipers) – and now this Thirsty collaboration with newly recorded vocals. The wonderful thing about all this recorded work from Spike is it is all from the heart: Fully authentic, spontaneous and all inspired by the people and places he deeply loves. To many, Spike has a bigger-than-life, sometimes chaotic, party persona on stage but – as I’ve come to learn – don’t be fooled by this. There is another side to Spike, that is hard-working and fully committed to making music – and a kind, sincere person who has a big caring heart for the people he loves. This new album demonstrates both those aspects of his personality. And this new release is, ultimately, an album with a big heart.
This Thirsty release celebrates Spike’s life-long friendships with his original band members who all stood with him when they were needed most. And, perhaps more important, this album – along with ‘Wardour Street’– celebrates the life and enduring music legacy of one of the true guitar greats – Guy Bailey. A kind soul, talented songwriter and great guitar player. With Spike, Chris and Nigel involved, Guy Bailey’s music legacy is in safe hands.
‘God Bless America’ is released on 19 June.
Order the album here:
Archive interviews for listen again
Guy Bailey feature interview on the Thirsty catalogue (2016)
Spike feature interview paying tribute to Guy Bailey (2023)
Spike breaks his silence and plans for Wardour Street (2022)
