I wanted to stay on NRBQ just one more day while I'm still on the high. You know how that can happen after you see a live show?
This is a 3-pack featuring the great Terry Adams.
First up, we have Terry covering Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. I mean really, how often does a person get to type that? This brilliant little cover of "Indian Love Call" can be found on Terry's "Holy Tweet" CD, which I think everyone should own.
(Ya ever hear the Q's cover of the Sammy Cahn penned, Mario Lanza staple, "Be My Love?" I mean, these guys really CAN play anything.)
"Umbrella umbrella, oh wella wella wella/can you tell me why/umbrella umbrella, oh wella wella wella/you never keep me dry."
(I'll be checking in at the end of the week to see just how many of you are still singing this one.)
We finish with an NRBQ classic that is just as much about Big Al's solo as it is about Terry's vocals and clavinet. From one of the great records of all time, "Tiddlywinks," we have "Want You To Feel Good Too."
I love this band. Always have. I can't imagine any lovers of music not owning at least 3 or 4 of the Q's records. The stretch of albums beginning with their debut in 1969 to 1983's "Grooves In Orbit," contain some of the finest music this side of the Pecos. And Terry Adams' last few solo projects, the two mentioned here, as well as "Louisville Slugger," a record made with NRBQ's original guitarist, the late great Steve Ferguson, and "Crazy 8's" are all worth exploring. What I'm saying is, BUY THEM ALL!
7 comments:
Loving the posts about the Q. Yeah, that post-concert high where you just can't get enough of the band you just saw is awesome. Don't stop on our account.
The world needs NRBQ. Their existence counter balances much that is foul and evil. I hate to think of a world without them. It really could mean the end.
Amen to everything you've said over the past couple of weeks about my favorite band.
I took a musician friend to see a show at the Chestnut Cabaret in Philadelphia, probably around 1990. He knew nothing about what he was about to experience. A few songs in, of course, he was wide-eyed. On the drive home, he said "I get it...they don't give a shit!"
I corrected him; they didn't give a shit about the stupid show-biz stuff. But they cared greatly about good music, of whatever form or style.
I have everything they ever did, plus the Rhino Peek-a-Boo collection, which is like a treasured mix-tape. But I have to give a shout-out to "Wild Weekend," which was sort of their most honest shot at crafting something that would break them out. It didn't of course, but it's a beautifully produced collection of really fine songs.
They released "If I Can't Have You" as a single, and frankly I'm embarrassed to live on a planet that did not make it a #1 hit for a month. At least.
Here's a newsmagazine piece (remember Connie Chung?) about NRBQ from around the time of "Wild Weekend" and Virgin's sort-of attempt to get them big-time exposure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFxpFm1u26k
Not sure I'm up to buying them all, but I'd love some suggestions on getting the first one again, the 1969 with Come On if You're Coming & Ida & Rocket #9, & . . .
Does not seem to be anywhere.
@Jeff.
The whole debut and more is on this:
http://www.amazon.com/Stay-We-Best-NRBQ/dp/B0000028LD/ref=sr_1_9?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1327369201&sr=1-9
Thanks for this, Sal. Hard as it is, I try to stay away from Amazon downloads, as much for the poor quality as for the principle, but I bought this one. I don't see Carla Bley's Ida -- those hillbilly boys were so damn eclectic, there was just no category for what they did, unlike say Poco or Budgie. Nonetheless, a lot of what I've been thinking about is here and I'm grateful to you.
Speaking of gratitude, thanks for taking that endless slog through 7 pounds of Dylan covers!
Post a Comment