What we have here are two of my favorite guitar solos of all time, both of which come from the one and only NRBQ. The first solo, from "Flat Foot Flewzy" is played by original Q guitarist, Steve Ferguson. The second, from "Get A Grip," is played by Q fan favorite, "Big" Al Anderson, Ferguson's replacement.
The "Scraps" record was the first for Anderson and I often wondered if Terry Adams required "Big" Al to play just like Ferguson. The solos are similar in many ways. As time went on, Anderson fell into his own with the band. But it's hard to ignore how much these solos have in common.
I also remember writing about the first time I saw Scott Ligon with NRBQ, who has been Q's guitarist for about ten years now, and how I thought it a bit eerie that he not only played just like "Big" Al, but also sounded like "Big" Al vocally and even looked like a "Small" Al Anderson.
I don't really have much of a point here. I'm just riffing around these two solos. Listen and decide who did it better.
Between the two I'd have to go with Steve's as it's a bit looser and biting which I really like. Overall, I've always been partial to Al probably because I've always liked his tone. He's got a lot of great tracks on his solo albums.
ReplyDeleteNice post - made me realized I didn't have a copy of Scraps. I will have now that I just ordered copy coming for Xmas!
Randy
Ferguson was an amazing guitar player who mastered the chicken-pickin' style employed on Flewzy. But Big AL was an amazing guitar player, killer songwriter, and solid singer that stayed with NRBQ for 20 plus years, so he wins. Scraps and the follow-up Workshop are both gems. Their string of records from 78-83 (At Yankee Stadium, Kick Me Hard, Tiddly Winks, Grooves In Orbit) is as good as any band's four consecutive records. I haven't thought that statement through completely, but who else other than Beatles or Stones had four that great in a row?
ReplyDeleteLove 'em both. And the Q is back out on the road now - sure hope they make an Atlanta stop in 2022.
ReplyDeleteI'm just happy that I got to hear two great tracks from the Q this morning. Thanks, Sal. Have you ever compiled your favorite Q tracks into a mix? Would love to see what you pick.
ReplyDeleteTroy,
ReplyDeleteOff the top of my head:
FAVE NRBQ TRACKS:
Cecilia
Dummy
Get A Grip
A Girl Like That
Hot Biscuits & Sweet Marie
I Didn't Know Myself
I Want You Bad
If I Don't Have You
It Feels Good
Little Floater
Me & The Boys
Never Take The Place Of You
Rain At The Drive In
Ridin' In My Car
The Same Old Thing
That's Neat, That's Nice
Want You To Feel Good Too
Nice list, definitely some overlap with mine:
ReplyDeleteA Girl Like That
Be Here Now
Green Lights
Here Comes Terry
It Comes to Me Naturally
I Want You Bad
Me and the Boys
Over Your Head
Rain at the Drive In
RC Cola and a Moon Pie
Riding in My Car
You Can't Hide
You Gotta Be Loose
My list as follows...
ReplyDeleteBoys In The City
Cecilia
Green Lights
Howard Johnson's Got His Ho-Jo Workin'
I Got A Rocket In My Pocket
I Love Her, She Loves Me
I Want You Bad
It Was A Accident
Love Came To Me
Magnet
Me And The Boys
Never Take The Place Of You
Rain At The Drive-In
RC Cola And A Moon Pie
Ridin' In My Car
That's Neat, That's Nice
The Music Goes 'round And Around
Things To You
Yes, Yes, Yes
Maybe more, Q is the best!
I've never got into NRBQ. Am I allowed to say that? (Probably not - Ed). Perhaps it's an across the other side of the Atlantic thing. Anyhow I gave the two tracks a listen, the different guitarist/similar soloing thingy was over my head, but found them to be the NRBQ tracks I've liked the most from the ones which have popped up on your site. So, not converted but enjoying the riffing anyway. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteAll of the above plus White Horse, Flat Foot Flewzy ( which Widespread Panic has covered), Party in My Head
ReplyDeleteWe Travel The Spaceways
ReplyDeleteHey, Little Brother
Puddin' Truck
Trouble At The Henhouse
Beverly
Want You To Feel Good, Too
Things We Like To Do
This Old House
Hot Biscuits and Sweet Marie
It Comes To Me Naturally