NRBQ Album-By-Album Thread

[Bebe]

Thanks, Ceddy, glad to be here. I think the line is "I can raise a little Cain, too," if I remember correctly, and I'm pretty sure that last line is "this time your sourpuss daddy's up and gone". I'm sure they didn't record at Sun, maybe at Phillps, which was Sam's later studio, although I wanna say Select-O had their own recording setup.
Hey, I uploaded a profile pic of my copy of "Sourpuss" that's autographed by all five members who played on it, but it doesn't show up on this page, just on my profile page. Does it have to be approved by a moderator or something before it appears?

[John DeAngelis]

Why in the world have they not played Boston yet?

Because you haven't convinced a club owner that he should book the band.

[ceddy10165]

Kick Me Hard (Red Rooster/Rounder) 1979

http://www.allmusic.com/album/kick-me-hard-r14247
http://www.discogs.com/NRBQ-Kick-Me-Hard/release/1240725

The Deluxe Edition (Rounder 1989 reissue with 8 bonus tracks) tracklist:
1 Wacky Tobacky [Adams] 2:43
2 Don't She Look Good [Spampinato] 1:55
3 It Was a Accident [Anderson] 3:34
4 Mercy Mild [Adams] 1:57
5 All Night Long [Adams, Blake, Hall] 3:30
6 Things We Like to Do 2:01
7 This Old House [Hamblen 2:50
8 Barbara Carr [Adams] 2:35
9 It Don't Take But a Few Minutes [Berry] 2:40
10 Katie Loves Bobby [Adams] 1:56
11 What Can I Say [Spampinato] 2:32
12 Throw Out the Lifeline [Adams] 1:49
13 Hot Biscuits and Sweet Marie [Chase] 2:23
14 I Want to Show You [Adams] 2:32
15 Electric Train [Adams] 1:05
16 Don't You Know [Adams] 2:52
17 Chores [Spampinato] 3:11
18 Tenderly [Gross, Lawrence] 4:54
19 Welcome to Orlando [NRBQ, Whole Wheat Horns] 2:40
20 North to Alaska [Phillips] 2:32
21 Spinning Wheel [Clayton, Thomas] 2:08

[B]Credits:
Terry Adams Harmonica, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals
Al Anderson Guitar, Vocals
Tom Ardolino Drums
Joey Spampinato Bass, Vocals
Donn Adams Trombone
Keith Spring Tenor Sax

Original album produced by NRBQ and Recorded at Grog Kill Studios, Willow, NY by Tom Mark.
Engineered and Mixed by Tom Mark
Assistant Engineered by Gene McFadden, James Frazer
Mastered by Greg Calbi

Releases:
Year Type label Catalog #
1979 LP Rounder Records/Red Rooster Records, 3030 102
1987 LP Line Records LILP 4.00265 J Germany
1989 CD Rounder CD-3030 (The Deluxe Edition)
1998 CS Rounder Select 1166130304
CD Mainline Records MLCD 9.00265 L Germany

www.allmusic.com review by Mark Deming:
NRBQ's short-lived alliance with Mercury Records resulted in one of the tightest and most consistently rockin' albums of their career, NRBQ at Yankee Stadium, but a year later they found themselves back on their own Red Rooster label, where the band relaxed and let their characteristic wit come to the forefront on 1979's Kick Me Hard. Opening with a musical look at America's drug laws as only NRBQ could interpret them ("Wacky Tobacky"), Kick Me Hard finds the Q indulging their fondness for goofiness on tunes like "It Was an Accident" (romance is complicated by unplanned pregnancy), "Things We Like to Do" (a rewrite of an old Ross Bagdasarian number in which the guys declare their fondness for miniskirts and the TV show CHiPs), and "Chores" (in which someone seems to enjoy doing their pig imitation just a bit too much). But as always, NRBQ also provides an equal amount of evidence that they're one of the most solid, soulful, and eclectic bands on the planet, running from barrelhouse R&B ("All Night Long"), rootsy rockabilly ("This Old House"), cool jazz ("Tenderly"), and other stuff that simply exists in a world all its own ("Electric Train"), with the band displaying sharp chops and tremendous charm throughout (especially guitarist Al Anderson and keyboard wizard Terry Adams). And as a bonus, you get perhaps the most remarkable version of "North to Alaska" ever captured by modern recording equipment! How can you go wrong? [The 1989 CD reissue of the album tacks on eight bonus cuts, including the free jazz workout "Welcome to Orlando" and "What Can I Say," later covered by Yo La Tengo.]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FyCv6DtKR4/TxATc1udx3I/AAAAAAAAAiM/nd4CWGejD2I/s1600/NRBQ_Kick+Me+Hard_01.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jNwoD5T1cHk/TxATe8vNqoI/AAAAAAAAAiU/jYPt7KGsmgU/s1600/NRBQ_Kick+Me+Hard_02.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QOdHhVf3HuE/TxATg6DrwKI/AAAAAAAAAic/AfXjr9wryaY/s1600/NRBQ_Kick+Me+Hard_Liner+Notes.jpg

[John DeAngelis]

So, is it ("Ain't No Free") a truly alternate mix or is it just edited differently?


