Comments (7)

By Larry, February 24, 2012 1:00 pm

Greetings all.

This is just a brief update to let you all know where things are at.

First, remember that the Funky16Corners Radio Show takes to the airwaves of the interwebs tonight at 9PM at Viva Radio.

If you can’t be there at airtime you can always come by here over the weekend to pick up an MP3 of the broadcast.

It does bear mentioning that tonight’s show is the first since the technical specifications for assembling the show have changed. Due to Viva Radio’s requirements about tagging the songs used in the broadcast, I have had to make serious changes in the way the show is put together for broadcast.

Normally I would create the show in chunks of 15 minutes or less (according to Viva’s server requirements) and upload them to the server, basically dividing the broadcast into separate segments of music and spoken word. This would allow me to EQ the individual tracks and mix them together with bumpers and drops for a fairly seamless delivery.

I would then mix all the segments together into the single, downloadable MP3s that you see in the radio show archive here at the blog.

Now, I have to upload the songs to their server individually, with the bumpers and drops mixed into my spoken passages, which means that the normal, audible flow of the show will be changed somewhat, with some variations in the volume and breaks present where there were none previously.

This won’t make a huge amount of difference in what you hear at broadcast (and almost none at all in the download) but I take pride in what I present to you and I’m not 100% thrilled in the way it works now.

I have heard suggestions that I create the show in a program like Garage Band and then break it into pieces and tag the pieces separately, but I have neither the money to buy new software, nor the time to do it that way. I currently use Acid to mix the segments and rip to MP3, and if the capability for such a process is in there, I am not currently aware of it.

I’ll keep working on a solution so that I can meet Viva’s requirements and still bring you the kind of show that you’re used to hearing.

__________________________________________________________________________

In regard to the changes in the blog that have transpired this week, the situation is thus…

The server provider that I use apparently sent out a message last year about the end of the subdomain I was using and I missed seeing it in the flood of solicitations that they send out.

The deadline for the changeover came due this week with only 72 hours notice this week and I had to get things done in short order.

If I was a little more internet savvy, this process might have been easier, but I’m not, so it wasn’t and for some people the blog dropped off the face of the interwebs with little or no notice.

It was still “here” but was in actuality “somewhere else” (the “new” here) and I could definitely have done a better job getting that news out.

As it stands I have notified all of the blogs in my blogroll, as well as all the members of the Funky16Corners Facebook group (about 1400 folks) as well as the Twitter followers (around 700 folks, many probably duplicated from the Facebook numbers) as well as readers of a couple of message boards I frequent.

The good news is that alot of the incoming links to the blog have been updated.

The bad news is that the search engines still haven’t found the blog and webzine, at least not at the levels previous to this week.

The good news is, as a result, the spambots haven’t re-found me yet either, which means that I have temporarily been spared the trouble of deleting the thousands of pieces of spam that hit the blog on a weekly basis.

The bad news is that a lot of people still think the blog has vanished (which sucks).

All I can ask is that if you have the ability to somehow spread the word about the change of address (to Funky16Corners.com) please do so, knowing that you have my gratitude (and big ups to those that have already done so).

This has been – thanks to stress about my wife’s treatment and all of this blog-related bullshit – a very, very stressful week, so please bear with me as I get things straightened out.

Otherwise, have a great weekend and I’ll be back with some new stuff on Monday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (10)

By Larry, February 19, 2012 3:15 pm

Roger and the Gypsies – Pass the Hatchet Pt1 (Seven B)
Professor Longhair – Big Chief Pt2 (Watch)
Bobby Marchan – Shake Your Tambourine (Cameo/Parkway)
Diamond Joe – Gossip Gossip (Sansu)
Eddie Bo – Hook and Sling Pt1 (Scram)
Lee Dorsey – Four Corners Pt1 (Amy)
Dixie Cups – Two Way Poc A Way (ABC)
Earl King – Street Parade (Kansu)
Meters – Cardova (Josie)
David Batiste and the Gladiators – Funky Soul Pt2 (Instant)
Bobby Williams – Boogaloo Mardi Gras Pt2 (Capitol)
Curly Moore – Sophisticated Cissy (Instant)
Ernie K Doe – Here Come the Girls (Janus)
Larry Darnell – Son of a Son of a Slave (Instant)
Explosions – Hip Drop Pt1 (Gold Cup)
Rubaiyats – Omar Khayyam (Sansu)
Warren Lee – Funky Belly (Wand)
Willie Tee – Sweet Thing (Gatur)
Danny White – Natural Soul Brother (SSS Intl)
Lee Dorsey – Who’s Gonna Help Brother Get Further (Polydor)
Oliver Morgan – Roll Call (Seven B)
Eddie Bo – Can You Handle It (Bo Sound)

Listen/Download -Funky16Corners Presents Boogaloo Mardi Gras! – 85MB Mixed Mp3/192K

Greetings all.

