Other than the sonic values and excellent community of the Steve Hoffman Music Forums, the one feature I value most are the excellent "Album-By-Album Threads." They are a great venue for raving about the artists you love, as well as learn about artists you may not yet know. This is the point that motivates me to tackle a NRBQ thread, despite the fact I am overwhelmed at the responsibility of tackling their immense career and discography. In my considered opinion they are one of THE greatest american bands of the 20th century, and every music fan should be aware of them enough that they have the chance to experience the great swinging sweet joyful sounds that NRBQ played. Despite the strength of their instrumental virtuosity, expertly crafted and emoted songs, group interplay, diverse songbook, unstoppable swinging groove, and 30 plus year career, NRBQ do not have popular recognition on par with their immense virtues. I believe that some of their greatest assets -- such as eclecticism, uncompromising artistic values, and humor -- are also the reasons that they never sold the millions of records that they deserved to. They are incredibly intelligent and proficient musicians that have no problem being silly and loose as well. There are so many facets to this band to wrap your head around, that it requires a certain openness on the part of the listener -- it is music that really needs to be felt emotionally to be understood. Perhaps this why NRBQ gathered most of its fans by playing live. The pure spirit of Rock N Roll that they embodied could not be contained and captured in the studio, despite the fact that they made lots and lots of great record. But hey, I don't really know -- it's just theorizing -- and I'm sure the band themselves couldn't tell you the reason either. Although I'm sure they would have welcomed the millions a hit would have brought, I am guessing that they are very proud and content with what they accomplished. They are one of the very few bands that sustained musical excellence and artistic virtue over such a long career in the largely fickle spiritual wilderness of the music business. If one person learns something about NRBQ from this thread, is inspired to buy their records, and has their musical life changed as they changed mine, I will have accomplished my goal. Here are the discographical and interview links I've referenced in preparation for this thread. Thank you to all of the time and effort the respective authors put in to sharing this information: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nrbq-p5044 http://www.discogs.com/artist/NRBQ http://badcatrecords.com/BadCat/NRBQ.htm http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=81498 http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=NRBQ http://www.puremusic.com/nrbq.html http://www.puremusic.com/joeyint.html http://www.terryadams.net/nrbq.html http://www.nrbq.com/dinner-with-q.html http://ztalk.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=listeningroom&action=display&thread=37098 http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2009/06/nrbq_members_salute_ailing_ste.html http://www.puddingbench.com/big_al.htm http://webspace.webring.com/people/hq/qfan98/albums.htm http://www.soulfuldetroit.com/archives/1/626.html?1020745507 http://www.doccavalier.com/interviews/prm_int.html http://www.doccavalier.com/trodrecjourn.html
Before we dive in, I'd like to encourage everyone to contribute to the thread and share their story. I don't own every NRBQ record, never got to see them live in their heyday, and don't know all of the minutiae. So, I'm depending on you folks to help make this thread as great as it can be. Unlike many other Album-By-Album Threads, I'd like to take a slower pace, so that everyone can actually dig out or buy the records and play them fresh before they have to chime in with their thoughts. Other than the freeway of their recorded output, there are many side streets and back roads to explore on the NRBQ path, so I'd like to leave the space to do some sightseeing along the way. I was born in 1971 in Connecticut, and graduated high school in 1989. As a kid, I remember hearing what seemed like weekly radio spots on WHCN, WPLR, and WCCC for upcoming NRBQ shows. By the time I was old enough and musically smart enough to see NRBQ, their golden age had passed. As a kid that grew up on and loved The Beatles, the first NRBQ song that really connected with me was the sweet pop single from 1989s "Wild Weekend" album. I got the excellent career retrospective from Rhino Records called "Peek-A-Boo," and while I loved it, it was enough for me for awhile. As I got older, and had more of an understanding of musical styles and history I started to appreciate them more and more. After dedicating my life to studying jazz composer, keyboardist, and bandleader Sun Ra for a good 10 years, the name NRBQ kept popping up, and I finally took the time to really get in to NRBQ and their discography. As a musician and fan from Connecticut, I am incredibly proud of NRBQ and Al Anderson. There are so few artists that made a name for themselves from this state that they are beacon for me. Even though Al Anderson originated from Windsor, CT, NRBQ weren't truly a CT band, but they played here so much in the 1970s and 80s, that it felt like they were. I'd like to talk about the pre-NRBQ bands The Wildweeds and The Merseybeats U.S.A. before we hit NRBQs debut LP, but before we do that please share you personal NRBQ story.
