First Evening's Music

Last night's show started off nicely with a set by P.J. O'Connell, whose three-piece backing band included a bespectacled Tommy Ardolino on drums. Terry Adams guested on piano for two songs; if I remember correctly, these were "Mrs. Jerk" and "Happy Go Lucky."

Then came the cowboy-hatted husband/wife team of Chris Ligon and Heather McAdams. Aside from having previously heard one of Chris's songs on WFMU radio, this was my first exposure to his unique music. He was assisted on a few songs by his brother Scott and a woman whose name I believe was Sharon (sorry I've forgotten her last name). Chris's set was bookended by 16mm films shown by his wife; these were compilation reels of vintage TV commercials, movie trailers, and compelling music videos from the '50s and '60s.

Terry and his band, abetted by the Whole Wheat Horns (Donn Adams and Klem Klimek), performed a long set that included material from Terry's last two albums, NRBQ favorites, and a few songs that were unfamilar to me. Scott Ligon handled a large portion of the lead vocals. At one point, Terry announced that he was "tired of other people singing about [his] girlfriend" before taking the lead vocal on "My Girlfriend's Pretty." Klem and Donn also sang one song each. Chie Kodama from the Hot Shots appeared to perform three songs with the band. Tommy Ardolino joined the band to drum alongside Conrad Choucroun on several songs in the middle and at the end of the set.

During periods when music wasn't being played, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jeff and Lisa Forhan, Fred Stockwell, and Steve and Rina Kleege.

There has been a lot of fine music by the performers so far, and much yet to come, including, of course, the Q-tenanny this afternoon!