I hope you all are well.

I had some other things planned for today, then while I was out running errands I drove past a church with a sign up about Ash Wednesday, which meant only one thing to my deeply lapsed, heathen, ex-Catholic self (I’m so far gone I usually don’t catch on until I see people walking around with ashes on their foreheads), that being that Mardi Gras was at hand.

Despite my obvious affinity for and devotion to the music of New Orleans, for some reason I have a fairly consistent mental block when it comes to remembering Mardi Gras.

It seems that every single year it comes into my sightline either on the day of or after and I end up sitting here like a schmo wondering why I couldn’t get it together to commemorate that most significant of New Orleans-based festivities.

Fortunately, this year fate stepped in, I saw that sign and mixed you up a nice, spicy bowl of New Orleans funk and soul gumbo.

I don’t think there’s anything in this mix that hasn’t appeared in this space at least once over the years, but that shouldn’t stop you from digging in.

There are a few Mardi Gras-specific numbers here, including the record that gives the mix it’s title by Bobby Williams, the mighty Professor Longhair and ‘Big Chief’, the Dixie Cups and their Mardi Gras Indian chant Two Way Poc A Way’ and Earl King’s ‘Street Parade’.

There are also a grip of drum-heavy, NOLA party burners as well, powerful enough to get you up out of your seat and on to the floor.

I hope you dig the sounds and I’ll be back on Wednesday with something cool.

Also, don’t forget to check out the latest episode of the Funky16Corners Radio Show via the Flash player in the sidebar.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (0)

By Larry, January 12, 2012 12:59 pm

Odetta

Listen/Download – Odetta – Hit or Miss

Greetings all.

I hope everyone is well, and that you’re all ready to end the week with something groovy.

If I might make a related detour, I will remind you that the Funky16Corners Radio Show hits the airwaves of the interwebs this (and every) Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio. This week is another very greasy Hammond 45 special, with all manner of burners stacked up and set alight by yours truly. If you can’t be there when it airs, you can pick up the show on Saturday as an MP3, right here at the blog.

The tune I bring you today is another bit of that rare but delicious subgenre known as folk-funk (funky folk, folky funk, what have you).

If you are my age or older, the name Odetta should be a familiar one.

Odetta (known almost exclusively by her first name for the duration of her career) was one of the queens of the American folk revival.

Though her earliest work was on the musical theater stage (she was involved briefly with the very interesting Turnabout Theatre in Los Angeles), she was working as a folk singer by the mid-50s and by the end of that decade was known as much for her powerful voice as she was for her work in support of the civil rights movement.

She is best remembered as part of the folk movement, but Odetta’s work was also influenced by jazz and the blues.

By the time the end of the 60s rolled around, there were very few standard bearers of the folk movement who hadn’t already branched out into the world of rock and pop to some degree, and Odetta was no exception.

The 1970 LP. ‘Odetta Sings’ was recorded in both Muscle Shoals (with support from the house band as well as cats like Eddie Hinton) and in Los Angeles with a group of studio heavies as well as Carole King on piano.

The album was composed almost exclusively of cover material, by folks like James Taylor, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Randy Newman. There were only two originals on the album, and today’s selection was one of them.

‘Hit or Miss’ is heavily sweated by crate diggers because of the extra-sweet break that opens the tune (that would be Russ Kunkel on the drums) but I invite you to stick around for the rest of the song, which is excellent.

Odetta was possessed of a powerful, unique voice, perfectly suited for delivering heavy, “message” material, so it’s interesting to hear her put that same instrument to work in a more relaxed, soulful setting. There’s more than a touch of 1970-specific, laid back, quasi-hippie groove at work, which is not a bad thing at all.

