The (Young) Rascals Reunite (with UPDATE!)

In the words of one of their songs, "It's Wonderful."

One of the top purveyors of blue-eyed rock and soul, The Young Rascals rode a wave of Top 40 hits in the late 1960s all the way to induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But they hadn't appeared and played together in public for 40 (count 'em) years . . . until last night in New York. With the (persistent) assistance of fellow New Jersey native Little Steven Van Zandt and his wife Maureen, the quartet performed at a benefit for the Kristen Ann Carr Fund at Robert De Niro's Tribeca Grill.

"We first met around 1980 to discuss reuniting the band and have tried every five years or so," Stevie said. "Maureen suggested we give it one more shot and sure enough it took Kristen's amazing spirit to finally get it done."

"I speak on behalf of the band when I say all the money offers in the world could not entice the Rascals to reunite," said guitarist Gene Cornish, "but four phone calls from Stevie and without hesitation we enthusiastically and immediately agreed to both support this wonderful cause and honor Stevie and Maureen."

Here are Felix Cavaliere (organ, vocals), Eddie Brigati (vocals), Gene Cornish (guitar) and Dino Danelli (drums) from a March 1966 episode of The Ed Sullivan Show:



UPDATE!
The set list from the show Saturday night below reads like a gold-plated jukebox. And if you want to listen to the complete show (including the guest shot by The Boss on "Good Lovin'," just click here.)

Setlist (tip of the hat to VintageVinyl):

I’ve Been Lonely Too Long
In The Midnight Hour
I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
You Better Run
It’s A Beautiful Morning
Love Is A Beautiful Thing
Groovin’
A Girl Like You
How Can I Be Sure
Come On Up
What Is The Reason
People Got To Be Free
Good Lovin’ (with Bruce Springsteen)

All The World Over (Some News)

One of TNOP's favorite American bands, Wilco, just finished a two-night stand in their hometown of Chicago. The band's Boswell, Chicago Tribune writer (and Marquette University grad) Greg Kot, critiqued the first show at the UIC Pavillion. And Paste reports that the band will go into the recording studio in January to sow the seeds of a new album.

"The Complete Monterey Pop Festival" was recently released on Blu-Ray format. Audiophile Audition thinks it's terrific.

Little Steven Van Zandt, President Grant's Secret Service men Jim West and Artemus Gordon, AND the evil Dr. Miguelito Loveless? Yup, Little Steven's Underground Garage celebrates one of the great TV series, Wild Wild West, in this weekend's episode. Check local radio listings, tune in Sirius 25, XM 59 or catch up with the archive at the show's groovy website.

Steve Ferguson, guitarist and co-founder of NRBQ, passed away at age 60.

Beach House and Grizzly Bear played the Palladium in LA on Tuesday night. Margaret Wappler reviews the show in her Pop & Hiss blog, which includes video from the performance.

NPR is giving us a sneak stream of the upcoming R.E.M. Live At The Olympia two album set of (count 'em) 39 songs, recorded in 2007 during a five night stand in Paris.

Here's a treat: Harper Simon covering Nick Drake's "From The Morning." (And yes, he's the famous "child of my first marriage" mentioned in "Graceland.")

And finally, Happy Birthday to Eddie Brigati, purveyor with Felix Caviliere of some of the most beautiful blue-eyed soul ever produced. Watch this performance of "Good Lovin'" by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Young Rascals and chair dance.