Parliament
Posted by: gusi on 29 August 2005
I picked up the parliament 10" single CD the other day. Though they must have sold their synthesysers to Mattel and Fisherprice they have some amazing grooves.
Judging by the cover the stage performances must have been amazing. Does anyone know if there is a decent DVD of a live concert?
Are Parliament and Funkadelic the same bands?
cheers
Gus
Judging by the cover the stage performances must have been amazing. Does anyone know if there is a decent DVD of a live concert?
Are Parliament and Funkadelic the same bands?
cheers
Gus
Posted on: 29 August 2005 by Jens
Gus,
Your still alive? I was wondering what had happened to you. How's the record cleaner going? You won't need CD singles once you've got that up and running!
Jens
Your still alive? I was wondering what had happened to you. How's the record cleaner going? You won't need CD singles once you've got that up and running!
Jens
Posted on: 29 August 2005 by Giles Felgate
Re Parliament and Funkadelic. P-Funk is Da Bomb!
Not quite the same bands, but many of the same personel. Both bands were part of George Clinton's burgeoning funk empire of the 70's. (Other parts incl Parlet, The Brides of Funkenstein, Bootsy's Rubber Band, etc). Common players were Bernie Worrall on Keyboards, Bootsy Collins on bass and Catfish Collins on Guitar, Maceo Parker on brass as well as George himself. Basically George used the different bands to focus on different aspects/ethos of funk. The key two are definitely Parliament and Funkadelic though. All their albums tend to be thematic almost concept albums, but without the baggage that that implies in a prog rock sense.
Parliament was the folksy, loose, party danceband that Clinton used to put across his views on music, the industry and the music press. Best albums are Mothership Connection, Funkentelechy vs the Placebo Connection, and the Clones of Dr Funkenstein. For a fine overview Tear the Roof of the Sucker is a double cd collection of their 12" versions of their hits.
Funkadelic on the other hand was Clinton's rawer, more gritty, rockier (but still funky) political band. This was where Clinton made a number of his overt criticism of society per se and especially the black man's role in it. Key albums would be Maggot Brain, One Nation under a groove, and the Electric Spanking of war babies. Good overview is music for your mother which is a singles collection.
Both bands have had their back catalogues re-released "newly re-mastered". The sound isn't a huge improvement but the albiums all now have singles from the period attached, so are good value.
Frankly, any music collection without a good smattering of both bands is sadly lacking some of the most vibrant and funky music of the last 50 years!
Giles
Not quite the same bands, but many of the same personel. Both bands were part of George Clinton's burgeoning funk empire of the 70's. (Other parts incl Parlet, The Brides of Funkenstein, Bootsy's Rubber Band, etc). Common players were Bernie Worrall on Keyboards, Bootsy Collins on bass and Catfish Collins on Guitar, Maceo Parker on brass as well as George himself. Basically George used the different bands to focus on different aspects/ethos of funk. The key two are definitely Parliament and Funkadelic though. All their albums tend to be thematic almost concept albums, but without the baggage that that implies in a prog rock sense.
Parliament was the folksy, loose, party danceband that Clinton used to put across his views on music, the industry and the music press. Best albums are Mothership Connection, Funkentelechy vs the Placebo Connection, and the Clones of Dr Funkenstein. For a fine overview Tear the Roof of the Sucker is a double cd collection of their 12" versions of their hits.
Funkadelic on the other hand was Clinton's rawer, more gritty, rockier (but still funky) political band. This was where Clinton made a number of his overt criticism of society per se and especially the black man's role in it. Key albums would be Maggot Brain, One Nation under a groove, and the Electric Spanking of war babies. Good overview is music for your mother which is a singles collection.
Both bands have had their back catalogues re-released "newly re-mastered". The sound isn't a huge improvement but the albiums all now have singles from the period attached, so are good value.
Frankly, any music collection without a good smattering of both bands is sadly lacking some of the most vibrant and funky music of the last 50 years!
Giles
Posted on: 30 August 2005 by gusi
Jens, yep I just got back from Sgp.
Giles Thanks, it is good to have something new to explore.