The 45 of this cut can be kind of pricey, so do yourself a favor and grab the whole album, which ought to be much cheaper, and of course has eight more songs for your money.

I hope you dig the tune, and I’ll be back on Monday.

Peace

Larry

PS Thank you Leah…

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (14)

By Larry, December 27, 2011 7:58 pm

On the scene at Subway Soul

Willis Wooten – Your Love Is Indescribably Delicious (Virtue)
Bobby Doyle – River Deep Mountain High (WB)
Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto – In The Basement (Checker)
Barbara Lynn – Club a Go Go (Tribe)
Billy Butler – Right Track (Okeh)
Impacts – Thunder Chicken (Marmaduke)
Idris Muhammad – Express Yourself (Prestige)
Lavell Kamma and the Afro Soul Revue – Soft Soul (Tupelo Sound)
Sam Dees – Lonely For You Baby (Soul City)
Spellbinders – Help Me Get Myself Back Together Again (Columbia)
Jimmy Ruffin – 96 Tears (Soul)
Ella Fitzgerald – Savoy Truffle (Reprise)
Ray Bryant – Up Above the Rock (Cadet)
Mac Rebennack – The Point (AFO)
Della Reese – It Was a Very Good Year (ABC)
LaVern Baker – Batman to the Rescue (Brunswick)
Norman T Washington – Jumping Jack Flash (Pama)
Rivingtons – Pop Your Corn Pt1 (RCA)
Upsetters – Down Home (ABC)
Vernon Garrett and Marie Franklin – Second To None (Venture)
Curly Moore – Soul Train (Hot Line)
Dobie Gray – Out On the Floor (Charger)
Eyes of Blue – Heart Trouble (Deram)
Washington Smith – Fat Cat (Okeh)
Gene West – In the Ghetto (Original Sound)
Candido – Jingo (Salsoul)
Touch – Love Hangover (Breaking Down) (Brunswick)
Gene Ammons – Son of a Preacherman (Prestige)

Listen/Download – F16C Radio v.95 – 2011 Year In Review – 140MB Mixed MP3

Greetings all.

The end of the year is upon us, and so, as it has been in many years past, is the Funky16Corners Year In Review mix.

This assemblage of the finest individual tracks from this space over the last calendar year has become a tradition in which we sweep up around the Funky16Corners Blogcasting Nerve Center and Record Vault (Funk and Soul Division) and piece together a puzzle of sorts that once assembled (correctly) should give a picture of where my head – and my crates – were at over the last year.

And what a year it’s been.

If you’d sat me down last December and laid out the coming year in front of me, I would have laughed, filled with excitement and then probably crawled under the nearest table in search of shelter.

The year got off to a great start with the beginning of my residency at Spindletop @ Botanica in NYC. Over the course of the next eight months I had the opportunity to spin pretty much whatever I felt like (within certain tasteful guidelines) and it was a blast.

Botanica was a very chill location, with some very cool people, and despite the whole thing crashing down in a somewhat bittersweet pile of ashes, I would say that it was on the whole a very positive experience.

You all know that there is nothing I love better than spinning the music I love for an appreciative audience, and I had many very groovy opportunities to do so this year.

In addition to Spindletop, I was honored to get a chance to participate in one of the last Subway Soul nights, alongside Phast Phreddie, Girlsoul and Jumpy. It was a serious gas, where I got to spin some of my Northern Soul faves and hear the other selectors whip some heat on the ones and twos (I left with a slightly inflated want list that night).

The real treat of the year, though was spinning at Elliott and Jonna’s wedding down in Philly, which was an amazing experience.

Great people into great music with the extra added benefit of some delicious food. I can think of no better way to spend a summer night.

There was also the ongoing pleasure of doing the Funky16Corners Radio Show, which has really been a gas this year. If you haven’t yet tuned in, you can join the party every Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio, or pick up the show as an MP3 over the weekend (they’re all archived here at the blog, too).

I also got to spin records at a couple of local autism fundraising events which was especially rewarding for reasons very close to my heart.

Speaking of things close to my heart, 2011 was also the year that my wife was diagnosed with leukemia, an event that has verily turned our world inside out.

Though some superficial things have remained on a somewhat even keel, the axis on which my family’s life spins was shaken to its core this fall, and we have all learned to look at the world through slightly different eyes.