I discovered NRBQ pretty late - via the Stay With Me collection which was released on cd back in the 1990s. Odd collection of tunes, but a few really stood out for me like Rocket #9, Dr. Howard Dr. Fine Dr. Howard and their fantastic rockin' version of C'mon Everybody. Played that disc for a year or two and always wondered if they still sounded like that in their later days…So then I picked up Grooves In Orbit. It sounded like a completely different band! That album quickly grew on me though, so I started hunting down their other releases like At Yankee Stadium, Tiddlywinks, Workshop, Scraps, Kick Me Hard (one of my personal faves) etc. For a live album, You Gotta Be Loose really knocked me out…note to self, gotta see these guys live. Later that year, I hear that the Q is playing live in my neck of the woods, at a small bar in Stevens Point WI! Man, what a gig - they were fantastic to watch, so much crazy interplay with a lot of musical ESP going on, so much energy and buzz in the air…they'd seem to launch into songs with no four counts or anything! The crowd was really into it, the band was into it…it was just a perfect night. I've seen them a few times since, and while every show was good they were all unique (in the same way that Grateful Dead shows are unique). The last time I saw them was when they were doing a 2-nighter in Green Bay at Bayfest back in 2002, it was an odd gig since no one in the audience seemed to know who NRBQ was. We talked to the guys after the 1st gig and when Terry asked where the audience was, we told him that people seemed to be more into the Beatles cover band playing on another stage. Tommy said "well, maybe we should play more Beatles songs!" The 2nd night, sure enough, they played 3 Beatles covers…and everyone loved them. While it's difficult/impossible to put into words what makes the Q so special, seeing them live did it for me. It all made sense. I've since collected all of their albums, dvds, most of the live shows in circulation and all the side projects and solo material. It's not enough - I need more! I find NRBQ to be a band that musicians can especially relate to well - and it may take others awhile but it's a very enjoyable, at times strange, worthwhile trip. I think NRBQ is the best rock and roll band in the universe.
Welcome to the forum! My intro to the 'Q was a friend showing me the video for "If I Don't Have You". Aside from being a great tune, there was something unusual about these guys that we couldn't quite put our finger on. Soon enough, I was buying a lot of records.....
Welcome to the best music message board on the web Tom! I look forward to whatever thoughts you have to share and hope you enjoy yourself. I'd like to humbly and sincerely thank you for the music you've made and the joy you've spread. We'll kick things off tomorrow with The Wildweeds, The Merseybeats U.S.A. and all of the music that led up to NRBQs 1969 Columbia Records debut.
Before we even start on the first album, I'd like to point out that it includes the greatest opening couplet in the history pf popular song: Slim Harpo's over on the jukebox Stop pouring orange juice down my socks There was just no topping that...
I discovered them really early. I grew up a few doors from late guitarist Steve Ferguson in Louisville's West End. My family and I knew him well and I have a lot of not-so-happy stories about him that I won't share here out of respect to his memory. Let's just say he was a real original. Steve and Terry had a local reputation... Terry was kicked out of high school for having long hair. Both were with local favorites Merseybeats USA who had some regional airplay. I saw them several times with Steve and later with Al on guitar. The first time I saw them was at the Guild Theater supporting the first Columbia album. Great show.
