I'm a fan as well (although I've never seen them live -- I would say they are now my pre-eminent bucket list band). And so I went over to YouTube to see if I could find one of my fave NRBQ tracks, the live version of "I Want You Bad," from their early '90s Tokyo CD.
To my shocked surprise, however, it wasn't there, although there were numerous other live versions (mostly shot by fans) as well as the '70s LP version that started it all. And tons of covers of it by other artists, including the Gin Blossoms and the Flamin' Groovies. None of those really measured up, IMHO, although I admit to a fondness for this kick-ass reading by country star Charlie Robison.
And then I stumbled across this clip. Play it loud and have your life changed.
Seriously, that is so amazingly great it almost hurts. And it sounds exactly like what I've wanted every band I ever played in to sound like but never did, I'll tell you that for free.
Sweet jeebus, that's gorgeous.
5 comments:
All of the Long Ryders' albums are in your wheelhouse, Steve. Trivia - the cover of their first album, "Native Sons," was intended as an homage to the unreleased Buffalo Springfield album, "Stampede." Amazon has one of their live sets on "Live from London" available for free streaming.
Unfortunately, what is called "NRBQ" these days is just Terry Adams and a bunch of guys. Without the great Tom Ardolino (not to mention Joey and Al) it's just not the same.
I love a lot of NRBQ songs, but this one is my absolute favorite. The Long Ryders' version is good, but to my mind not as good as the original. I confess to not having heard the Tokyo version -- now I'm going to have to try to track it down.
Marc
Pete,
What Terry has done with NRBQ is not unfortunate at all. Scott Ligon is an incredibly talented singer and guitarist. With all respect to Big Al, I just don't miss him, not with Scott taking over. Casey McDonough is an unbelievable vocalist and utility man. The band's setlists have become even more diverse, if that is even possible. As for Tom Ardolino, you will get no argument from this drummer. He was special, for sure. But he is no longer with us, so now what? Terry is doing nothing "shameful," as someone mentioned over on my blog. It's a great band with every bit of an NRBQ vibe that you once got in 1978. NO reason to sit this out.
I liked it better when he was calling it the Terry Adams Quartet. I thought Johnny Spaminato took Big Al's chair perfectly well. But Tommy *was* NRBQ* to me.
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