Things are on a solid, progressive track as far as my wife’s health is concerned, and we have many reasons to be optimistic, which doesn’t change the fact that no matter how sunny things look ahead of us, there’s always that shadow in the rear view mirror.

I have to make note of the fact that the readers of this blog have been extraordinarily supportive during this crisis, and that has been heartwarming and very much appreciated.

When I take a look at this playlist, it occurs to me that although there are some old faves and some longtime want list items finally bagged, there are also many, many new discoveries that came into my ears and then my crates over the past year, and that is the main reason that the Funky16Corners train stays on the rails.

It has always been my hope that those of you that stop by here on the reg are discovering something new and groovy, but also that you realize that this is a journey of discovery for me as well.

Big ups go out to fellow selectors like Tony C, Tarik Thornton, M-Fasis, Agent 45 and Midnite Cowbwoy for hepping me to cool stuff that I hadn’t heard before, all of which I passed on to you good people through the blog.

I will continue to do so.

I have no idea what 2012 holds for me, since things have really taken on a day-to-day vibe these last few months.

My main hope is that everyone here at home base stays healthy and happy.

Aside from that, I only hope that the next year brings some new sounds my way, and hopefully the opportunity to spread the love, whether through the blog, or in person as a DJ.

Either way, the very least any of us can do is follow that basic prescription in the Funky16Corners logo:

Keep the Faith.

See you next week (make sure to tune in to the Funky16Corners Radio Show Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio for the Year End Funk and Soul Dance Party!)

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo), in regard to the April 2nd walk.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg for some very tasty UK Folk Rock.

Comments (14)

By Larry, November 13, 2011 3:36 pm

Reuben Wilson

Grover Washington Jr.

Listen/Download – Reuben Wilson – Inner City Blues

Listen/Download – Grover Washington Jr. – Inner City Blues

Listen/Download – Grover Washington Jr. – Mercy Mercy Me

Greetings all.

Here’s simultaneously hoping that you all are well and telling you that things are progressing as well as can be expected in our corner of the world.

My incredibly brave wife is standing tall despite chemo beating her like a rented mule.

These are hard times (a la Curtis Mayfield, Gene Chandler and Baby Huey) for her to endure treatment and for us to watch her do it.

It is alternately inspiring and disheartening, since the process reveals her ever deeper well of resilience, but also a seemingly endless supply of physical and psychological pain for her to deal with.

But, deal with it she does.

My thanks go out to the doctors and nurses who are helping her (and all of us) through this experience, as well as all the good folks who have sent messages of hope and prayer.

I’ve never had a huge amount of faith in humanity, but this experience – no matter how harrowing on its face – has also exposed our family to an extraordinary show of kindness and generosity from family and friends.

If there is an upside to this, that is it and it is humbling.

My (our) thanks to all of you.

Since I can’t guarantee more than one post a week while all of this is going on, I figure it behooves me to ensure that it brings with it a healthy dose of sounds, on which you can focus your aural ruminations until the next time I can get it together.

While I was combing the wilds of my hard drive, I happened upon a Reuben Wilson album, with an especially Hammond-groovy take on Marvin Gaye’s ‘Inner City Blues’ from his (Reuben’s) 1972 ‘The Sweet Life’ LP.

As I was giving it a listen, it occurred to me that I had other cool covers of  cuts from ‘What’s Going On’ in storage – of a similar vintage – and that I ought to pair them up in the dual causes of thematic consistency and general good music-ness.

I doubt that anyone reading this will dispute the greatness of Marvin’s 1971 epic, considered by many to be his greatest work, and one of the single finest soul LPs ever recorded.

It was a significant hit for Gaye, and it’s influence was far reaching, generating many cover versions across the soul, funk and jazz spectrums.

The first track I bring you today is the aforementioned Reuben Wilson take on ‘Inner City Blues’ (see Funky16Corners Radio v.24.5 for a very nice cover of this tune by Brian Auger).

Wilson is one of my favorite jazz funk organists of the classic era, never flashy but always stylish and on point. While he doesn’t always get the shine that some of his better known contemporaries do, his work with the Wildare Express (on Brunswick) and solo sides for Blue Note and Groove Merchant are essential.

His take on ‘Inner City Blues’ grooves hard, with some very nice soloing on the Hammond and tight, funky backing by his group.

