Customer Reviews

Peek-A-Boo: Best of 1969-89

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have heard NRBQ's name mentioned for years (they've been around for thirty), but I hadn't given them a good listen until I bought this 2 cd set on impulse. Conclusion: I've been cheating myself for years! This eclectic blend of rock, blues, rockabilly, and country has everything music can offer. It's fun, but not simple by a long shot. All their songs are well crafted. And the songs they didn't write they make their own with arrangments no one could come up with in a million years. Even their lyrics are clever. You can tell a lot of thought goes into their song writing. Their music is foot-tapping fun that also appeals to your intelligence, your heart, and your very soul. It's no mistake Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Bonnie Raitt are on their fan list (Bonnie Raitt covered a couple of their songs on her cd's) I'm not being paid to say this. In fact, this is the first review I've ever written about any artist anywhere. Their music makes you feel glad to be alive. What more can I say? They simply have to be heard to be believed.

I swear, anyone with more than one Dave Matthews CD should be slapped and forced to listen to NRBQ. These guys are God's gift to pop music - maybe more kids would PLAY music if they could hear NRBQ instead of Eminem. Whistle While You Work is a whimsical poppy tune, Captain Lou Albano is a total rip, and RC Cola and a Moon Pie is one of the best pop songs in history. This is a rare treat ... two discs of music that just can't compete with the excess and the slick production of Limp Biscuit and Brittney Spears. And Amen to that!

I have been familiar with these guys since they first appeared in the clubs of New England, and when (after shifting from cassettes and reel tapes to CD's) it was time to rebuy their stuff, I was gratified to see that so many of their releases are available....and disappointed that my favorite (the "scraps/workshop" double album) was not! Anyone who doesn't like this band learned their taste from MTV, God love 'em.

I love NRBQ for their sense of humor, their refusal to be pigeonholed within a specific genre, and most of all for their extraordinary musicianship. I've seen them play twice and I can tell you they are a GREAT live act. Along the way, they've also happened to record some terrific tracks. Some of the highlights from their first 20 years are collected on PEEK-A-BOO. Personally, I would have chosen the version of "Get Rhythm" from GROOVES IN ORBIT and "It Comes To Me Naturally" from DIGGIN' UNCLE Q (both of which kick up a real storm) but that's a minor complaint. As an overall view of NRBQ's career, it's a terrific collection. All the "favorites" are here (eg.- "Me And The Boys", "I Got A Rocket In My Pocket", "Riding In My Car", and others) and every one of their albums up to that point is represented as far as I can tell. I have them all on vinyl, but PEEK-A-BOO is just the thing when I need a quick fix of the only group I've ever felt comfortable calling "my favorite band".

This is a wondeful retrospective of NRBQ (New Rhythm & Blues Quartet)- I hope a second volume is someday released.

What is so remarkable about this set is you won't be able to believe that all the cuts are from the same band! They play all music genres expertly.

A real surprise is the gentle little ballad, "I Love Her, She Loves Me"- a simple song, with simple lyrics, that is simply beautiful. I understand this song has become somewhat of a Wedding staple. Deservedly so.

"It Was An Accident" is a zany little number thathad me rolling on the floor. Every song has merit here- there is no filler.

NRBQ has been described as the ultimate Bar band- and this set shows them at their best. However, I believe they are so much more than just a "bar" band- you simply cannot pigeonhole this group.

Sometimes country, sometimes rock and roll, always wonderful- the fact that they lack a lot of top 40 success is amazing.

Simply put, the best rock and roll band out there!

Really good mix. If there is one NRBQ release to buy, this is it. The best of a great alternative band from when alternative meant something.

Looking at the paucity of reviews proves not enough people know about this band; a crime in any country.
Most people PROBABLY know "Me and the Boys", but there are also 34 other songs on this set just as good, or better, than that one.
The Q's music gets back to the basics of rock and roll (not ROCK. There is a difference...); catchy songs, straight forward playing, and you can dance to it.
My faves are "Howard Johnson's Got His Ho-Jo Workin'", "RC Cola and a Moon Pie" (and you WILL be shouting along to the chorus; it cannot be denied!), "Mona", "Ridin' in My Car", "It Was a Accident", "Me and the Boys", "Never Take the Place of You" (flat out gorgeous harmonizing), "12 Bar Blues", "Things to You", "Crazy Like a Fox" (recorded live at Lupo's, which is practically down the street from me. Seemed like the Q were there at least once a month!).
This is such good time music. It will put a smile on your face.
So... if you love no nonsense rock and roll do what I did, take the plunge. You will be glad you so did.

I challenge you to listen to NRBQ and not feel absolutely GREAT from head to toe! If you're a masochist, this isn't for you. For the rest of us, it's a small investment that pays you back forever and ever!

NRBQ is the ultimate bar band. They never came close to having a hit record. They closest they ever came to having a hit was "Get That Gasoline Blues" in 1974, which reached #70 on the Hot 100. Oddly enough, that song is not included on this compilation album. But there are a lot of good, solid, fun songs included here. If you are looking for an NRBQ collection, here it is.

An essential item for any legit, music collection. Love the band...but the novelty-quirky songs never really appealed to me('Girl Scout Cookies, 'Puddin' Truck, ect). thankfully this collection trimmed away most of the corniness, and just laid on the great songs and nasty/tasty playing...great music. 'It was an Accident, 'Rain at the Drive-In,'Mona'....gems all