At first it felt a bit dated but you soon get sucked into the groove. I'll have to check out some of their other stuff. Saw two concert dvds on Amazon has anyone seen these?
cheers
Gus
Giles Thanks, it is good to have something new to explore.
At first it felt a bit dated but you soon get sucked into the groove. I'll have to check out some of their other stuff. Saw two concert dvds on Amazon has anyone seen these?
cheers
Gus
Posted on: 31 August 2005 by Jens
Giles-that sounds interesting. Gus if you are moving into that direction you've got to check out the Meters. I've got many of their CDs, especially the early ones, come and have a listen sometime.
Then if you are into the Meters, and since you like reggae, well then you have to get into Jackie Mitoo, because he is of course-The Champion of the Arena!
Cheers, Jens
Then if you are into the Meters, and since you like reggae, well then you have to get into Jackie Mitoo, because he is of course-The Champion of the Arena!
Cheers, Jens
Posted on: 31 August 2005 by Giles Felgate
I can see the Meters connection, sought of, but I always felt the New Orleans style of funk was just less "gritty" than P-Funk, which I prefer. For the Meters, Cabbage alley, Fire on the Bayou and either of the Rhino compos are good value if you're interested Gus.
If you do like funk and want to investigate more, than you may wish to try Sly and the Family Stone either Stand, Riot, Fresh or Greatest Hits, James Brown's stuff from 67 - 73 is very funk orientated and has some of Clinton's crew on board - try 1970 - Funk's got a brand new thang for a taste, also some of Bootsy Collins work may be interesting, but I find his Star Child persona a bit wearying.
The other key album is Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack to Superfly. I'd probably rate it as being one of the top three funk albums (the other two being Parliament - Mothership Connection and Sly and the Family Stone - Stand)
Giles
If you do like funk and want to investigate more, than you may wish to try Sly and the Family Stone either Stand, Riot, Fresh or Greatest Hits, James Brown's stuff from 67 - 73 is very funk orientated and has some of Clinton's crew on board - try 1970 - Funk's got a brand new thang for a taste, also some of Bootsy Collins work may be interesting, but I find his Star Child persona a bit wearying.
The other key album is Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack to Superfly. I'd probably rate it as being one of the top three funk albums (the other two being Parliament - Mothership Connection and Sly and the Family Stone - Stand)
Giles
Posted on: 01 September 2005 by Jens
Giles,
I think you are spot on. The groove that the Meters develop is different from the other examples you mention. Lighter probably-but it's all a matter of taste. Check out some of their earlier work. I like Fire on the Bayou, but it gets dangerously close to 70s disco occasionally, which is where they ended up just before splitting up. My preference is for their early work-those grooves are timeless.
I also listen to the other gear you mentioned, especially Curtis Mayfield, James Brown and the JBs. Those Blaxploitation CDs also get the NAP135 fans spinning. Awesome when you give them the volume to rock out.
Anyway-here's hoping Gus takes on board some of your suggestions. I'll grab them en route!
Cheers, Jens
I think you are spot on. The groove that the Meters develop is different from the other examples you mention. Lighter probably-but it's all a matter of taste. Check out some of their earlier work. I like Fire on the Bayou, but it gets dangerously close to 70s disco occasionally, which is where they ended up just before splitting up. My preference is for their early work-those grooves are timeless.
I also listen to the other gear you mentioned, especially Curtis Mayfield, James Brown and the JBs. Those Blaxploitation CDs also get the NAP135 fans spinning. Awesome when you give them the volume to rock out.
Anyway-here's hoping Gus takes on board some of your suggestions. I'll grab them en route!
Cheers, Jens
Posted on: 01 September 2005 by NaimDropper
Deep, deep grooves rule the tunes these bands played. Amazing stuff.
And very well suited to Naim as the PRAT really helps you get involved in their grooves.
There was a great article on George Clinton's bands and especially bass players in the last issue of Bass Player magazine. Worth a read if you want more background on the evolution of this powerful funk machine.
David
And very well suited to Naim as the PRAT really helps you get involved in their grooves.
There was a great article on George Clinton's bands and especially bass players in the last issue of Bass Player magazine. Worth a read if you want more background on the evolution of this powerful funk machine.
David