NRBQ – Brass Tacks (reissue)
There’s rock n’ roll & genre offshoots that explore intense subjects, some are simply dance tunes, some are rootsy with a drizzle of country & others are there to remind us that life is about having a good time. That’s where the music of the 58-year-strong NRBQ resides. They’re not a sweet pop group with repetitious lyrics. There’s a structure to their character. It begins here with the lead-off track of this reissue. The jaunty, upbeat & immensely satisfying “Waitin’ On My Sweetie Pie.”
The band managed to shape a definitive signature sound through the years. Not quite The Beatles, or as music hall exuberant as Deaf School but they were as inventive as Stackridge with a dash of the Del-Lords rock spirit in “Greetings From Delaware.” What’s not to like?
This 10th-anniversary release with 12 tracks + 3 bonus cuts Brass Tacks (Drops Oct 18/Big Notes/Omnivore Recordings) was produced by Big Notes & recorded & mixed by Norm DeMoura. The album was their 3rd studio release since NRBQ (New Rhythm & Blues Quartet) was reformed by Terry Adams. It’s an LP that’s one of the most fun to listen to, with lots of moments that are entertaining & it kicks in the NRBQ tradition.
There’s a generous mix of energetic R&R, jazz (“Places Far Away”), R&B & even some countrified sizzlers like “Sit In My Lap” that a Tex Ritter, Roy Clark or John Prine could’ve covered. The songs are consistently tuneful with rootsy soundscapes (“I’m Not Here”) & retro rockabilly. There’s a cover of an old show tune by Rodgers-Hammerstein — “Getting To Know You” from the 1951 play “The King & I.” Don’t laugh – this was played quite well.
The group has been referred to as the quintessential bar band but the tunes in this effort are far & away from the rough-edged one-dimensional music of a bar band. NRBQ has personality in its showcase. They cover lots of ground. Slip into different musical gears with ease & they’re accomplished with a strong more contemporary Grateful Dead charm & a looser Wilco. Their longevity & discography sustain that theory.
They haven’t sung any songs yet that I know of about Social Security, bed pans, false teeth, or orthopedic shoes – so their importance as a musical source is still viable & welcome. They are an endless source of…Good Times still.
Pass the Old Crow whiskey this CD is 43 minutes long & I’m staying until the end.
Highlights – “Waitin’ On My Sweetie Pie,” “Greetings From Delaware,” “Sit In My Lap,” “Places Far Away,” “This Flat Tire,” “Can’t Wait To Kiss You,” “I’m Not Here” & “Getting To Know You.”
Musicians – Terry Adams (piano/clavinet/harmonica/vocals), Scott Ligon (guitar/banjo/2nd piano/vocals), Casy McDonough (bass/vocals), Conrad Choucroun (drums) with Joe Camarillo (drums on 2 cuts) & Jimmy Gordon (harmonica).
Color image courtesy of Norm DeMoura. CD @ Amazon & http://www.nrbq.com/index.html & https://omnivorerecordings.com/nrbq/
