Par goes on a trip . . .


Par and I had emailed back and forth trying to work out the details of getting him into the show at the Ram's Head Tavern in Virginia. I was thrilled to be able to help! Here's some of Par's photographs along with his take on the show. Thanks Par!!!
 
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photo #3

photo #4 photo #5
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NRBQ @ Rams Head Tavern, Annapolis, MD, 4-4-98
It was an unforgettable night. The boys were in excellent form,as evidenced by Terry's inspired between-songs banter and the radiant smiles and sheer musical joy flowing from the stage. The audience responded enthusiastically. Yes, we were admonished to remain seated, but few sat still and there was some illicit dancing at the back and in corners. The sound was fine, with Johnny's guitar well to the front in the mix.
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The early show was tons of fun. The absolute highlight was the monster reading of _I got a rocket in my pocket_, with wild solos by Johnny and Terry that just went on and on, getting hotter and hotter. There were standing ovations after that one.
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The late show was even more enjoyable, and sprinkled with musical jokes, like Terry's mandolin-imitation piano on _Pretty thing_ andTom's anarchistic slamming on _God bless us all_. They also brought out more of their cabaret side: Terry and Tommy did a Young Rascals routine, Terry listed songs they'd like to hear other people do (like_The night Chicago died_ by Chicago), and Joey and Johnny showed off their yo-yo skills (but _Right string, baby, but the wrong yo-yo_
wasn't played, alas).
 
Songs that I really appreciated: _I like that girl_, _Rain at the
drive-in_, _Permanent wave_ (Terry: "It's one of the songs we wrote in the car. We've got a lot of car songs.") _Talk to me_ (with a wonderfully disharmonic solo by Terry), _Queen talk_, _Keep looking for tumbleweeds, Danny_ (slightly more laid back than on record),_Pretty thing_ (featuring a lengthy spoken introduction by Terry, detailing girls he had met), _There should be a book_, _Hold me tight_(played with that wonderful feel that's also evident on the late version of _You can't hide_), _Little floater_. I did not keep a setlist, but here's a reasonably complete list from
somewhat hazy memory.

11 bar blues
Always safety first
Crazy girl (both shows)
Hold me tight
I got a rocket in my pocket
I like that girl
If I don't have you
It's a wild weekend (both shows)
Keep looking for tumbleweeds, Danny
Little floater
Magnet
Me and the boys
God bless us all
Gotta be loose in the USA
Over your head
Paree
Permanent wave (both shows)
Pretty thing
Puddin' truck
Queen talk
Rain at the drive-in
Rats in my room
Riding in my car
Shake your butt
Talk to me
Too much
That's neat, that's nice
There should be a book
Time to put this guitar down (both shows)
Want you to feel good too
Yes, yes, yes
You're going to fast

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