Terrible
Omnivore, 2024
9/10
The debut solo album from the NRBQ founder Terry Adams, Terrible sees the reissue treatment with 4 bonus tracks, where a large handful of well known musicians are in attendance for the diverse listen.
The crisp and fluid “Toodlehead” starts the listen with Adams’ flowing keys alongside Jim Hoke’s bright sax and Roswell Budd’s agile trombone, and “Venusian Sunset” follows with rich textures via Marshall Allen’s elegant sax, Dave Gordon’s moody trumpet and Johnny Spampiganto’s warm guitar.
Deeper into the original album, “I Feel Lucky” makes great use of Adams’ intimate piano that builds into fuller territory thanks to Tom Ardolino’s agile drums and Spampinato’s meticulous bass and guitar, while “Little One” has Adams handling harmonica, as a trio of flutes enter amid Bobby Previte’s exceptional drumming.
Rounding out the formal LP is the thumping and bluesy appeal of “These Blues”, where Jimmy Gordon’s harmonica shines, and, of the bonus material, “Say When (TK 2)” offers a booming display from Knoel Scott’s lively sax, Donn Adams’ well timed trombone and Pete Tiogo’s frisky bass.
A body of work that involved a request from New World Records, this all original jazz album sure has aged well, and here is comes with a new cover, remastered audio, a couple of new names for the songs, and top notch bonus material.
Travels well with: NRBQ- Tiddlywinks; Jimmie Vaughan- The Jimmie Vaughan Story