Ron Sexsmith, Yo La Tengo Pay Tribute To NRBQ
Tuesday December 16, 2003 @ 04:30 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff

NRBQ

NRBQ (New Rhythm And Blues Quartet) are one of the longest-running and most under appreciated working bands in rock ‘n’ roll. The group, who play a crazy blend of rock ‘n’ roll, country, blues and jazz have been releasing left-of-mainstream records since 1969. Now they’re getting a small token of recognition in the form of a tribute record.

While NRBQ may be best known to some as the non-animated band who once played the closing credit song on an episode of The Simpsons, to others they’re a band of incredible musicians that have made their mark by releasing over 20 albums. On March 9 the new Boston-based label Spirithouse Records will release The Q People, an all-star nod to NRBQ. Participants on the album include a list of bands as varied as NRBQ’s influences. You’ve got your indie rockers (Yo La Tengo, J Mascis), your veterans (Los Lobos, Bonnie Raitt), your country rockers (Steve Earle), your hitmakers (R.E.M.’s Mike Mills) and your jam bands (Widespread Panic). Heck, there’s even a Canadian (Ron Sexsmith) giving props to the Q, as fans affectionately call the band.

The strangest contribution on the album, however, comes from the cast of SpongeBob SquarePants, who take on NRBQ’s "Little Floater’s Wild Weekend." Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob himself, is an old friend of the Q. Kenny started his path to fame doing stand-up comedy and once had a gig opening up for the band.

Here’s a tracklisting for The Q People: