Is Start Making Sense a Good Representation of Talking Heads' Music?

Updated

Yes — by the most relevant available measure, Start Making Sense carries strong credibility as a Talking Heads tribute. The site's central endorsement comes from Bernie Worrell, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member who played keyboards for both Talking Heads and Parliament/Funkadelic. His quote calls the band "an appropriate title — Start Making Sense," says the band "makes plenty of sense to me," and describes it as "a great representation of Talking Heads' music."

That matters because Worrell isn't a casual observer. He performed with Talking Heads during the band's most expansive live era, so his praise speaks to both familiarity with the source material and an insider's standard for how it should sound.

Why Worrell's endorsement carries weight

Tribute bands are often judged by fans, but a nod from someone who shared a stage with the original act is a different category of validation. Worrell's dual role — Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Talking Heads keyboardist — means he can evaluate the band on:

  • Fidelity to the recordings — whether the arrangements and textures match what Talking Heads actually played.
  • Live energy — whether the performance captures the spirit of a Talking Heads show rather than just replaying tracks.
  • Musicianship — whether the players can handle the band's layered, rhythm-driven material.

His quote addresses all three implicitly: he calls the band a "great representation" and urges listeners to "go check them out."

What the endorsement does and doesn't tell you

What it supports What it leaves open
Credibility on musical accuracy Which specific songs are in the setlist
Approval from an original collaborator How the band sounds on any given night
Fit within the tribute landscape Ticket prices, venues, and tour dates

If your goal is to decide whether the band is worth seeing, the Worrell quote is a strong starting signal — but it's a single source. Pair it with the band's own show information and any listener accounts you can find before committing.

How to judge for yourself

  1. Read the full quote in context on the band's site to see exactly what Worrell praised.
  2. Check the band's live schedule and contact details so you know where and when you can actually see them.
  3. Look for listener reactions — fan reviews and show recaps often describe accuracy and energy in ways a single quote can't.
  4. Compare against your own priorities — if you want note-for-note replication, listen for that; if you want the feel of a Talking Heads show, weight energy and stage presence more heavily.

The bottom line

Start Making Sense has a credible claim to representing Talking Heads' music well, anchored by praise from Bernie Worrell — someone with both the Hall of Fame credentials and the firsthand Talking Heads experience to make that judgment meaningful. Treat it as a strong endorsement rather than a guarantee, and confirm the details of an actual show before you decide.