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The title Phoenix represents the band’s break with former manager, Terry Knight after a long year of litigation. It’s also the first LP that was self-produced. Although there is no mention of it on the cover or on the record, this is the last album where the band was known as Grand Funk Railroad. All future releases they would just be Grand Funk.
The B-3 is funky. “Groove” Holmes is funky. Warner Brothers records circa 1964 was not funky.
The album is an homage to Detroit. Coffey’s choice of covers from his past and from the Motor City culture, compliment his new originals as well as the new purveyors of the genre. He stands tall amongst youngsters, schooling them a bit and making a fine record at the same time.
At 63 years of age, Charles Bradley still purveys raw talent. His vocal approach is often compared to James Brown and Wilson Pickett’s painfully exposed delivery, but those men defined it as a style. I believe Bradley does it this way because it is the only way he knows how
Woooo hooooooo! What a find! 60s spy soundtracks are the bomb and this is no exception. This is the second release of music from the TV series; a show that shifted from thriller to camp and the music reflects the turn.
I first rented the VHS of In The Heat Of The Night in the early 80s. Being a Ray Charles fan, I immediately searched my 30 or so Ray Charles records looking for the title track on some compilation or late 60’s ABC-Tangerine release. But I found nothing.
Apparently the Godfather of Soul fell in love with these guys after hearing them in Cleveland, and produced the album for them. Apparently they have some session credit on a few other James Brown cuts from this time period too.
Our little bird, Inara George, told me that she and her musical partner Greg Kurstin believe that Hall & Oates are masters of their art. I first took it as a rather tongue in cheek statement in regard to other musical masters like Bacharach & David or Goffin & King.
HE SAID: Nonetheless, “Plundered My Soul” is a great song. One of the better tracks the Stones have recorded since Tattoo You. (And if I recall, Tattoo You included some “older” songs.)
SHE SAID: Exile’s exile. Something has been plundered, to be sure. Whether or not it’s Mr. Jagger’s by now splintered soul, I cannot say with certainty. I’ll ask him tomorrow at breakfast.
Bobby Sheen is best known as one of the two lead vocalists for Phil Spector’s Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans, the other being Darlene Love. It was Sheen’s lead that carried the funkiest rendition of “Zip-A-Dee Do-Dah” to date. His other shining moment with the Spector crew was on A Christmas Gift To You, singing lead on “The Bells of St. Mary.” The relationship with Spector goes back to when Phil was an A&R man for Liberty Records, cutting the single “How Many Nights (How Many Days),” a Clyde McPhatter influenced gem of early 60’s r&b, which is also included on this collection.