Customer Reviews

Grooves in Orbit

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Another lost musical nugget from the 80's. One listen to this album tells you the boys in the band never had any intentions whatsoever to stay in touch with 80's musical trends. An album of this musical quality, folk/rock mixed with 50's style R&B, such as "12 Bar Blues," and a touch of Burt Bacharach on "My Girlfriend's Pretty," plus touching sly lyrics on "A Girl Like That," never had a chance in the 80's. Even the production sounds timeless. Good ol' fashioned rock n'roll. A bar band album with something extra. Brains.

This work is simply outstanding, I think NRBQ may have peaked with Grooves. The LP starts with the raucous Smackeroo and then proceeds to display the full range of Q's talent. Great melodies (Girl Like That) great jazz (My Girlfriend's Pretty) great country (Hit the Hay). And then again, just great R & B: 12 Bar Blues, I Like That Girl, When Things Was Cheap, Rain at the Drive-In. The only low point, in my mind, is Get Rhythym. I don't why they re-recorded it, the Yankee Stadium version is superior, to me. But, if you're looking for one of their best, do try this early 80s offering. You can't go wrong.

... to "in print" status for this, amongst the most accessible studio recordings from the long & storied career of NRBQ. "Rain At The Drive-In," of course, is one of the bands many "shoulda-beena" hits; a definitive version of Johnny Cash's "Get Rhythm" (recorded again for "At Yankee Stadium," another essential Q recording); "I Like That Girl," one of many 'Q recordings to appear on The Simpsons; live set stalwarts like "12 Bar Blues," "Smackaroo" and "Daddy-O." Simply a great, great, American rock& roll album.

It was sad to see the drummer passed away last year and I really miss seeing these guys in concert. This album was NRBQ at the height of their powers. Not a clinker in the bunch. A great place to start for those unfamiliar with the band.

This work is simply outstanding, I think NRBQ may have peaked with Grooves. The LP starts with the raucous Smackeroo and then proceeds to display the full range of Q's talent. Great melodies (Girl Like That) great jazz (My Girlfriend's Pretty) great country (Hit the Hay). And then again, just great R & B: 12 Bar Blues, I Like That Girl, When Things Was Cheap, Rain at the Drive-In. The only low point, in my mind, is Get Rhythym. I don't why they re-recorded it, the Yankee Stadium version is superior, to me. But, if you're looking for one of their best, do try this early 80s offering. You can't go wrong.

For bringing this and other storied, yet inexplicably out-of-print recordings (see also Jesse Winchester, Marshall Crenshaw) back into print. And this is indeed a fine recording, full of tuneful play and playful tunes. Go to www.woundedbird.com for info on their other reissues!

Guess I'm just spoiled by Yankee Stadium - which seems to contain all of their BEST work!

Perhaps they should renamed that CD: NRBQ's Greatest Hits?