To re-direct you to a most excellent holiday offering from Miles over at Birds With Broken Wings, who has posted a rather excellent collection of NRBQ: New Rhythm and Blues Quartet/Quintet.
NRBQ’s sound revolved “around the gritty guitar work of Steve Ferguson and the rollicking piano of Terry Adams. Ferguson’s style was a fiery and rootsy one, distinct and unorthodox, a sound that remains highly unique even today. Adams on the other hand, drew his inspiration from the curious well of Jerry Lee Lewis and Thelonious Monk – two unlikely bed partners – but the blend proved both intoxicating and exciting, resulting in unexpected surprise and originality.”
Jerry Lee Lewis AND Thelonious Monk?
Oh but it gets better. They were influenced by Sun Ra (like the MC5); had Carl Perkins front on vocals for an LP; were involved with John Sebastian, jazz artist Carla Bley (among others); and had wrestling star Captain Lou Albano as their unofficial manager. They are also promoting an album by The Shaggs from their website. Talk about a who’s who of misfits – I love it!
Head over to Birds With Broken Wings for the complete write-up and to download the compilation.
You can listen to a taste of NRBQ – “New Tune” – in the player below:
Those who are interested can find CD and LP re-issues of NRBQ from Sundazed.
I am the creator and site administrator at The Basement Rug. I have been collecting LP's and CD's for more than 30 years. I 
