Review of NRBQ’s Derbytown Live Concert DVD

There are a few things wrong with the rock and roll environment in the early 21^st century. Many rock bands and individual rocks are trying to craft personalities and create a public image that will help them make it big on the Internet and on the charts. However, the notoriously short attention span of music fans today that has been aided by interchangeable iPod and MySpace music has made it necessary for musicians to spend all their time on image issues while leaving the music to stagnate and waste away. While this shouldn't be news to anyone who has listened to classic rock music, the stark differences between current musicians and the musicians of only a generation ago are quite stark. For those who are looking for a little perspective on the music industry today while enjoying some interesting music, the new live DVD of NRBQ's 1982 concert in Louisville, Kentucky, is a great choice.

NRBQ seems to defy the neat musical categories that we have created for musicians today. This ragtag six-piece band alternates between rock, country, blues in broad strokes throughout this up-tempo concert. While the band may have sacrificed popular success by staggering through musical lines, they developed a strong following based on their exciting and raucous live shows. Viewers of Derbytown will see the excitement in the crowd as the band kicks off the show with the blues inspired "That's All." All six members of the band play in a controlled chaos that is a necessity for good blues. As the show continues, the band shows its propensity for experimentation. "What's The Plot" is a classic rock song that should please anyone looking for a more traditional rock sound from NRBQ. The novelty song "Sink the Bismark" features the vocal range of all six members of the group, who share singing responsibility in this geek rock gem. NRBQ continues it winding road through musical genres with the blues number "12 Bar Blues," the rocking finale "Hit the Hay," and their rockabilly song "My Baby Came Back." NRBQ shows why they were able to build a cult following with the entrancing concert they gave in Louisville.

While the DVD features a 45 minute concert by NRBQ that is refreshing, the extras on the DVD leaving something to the imagination. In total, there are only a few minutes of extras that seem to be slapped together to throw DVD lovers a bone. The live TV appearance by NRBQ featuring their song "Me and The Boys" is decent, though it lacks the energy of the live show. The other two extras on the DVD are promotional films for the band which are short and disappointing for fans of NRBQ. Perhaps the best extra on Derbytown is the exchange among the six band members that is transcribed on the inside material of the case. The irreverent and disjointed conversation that took place in a New York restaurant in 1991 shows that NRBQ is not just a manufactured stage show. The group obviously developed a friendship that balanced well with their cult success in music. The Derbytown DVD is excellent overall and should be viewing material for any musician who wants to remain in the industry for a long time.