The Outsiders’ CQ is important as other belatedly-recognised classics like The Zombies' Odessey and Oracle, The Pretty Things' SF Sorrow and The Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society. The American writer Richie Unterberger called them “not just the finest Dutch group of the '60s, but the finest group from a non-English speaking country, period.” Perfect Sound Forever said they were “the most underrated band ever.” Holland's Outsiders have a posthumous reputation that grows and grows. Their 1968 album CQ was a benchmark, one of the greatest albums of the late '60s from anywhere.It’s exciting to be reissuing CQ on CD outside the Netherlands for the first time on RPM International. The album is supplemented by a professionally-recorded 1968 concert of CQ material from The Fanstasio, in Amsterdam, their home town. Mike Stax, editor of Ugly Things, long-time Outsiders' champion and friend of the band has contributed liner notes.
CQ was made by a band with their own identity. As influenced by the music of frontman Wally Tax's Russian heritage as Jacques Brel, songs like “Daddy Died On Saturday", have the intensity of “White Light White Heat” Velvet Underground. “Prison Song” is the atmospheric equal of The Doors' “The End”.
It’s issued on 21 March. Here’s the tracklist:
CQ (Polydor 236 803, 1968)
1. Misfit
2. Zsarrahh
3. CQ
4. Daddy Died On Saturday
5. It Seems Like Nothing’s Gonna Come My Way Today
6. Doctor
7. The Man On The Dune
8. The Bear
9. Happyville
10. You’re Everything On Earth
11. Wish You Were Here With Me Today
12. I Love You No. 2
13. Prisonsong
Bonus tracks: recorded by VPRO live at the Fantasio, Amsterdam, 31 December 1968
14. Do You Feel Alright
15. Daddy Died On Saturday
16. I Love You No. 2
17. Misfit
18. Happyville
19. Prisonsong
Brilliant! It is finally getting its due as the peer of the albums you mention above.
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