The Wildweeds (Formerly The Six-Packs) from Windsor, CT. The Wildweeds are a 1960s Rock N Roll group from Windsor, CT that featured NRBQ's Al Anderson and local musicians Bob Dudek, Al Lepak Jr., Andy Lepak, Martin "Skip" Yakaitis, and Ray Zeiner. They are best known for the regional "White Soul" hit "No Good To Cry," recorded at Trod Nossel Studio in Wallingford, which was covered by early incarnations of The Allman Brothers Band and ZZ Top. They recorded several singles in 1967-68 for the Chess Records subsidiary Cadet, before signing with Vanguard Records for one album in 1970. By that time only Al Anderson and Al Lepak, Jr. remained from the original line up. For a fuller version of The Wildweeds story please check out these links: http://www.wildweeds.net/ http://www.puddingbench.com/weeds.htm http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/wildweeds.htm http://webspace.webring.com/people/hq/qfan98/albums.htm http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2002/08/23/import/5135264.txt?viewmode=fullstory http://sunraarkive.blogspot.com/2008/09/hey-hey-were-wildweeds.html http://www.wildweeds.net/appreciation.html Personnel: Al "Big Al" Anderson: Guitar and Vocals Bob Dudek: Bass Guitar and Vocals Al Lepak Jr.: Drums Martin "Skip" Yakaitis: Percussion and Vocals Ray Zeiner: Keyboards and Vocals Andy Lepak: Bass Guitar Singles: No Good To Cry / Never Mind (Cadet Concept 5561) 1967 Someday Morning / Can't You See That I'm Lonely (Cadet Concept 5572) 1967 It Was Fun (While It Lasted) / Sorrows Anthem (Cadet Concept 5586) 1968 I'm Dreaming / Happiness Is Just An Illusion (Cadet Concept 7004) 1968 And When She Smiles / An Overnight Guest (Vanguard 35107) 1968 And When She Smiles / Paint And Powder Ladies (Vanguard 35134) 1970 Baby, Please Dont Leave Me Today / Aint No Woman Finer Lookin (Vanguard 35144) 1971 Cmon, If Your Comin / Goin Back To Indiana (Vanguard 35155) 1971 Albums: Wildweeds Vanguard VSD 6552 Released on LP 1970 Released on CD 2001 Track Listing: Title Composer Time 1 Baby Please Don't Leave Me Today (Anderson) 2:14 2 Can't I Sit and Watch Little Susie Laugh (Anderson) 3:28 3 John King's Fair (Anderson) 2:53 4 Belle (Anderson) 1:45 5 An Overnight Guest (Anderson) 3:34 6 Nobody's Here to Help Me Cry (Anderson) 2:46 7 And When She Smiles (Anderson) 2:30 8 Paint and Powder Ladies (Anderson) 1:52 9 Fantasy Child (Anderson) 2:35 10 My Baby Left Me (Crudup) 2:07 11 Don't Ask Me How or Why (Anderson) 3:24 12 Mare, Take Me Home (Anderson) 3:28 13 C'mon If You're Comin' (McGhee, Terry) 2:21 14 A'n't No Woman Finer Lookin' (Anderson) 3:15 15 Goin' on Back to Indiana (Anderson) 2:48 Personnel: Al Anderson: Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals Jerry Bradley: Engineer Jim Colvard: Guitar (Bass) Ed Friedner; Engineer Mac Gayden: Guitar (Electric) Al Lepak, Jr.: Bass Jack Lothrop: Associate Producer, Mixing Charlie McCoy: Dobro, Harmonica, Organ, Vibraphone Weldon Myrick: Guitar (Steel) Maynard Solomon: Producer David Wilkes: Associate Producer http://www.allmusic.com/album/wildweeds-r65460 Review by Richie Unterberger: Wildweeds' sole album (they were no longer called "the" Wildweeds by the time it came out) is fair but non-eyebrow-raising country-rock. Cut with assistance from top Nashville session men Charlie McCoy, Weldon Myrick, and David Briggs, it's mild and easygoing, distinguished from the purely generic 1970 country-rock album by Al Anderson's likably gruff vocals. Anderson wrote all of the songs, with the exception of covers of Arthur Crudup's "My Baby Left Me," and they're pleasantly benign, without the striking tunes or penetrating lyrics needed to make a lasting impression. The better items include the up-tempo *****-kicker "Belle," where Anderson's vocal sounds more effectively strained and pinched, and the songs where there is a bit more pop influence in the melody, like "And When She Smiles." The Italian CD reissue adds three non-LP tracks from 1971 singles, all of which have a stronger blues-R&B influence than the LP does. The Wildweeds Greatest Hits...