Terry Adams, composer, arranger, bandleader, producer, and one of the most innovative and authentically unique keyboardists in contemporary music, is best known as the founder and driving force of the great American band N... more »RBQ. Since the Q stopped recording and touring in 2004, Adams has released a CD every year, some pop-rock, some jazz, all distinctive, adding to the solo identity he began to forge in 1995 with his album Terrible. Holy Tweet is one of Adams¹s best recordings ever, which is saying a lot for someone whose band, solo, studio, and live album output is nearing forty releases. There are eleven songs, all original but one, all presented with the 'carefully-tended musicality we¹ve come to expect from one of American music's goofball geniuses'. (Santa Barbara Independent) The songwriting is stronger than ever (and this from the writer of such NRBQ favorites as Me And the Boys, I Want You Bad, and Little Floater), the vocals sublime, the melodies, playing, and production outstanding. Featured musicians on Holy Tweet are Scott Ligon, the guitarist and vocalist from Adams's current band The Terry Adams Rock & Roll Quartet, and NRBQ bandmate, drummer Tom Ardolino. Holy Tweet will knock you out!« less
Terry Adams, composer, arranger, bandleader, producer, and one of the most innovative and authentically unique keyboardists in contemporary music, is best known as the founder and driving force of the great American band NRBQ. Since the Q stopped recording and touring in 2004, Adams has released a CD every year, some pop-rock, some jazz, all distinctive, adding to the solo identity he began to forge in 1995 with his album Terrible. Holy Tweet is one of Adams¹s best recordings ever, which is saying a lot for someone whose band, solo, studio, and live album output is nearing forty releases. There are eleven songs, all original but one, all presented with the 'carefully-tended musicality we¹ve come to expect from one of American music's goofball geniuses'. (Santa Barbara Independent) The songwriting is stronger than ever (and this from the writer of such NRBQ favorites as Me And the Boys, I Want You Bad, and Little Floater), the vocals sublime, the melodies, playing, and production outstanding. Featured musicians on Holy Tweet are Scott Ligon, the guitarist and vocalist from Adams's current band The Terry Adams Rock & Roll Quartet, and NRBQ bandmate, drummer Tom Ardolino. Holy Tweet will knock you out!
CD Reviews
Just Buy It
Music maven | Amherst, MA | 06/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the saddest events in music history was the breakup of NRBQ, an event I'm still refusing to come to grips with. One of the happiest events in music history is the release of this CD. It's not only solidly in the NRBQ mode, but it's in the mode of what I consider the golden age of NRBQ: Grooves in Orbit, Yankee Stadium, and Tiddlywinks. The songs are as fresh and indelible as anything the band ever produced, the guitar playing is amazingly reminiscent of Al Anderson, and, joy of joys, it's got Tommy Ardolino on drums. There is innocence and joy and youth all over this recording. The production is perfection, the songs are all the stuff of pop dreams, and the whole thing makes me feel like running out and embracing the world. When I put it on the first time and it finished playing, I did something I almost never do: I immediately put the CD player back to track one and played it all again--twice more. That's how good this is. If you love NRBQ, just buy this. If you never heard NRBQ, buy this and then buy all their recordings."
Food For Your Ears
S. Bottino | Albany NY | 05/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I thought the Amazon reviewer was searching for something good to say when he said "one of his best..." The guy was right...Terry is right on with this one! Very very, tuneful..."pop" would do it a disservice....but it IS rooted squarely in the best pop music structures with jazz chords...and great vocals and harmonies.
Is it NRBQ? I shouldn't really compare it...but at times, yes, it sounds alot like NRBQ. Tom Ardolino plays drums. Scott Ligon on guitar is a monster player and vocalist. Worth every penny...and see him live if you can!"
The Real King of Pop
Dommy Thunders | 10/20/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a lark a friend and I saw Terry not knowing anything about him at all. All I can say now is Wow! His show was one of the most entertaining I have ever seen without a doubt. The day after I still had many of his songs still playing in my head so there was only one thing to do which was to pick up this cd. This was one of the best Rock and Roll moves (if not the best) I have ever made. This is the best music I've heard in many years. His song writing and the delivery of it is just plain amazing. Now knowing about some of his past it very easy to see why he is so admired by many of his peers. People who know about real music know that Terry is up there with the very best. I am so glad that he never copped out. As for a vast majority of music that has been coming out for years Terry sums it up perfectly "It's a Shame Shame Shame" and ain't that the truth. It is just a shame to me also that I never discovered this musical mastermind until now, but as they say "better late than never", and this music and his live act is living proof of that. Buy this and go see him live, if you don't it is your loss and I mean Bigtime."
Like a great Q album but different.
Howard S. Finkel | MAPLEWOOD, NJ USA | 04/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been mourning the inactivity of the Q but this record gives me hope. Terry has written some great pop tunes and his co-musicians Scott Ligon and Tommy Ardolino are perfect. The songs are great and with Scott singing along with Terry, it really comes off as Q-ish. I'll definitely catch these guys when they play live and if the Q stay on permanent hiatus, I'll just check out The Spampinato Brothers project along with Terry's band. It's hard to get but try to pick up Scott Ligon's band CD, The Heatersons, it's no wonder he's playing with Terry, The Heatersons were one of the most NRBQ like bands I've heard and they were great."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1