Johnny Thunders - Acoustic Thunders (2008)

With a name like Johnny Thunders and having been an integral member of
proto-punks the New York Dolls and the Heartbreakers, Johnny was all about
raw, loud, blaring rock & roll (heck, an early nom de guerre he used --
before quickly discarding -- was "Johnny Volume"). So it's understandable
that an album titled Acoustic Thunders will be greeted with a big old
headscratch by many. But it's common knowledge among longtime Johnny
fanatics that Thunders was known to pick up an acoustic guitar from time to
time -- especially with increasing frequency in his latter years. And this
is the exact sound/approach that is showcased throughout Acoustic Thunders.
The album's 12 tracks are taken from three different performances -- one
from a Detroit show in 1980, another from Los Angeles in 1987, and lastly,
from Japan in 1991 (shortly before his death that year). Expectedly, the
sound quality varies throughout, but there's no denying that there are
points where you realize that this is Johnny Thunders at his most open and
vulnerable -- you almost get the feeling that you're getting a glimpse into
the true heart and soul of Thunders, especially on renditions of "So Alone"
and "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory." Also included is a fine
version of the Dolls classic "Lonely Planet Boy," as well as lesser-known
tunes such as "Joey," "Society Makes Me Sad," and "I Wrote This Song for
You," which sees Thunders' acoustic guitar joined by some emotive saxophone
flourishes. For a different side of Thunders that has been largely unseen
(or more fittingly, unheard) by rock fans over the years, Acoustic Thunders
is certainly a worthy listen.