& More! Club 51 LP 51-2 1988 Dixieland Music LP Bud 24 1988 Track Listing: Side 1: Excuse Me Baby No Good To Cry (Cadet Concept 5561) 1967 Never Mind (Cadet Concept 5561) 1967 Someday Morning (Cadet Concept 5572) 1967 Can't You See That I'm Lonely (Cadet Concept 5572) 1967 It Was Fun While It Lasted (Cadet Concept 5586) 1968 I'm Dreaming (Cadet Concept 7004) 1968 Happiness Is Just An Illusion (Cadet Concept 7004) 1968 Side 2: Where Is Our Love I Had A Girl [Ray Zeiner 1971 I Had A Girl / You Know My Love Poison Ring 721] I Want You Here No Good To Cry (Live) [Same version as www.wildweeds.net] John King's Fair [Circa 1970] Fantasy Child [Circa 1970] There You Go [Circa 1970] Belle [Circa 1970] Personnel: Al Anderson: guitar, vocals Ray Zeiner: organ, clavinet, Wurlitzer electric piano, vocals Bob Dudek: bass, vocals Andy Lepak: drums, vocals Martin 'Skip' Yakaitis: percussion, vocal Bob DePalma: flute on "I Want You Here" Al Lepak Sr.: additional percussion Warren Bloom: bass on "You Know Your Love" Bob Dudek: Drums on "You Know Your Love" String Arrangement: Bert Keyes on "It Was Fun While It Lasted" and "I Had A Girl" Horn Arrangement: Al Lepak Sr. on "Happiness Is Just An Illusion" The Wildweeds The Best and Rare AirMail Recordings (Japan) Airac-1004 Released August 10, 2001 Track Listing: No Good To Cry I'm Dreaming Where Is Our Love Someday Morning It Was Fun While It Lasted Happiness Is Just An Illusion I Want You Here I Had A Girl You Know Your Love Can't You See That I'm Lonely Sorrow's Anthem I Can't Stand It Anytime At All And Then There Is Love Never Mind Fuzzy Wuzzy Personnel: Al Anderson: guitar, vocals Ray Zeiner: organ, clavinet, Wurlitzer electric piano, vocals Bob Dudek: bass, vocals Andy Lepak: drums, vocals Martin 'Skip' Yakaitis: percussion, vocal Bob DePalma: flute on "I Want You Here" Al Lepak Sr.: additional percussion Warren Bloom: bass on "You Know Your Love" Bob Dudek: Drums on "You Know Your Love" String Arrangement: Bert Keyes on "It Was Fun While It Lasted" and "I Had A Girl" Horn Arrangement: Al Lepak Sr. on "Happiness Is Just An Illusion" Wildweeds In The Tall Grass (a collection of rare trax and demos) CDR Weed 01 (Unofficial CDR release) Track Listing: Excuse Me Baby No Good To Cry Never Mind Someday Morning Can't You See That I'm Lonely It Was Fun While It Lasted I'm Dreaming Happiness Is Just An Illusion Where Is Our Love I Had A Girl I Want You Here No Good To Cry (live) John King's Fair Fantasy Child There You Go Belle C'mon If You're Comin' I Wasn't Born To Be Unhappy I Don't Know What's Become Of Me I Want You Here (produced version) It Was Fun While It Lasted (without horns from acetate) Personnel: Al Anderson: guitar, vocals Ray Zeiner: organ, clavinet, Wurlitzer electric piano, vocals Bob Dudek: bass, vocals Andy Lepak: drums, vocals Martin 'Skip' Yakaitis: percussion, vocal Bob DePalma: flute on "I Want You Here" Al Lepak Sr.: additional percussion Warren Bloom: bass on "You Know Your Love" Bob Dudek: Drums on "You Know Your Love" String Arrangement: Bert Keyes on "It Was Fun While It Lasted" and "I Had A Girl" Horn Arrangement: Al Lepak Sr. on "Happiness Is Just An Illusion" C'mon if You're Comin'" - Jeff Potter - harmonica, Bob LaPalm - electric guitar "I Wasn't Born to be Unhappy" - Jeff Potter - Wurlitzer electric piano, Bob LaPalm - electric guitar "I Don't Know What's Become of Me" - Jeff Potter - harmonica, Bob LaPalm - electric guitar The Wildweeds No Good To Cry: The Best Of The Wildweeds Confidential 3003 Released on CD 2002 Track Listing: No Good To Cry Never Mind Someday Morning Can't You See That I'm Lonely It Was Fun While It Lasted Sorrow's Anthem I'm Dreaming Happiness Is Just An Illusion Fuzzy Wuzzy I Can't Stand It Where Is Our Love Anytime At All I Want You Here And Then There Is Love I Had A Girl You Know Your Love No Good To Cry (alternate) No Good To Cry (instrumental) http://www.sundazed.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=895 Various Artists including The Wildweeds Don't Press Your Luck! The IN Sound of 60's Connecticut (CD and Limited Edition 2 LP Set) Sundazed LP 5219 The pounding garage-rock din emanating from the jungles of deepest Connecticut could overwhelm the senses, causing the weary NY commuter to become disoriented! Who knew that the most deranged ‘66-‘68 teenage mayhem imaginable would come from Wallingford’s Trod Nossel Studios, whose owner/producer Thomas “Doc” Cavalier (a former dentist) recorded top-flight acts as diverse as the tough ‘n’ melodic Shags (“Don’t Press Your Luck”), the R&B-consumed Wildweeds (“No Good to Cry,” featuring a Pre-NRBQ Al Anderson on vocals) and fuzzed-out punks the Bram Rigg Set (“I Can Only Give You Everything”). SUNDAZED presents, on double-LP vinyl and compact disc, the high-impact, garage-rock havoc— at least two-thirds of it totally unreleased—that finally tears the lid off Connecticut’s best-kept rock ‘n’ roll secret! Track Listing: 1. I Can Only Give You Everything: Bram Rigg Set 2. Don't Press Your Luck: The Shags 3. Help Me: George's Boys* 4. Too Many Lies: The Lively Ones* 5. Take the Time Be Yourself: Bram Rigg Set 6. Hide Away: The Shags 7. ‘SSS’ Happenin’ Here: Uranus and the Five Moons* 8. Sleepless Nights: The Ravens* 9. You're Cutting Out: Fourth Ryke* 10. I've Paid My Dues: The Bearies* 11. Radio Spot: WAVZ Radio Jingle: The Shags 12. No Good to Cry: The Wildweeds 13. Think: The Lively Ones* 14. I Can't Explain: Bram Rigg Set* 15. Breathe in My Ear: The Shags 16. Please Leave: Fourth Ryke* 17. Radio Spot: Specter's Radio Ad: The Shags 18. Nothing Remains: Uranus and the Five Moons* 19. You Don't Love Me: Bram Rigg Set* 20. Come Back to Me: The Shags* 21. LUV: The Roadrunners* 22. I’m Dreaming:The Wildweeds (LP Bonus Track) 23. Your Groove: Uranus and the Five Moons (LP Bonus Track) 24. Hey, Little Girl: The Shags (LP Bonus Track) 25. Sticks and Stones: George’s Boys* (LP Bonus Track) 26. Bad News for Me: The Bearies* (LP Bonus Track) 27. Make a Record with the Shags: The Shags* *previously unissued
I've spent a lot of time listening to and researching The Wildweeds. As a kid that grew up in the dismal musical climate of the 80s in CT, I am absolutely fascinated at the idea that there was once a thriving and diverse scene here in the 60s. I totally love their first 1967 single "No Good To Cry / Never Mind" (Cadet Concept 5561), and think their original four 45s are all excellent -- Someday Morning, I'm Dreaming, and Happiness Is Just An Illusion in particular are my faves. They had several strong vocalists with differing styles. They were tight and tasteful, and Bob Dudek's Bass lines on I'm Dreaming and Sorrows Anthem really stick out to me as cool and unique. Here's links to The Wildweeds video on youtube: No Good To Cry by The Wildweeds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6zWXnCJtko The Wildweeds - I'm Dreaming http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfW0thdFe24 The WildWeeds - I'm Dreaming re-worked (1967) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGKMPNCHmyU Richie Robinson Mixing No Good To Cry by the Wildweeds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcMhSYo7V8w