The second and third cuts in this post are from an artist that continually shows up in surprising places.

Grover Washington Jr is a cat that I only knew from his big hits, and always assumed to have sprung up, fully formed as one of the standard bearers of smooth, R&B inflected jazz.

However, it was during my obsessive Hammond digging that I discovered that he had played with the Mark 3 Trio, and had done time in Philly area combos with none other than the mighty Charles Earland also recording as a sideman for other Prestige artists like Boogaloo Joe Jones, and Leon Spencer.

A few years back someone hepped me to his first solo album ‘Inner City Blues’, recorded for the Kudu label in 1971.

Backed by a serious group of sidemen, including Idris Muhammad, Ron Carter, Eric Gale, Bob James and Richard Tee, Washington displayed a tougher side of his sound.

I was surprised when I discovered how much work he did as a sideman for organists like Johnny Hammond Smith and Dr Lonnie Smith (were they giving everyone named Smith a Hammond organ??), as I was to discover how much I dug this album.

I was initially going to post only his lyrical, mellow cover of ‘Mercy Mercy Me’, but as I was writing this post I was listening to the album and decided that I had to include the title cut from the album as well.

Washington’s version of ‘Inner City Blues’ features some wild guitar as well as some very cool sax work by the man himself that I rougher than just about anything I’ve ever heard him play.

And really, could anyone possibly not dig the opportunity to hear two very cool versions of a song like this?

I thought not.

So, dig the Marvin worship and if I’m not back before Friday, remember that the Funky16Corners Radio Show will be back Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio, and then posted as an MP3 on Saturday.

Keep the faith and I’ll see you when I see you.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (10)

By Larry, November 8, 2011 2:48 pm

All hail the King

Clean cut but wild.

Listen/Download – King Curtis and the Noble Knights – Sack O’Woe

Listen/Download – Viceroys – Sack O’Woe

Greetings all.

Despite all handicaps temporal or emotional, my pathological need to share sounds with you all has elbowed its way onto the scene.

To begin, a brief update.

All is proceeding as expected with my wife currently reaching her treatment benchmarks.

This is not to suggest that she is up and doing a sprightly jig either, because as anyone who has ever endure chemotherapy will attest, there’s nothing quite like having a war going on inside your body at the microscopic level.

She is beyond tired, perpetually uncomfortable – though the term ‘uncomfortable’ seems sorrowfully inadequate to describe what she’s experiencing – worried (about the rest of us first, herself second), perplexed and most importantly angry, since one must meet the offending disease on all fronts, chemically and spiritually.

We all miss her terribly (especially the little Corners) but know that we all have to hang tough and keep her as “up” as we possibly can (while doing the same for each other).

Your good wishes are very much appreciated, and I assure you that they are being relayed to the missus as they roll in.

Of course, what better way to express these travails in music than a couple of recently acquired versions of one of my all time favorite soul jazz classics, Cannonball Adderley’s mighty ‘Sack O’Woe’.

I’ve never approached this great song in any way but instrumental, and since Mr Adderley laid it down that way, it behooves yours truly to eschew any investigation of the lyrical content (Jon Hendricks’ poetic appendage notwithstanding).

That said, were I to venture a guess as to the overall intent of the song, starting with the title and then digesting the feel of the music (especially Adderley’s versions) one would be forgiven for assuming that the vibe is not any mere gripe, but a defiant fist in the air aimed squarely at any and all oppressions, be they racial, economic, romantic or other, in the style of

‘Like, you know man, when I survey the world around me it occurs to me that what I have slung over my shoulder here is a sack o’woe.’

Which of course is a bag we Grogans find ourselves in right now, but just as soon as we find out where this leukemia cat lives, we’re gonna drop that sack on his doorstep and burn his fucking house to the ground.

You dig?

I thought that you would.

The two sacks I bring you this day come from the horn of King Curtis of Ousley and his Noble Knights, and another royal outfit from the PNW hinterlands by the name of the Viceroys.

Both recordings are of a similar, early 60s vintage, with the King plowing into the songs like a soulful bulldozer, and the Viceroys taking a slightly more laconic approach.*

Either way, both versions cool in their own way, and as soon as I find some more that I like, I shall share them too.

Make sure that you head over to MNtothat to pick up the Funky16Corners 7th Anniversary Mix. I’ll eventually post links and info here, but why wait when you can dig it now?

