NRBQ is one of, if not arguably the only
rock band that would be able to pull off a disc of original
country-flavored
pop songs and obscure covers. They do exactly that with legendary
C&W vocalist
Skeeter Davis on the appropriately titled
She Sings, They Play. While the concept of
the 'Q going
country might initially seem incongruous, they had more than proven their adaptability as early as their second long-player, which consisted of several brilliant collaborations between the band and
rockabilly legend
Carl Perkins. The endearing quality of the recording likewise earned the artists the NAIRD
Country Album of the Year award. Both
Davis and the other prolific bandmembers penned material specifically for the project -- including two of
Terry Adams' (piano/harpsichord/vocals) most poignant compositions, the opening track,
"Things to You," and the achingly beautiful
"How Many Years," highlighting
Davis' crystalline vocals. The band also revived a tune from former
NRBQ fretman
Steve Ferguson called
"You Don't Know What You Got Til You Lose It." The compositions that
Davis contributed are among the best on
She Sings, They Play. These include the tongue-in-cheek
"Everybody Wants a Cowboy" -- which pokes fun at the
Urban Cowboy fad of the early '80s -- as well as
"Roses on My Shoulder," which is a dark tale of a little girl's abandonment by her father and the results it has on her lifestyle choices as an adult.
The 'Q are augmented by several notable Nashville cats, including
Buddy Emmons on pedal steel guitar and
Larry Packer on fiddle. Other noteworthy inclusions are
Adams' arrangement of
"Someday My Prince Will Come" -- in a standard 4/4 time signature -- as well as the
Bill Carlisle song
"Ain't Nice to Talk Like That." ~ Lindsay Planer