I've never been able to find a copy of the 1970 album Wildweeds (Vanguard VSD 6552) that I could afford. How is it? From what I've heard on "Greatest Hits...& More!" the material is quite a departure from the 1967-68 sound. I'm also curious if anyone has heard "The Best and Rare" or "In The Tall Grass?" Are they unique masterings, or clones of "Greatest Hits...& More!" ?
Hey Thanks - great thread idea. I never heard much about them on the W Coast and have always wanted first hand informed accounts. I pick up their albums when I find them and never understood why they kept such a low profile. For me, this is the ultimate good-time band. I don’t have much to add, but I’ll be following this thread closely.
Terry Adams and Joey Spampinato Pre-NRBQ: Merseybeats U.S.A. and Seven Of Us Merseybeats U.S.A. Merseybeats U.S.A. were a Rock N Roll band from Shively, Kentucky featured 2 future members of NRBQ, Steve Ferguson and Terry Adams. They recorded 3 singles for Top Dog Records, Circa 1966-1967. 2313 Merseybeats U.S.A. - You'll Come Back / Nobody Loves Me That Way 2318 Merseybeats U.S.A. - Does She Or Doesn't She / Stop Look & Listen 2322 (106) Merseybeats U.S.A. - 30 Second Lover / Nobody Loves Me that Way http://www.soulfuldetroit.com/archives/1/626.html?1020745507 http://www.garagehangover.com/?q=taxonomy/term/1697 A conversation with Terry about the early years and Hell Night: http://www.terryadams.net/nrbq.html The Mersey-Beats USA - Nobody loves me that way + You'll Come Back http://www.spinthegroove.com/2010/10/mersey-beats-usa-nobody-loves-me-that.html The Seven Of Us The Seven Of Us were a Rock N Roll band from the Bronx, New York, circa 1965-1967, featuring 2 future members of NRBQ, Joey Spampinato and Frank Gadler, along with Johnny DeRobertis, Brian Darby, Charlie Tuna, Jerry Gold, and Kenny Nemeroff. According to Johnny Spampinato, "Red Bird put out one single and there is an unreleased single DJ copy floating about somewhere." Red Bird RB 10-080 Seven of Us Jamboree / It's Not Easy To Forget/It's Mighty Nice 1966 http://www.globaldogproductions.info/r/red-bird.html
Thanks for this thread. It's very timely for me; my wife just asked me to get some NRBQ a few days ago. I know next to nothing about this band, so I'll be reading with avid interest... Now Listening: Countryman - Willie Nelson
Wow, a post by Tom Staley, the Q's original drummer. Tom, thanks for all the great music! I love NRBQ. I have just about everything they've ever released, solo and as a band. And I didn't get on board until 1983! NRBQ is, and has been, my favorite band (aside from The Beatles). They can (could?) do anything, musically. God I miss NRBQ. Best band in the world, and if you think that's hyperbole, then go listen to some Q. You'll see. Better yet, get a live DVD (since you can't see 'em live anymore). Best band in the world.
Quite a departure from the early sound, that's for sure! Excellent country-rock though, I highly recommend it. I picked up a nice reissue a few years back on CD in a mini-LP sleeve...I believe I got it on amazon for around $15.
