BeastieMania.com - Song Spotlight

Groove Holmes

First Appearance: Check Your Head LP, 21 April 1992
Written by: Beastie Boys and Mark Nishita
Performed by: Adam Yauch (bass), Michael Diamond (drums), Adam Horovitz (guitar), Mark Nishita (D6, Clav, Organ, Wurlitzer), Juanito Vazquez (cuica, conga)
Production Notes: Engineered by Mario Caldato, produced by Beastie Boys and Mario Caldato. Recorded and mixed at G-Son Studios, Atwater Village, CA. Sequenced at PCP Labs.

Click for Groove Holmes Lyrics

Behind the Beats and Lyrics...

References

Richard "Groove" Holmes (1931-1991) - a jazz organist

Commentary

Press

"[This] surreal instrumental has a Brand New Heavies/Soul II Soul vibe that is very inviting" - The Source, 1992

"[A] Ramsey Lewis-Incredible Jimmy Smith, Moog-flavored pseudo-jazz bit" - Spin, 1992

"...soaked in Seventies funk" - Rolling Stone, 1992

"The Beasties' tribute to jazz/funk keyboardist Richard 'Groove' Holmes" - paraphrased from Rhyming & Stealing: A History of the Beastie Boys by Angus Batey, 1998

Released Versions:

Groove Holmes
Groove Holmes (Live vs. the Biz)
Groove Holmes (Live)

Live Versions:

Performed in 56 known Concerts.

First known Performance:
17-May-1992 : Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States

Last known Performance:
26-Sep-2007 : Riveria Theatre, Chicago, IL, United States