Back in the day, Funk was there.
I saw George Clinton and The Beastie Boys when I was a kid. The whole huge crowd swayed with the music. 20 folks on stage smiling and playing. For me, that’s still what it is all about.
A Funky documentary.
I watched a documentary that is free on YouTube from PBS. “We Want the Funk.” It chronicled Funk music and the Black Power movement. It makes me even happier to be a fan.
Music hasn’t always been an inclusive activity, unfortunately. To me, you have to put “Funk” in front of “music” to feel that way about it. Some music leaves folks out. Funk is a welcome matt for anyone who can get Funky. I have issues, personally, psych issues and I’m a big guy. Funk doesn’t give a f*ck. It wants grit and a tight rhythm section. It’s a freedom thing. Freedom Funk was a real deal. There was even a band called Freedom. It’s absolutely a thing.
Some Funky faves.
I have several favorites from over the years. A few I’d like to mention that give me freedom are The Meters, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Cameo.
The Meters got Funk by the pound.
The Meters are my favorite band right now. The album “Rejuvenation” is a flawless Funky record. I like The Meters because of their musicianship and also their southern charm. They are the dark and dirty Southern Gothic novel and they also get down. It reminds me of driving in Louisiana, fun as hell during the day, pretty dark at night. The dichotomy of fun and danger wrapped up in Funk never gets old.
The hardest working man in the Funk business.
James Brown only needed one chord. Until he signaled for the next one, and as a musician, you better be right there. Or you weren’t there anymore. He ran a tight ship, rehearsals constantly, anywhere. He was known as the “hardest working man in show business.” All that said, the man was fun too. Like in this interview.
Sly and The Family Stone. Genius. Funk.
Sly and the Family Stone had many freedom songs. Sly passed away recently. I wrote some thoughts about my issue with the word “genius.” Sly was certainly that if Brian Wilson was. But Sly played funk and was black, so he gets the “disturbed” moniker. Whereas Brian Wilson was every bit as disturbed, he’s a genius. Lots of that bullsh*t in Funk. Sly is just the recent one. Fact is Sly was a musical genius. Brilliant arranger. Sorry, Sly. But The Beach Boys. It’s very sad to think on this considering Sly’s whole message through his entire career was, “I’m a person too.” I can hear you still, Sly.
The Godfather of Funk.
When I saw George Clinton and The Beastie Boys as a teenager, I was with a friend. We are still friends to this day and talk about that concert 30 years ago. If your shows last thirty years and counting, this isn’t for you. Everyone else, George had a magical way of being inclusive. Tons of folks and amazing outfits, it didn’t matter who you were. It was time to get down. I hope that for everyone. I forgot who I was, just knew I was at an amazing show. That was George and his band.
Bass and Funk, like peanut butter and chocolate.
Bootsy Collins played with nearly everyone. His bass is made for funk. His style he brought to it had a powerful impact on me. Made me want a bass. Haven’t been the same since. That’s Bootsy Collins.
Super Funky, from my childhood.
Cameo has 80’s and synth vibes I’m in love with. So funky, but also digital in some ways that I like. They really played around, experimented, and were incredibly tight. I have a friend with a piece of gear from them. “Cameo” stamped right on it. Jelly.
Get your Funk on.
There’s no wrong way to start this journey. Many folks started with James Brown. “I’m Black and I’m Proud” is a vital message. Once folks heard that they were either “Hey, wait a minute,” or they were “Hell yeah!” I’m a “Hell yeah!” kind of Funk fan.
It’s about Freedom to be Funky.
Funk is freedom. I’m free to celebrate Funk music on the album coming soon. I intend to do just that.
Watch the Funk documentary.
If you are considering giving Funk a listen, I highly recommend that documentary. I was already a fan, but it made me glad for it. I only list a few artists. There’s gobs of them. If you happen to be on Apple, I use this playlist to discover or revisit amazing funk.
Return to home.
Funky experimental thing, if you want.
I love playing music all day. I was horsing around with funk flavors. If that sounds fun, enjoy. Also, thank you for looking at the blog. Feel free to contact me, [email protected]. Happy to be of musical service. Thanks.