How do you make a solo album for one of the best guitarists we've ever seen, who happens to have minimal singing and songwriting abilities? If you're George Clinton, you have some of the best musicians of the 1970's play the structures of some well known songs and let Eddie Hazel go blackout crazy on … Continue reading Eddie Hazel – Games, Dames and Guitar Thangs
P-Funk Live combines musicianship and spectacle better than anyone. They released a line album in 1977, but to really get the full experience, I linked a video of a performance from the same tour. If Curtis-Mayfield-In-An-Intimate-Jazz-Club isn't my #1 dream concert, mid-70s P-Funk is. Parliament - Live: P Funk Earth Tour YouTube Link
Curtis Mayfield at a small, intimate jazz club might be #1 on my dream concerts list. Direct your ears to how much these songs sound like their studio version. Curtis' songs always had sort of a live feel to them, and the band is so tight that this doesn't feel like it's possible that this … Continue reading Curtis Mayfield – Curtis/Live!
I'm gonna post a few live albums this week, since I've only posted one, I think. What it will essentially amount to is a list of concerts that make me wish time travel was possible so I could go back and see them. The first one is the Ohio Players' "Live 1977." I saw them … Continue reading Ohio Players – Live 1977
Supporting the music you love is important. Back in high school, I would download all my music for free and say, "They're rich, I'm broke, they don't need my money." Donuts by J Dilla changed my views on that. That album had such a profound effect on my life (that story is for a future … Continue reading Exploring My Vinyl Collection
I've said here before that Curtis Mayfield personifies the soul/funk sound better than anyone. In 1972, Mayfield was tasked with giving that sound to a movie called "Superfly." The result is the best toeing of the soul/funk line that Mayfield ever achieved in his legendary career, 37 minutes of bliss. "Little Child Running Wild," "Freddy's … Continue reading Curtis Mayfield – Superfly
'It's the season for the "Christmas music sucks" takes. To anyone that feels that way, I'll counter with you're just not listening to the right versions of these songs. I get being tired of all the same versions that play in every store, but there is plenty of quality holiday music out there. Take this … Continue reading Bootsy Collins – Christmas Is 4 Ever