Make sure to check out this week’s Funky16Corners Radio Show, Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio, and I’ll see you all as soon as I see you.

Peace

Larry

*Keep in mind that both of these albums contain other treasure worth hearing, which have been, or will be played on the Funky16Corners Radio Show

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (3)

By Larry, October 27, 2011 1:52 pm

The cover (above) The Banana Splits (below)

Listen/Download – Cal Tjader – The Tra La La Song

Greetings all, and join me as we wind up another week on the good ship Funky16Corners.

Since it is almost Friday, I must remind you all that the Funky16Corners Radio Show returns to the airwaves of the interwebs this and every Friday night at 9PM at Viva Radio.

This week features some very groovy stuff, as well as a nice little Halloween set for those in need something spooky and soulful. Keep in mind that if you are unable to join us at the time of broadcast, you can always stop by over the weekend and pick yourself up an MP3 of the show which you can listen to at your leisure.

Earlier this year I posted Cal Tjader’s version of ‘Gimme Shelter’ and told the story of how the old Funky16Cornersmobile got towed away while I was at a record show.

While discussing the song in the comments, I mentioned that Tjader had also covered the theme from the old ‘Banana Splits Show’ and promised to post it in the future.

Well, at the risk of sounding like Criswell, the future is now!

Unless you’re over 45, or some kind of hardcore pop-cult nut, you probably have no idea who the Banana Splits were, which was, a costumed quartet of people in animal costumes (dog, lion, gorilla and elephant) who lived together in a psychedelic clubhouse and had a band (sounds like a hallucination, right?).

Though most of (not all, most) the music associated with the show was disposable, bubblegummy pop, the one tune that everyone who ever saw it (or has heard Bob Marley and the Wailers ‘Buffalo Soldier’) remembers is the theme, otherwise known as the ‘Tra La La Song’.

Oddly enough, the song has had quite the little history of its own, being covered (and hitting the UK Top 10 in 1979) in a version by the Dickies, the aforementioned borrowing by Tuff Gong, and a later cover by Liz Phair and Material Issue.

A few years back I saw an ad for a reissue of a Cal Tjader album that I’d never seen before called ‘Plugs In’, which appeared to contain a cover of the ‘Tra La La Song’. Naturally, as big a Tjader fan as I am I found this hard to believe and figured it was either a misprint, an outtake or another song entirely.

That is until I scored myself a copy of the album when I was down in DC last year when the bizarre but tasty intersection of Mr. Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. and Fleagle, Bingo, Drooper and Snork was confirmed.

Recorded live at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, California in 1969, ‘Plugs In’ featured Tjader with an electrified band. The addition of Al Zulaica on electric piano and Armando Peraza (who also recorded for Skye) on congas makes for a sound reminiscent of Vince Guaraldi’s later ‘Charlie Brown’ soundtracks.

Tjader takes the ‘Tra La La’ song at a relaxed and groovy pace that the actual Banana Splits never would have been able to achieve without chemical assistance.

It is a mellow cut indeed, and I hope you dig it.

See you on Monday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (1)

By Larry, October 6, 2011 2:19 pm

Old school O’Jays!

Listen/Download – The O’Jays – Now That I Found You

Greetings all.

Welcome to the end of yet another week.

Please make a note in your datebook that this Friday – as all others – sees the return of the Funky16Corners Radio Show on Viva Radio. We take to the air at 9PM on the East Coast (and in ensuing time zones) and can also be found in MP3 form here at the blog over the weekend.

It’s not often that I can say that I’m pleasantly surprised by anything I see on TV, but this was definitely the case when I happened upon the series ‘Unsung’ on TVOne.

Devoted to a wide variety of 60s, 70s and 80s era soul and R&B performers, ‘Unsung’ is composed of hour long documentary style features, many on artists I know only in passing. The first episode I saw was about Roger Troutman and Zapp (stay tuned for more on them) and after that I started watching the listings for episodes that interested me.

One of the better known groups they featured was the O’Jays.

Though the group’s 1970s hits were a big part of my AM radio consciousness as a kid, it was only as an adult soul collector that I had any inkling of their early, pre-Gamble/Huff work.

