Skeeter Davis & NRBQ – She Sings, They Play
I respect efforts like this when an artist from another era or genre teams with an unlikely group of musicians to create something eccentrically marvelous. The late Skeeter Davis (1931-2004) was a 60s pop singer who hit in 1962 with the sad but poignant “The End of the World,” that came from her 4th album.
This kind of pairing I wished someone would do with Chubby Checker, or even Pat Boone (who’s tried on his own to get rowdier but is always poorly produced. He has the voice but maybe he’s too old now). Jackie De Shannon & Merilee Rush would be good choices. Anyway…
Produced by Terry Adams (piano/harpsichord/organ/vocals) & Joey Spampinato (bass/acoustic guitar/vocals) the 18 delightful pieces on the critically acclaimed She Sings, They Play (Drops June 7/Omnivore Recordings/Big Notes/50:00) was originally released in 1985.
The showcase has an entertaining value & it’s obvious Skeeter’s vocals embodied a still stainless-steel poignant voice that was smooth & at times could rock out (“I Want You Bad” & “I Gotta Know”) with a riveting performance. NRBQ cooks as the guitars gnarl away in a catchy superbly arranged tune. Impressive.
This production with tracks 1-14 recorded in June 1981 & 4 bonus songs recorded live at the Bottom Line in 1985 presents Ms. Davis singing primarily country-oriented tunes with the ever-reliable support of NRBQ. It works, it works well. It may be a recording out of curiosity but there’s no doubt Skeeter & NRBQ performed admirably together.
The team of Skeeter with NRBQ appears on paper like oil & vinegar – it shouldn’t mix. But it did. In a big way. Even on the more serious tunes, the group plays with appealing gentleness & songs like “Someday My Prince Will Come” come off sparkling.
NRBQ’s Terry Adams duets with Skeeter on “Ain’t Nice To Talk Like That,” to good effect both on the recorded & the live take. At the conclusion, Skeeter sings her sad hit “The End of the World” with polish to an audience probably too young to remember it. However, the silence during her moving performance shows how the song still could hold an audience’s attention. No hooting, hollering, or raunchiness.
RIP Skeeter Davis. Thanks, NRBQ for doing this.
Highlights – “Things To You,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You Know,” “Ain’t Nice To Talk Like That,” “Everybody’s Clown,” “I Want You Bad,” “Someday My Prince Will Come,” “How Many Tears,” “You Don’t Know What You Got Til You Lose It,” “I Gotta Know” & “The End of the World.”
Musicians – Al Anderson (guitar/vocals), Tom Ardolino (drums), Buddy Emmons (pedal steel guitar), Larry Packer (violin) & Donn Adams (trombone).
B&W Skeeter image/photographer unknown. NRBQ color image courtesy of TimesArgus – photographer unknown. CD @ Amazon + https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/she-sings-they-play/ & http://www.nrbq.com/store/cdSkeeter.html
Enjoy our interview here: Interview: NRBQ’s Terry Adams Defines Music’s Spiritual Beauty