The only difference in the alternate "Ain't No Free" is that during the closing chorus, you hear Al say "A bunch of sick guys". I think this was dropped into the master during the mastering process, so technically I think it's not truly an alternate mix OR a different edit.

[John DeAngelis]

There's one mistake in the "Kick Me Hard" CD credits. since tracks 15 and 16 were recorded in 1972, the credited drummer should be Tom Staley.

[xios]

The fan club sold an oddball pressing of "Kick Me Hard" for a while in the early 1980's. It came in a regular cover and label but had an alternate line-up on the actual disc with a Terry song never comped elsewhere- "the Dough Got Low".

[John DeAngelis]

The fan club sold an oddball pressing of "Kick Me Hard" for a while in the early 1980's. It came in a regular cover and label but had an alternate line-up on the actual disc with a Terry song never comped elsewhere- "the Dough Got Low".

That was the first pressing of "Kick Me Hard". The mix of "All Not Long" is also different. The band wanted to make changes at the last minute, but Rounder had already pressed some album. So the band had to buy the first run from Rounder in order to get them to agree on pressing up the new version.

(Note: I made a mistake in my previous post. Tom Staley does get credit for the 2 songs he played on. But his name is listed under each of the songs, rather than at the bottom with the rest of the band credits.)

[action pact]

Why in the world have they not played Boston yet?

They're coming to Londonderry, NH in April... that's the closest gig.

[action pact]

The only difference in the alternate "Ain't No Free" is that during the closing chorus, you hear Al say "A bunch of sick guys". I think this was dropped into the master during the mastering process, so technically I think it's not truly an alternate mix OR a different edit.

Thank you!

[kensc1nj]

The fan club sold an oddball pressing of "Kick Me Hard" for a while in the early 1980's. It came in a regular cover and label but had an alternate line-up on the actual disc with a Terry song never comped elsewhere- "the Dough Got Low".


Was it a different version of 'The Dough Got Low' on Tapdancin' Bats?

[jimmydean]

kick me hard:

although not as consistent as the surrounding albums ("yankee stadium" and "tiddylwinks") i always had a soft spot for this album, maybe also because it has the best album cover of all nrbq albums... some great originals ( my personal favourite "chores" and "things we like to do") and one of their greatest cover versions in "north to alaska"..

[xios]

You're right- "The Dough Got Low" is on Tapdancin' Bats- It's the same version as far as I can tell.

[John DeAngelis]

You're right- "The Dough Got Low" is on Tapdancin' Bats- It's the same version as far as I can tell.

I never directly compared the two to see if there were any differences in the mix, but I do believe they're essentially the same.

[BluesOvertookMe]

I think It Was A Accident is one of the best things they ever did.

[Urban Spaceman]

I think It Was A Accident is one of the best things they ever did.

+1 :righton:

Love the diversity on Kick Me Hard. Along with It Was A Accident, my other favorite moment on this record goes to "Hot Biscuits and Sweet Marie". I have no knowledge about who else did this song, but the Q version never fails to put a smile on my face. I really like the cover art / title as well! :D
------ Chris

[John DeAngelis]

+1 :righton:

Love the diversity on Kick Me Hard. Along with It Was A Accident, my other favorite moment on this record goes to "Hot Biscuits and Sweet Marie". I have no knowledge about who else did this song, but the Q version never fails to put a smile on my face. I really like the cover art / title as well! :D
------ Chris

The song was written and first recorded by the legendary Lincoln Chase, who wrote "The Name Game", "Jim Dandy" and lots more.

[Hamhead]

My copy is hanging on my wall since it's autographed, Tom wrote his address on the back cover since we were sending tapes and 45's back and forth, It is one of my cherished possessions.

The mix of Sourpuss & Rumors on RC Cola is from a rough mix since the mastertape was damaged.

I had a Yankee Stadum Sterling Sound acetate, it did not have Al's comment on "Ain't No Free". It just ended with a note from Joey's upright bass, the disc sounded phenomenal.

[ChriTur]

John, can you tell us if there will be further volumes of Froggy's Favorites? The first one was EXCEPTIONAL!!

[John DeAngelis]

John, can you tell us if there will be further volumes of Froggy's Favorites? The first one was EXCEPTIONAL!!

Thanks so much for the kind words! From what I gather, there's a definite possibility of more archival Q releases, but nothing definite right now.