Listen to this man, he speaks the truth. I used to have an old US vinyl pressing of scraps in a torn cover (which fit the sleeves aesthetic perfectly) and it was the thickest piece of vinyl I've ever owned but the sound was fantastic, best piece of vinyl I ever owned and the music on it is still my fave NRBQ. The Q rock.
NRBQ: 1969 Self-Titled Debut On Columbia Records We'll tackle the 1st two records material in this order, so that we're not talking about the "Stay With We" comp when the 1993 period rolls around. It's important to not,e that sadly, all 3 of these releases are currently out of print (OOP): NRBQ (Columbia) 1969 Boppin’ the Blues (with Carl Perkins) (Columbia) 1970 Stay With We (Columbia Era Compilation with unreleased songs) (Columbia/Legacy) 1993 Here's some backstory: "Fergies Story" By Keith S. Clements http://ztalk.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=listeningroom&action=display&thread=37098 Steve first met Terry Adams in 1965 when Steve was starting the Mersey-Beats USA and needed a keyboard player. Terry auditioned; their musical relationship has continues to this day. Shortly after that meeting, they both attended a big R&B show at the Armory that included Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Jr., Walker and The Allstars and Billy Stewart. The Mersey-Beats USA did British covers, which was popular at the time. They had to add the USA because there was already a British band named Mersey Beats. Steve and Terry started writing their own original material and in late 1966, they left the band to begin what would eventually become NRBQ (New Rhythm and Blues Quartet). Terry's brother, Donn Adams, booked gigs for them. Terry went to Florida to play organ with a group called The Seven of Us. Steve joined in New Jersey. When that band broke up, part of the personnel became the foundation of NRBQ. Steve credits Donn Adams with the name. The original version of NRBQ included Steve, Terry, Joey Spampinato on bass, Frankie Gadler doing vocals and drummer Tom Staley. Later, for live shows and recording sessions, the Whole Wheat Horns, with Louisvillians Donn Adams on trombone and Keith Spring on saxophone, were added. NRBQ's star rose quickly, with a Columbia recording contract in 1969 which resulted in several singles, including "Stomp," and two albums. NRBQ collaborated with another Columbia recording artist, Carl Perkins, on "Boppin' The Blues." http://badcatrecords.com/BadCat/NRBQ.htm Keyboardist Terry Adams and lead guitarist Steve Ferguson met while members of the Louisville-based Mersey Beats USA. By the mid-1960s, in a quest for steadier working conditions, the pair had decamped to Miami, Florida where they hooked up with New Jersey-based The Seven of Us singer Frank Gadler, bassist Joey Spampinato (aka Joe St. Nicholas) and drummer Tom Staley. As The New Rhythm and Blues Quintet (easy to see why they opted for NRBQ), the group quickly moved to New Jersey where their already quirky live show began attracting fans. They also found a mentor in the form of bluesman Slim Harpo. Harpo helped the band land a spot at Steve Paul's New York club The Scene which eventually caught the attention of A&R types working for Columbia Records. Signed by Columbia, the group made their recording debut with 1969's cleverly titled "NRBQ". In a nutshell, the album is simply unlike anything else being released at the time. All but ignoring the public's infatuation with psych and blues-rock, these guys turned in a set that bounced all over the musical spectrum, including stabs at country ('Kentucky Slop Song'), hardcore blues (a steaming cover of Eddie Cochran's 'C'mon If You're Comin''), rockabilly ('C'mon Everybody'), sensitive singer/songwriter (Ferguson's 'I Didn't Know Myself') and straightforward pop ('You Can't Hide'). For goodness sake, there's even a Sun Ra cover ('Rocket Number 9') !!! Every time I hear this album I simply scratch my head and wonder what Columbia Records was thinking when it signed them. An amazing debut that