Joey Spampinato’s friends sure do rock.
Released today on True North Records, “A Sweet Relief Tribute to Joey Spampinato” is a collection of songs written by the founding member of the eclectic band NRBQ. The cadre of musicians who cover the tunes indicates the diversity of styles from Spampinato, who has battled cancer since 2015 and has overwhelming medical expenses.
The bands who contribute songs have devout followers. This collection will provide cool discoveries for more music lovers.
She & Him (M.Ward and Zooey Deschanel) offer stark, haunting melodies, Deer Tick a really catchy train jaunt, and Steve Forbert sings a Rubber Soul-esque ballad.
As with The Beatles, Spampinato was influenced by the Everly Brothers, and that sound is celebrated by Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale’s rendition of “How Will I know.”
Spampinato’s ability to make his electric bass guitar to sound like an acoustic stand-up bass inspired Keith Richards to play on his album “Talk is Cheap” and to join the band for Chuck Berry’s 60th birthday party and documentary “Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Richards, Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite, Benmont Tanch, Don Was and Don Heffington jam on “Like a Locomotive.”
The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability or age-related problems.
NRBQ, an acronym for New Rhythm and Blues Quartet, formed in 1965 and released its first album in 1969. The band continues to perform with original member and pianist Terry Adams.
Michael Simmons, known as “The Father Of Country Punk” and for his columns in the National Lampoon, wrote, “It wasn’t unusual for (NRBQ) to perform an unyieldingly ear-wormy pop-rocker that integrated an atonal skronky horn section. They added elements of everything from bossa nova to zydeco. Each Q member was a master of their realm, but Joey was my favorite.”
- A Sweet Relief Tribute to Joey Spampinato
- Label: True North Records
- Release: June 25, 2021
- 1. Al Anderson – “You Can’t Hide” – Original Release: 1969 on NRBQ
- 2. Los Lobos – “Every Boy, Every Girl” – Original Release: 1987 on God Bless Us All
- 3. Deer Tick – “That I Get Back Home” – Original Release: 1980 on Tiddlywinks
- 4. Ben Harper with Keith Richards, Charlie Musselwhite, Benmont Tench, Don Was, & Don Heffington – “Like a Locomotive” – Original Release: 1989 on Wild Weekend
- 5. Peter Case – “Don’t Knock At My Door” – Original Release: 1972 on Scraps
- 6. She & Him – “How Can I Make You Love Me” – Original Release: 1983 on Grooves in Orbit
- 7. The Minus 5 – “Don’t She Look Good” – Original Release: 1979 on Kick Me Hard
- 8. Steve Forbert – “Beverly” – Original Release: 1986 on Uncommon Denominators
- 9. Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale – “How Will I Know” – Original Release: 2013 on Smiles
- 10. Bonnie Raitt & NRBQ – “Green Lights” – Original Release: 1978 on At Yankee Stadium
- 11. Robbie Fulks – “Chores” – Original Release: 1979 on Kick Me Hard
- 12. Penn And Teller – “Plenty of Somethin’” – Original Release: 1997 on You’re Nice People You Are
- 13. The Nils & Chris Spedding – “That’s Alright” Original Release: 1977 on All Hopped Up
- 14. Kami Lyle with Joey – “First Crush”
