6 posts tagged “funk”
Steve just hipped me to this super sleazy-cheezy funk video. Man, if I didn't know this was taped in 1989, I'd have thought it was 1979! The guitar alone is worth viewing this video... short of Prince's "symbol" guitar, this thing freakin the most awesome guitar ever! Also note that dude has on white gloves. I say again, white gloves! Yeah. You should also be aware that the following clip includes a song with a funky voice modulator. That, my friends, is a symbol of cheezy funky quality!
I've been thinking a bit about music recently, specifically about some of the music I love, and what specifically and technically makes it sound so good to me. Now, having played music many years ago, I have some basic understanding of the mechanics of music. I guess all that my years of music instruction left me with was simply an ear for music, and an appreciation for those who can really make beautiful sounds.
There is no doubt that the best, and arguably the first musician who perfected the funk sound - was James Brown. He described his sound as a focus on "the One". Which meant that his sound had all of the rhythm coming together on the first beat of the musical measure. You can hear this on his classic songs if you listen for it, you'll notice the drums, bass, and all of the surrounding horn and guitar lines come together and hit an emphasis note at one time. Sometimes this emphasis note on the one happens at the end of a two measure rhythm group. Even if you don't know anything about music, you can recognize this at the first beat of the measure, "the One."
To get a bit more about how this worked, you can hear this interview with Maceo Parker, James Brown's longtime saxophonist. He explains how difficult it was for him to learn to play this new style of music, after having been trained in the R&B and Soul focused "back beat," which is an emphasis on the second and fourth note of the measure.
Of course, nobody can top the master. James Brown was the king, not only for his incredible innovation in music by blazing a whole new genre of amazing sound... but also for his insane concerts. He toured with a huge band, and let them with a total focus on creating a musically tight ensemble. These bands were hot and focused like lasers on the funk that James envisioned. Hearing the recordings of the live shows, the professionalism just screams out.
One of the best devotees of Browns legacy that is still playing is Prince. Yeah, I said it, Prince. You don't hear it as much in his studio recordings. However, I have been struck time and time again when hearing his live music about how he has always pushed the funk side. Even back in the 80's, the live shows with the Revolution band, he was funking up his tunes. Now, he has a great funk band that he has put together, maybe even more funky that the New Power Generation band that he had recording with him in the 90's. When I saw them on the Musicology tour, these guys were just ripping it up, and playing tight and urgent funk.
Here's a couple of nuggets from that Musicology tour to show you what I mean. On the first track, Musicology, you can hear the stripped down James Brown style funk. It is tight, with a supreme emphasis on rhythm. His drummer and bass player are just ripping it up and laying down the funk base to the song.
Steve just turned me on to the fact that the Aggrolites have a new album out. I freakin love the Aggrolites! This is just one of those bands that plays the kind of music that is just EXACTLY what I love to hear. Just a sweet mix of old school reggae, ska, soul, funk, and they just totally rip it up. These guys are incredible live. They have a huge amount of energy. From the first time I saw them (opening up for Madness no less!), I was hooked. They tear the roof off the house every time they play. Everyone needs to go out and purchase this album, and then commence the loose booty!
I normally don't work on Fridays, which is nice for me. Alas, with the holiday this week, I have to come in to the office today. I'm not too happy about it... but one way to have a sure-fire pick me up is some booty-shakin music. I pulled out some rippin soul tunes to get me going this morning. Here's a few that might help perk you up as well!
Anyone who knows me, knows that I loves me some sweet 60's soul music. Actually, sweet might not be the correct word to use... I like the nasty gritty dance stompers. I'm not so into the ballads. I also like some of the really polished Motown-type stuff, but I'm more partial to the more obscure and hard-edged. I basically lean towards the Stax records Memphis stuff, rather than the squeaky clean Mowtown soul.
Here's one of my favorites, Rufus Thomas' "Memphis Train." Rufus Thomas is one of my faves, he's up there with Edwin Star as one of the best of this era of music. Just a taste...
Well, I was thinking of going to Vegas to see Prince play. Then I realized that the whole trip would cost me like a grand, and decided that I liked Prince a lot, but not nearly that much... So I decided to listen to some of the live stuff I have. Here's one for you to enjoy as well...
This is a long song, but you should listen through. Somewhere at around three minutes in, it starts to rip, and then around five minutes in, the whole thing just blows through the roof. Funkilicious!