The first such record I encountered was their 1965 R&B Top 40 hit cover of Benny Spellman’s ‘Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)’. I had tuned into their Unsung episode in the hopes that it would include a vintage clip of the group performing this song and I was not disappointed.

Since I scored that 45, I have always been on the lookout for their Imperial and Bell label recordings, which included today’s selection, ‘Now That I’ve Found You’.

Released in 1968, and one of the few 45s the group recorded for Bell that didn’t chart at all (three of their records for the label made it into the R&B Top 40 as well as the Pop Top 100), ‘Now That I’ve Found You’ is a fantastic bit of sweet harmony soul.

It features lead vocals by both Walter Williams (who co-wrote the song) and Eddie Levert, and the arrangement by Richard Tee is outstanding. The way it alternates between a basic rhythm section (dig the great guitar work) and the addition of strings and horns is great, and the O’Jay’s harmonies are wonderful.

During their tenure with the label the O’Jays released five singles, with one other (of similar, mid-60s vintage) being released in 1973 to capitalize on their success with Philadelphia International.

I hope you dig the tune, and I’ll be back on Monday with something groovy.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (2)

By Larry, September 22, 2011 11:20 am

The Platters

Listen/Download – The Platters – Shing-a-Ling-a-Loo

Greetings all.

The weekend is almost here, and I don’t know about you, but I am in a groovy place (geographic and spiritual).

I should remind you that the Funky16Corners Radio Show takes to the airwaves of the interwebs this (and every) Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio. You can also pick it up as an MP3 right here at the blog over the weekend.

Like soulful records by blues cats, I’ve always had a special place in my heart for classic-era soul by R&B performers that you would normally file in an earlier era.

I’ve posted sides before by groups like the Rivingtons, Flamingos, and Little Anthony and the Imperials, and a few times previous, by today’s performers, the Platters.

One of the great hitmaking vocal groups of the doowop era, the Platters had their last big hit in 1960.

Their producer/songwriter Buck Ram carried the group on into the mid-60s, where, reconstituted (Herb Reed being the only original Platter) they recorded a couple of (excellent) albums and some 45s for the Musicor label between 1965 and 1971.

It was during this period that they waxed some brilliant Northern Soul floor fillers like ‘With This Ring’, ‘Sweet Sweet Loving’, ‘Washed Ashore (On a Lonely Island In the Sea)’ and ‘Get a Hold of Yourself’.

Today’s selection ‘Shing-a-Ling-a-Loo’’ was included on the group’s 1967 LP ‘Going Back to Detroit’. It is by no means a dense arrangement, basically a rhythm section augmented by saxophone, with the group’s vocals providing most of the rhythmic punch.

I always find it surprising that a group with this much name recognition, and material this strong was unable to make much of a dent on the charts (‘With This Ring’ was their only Top 40 hit during this time), but then I remember that it was 1966 and 1967, the charts were densely packed with quality, and lots of performers found themselves making brilliant (and unjustly ignored) records.

That said, this stuff isn’t very expensive or hard to find, so get yourself some and whip it on your pals at your next soiree.

I hope you dig it and I’ll be back on Monday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (0)

By Larry, August 26, 2011 2:10 pm

The mighty Volcanos!

Listen/Download – The Volcanos – Storm Warning

Greetings all.

This is a previously unplanned post, but it was spurred on by some unplanned, meteorological happenstance, that being hurricane Irene.

I’ve mentioned the location of the Funky16Corners Blogcasting Nerve Center and Record Vault in general terms, but in a more specific geographical pinpoint, we are, how do they say, close to the ocean.

Not close enough (yet) for mandatory evacuation, but close enough that the onset of the hurricane has presented us with a fair amount of worry and put us in serious prep mode.

We spent yesterday afternoon procuring non-perishable supplies, and today dismantling everything on our deck (screen tent, furniture, gas grill included) and locking it all in the shed.

We’ll be making another pass early tomorrow to make sure that any bric-a-brac that might turn into a missile in 85MPH wind is secured, but aside from that we are basically sitting and waiting.

In fact, it’s bright and sunny outside as I write this, though 24 hours from now the rain will most certainly have begun, and shortly after that the wind.

As I was mulling this all over, it occurred to me that I have never posted one of my Top 10 soul 45s here at Funky16Corners, at least not in a stand-alone post.

