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ALBUM OF THE WEEK #167 GRAND FUNK RAILROAD - GRAND FUNK (1969)

Artist: Grand Funk Railroad

Genre: Blues Rock

Country Of Origin: United States

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Member: No

Album: Grand Funk (a.k.a. The Red Album)

Released: December 29, 1969

Producer: Terry Knight

Best Single: Inside Looking Out

Best Album Cut: Got This Thing On The Move

Hidden Gems: Got This Thing On The Move/Winter And My Soul/Paranoid

Filler: None

Last week we traveled back in time to 1979.  This week we're going back another ten years to 1969.  The album is Grand Funk by Grand Funk Railroad.  Now, I have a question for you.  Have you noticed all of the current, modern bands that are trying to get that retro, fuzzed out sound from yesteryear?  Well, somebody needs to tell them to get their heads out of their asses and listen to The Red Album.  Even just the first track.  If you've never heard it, I hope you'll listen to it here.  You'll know exactly what I mean.

Two other personal notes from me.  If your desire is to learn how to play bass or guitar, you should listen to this album.  Those two instruments are just burned up on this album.  That's not to say the drumming is no good, it is very good.  But just listen to that bass and guitar.  This album also proves that you only need three musicians to make a terrific rock band.

  • Grand Funk is the band's second studio album.
  • It reached number 11 on the Billboard chart.
  • It has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
  • The song "Inside Looking Out" is a cover or a song by The Animals.
  • Due to the bass being "turned up" on the previous album, the producers wanted a better balance between the bass and the guitar.  Since the guitar track in the studio is "red", the album ended up with the unofficial name "The Red Album".  That was thus reflected with the red album cover.
  • In 2002, the album was remastered and re-released on CD as well as in a limited edition 4 CD box set named Trunk Of Funk.  The box came with slots for 8 more CD's for the eventual remastering and re-releasing of the remaining Grand Funk Railroad albums.  

Track List (Singles marked with asterisk)

1. Got This Thing On The Move

2. Please Don't Worry

3. High Falootin' Woman

4. Mr. Limousine Driver*

5. In Need

6. Winter And My Soul

7. Paranoid

8. Inside Looking Out*

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BEWARE: Make sure your volume is turned down when you start playing this or your ears will start to bleed!

Anyhoo, I hafta admit I'm not a huge fan of GFR. I have a couple greatest hits discs and there's a song or two I really like (I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home) and the rest I can basically live with.

That said, this isn't too bad. I don't consider them the greatest musicians, they're kind of middle of the road to me. Plus the songs have a tendency to meander really going nowhere. "In Need" was interesting, especially the guy shouting in the background. In a strange way, I was waiting for someone to blow a mean harmonica during that song. Shout and play some harmonica, man!

Nice pick, but really not something I'm dying to have. I know billions of people love GFR, I'm not one of 'em.

Would be nice if the 'fro came back though.

No need for me to listen to this (but I will). I had the album at age 12 or so, and have loved it ever since. Bought it on CD as well. Totally killer to me. I dont think of GFR as being a heavy metal band, due to their later output. But I do think this release qualifies as heavy metal...but with plenty of harmony, melody, and blues vibes along with it.

My older brother was Grand Funk nut!!  So, to some degree, this was part of the soundtrack to my childhood...

Now lets address where the idea to go back in time 10 years came from?  Copy cat!  Should I be expecting a royalty check soon?  

I think it awesome to go back into the 60's sometimes.  I still love to throw on the Beatles, Tommy James, and most definitely The Who (to name a few)!  Its such a good thing to hear the roots rock (I know Mike P and Michael A, may argue with where the root really came from and they would be right but this is where my roots came from)

Nice post!

Talk about soundtrack to my childhood - This was a big one  - Along with the LP " ON TIME " these are great Albums. God do I remember the days when Dad use to scream up the stairs with " Turn That Thing ( Stereo ) Down " . Great choice of an LP to remember. As Jon said " Not the greatest musicians, but they had a way of still making it sound right !!!  

 

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