So.

This is digging back into the crates for a music highlight. I was in the car flipping through stations and stopped on the local ‘old school R&B’ station when I heard a song I haven’t heard in a very very long time …. Schoolboy Crush by the Average White Band.

<awesome song with some nifty chord progressions and timing shifts>

For you younger folk Average White Band is a Scottish funk and R&B band <yes … I just typed ‘Scottish’ and funk/r&b in the same sentence> that had a bunch of hit songs in the late 70’s.

Most people would recognize their instrumental track “Pick Up the Pieces.”

There is no reason for this post today … no real point to make <other than maybe a bunch of white guys from Scotland can actually create and play some good funk R&B> … other than this song is excellent.

And it has aged well.

And it sounded frickin’ good coming through even the crappy speakers in my car.

— an additional song from a band who is actually the 15^th most sampled act in history <sampled by the Beastie Boys, TLC, The Beatnuts, Too Short, Ice Cube, Eric B. & Rakim, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Arrested Development> ———

Cut the cake.

Ok.

Keep you in Mind by Guordan Banks.

Apparently this is a Fall 2015 song … but I just heard it on the radio on the local R&B station.

I will net it down for you … awful lyrics and awesome groove. But … what a groove.

As the first commenter under the video on YouTube says:

aarismom191 month ago

How the fuck am I a year late ?

Well.

I agree. I am just another late comer to this song.

What helps me out a little <after a bit of research> is that “Keep” entered on the Nov. 28, 2015 chart and then steadily climbed over 29 … yes … 29 weeks … to reach #1 on the R&B charts in June 2016.

We should note Banks’ journey to the top of the chart is the longest since January 2014 when Robin Thicke’s “For the Rest of My Life” reached No. 1 in its 31st charting week. The longest trip to No. 1 came in 2003 when R. Kelly’s “Step in the Name of Love” <another song I was late to find but did write about> peaked in its 34th week.

==

GUORDAN BANKS

–

Keep You In Mind

==

This is definitely a “windows down cruising along the street” song.

And I will admit. What I kept coming back to was the underlying synth beat which reminded me of SOS band <who I also liked>. He just casually sings over a light 80’s groove mix … but that smooth groove underneath?

Whew.

That is what makes you turn up the volume in the car just a little more.

By the way.

The song was remade/remixed by Chris Brown in October 2016 <which may also be the reason the original is getting a little more airplay> but don’t waste your time on the remix version … the original is awesome as is.

Well.

We just got a new radio station where I live … “old school black r&b/funk music.”

Everything from the Fugees “ready or not”  to the Gap Band “Party Train”  to Bill Withers “lovely day”.

<three of my favorite songs of all time>

But.

Then a song came on and good memories hit me on note number one.

The opening “there is no other who can compare to you” <Joyce Kennedy> blasts out of the speakers and Mother’s Finest singing “Baby Love” begins.

Whew.

Mother’s Finest. What a band.

Baby Love. What a song.

I assume every region has “a band.” They crank out great songs but never seem to hit the national level. Mother’s Finest was one of those in the Southeast in the USA.

Mother’s Finest came out of Atlanta in the 1970’s with a kick ass soul jazz funk sound with a dose of rock mixed in.

But it was in 1977 they put out an album called “another Mother Further.” Now. I didn’t get my hands on this album until maybe the early 80’s.

What a frickin’ album.

Baby Love.

Thank You for the Love <a wonderful slow groove bed under story telling lyrics thanking ‘you for the love’>.

Mickey’s Monkey.

<note: if you want to hear how frickin’ good they were live … here is Baby love Live which showcases Joyce Kennedy’s  kick ass voice>

I really could never figure out why they never made it as big as some other bands and I dug up his review just to share:

A post-Sly race- and gender-integrated funk-rock band, Mother’s Finest is stylistically somewhere between Rufus and Funkadelic, though they never achieved anywhere near the cultural impact of either. To a certain extent, Mother’s Finest fell into the “Apartheid-Oriented Radio” trap, in which any African-American rocker between Jimi Hendrix and Vernon Reid – leaving Prince out of the discussion for now – was unable to get mainstream media attention. So despite touring success (including an opening stint for The Who) and decent sales for their first two CBS albums, they veered into radio-ready R&B in 1978 and seemed unsteady about their direction for the next decade or two before refocusing on hard rock. They’ve kept the band together, more or less, and their 2003 record is among their best yet.

It’s not exactly unfair that fellow outcasts Funkadelic have achieved latter-day veneration as psychedelic funk/rock pioneers while the Finest haven’t – Funkadelic was far more innovative, unpredictable and influential, plus they flat-out wrote better songs – but taken on their own terms Mother’s Finest has pleasures to offer.

Lead vocals are traded between Joyce Kennedy (who recalls Tina Turner’s mix of roughness and control) and Glenn Murdock, original rhythm section “Wyzard” and “B.B. Queen” kept an enviable pocket, and the band has written most of its own material.