some four decades later may still be the best thing they've done. How a newly signed band managed to get away with it is beyond me! "For Connecticut's Wildweeds, it was fun (sort of) while it lasted" By Fran Fried http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2002/08/23/import/5135264.txt?viewmode=fullstory Anderson cut a solo album for Vanguard, but his fate was cast the night Lakaitis (who died of a heart attack in 1988) took him to his first NRBQ show in Amherst, Mass., in 1969. Two years later, Anderson was in the band. NRBQ line up 1 (1967-70) http://badcatrecords.com/BadCat/NRBQ.htm Terry Adams: keyboards, vocals, harmonica Steve Ferguson (Nov. 21, 1948 - October 7, 2009): lead guitar, vocals, harmonica Frank Gadler: vocals, tambourine Joey Spampinato (aka Jody St. Nicholas): vocals, bass Tom Staley: drums, percussion NRBQ: 1969 Self-Titled Debut On Columbia Records Versions: Title / Format / Label / Cat# / Country / Year NRBQ (LP, Album) Columbia CS 9858 US 1969 NRBQ (LP, Album) CBS S 63653 UK 1969 NRBQ (LP, Album, RE) Columbia PC 9858 US 1969 There is a defective pressing of the LP circulating which has a mix that has a balance of prominent vocals and very low instrumentation. Side 1: 1.) C'mon Everybody (Capehart - Eddie Cochran) 2.) Rocket Number 9 (Sun Ra) 3.) Kentucky Slop Song (Terry Adams) 4.) Ida (Terry Adams - Carla Bley) 5.) C'mon If You're Comin' (Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry) 6.) You Can't Hide (Jody St. Nicholas) 7.) I Didn't Know Myself (Steve Ferguson) Side 2: 1.) Stomp (Steve Ferguson) 2.) Fergie's Prayer (Steve Ferguson) 3.) Mama Get Down Those Rock & Roll Shoes (Terry Adams) 4.) Hymn Number 5 (Terry Adams) 5.) Hey! Baby (Bruce Channel - Margret Cobb) 6.) Liza Jane (traditional) 7.) Stay With Me (Terry Adams) Two singles from the LP were released: Stomp / I Didn't Know Myself (Columbia 4-44865) 1969 C'mon Everybody / Rocket # 9 (Columbia 4-44937) 1969
"As The New Rhythm and Blues Quintet (easy to see why they opted for NRBQ), the group quickly moved to New Jersey where their already quirky live show began attracting fans. They also found a mentor in the form of bluesman Slim Harpo. Harpo helped the band land a spot at Steve Paul's New York club The Scene which eventually caught the attention of A&R types working for Columbia Records...Signed by Columbia, the group made their recording debut with 1969's cleverly titled "NRBQ"." Some clarification/trivia: After the Q moved north, they went into NYC's Record Plant and cut their first album independently with the help of engineer/production consultant Eddie Kramer. After the recording was completed, they signed with Columbia. And when the master tape of the song "Stomp" was accidentally mangled, the track was re-recorded at at one of Columbia's NYC studios. And by the way--that's Terry Adams' dog on "Liza Jane". Terry said that whenever he played his harmonica, his dog would howl along, but this time, instead of howling, the dog started barking. He can also be heard barking, somewhat more in the background, on "Kentucky Slop Song'.
NRBQ was my introduction to the band. My girlfriend gave this album to me for Christmas, 1969. I gave her Procol Harum - Shine On Brightly. I really liked the album from the first time I played it. There was a sort of Rock 'n' Roll revival going on at the time and they were doing an updated take on songs like "Come On Everybody" and "Stomp". The only song of theirs I had heard before getting the album was "Rocket Number 9" on a Columbia comp LP called Super Rock. Obviously that song was a lot different than the rest of the stuff on the album. I've been a fan ever since.
According to Terry, "Rocket #9" was the first song that NRBQ learned. Terry had visited Sun Ra when the Arkestra was living in NYC and Sun Ra gave him a 45 of the song.
I have 4000+ records/CD's, but a friend who recently viewed my collection was stunned that I had nothing by NRBQ. I am interested in learning more about this band, so I'll be following this thread.