Saturday, November 12, 2011
Songs of The Day
The Boy In the Bubble: Well, you sure don't hear accordion in too many pop songs. I wasn't sure of how I felt about it at first, but once it started getting in with the groove, I got more into it. I like how this is 80s synth mixed with African mixed with country - it's a very unique sound. Chanting background is very cool. It just makes me happy listening to it. The upbeat groove really helps make it a great opening tune. Dig it.
Graceland: What a sweet title track. I dig the beachy, country feel that's going on here. I especially love the groove that starts with the first chorus - the parallel rhythms are very cool. I don't know how to describe this song as anything but "sweet." There's a touch of funk in here well, mainly in the bass, and it really helps keep the groove fresh. It would probably sound kind of corny with out it. Such a sweet song about Elvis' home.
I Know What I Know: At first listen, I thought this was my least favorite song of the day, but I think it may be just the opposite. It's got a great upbeat, happy feel that makes me want to get up and dance in circles. The Afrcian background vocals are great, they make the song super cool. Love all of the different guitar parts that are going on. Sweet melody. I love the way he sings "party." The drums seem a little intense at times, but not enough for me to care. Awesome.
Graceland: What a sweet title track. I dig the beachy, country feel that's going on here. I especially love the groove that starts with the first chorus - the parallel rhythms are very cool. I don't know how to describe this song as anything but "sweet." There's a touch of funk in here well, mainly in the bass, and it really helps keep the groove fresh. It would probably sound kind of corny with out it. Such a sweet song about Elvis' home.
I Know What I Know: At first listen, I thought this was my least favorite song of the day, but I think it may be just the opposite. It's got a great upbeat, happy feel that makes me want to get up and dance in circles. The Afrcian background vocals are great, they make the song super cool. Love all of the different guitar parts that are going on. Sweet melody. I love the way he sings "party." The drums seem a little intense at times, but not enough for me to care. Awesome.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Album Factoids
Graceland
Released: August 12, 1986
Genre: Pop
Label: Warner Bros
Producer: Paul Simon
Released: August 12, 1986
Genre: Pop
Label: Warner Bros
Producer: Paul Simon
Week 58: Paul Simon
Ah yes, I'm finally getting around to Graceland. I'm familiar with Paul Simon's major singles, but I haven't listened to an album all the way through, and I hear this is the album to listen to. I'm looking forward to some old school pop - it'll keep me upbeat this week. Paul is also considered as one of the greatest songwriters, and as a new one myself, I'm looking forward to studying up.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Final Grade: A
Yup, we've got another A on our hands. This album is spot on from start to finish. The more I listen, the more I love. Man, talk about gettin the funk dooooown! The instrumentation is out of this world, and added with all the fun of the group vocals, it really makes for one hell of a group. Parliament, I bow down to you.
Songs of The Day
Placebo Syndrome: This is a very sweet tune, mainly thanks to the vocal melody and horn line. Granted, everything is great, but there's just something about the vocal melody that I really love. And same with the horn line - I love how staccato the line is. This is a nice, relaxing switch from the heavy funk from the majority of the album - it really helps with the balance of everything. Dig, dig, dig.
Flashlight: Ok, who doesn't know this song? If you don't know this song, then you are seriously out of touch, and are therefore required to listen to it. Talk about not only one of the greatest funk songs, but best songs ever, period. Funk at it's finest. Everything about this song is on point. I can't help but get down every time I hear this tune. Yes, yes, and more yes.
Flashlight: Ok, who doesn't know this song? If you don't know this song, then you are seriously out of touch, and are therefore required to listen to it. Talk about not only one of the greatest funk songs, but best songs ever, period. Funk at it's finest. Everything about this song is on point. I can't help but get down every time I hear this tune. Yes, yes, and more yes.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Songs of The Day
Wizard of Finance: At first, I wasn't sure how much I was feelin this tune. The opening solo sax isn't my favorite - it has the slightest air of smooth jazz that doesn't do much for me - but as soon as the groove starts, I forget all about it. The horn section together sounds much better. I dig that this a mellower groove, something that you can sit back to. Is it just me, or does chord progression sound exactly like "Something He Can Feel" by Aretha Franklin (or En Vogue, if you're more familiar to that version)? I just keep wanting to sing "givin him somethin he can feeeeeel" on top of it. Regardless, it's a super solid track, and yall should listen to it.