Wilson & Alroy’s Record Reviews

Baby Love is an awesome song.

And it was great to hear it again.

“You’re a shining star, no matter who you are.

Shining bright to see, what you can truly be.”

(Earth Wind & Fire: Shining Star)

—-

“I had a vision, and music was playing in my head that I wanted to bring through. What I had in mind was exactly what Earth, Wind & Fire became.”

Maurice White

===

 
Boy.

It seems like the music of my youth is passing away before my eyes. Today it is Maurice White of Earth Wind & Fire.

Earth Wind & Fire was one of those awesome live bands who could bring their bigger than life songs to life … as big if not bigger … on stage. And, yet, in the car you found yourself singer bigger than Life.

I saw them decades ago and I can still remember hearing the opening notes of September <I think> playing over a darkened stage. And then the voices filtered in and as they did it is almost like the musicians appeared … and then they flickered out. Only to be replaced by the entire band in white with arms spread wide.
I am not sure if they used hologram technology or some stage gimmickry but that opening may be one of the most iconic breathtaking openings I have ever seen in concert.

I loved their sounds & lyrics. The music was a random mix of funk, soul, R&B, pop, jazz and whatever else it seemed like they could try … all delivered with an incredibly infectious groove and wrapped up in bigger than Life, slightly mystical, lyrics.

Their lyrics almost always seemed to have some grander purpose than simple storytelling or some of the insipid lyrics you hear on today’s radio.
Originating from Chicago in 1969 Earth, Wind, and Fire was created through the mind of Maurice White.

He began his career as a session drummer for the likes of Etta James and Muddy Waters and in Earth, Wind & Fire, he not only drummed but sang, wrote, and produced. The group went on to sell more than 90 million albums worldwide, displaying a flashy and eclectic musical style that incorporated White’s influences from growing up in Memphis, Tenn.

In dedication to Maurice White here are my top 5 EWF songs <I admit I included a couple just because they show live band footage and you can see how awesomely over the top  they were> :
Shining Star:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m6DMDZzYzw
<less than 3 minute song>

Let’s Groove:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrle0x_DHBM

September:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs069dndIYk

Boogie Wonderland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=god7hAPv8f0

Sing a song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBpsOu8jyU8

===

“We just wanted to be the best band in the whole world. Maurice had a fierce work ethic, and we learned from him to have that same work ethic.

He was the consummate perfectionist.”

Philip Bailey <Earth Wind & Fire singer>

RIP Maurice.

====

“Eagles may soar in the clouds, but weasels never get sucked into jet engines.”

–

Attributed to both Jason Hutchison and John Benfield

====

“He was the spark plug, the man with the plan. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn’t quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven.

I’m not sure I believe in fate, but I know that crossing paths with Glenn Lewis Frey in 1970 changed my life forever, and it eventually had an impact on the lives of millions of other people all over the planet.

It will be very strange going forward in a world without him in it.

But, I will be grateful, every day, that he was in my life.”

—

Don Henley

====

“90% of the time, being in the Eagles was a fucking blast.”

—

Glenn Frey

=========

 
What a sad morning it was when I read Glenn Frey, Eagles founder, guitarist & singer, died at the age of 67 in New York.

I have seen the Eagles several times in concert … all in their first incarnation pre ‘break up’ in 1980. <which I still believe was the best>.

In fact … I was fortunate enough to work their final concerts before they broke up.

One night at Santa Monica Civic <one of the last three of their Long Run tour> and then their final final concert at Long Beach Arena … a July 31st benefit concert for Senator Alan Cranston.

They were awesome.

My personal Eagles highlight will always remain hearing “I can’t tell you why” <sung by Timothy Schmit and co written with Frey> which remains one of my favorite songs I have ever heard live.

I knew at that time this was their “last” so it was special … but more importantly their music was special. They were good. It was not just that their songs were good … THEY were frickin’ good in concert. They were tight as a band and individually we great musicians and individually each voice was distinctive and strong. They were like the best of Poco, Buffalo Springfield, CSN&Y, Hollies and a couple other bands all wrapped up in one.

Just for the fun of it … here is the playlist of The EAGLES Live at the Civic Auditorium Santa Monica, California from Tuesday July 29, 1980 <they opened with an acoustic set>:

Saturday Night

After The Thrill Is Gone

Keep On Trying

Seven Bridges Road

Pretty Maids In A Row

—break—–

Hotel California *

Already Gone

In The City

The King Of Hollywood

Wasted Time

Lyin’ Eyes

I Can’t Tell You Why

Desperado

Those Shoes

Heartache Tonight

In The Long Run

Life’s Been Good

Life In The Fast Lane

with JD Souther second from left

1st encore:

Rocky Mountain Way (with Boz Scaggs)

2nd encore:

Sea Cruz

Take It Easy

3rd encore:

All Night Long

Best Of My Love (with J.D. Souther)

The concert was over 2 hours.

