180-gram vinyl

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio!

Plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings!

"As soon as the stylus hit the grooves, I knew I was in for an exciting listening experience. Everything about the recording was enhanced, presenting listeners with even less between them and the music. The somewhat hygienic sound of the CD was replaced with a sound you wanted to embrace possessing a solidity that anchored each instrument to the stage, beautifully exemplified by the pipe organ on the first track. Even though the CD gave a highly detailed account of the event, the vinyl coaxed even more detail out of the mix." — Guy Lemcoe, The Audio Beat, Dec. 11, 2015

NRBQ founder Terry Adams pays tribute to his favorite pianist/composer on his album, Talk Thelonious. Adams says it's been a lifetime in the making. "I finally realized it was something I was supposed to do." The music on Talk Thelonious is physical and cerebral, simple and complex, and full of pleasant surprises. The album features all the members of NRBQ and the Whole Wheat Horns with an added guest. Both Adams arrangements and the performances stay true to the genius of Thelonious Monk while still going to some new and exciting places.

For Adams it made perfect sense that in performing and recording his arrangements of Monk's music, he would draw upon the musicians he knows the best and trusts the most: the members of Adams' own band, NRBQ (Scott Ligon, electric guitar, Hammond organ and percussion; Pete Donnelly, electric bass; and Conrad Choucroun, drums), along with several other musicians they've worked with often: Jim Hoke (alto saxophone, flute, chromatic harmonica and pedal steel guitar), Klem Klimek (tenor and alto saxophone) and Pete Toigo (acoustic bass).

Most of Talk Thelonious is taken from a 2012 concert in Burlington, Vermont. Adams says, "I was surprised when I heard the playback. The band rehearsed for a couple of nights and only had this one shot at it. They're great musicians and eager to learn. I know of no other band that could have done it."

Highlights include a rollicking "Hornin In," an understated but breathtaking "Monks Mood," a playful, buoyant "That Old Man," a pedal steel-driven, two-stepping "Straight No Chaser," and "Ruby, My Dear," the albums tour de force with a triplet-driven rhythm section and tremolo electric guitar embellished sparingly by horns, strings, chromatic harmonica, flutes and accordion.

Track Listing
Side 1
Reflections
Hornin' In
In Walked Bud

Side 2
Monk's Mood
That Old Man
Humph

Side 3
Think Of One
Ask Me Now
Ugly Beauty

Side 4
Gallop's Gallop
Straight, No Chaser
Ruby, My Dear