Funkentelechy: This is one funky groove, but I would expect nothing less just from the name alone. What I like most about this groove is how all of the parts have different things going on rhythmically. They're playing off one another, finding the opening between one another and filling it with awesomeness. It's always fun listening to people having fun. Cordell Mosson, my man, you are holdin that bass doooooown, and I love it. I love the horn part during "where'd you get that funk from" - so tight. This is another long tune at 10:59, but the groove is so solid, that you should have no problem listenin to this whole thing, especially if you have the means to get your groove on while doing so.
Funkentelechy: This is one funky groove, but I would expect nothing less just from the name alone. What I like most about this groove is how all of the parts have different things going on rhythmically. They're playing off one another, finding the opening between one another and filling it with awesomeness. It's always fun listening to people having fun. Cordell Mosson, my man, you are holdin that bass doooooown, and I love it. I love the horn part during "where'd you get that funk from" - so tight. This is another long tune at 10:59, but the groove is so solid, that you should have no problem listenin to this whole thing, especially if you have the means to get your groove on while doing so.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Songs of The Day
Bop Gun (Endangered Species): So, this guitar riff is one of the funkiest things, ever. I don't know what it is about it that's got me hooked, but there's something to it that's not standard funk, and it makes the rest of the groove that much funkier. Man, talk about a tight horn section! A tight horn section is essential to a funk band, and they've got it. I like that these guys are really all about the groove and vocals second. Group vocals are cool, they give a nice vocal base to the groove without taking it over. "Endangered species" B section is killin. This whole thing is killin. Holdin it the fuck down.
Sir Nose d'Voidoffunk (Pay Attention-B3M): Aight, so if it you weren't already convinced that these cats were high as fucking kites, this should do the trick. This song gets my vote off the bat solely off the fact that they quote the Looney Tunes theme in the very beginning. That is possibly one of the coolest musical quotes I've ever heard. Groove on this is right in the pocket. I like that this is a little more subdued than the previous, while remaining fierce. And "Three Blind Mice"? "Baba Black Sheep?" These cats are funky. I dig the dark, mysterious feel this groove has. Very Halloween, but maybe that's just me still slightly being in that mindset. Super long at 10:10, but the groove has enough slight switches and variations, that it is no problem gettin through this whole tune. Super funk.
Sir Nose d'Voidoffunk (Pay Attention-B3M): Aight, so if it you weren't already convinced that these cats were high as fucking kites, this should do the trick. This song gets my vote off the bat solely off the fact that they quote the Looney Tunes theme in the very beginning. That is possibly one of the coolest musical quotes I've ever heard. Groove on this is right in the pocket. I like that this is a little more subdued than the previous, while remaining fierce. And "Three Blind Mice"? "Baba Black Sheep?" These cats are funky. I dig the dark, mysterious feel this groove has. Very Halloween, but maybe that's just me still slightly being in that mindset. Super long at 10:10, but the groove has enough slight switches and variations, that it is no problem gettin through this whole tune. Super funk.
Album Factoids
Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome
Released: Nov. 28, 1977
Genre: Funk
Label: Casablanca
Producer: George Clinton
Released: Nov. 28, 1977
Genre: Funk
Label: Casablanca
Producer: George Clinton
Week 57: Parliament
Oh yes, funk funk funk, how I love you so. I'm in my school's PFUNK ensemble, and we're learning a couple tunes off this album, so I figure, why not kill two birds with one stone? I've vaguely listened to a few of their albums collectively, but this will be my first sit down for one of their albums (reviewing Funkadelic's Maggot Brain doesn't count). Doing two albums this week to catch my ass up, so why not make it funky? Gimme whatchu got, George.
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