Look.

It is possible to not like Eagles music overall but I would challenge anyone … and I mean anyone to not like at least one song. Among their huge well written and crafted song portfolio everyone will find something they will like.

Look.

Frey was arrogant. He could kinda be an asshole at times. Or, as Don Henley described him … “He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn’t quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven.”

Put whatever label you want on Glenn Frey but, bottom line, the man could write a sweet melody. He credits his writing song skills to Jackson Browne <who lived in the apartment above – watch the fabulous Eagles documentary on NetFlix to see the whole story … I recommend part 1 … part 2 is kind of drags on a little>.

In fact … there are times I get a chuckle out of fate … I mean c’mon … what were the odds that Glenn Frey, Jackson Browne, JD Souther & Don Henley … all fantastic song writers and word smiths in their own right would be at one place at the same time?

That, my friends, is fate at its best.

And to have Don Henley and Glenn Frey as a writing duo? Yikes.

Take it Easy, Desperado, Lyin’ Eyes, Hotel California, Already Gone, One of These Nights <Frey’s own favorite Eagles track> are all worthy songs.

I liked his song writing. I loved his voice. I thought it was cool when he was a smuggler on Miami Vice.

 
I didn’t know Glenn Frey personally but I, as Henley, will be eternally grateful that he was in my Life.

Another Eagle soars where only weasels wish they could go.

You will be mine

Even if you’re somebody elses

Girl not for long

Girl not for long

Cause I’m your type

If you’ve got the wrong impression

Girl not for long, girl not for long

=

Not for Long

—

Ok.

I have been totally underwhelmed with new music lately.

Sure. There has been an occasional ‘listenable’ song … but nothing spectacular.

I almost wrote about the new Foo Fighters song … but … while it is really good … it is also derivative of things <or at least something> they have done in the past.

And then I decided to share ‘Not for Long.’

It’s kind of like a pop version of hip hop. It has a smooth rap with okay lyrics … and a spectacular hook.

And it is frickin’ awesome in the car.

=

B.o.B – Not For Long ft. Trey Songz

—

Not for long: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjlzq-e2NE4

=

Ok.

And maybe because there are 2 new hip hop stations on the radio I am getting a heavy dose of r&b driven hip hop lately.

 
And I got the following song side-by-side with Not for Long.

This is an older song and I have heard it maybe a ½ dozen times without knowing who it was. R. Kelly delivering a nice smooth r&b song.

=

R. Kelly – Step In The Name Of Love:

—

=

That’s it.

Enjoy.

=====

–

“Is there funk after death?”

=

Parliament

P. Funk Wants To Get Funked Up

—

–

“Funk upon a time, in the days of Funkapuss, the concept of specially designed afronauts capable of funkatizing the galaxies was first laid on man child.”

=

Parliament

—

Ok.

This is about new music … and old music.

There is a new song on the radio that kind of sounds like a Morris Day and the Time <which is good>.

And it sounds like some good ole time funk. The good stuff.

Bands like … Sly & the Family Stone. Ohio Players. Brothers Johnson. Good Rick James.

Which is why this post is highlighting the new song, Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson, and highlighting my favorite ‘best of’ funk.

I will admit something personally.

Truth be told if I could do it all over again I would have been a bass player in a funk band.

I would have been in heaven.

But I can’t.

So every once in a while I put on a funk playlist on Pandora and dream a little.

For today?

I will begin with Uptown Funk.

Listen.

It’s really at about the 1:08 mark when the horns kick in that funk take over.

—

Mark Ronson – Uptown Funk ft. Bruno Mars.

=

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0

—

Ok.

Now on to the really good stuff.

The old school funk.
I will give you the great music without the bad fashion.

I have to begin with Sly.

Sly & the Family Stone.
Whew.

What a songwriter and what a band.

Their first greatest hits album <I think> only drew from 3 albums. And every song on it is spectacular.

Here are the two I never get tired of:

—

If you want me to Stay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdorgC9qUkI

=

Sing a Simple Song:

—

Next on my list is the Ohio Players.

Most people think of LoveRollercoaster as a Red Hot Chili Peppers song … and even though they do a nice job with it … it is an Ohio Players song.

And the Peppers don’t even come close to the original version.

In fact.

Pick out almost any original Ohio Players song and it is awesome funk. It is funk at its best.

My top 3:

—

Fire.

=

Skin Tight.

=

Love Rollercoaster.

—

I would be remiss if I left out The Brothers Johnson Get Da Funk Out Ma’ Face:

—

Get Da Funk Out Ma’ Face

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QujqXIsZ2yI

—

And I have to include Rick James.