[Urban Spaceman]

The song was written and first recorded by the legendary Lincoln Chase, who wrote "The Name Game", "Jim Dandy" and lots more.

Thanks John! I'll be on the lookout for the original. I always loved those Shirley Ellis records - nice to learn about a cool connection. :righton:
---------- Chris

[John DeAngelis]

Thanks John! I'll be on the lookout for the original. I always loved those Shirley Ellis records - nice to learn about a cool connection. :righton:

It's on a MGM album called "We Wrote 'Em And We Sing 'Em." Other performers on the album are Otis Blackwell, Eddie Cooley, Ollie Jones and Winfield Scott.

[ceddy10165]

Before we move on to Tiddlywinks, a few thoughts on Kick Me Hard.

I love the joyous, goofy irreverence of Wacky Tobacky. Other than "If You're A Viper," it's my fave song about the "Muggles." The lyric "Cheese and Crackers, I wouldn't tell you no lie" just tickles me. It's just so perfect, who cares what it means?

Joey Spampinato seems to have a real Sun Records theme to his songs on the album; Don't She Look Good, This Old House, It Don't Take But A Few Minutes (bonus), What Can I Say (bonus).

It Was An Accident is a drop-dead A-Side style pop masterpiece. Such a great and unique groove that melds different musical feels, I can't quite appropriately explain - blue-eyed soul meets early Studio One pop ska? Love the snakey bass and guitar interplay, and Al Anderson's lead vocal and the band's backing vocals are to die for. And, what a unique twist to the trials and tribulations of young love theme! No one's ever done it quite like that before!

Electric Train and Tenderly are a great way to end Side 1 - showcasing the instrumental individuality of the band.

Things We Like To Do is another song that is uniquely Q. I can't think of many other bands in that era that wouldn't care about jeopardizing their "cool" factor and geeking out like this. Geek rock is far more common now, and I wonder if NRBQ helped pave the way a bit?

For me personally, Throw Out The Life Line (a bonus cut no less), is the most powerful song on the CD - something about it just slays me. From Terry's lyric and vocal, to the beautiful movement of the chords and piano, to the backing vocals in the chorus. This is a weird thought, but in my mind I wonder what it would sound like performed by Elvis Costello and the Attractions? Somehow I just feel they would have killed it with Elvis handing the vocal and Nieve playing that piano part.

[ceddy10165]

NRBQ Tiddlywinks 1980

1 Feel You Around Me [Anderson] 3:29
2 Me and the Boys [Adams] 3:28
3 The Music Goes 'Round and Around [Farley, Farley, Hodgson, Riley] 2:25
4 Beverly [Fahey, Spampinato] 2:04
5 That I Get Back Home [Spampinato] 2:32
6 Roll Call [Adams] 3:57
7 Want You to Feel Good Too [Adams] 3:37
8 Never Take the Place of You [Anderson] 3:19
9 You Can't Hide [Spampinato, Traditional] 2:02
10 Definition of Love [Adams] 2:33
11 Hobbies [Adams] 3:55

Credits:
Terry Adams
Al Anderson
Tom Ardolino
Joey Spampinato
Don Adams
Keith Spring
Tom Mark Engineer
Dr. Toby Mountain Mastering

Releases:
Year Type label Catalog #
1990 CD Rounder 3048
1990 CS Rounder Select 3048
2005 CD Caraway (Japan)

allmusic Review by John Dougan:
After being unceremoniously dumped by Mercury after Yankee Stadium, NRBQ returned to the warm embrace of Rounder and recorded a string of fine records that started with Kick Me Hard. This lineup was to remain intact for nearly 20 years, but here, fairly early on, the synchronicity among the quartet was apparent; it was if they'd been playing together forever, and the music excelled as a result. The songwriting was getting better too: Al, Terry, and Joey were dividing the chores but never losing the group's cohesiveness. At times, Terry's songs would be a little too goofy, and Joey's heartfelt pop might dip into saccharine sweetness now and again, but never so much that it becomes a huge problem. Of these two excellent records, Kick Me Hard lives up to its title, especially during the bluesy organ workout "Don't You Know" and the riff-happy "All Night Long" (great solo by Al). Tiddlywinks is carried by "Me and the Boys" (later to be recorded by Bonnie Raitt) and Anderson's beautiful "Never Take the Place of You."

http://www.allmusic.com/album/tiddlywinks-r14248

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N82Ke8-PPdM/TxLmjTBTuUI/AAAAAAAAAik/r9JNoGqQpdA/s1600/NRBQ_Tiddlywinks.jpg

[nafla]

I went forwards and backwards with the bands catalogue from Tiddlwinks on. My favorite 'Q release. I think the mix of songs is the perfect primer for an NRBQ newbie.
Dave

[jhw59]

one of my favorite Q recordings. Want you to feel good too always got the joint rockin'.