SCOTTS HIDDEN TREASURES #39 - FUNKIFICATION

[Scott]

FUNKIFICATION

START WIKI PLAGARISM...

Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. Funk songs are often based on an extended vamp on a single chord, distinguishing it from R&B and soul songs centered around chord progressions.

END WIKI PLAGARISM...

So what happens when Rock artists blend styles? Lets take a look at some cool treasures from the "Funk-Rock" category.  Many instruments may be incorporated into funk-rock, but the overall sound is defined by a definitive bass or drum beat and electric guitars. The bass and drum rhythms are influenced by funk music but with more intensity, while the guitar can be funk-or-rock-influenced, usually with distortion.

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Heres your playlist...

http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/8c899f3fb6853bbdc4f308b32a447653

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TITLE: Jam (Footstompin' Music)
BAND: Grand Funk Railroad
ALBUM: Survival/Greatest Hits
YEAR: 1971
(Pulled from Greatest Hits)
Essentially this the same song that's on Survival but mastered way way better.  Cool way to get this list started.

 

TITLE: Low Rider
BAND: War
ALBUM: Why Cant We Be Friends
YEAR: 1975
Maybe not a "Hidden" Treasure, but a Treasure that fits this list perfectly!  The song was the perfect backdrop in 13 movies, my favorite of which is a scene in Cheech and Chong's "Up In Smoke".  It has been covered by tons of artists ranging from Barry White to Korn.  Admit it your tapping your feet aren't you?

TITLE: Hot Legs
BAND: Rod Stewart
ALBUM: Foot Loose & Fancy Free
YEAR: 1977
This song has been re-recorded by Tom Jones and Tina Turner. Why am I not surprised by either one of those.  More interestingly, Cheap Trick quotes "Hot Legs" in "I Love You Honey But I Hate Your Friends" and "Can't Stop Fallin' Into Love".  Probably more on the rock side than funky, but you can feel the driving bass beat real strong.  High Cheese factor in the video version if Niels wanted to post sometime.

TITLE: My City Was Gone
BAND: The Pretenders
ALBUM: Learning To Crawl
YEAR: 1984
Pretty politically charged tune and used by Rush Limbaugh as his theme, but that's not why its on this list. The bass line is cool and nice driving beat.

 

TITLE: Need a Little Taste of Love
BAND: The Doobie Brothers
ALBUM: Cycles
YEAR: 1989
A reunited Doobies comprised of the band as they were in the Toulouse Street/Captain and Me incarnation.  Funk influence, however, is all over any version of the Doobies Brothers, and heres proof. A remake of a 1974 Isley Brothers tune, it has a great funk undertone and feel with the expected Doobie's sound and twists.  Strong guitar, production and perfect execution.

TITLE: Soul Drifter
BAND: Lindsey Buckingham
ALBUM: Out Of The Cradle
YEAR: 1992
I always like to slow it down a little in the middle of the playlist before we hit the home stretch.  And this is a great tune to do that with.  Nice melodic flow and consistent beat to this song, but it has a real nice and natural feeling bass line that compliment this list nicely.

TITLE: Cruel
BAND: Toto
ALBUM: Mindfields
YEAR: 1999
One of their best albums ever!  Toto fans really started to get a feel for who they really are on Mindfields, as this style permeates their late catalog.  A really cool fusion of Rock guitar, jazz, funk beats and rhythms.

 

TITLE: Surrender
BAND: The J. Geils Band
ALBUM: Monkey Island
YEAR: 1977
Described as "wall-shaking-funk" this is a really cool song on a really strong album.  Probably my favorite release from them by a large distance.  It had been some time since I heard it, but when I picked it back up, it was still fresh sounding and strong from beginning to end.  I know there's at least 2 other J. Geils fans on this site, so this album is a recommended "buy".

TITLE: Cruisin'
BAND: Jefferson Starship
ALBUM: Spitfire
YEAR: 1975
I'm double dippin' on this one.  I tried to post this song on SHT #1, but it failed to load in the FileFactory player and I never resolved that issue... until now!  It fits better on this list anyway.  Great bass line and tempo.  Craig Chaquico's guitar work is some of best, most unique and soulful work I can think of.

TITLE: Mississippi Delta City Blues
BAND: Chicago
ALBUM: XI
YEAR: 1977
A fitting end to this playlist.  Terry Kath revived his old live favorite "Mississippi Delta City Blues" for the album which sadly tuned out to be his last.  XI is my personal favorite from this band, and tracks like this only call out the reason why.  I love the fusion of styles and overriding rock guitar.  Probably one of my favorite tracks of all time.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm still laughing...

[Niels (Mod)]

At my wife's fur?

[RJhog (Admin)]

No, No, No.  Niels, I would never laugh at your wife or her fur.  I promise.  But the word "fur" can be American slang for something else, so I thought what you said was funny. 

[Niels (Mod)]

Hahaha, I KNEW that. I was just KIDDING. I'm not stupid because I'm from Europe  

So let me get this straight: A fur is the same as a beaver, right?

[RJhog (Admin)]

Okay now, I'm not at all implying that you are stupid.  And the answer to your question is yes, sort of. 

[Scott]

[Niels (Mod)]

[Niels (Mod)]

No, now it IS getting stupid.

[Jon]

Jeez...I leave for a day or so and this site deteriorates to THIS? Animals and fur? What next? Aviation talk? Runways and landing strips??? I should bar all youse guys!

 

And nice listen Scott...except for the Lindsey Buckingham song. I like it but it just didn't fit in.