All I can say is “Everybody dance on the funk  …………”

—

You & I <single version>:

=

You & I <full 8 minute version>:

—

===

Lastly.

The masters of funk … Bootsy Collins and George Clinton … to me their songs were mostly unlistenable.

I love a good driving bass underlying an awesome pop-like melody … and Bootsy & George mostly created what I think of as ‘jam funk.’ A living breathing rambling song format. It just was mostly stuff I could not wrap my listening mind around.
With a couple of exceptions.

Flashlight <of course> is timeless funk.

But the best of Parliament?

This is when they because part of culture.

Tear the Roof off the Sucka.
Priceless timeless stuff.

—

Parliament

=

Give Up The Funk

(Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)

–

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBWH3OWfT2Y

—

And because the title of this post is a Sly Stone song … here it is live … great fashion statement … great funk:

—

“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”

=

Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVCVGQhvN9g

—

I will never tire of listening to good funk music.

So.

This is a nifty 3 part music post.  Mostly because I was too lazy to create three separate posts.

First.

Old but new …. “Old Man.”

Yeah.

“Old Man” by Neil Young.  But not Neil this time.

Ok.

This first one is awesome. One of my favorite Neil Young songs of all time “old man” but made into a rap/hip hop song. And a great hip hop song.

The band is Redlight King.

I don’t really know shit about them (but I found out some stuff which I will share below).  What I do know is I love what they did with this Neil Young song.

As a bonus?

The song reminds me of everything I love about Neil Young (he had to have given his permission to sample the song) and everything I love about great hip hop (sampling classics and showing how they are relevant and timeless).

What they do with Old Man is the perfection of sampling.  And they even weave in some original Neil (whoda thunk we would ever hear Neil Young rapping?).

Old Man: http://redlightkingmusic.com

Ok.

Redlight King. Redlight King is a white guitarist (the “white guitarist is from Ontario – I would tell you where specifically but most of us think of Canada as just the ‘great white north’ – and his name is Mark Kasperczyk, or “Kaz”).

His first song is “Old Man” based on a rocky patch he had endured with his father.

It is a song “with a melodic strut intertwined with a hip hop groove sampling Neil Young’s iconic “I don’t want YOUR life” story in  “Old Man” creating a song with the same name but a completely different contemporary vibe.

As an FYI.

Crusty ole Neil has rarely lent his music for sampling.

So good for him I say.

Look.

I may not like another thing they (he?) do but they will always hold a nice spot in my listening heart for what they did here.  They took an awesome classic song and brought it to an entirely new generation of listeners.  The message of Old Man was good then.  It is good now. And that is all that really matters when you thing about crap like this.

Great music carries forward great messages.  If that is what Redlight King has done than let us give them credit where it is due.

Enjoy.

Next.

The new .. Scars on 45 “Give me Something.”

Whew.

This song is about everything I love in new music.  A great hook. Great melody.  Great refrain. Great listening song.

Scars on 45 are a new band.  Here is what I know. Scars on 45 are an acoustic indie-pop band from Leeds, England. They kind of have an alternative/acoustic indie-pop kind of thing. In their words … “I guess one could call it Fleetwood Mac meets Brit-Pop meets Ryan Adams.”
And beyond that here is what I know. “Give me Something” is a great radio song.

Give Me Something: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GNWH9ZmT2Y&feature=related

I have no clue whether they will ever do anything as good but … frankly … I don’t care.  In this age of buying individual songs off iTunes instead of buying entire cds who cares if they do anything else. It is a frickin’ good song.

And now the last.

The old.

Ok.

So I am throwing this in on the end because I heard this song on the radio the other night and it reminded me of how good old classic songs are good contemporary songs.

Good songs are timeless.

But this one may scare you at the beginning.

Cause its REO Speedwagon.

Ok.  Let’s remember (or let me remind you).

Before REO became this sappy Kevin Cronin driven schlock band they created some awesome rock music.

What reminded me was that I was driving home and I heard “Roll with the Changes.”

Awesome.

Roll with the Changes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGgLPriZUSA

Look.

Before all the sappy crap they were just “the Wagon” and they cranked out some good stuff.

“Keep Pushin.” Awesome.

“Riding the Storm Out” (which I believe they still end every concert with).

Awesome.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPk4EX2GDc0&feature=related

“Time for me to Fly” (their original ballad song).  Awesome.

And “Roll with the Changes” which is a non stop riff rolling song.

Those songs defined “The Wagon” and should be remembered as the original band and the original sound.  And as I noted with “Old Man” upfront … they are timelessly good. You can listen to any of these songs today and you will still tap your toe and maybe drive an extra 5 miles an hour as you listen.  They just get your heart pumpin’ a little and they are just damn good to listen to.

Ok.

That’s my three part music post for today.

Something old but new.

Something new.

Something old.

Something for everyone.

All good.

Enjoy.