Sure, the Volcanos ‘Storm Warning’ has popped up in mixes (live and otherwise) and the group has been written about many times (check out the long form article at the web zine), but what better time to pull it out of the record box than in light of an actual storm warning.

It is – in the briefest description possible – a truly amazing record, and a landmark in the sound of Philadelphia.

I hope you dig it, and if you’re in harm’s way, that you take all necessary preparation and stay safe.

Make sure to tune into tonight’s edition of the Funky16Corners Radio Show over at Viva Radio, and I’ll see you all on Monday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (2)

By Larry, August 4, 2011 2:02 pm

Listen/Download – Willis Wooten – Your Love Is Indescribably Delicious

Greetings all.

The end of the week is finally here and so is a little bit of that fabled light at the end of the tunnel.

I feel like I’ve been running a marathon this past month (I’d get tired driving one…) and the time for a little rest and relaxation is at hand, or at least a return to normalcy.

I should remind you that this Friday night sees the return of the Funky16Corners Radio Show to the airwaves, at 9PM on Viva Radio. This week’s show is (thanks to the insane schedule of the last few weeks) an encore performance of a show from last year, so if you didn’t hit it the first time around, dig it, and if you did, check it out again.

No matter how long I dig, or how late I keep my ears open for business, there is always something new and amazing waiting out there for me.

Earlier this year, during the Funky16Corners Pledge Drive, my man Vincent the Soul Chef contributed a mix which introduced me to today’s selection, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Willis Wooten is one of those cats who’s name I knew but who’s music managed to elude me for quite some time.

I have quite a lot of Virtue 45s in my Philly crates, but the one I bring you today was not one of them, and when I heard the song ‘Your Love is Indescribably Delicious’ for the first time in Vincent’s mix, my mind was good and truly blown.

I dig funky music (you already knew that, right?) but every once in a great while a funk 45 rolls along that absolutely swings in that get your ass up out of your seat and move it kinda way, and ‘Your Love Is Indescribably Delicious’ carries that vibe like a spike driver with a sledge hammer.

The phrase ‘hard-hitting’ doesn’t really do a record like this justice, since it’s not about power as much as it is about swagger, and swing, and feeling and that certain soulful je ne sais quoi that makes you want to leap onto the dance floor for the Soul Train Line of the mind.

The drums do indeed attack solidly, but check out that rhythm guitar and the vocals (I’ll go ahead and assume that it’s Mr. Wooten) and the horns with that little touch of Memphis and resist the temptation to rise up and, how do they say, boogie.

I have not been able to track down any information on Willis Wooten himself, though the info on the label indicated that many of the usual Philadelphia suspects were involved including Ronnie Baker (who wrote the song), Norman Harris and Johnny Stiles.

It is without question an ass-kicker of the first order, and just the thing to get a hot summer weekend underway.

I hope you dig it, and I’ll be back on Monday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (3)

By Larry, July 21, 2011 7:58 am

Idris lays into the traps…

Listen/Download – Idris Muhammad – Express Yourself

Greetings all.

I hope all is well on your end of the interwebs.

This being a truncated week – having allowed for a little marination with the Jerry Ragovoy tribute – I figured I’d close out the week with something funky.

First, it behooves me to step to the side and remind you all that Friday night at 9PM is Funky16Corners Radio Show time on Viva Radio, wherein I fall by with my big box of records and some words and fill the airwaves with soulful goodness. All of the shows are then MP3-ified and posted in the F16C Radio Show archive at the blog (here, in fact) where you can pull down the ones and zeros at your leisure.

I should also mention that this past Monday’s festivities at Botanica, wherein yours truly, joined by M-Fasis and DJ Hambone laid down several hours of tasty funk and soul to a very groovy crowd. Hopefully I can get some of the recorded sets posted in the next few weeks.  Thanks also to Dan behind the bar for the ginger beer.

That said, I came upon today’s selection fairly recently.

I’ll go ahead and assume that most of you have at least a passing acquaintance with the name Idris Muhammad.

What I’ll also say is, that I don’t think many folks know that Mr. Muhammad was born with the much less exotic name of Leo Morris, and was a New Orleans homeboy of folks like the mighty Neville Brothers. Morris/Muhammad came from a family of drummers, and as a teenager played alongside Art Neville’s Hawketts, Joe Jones and Fats Domino among others.

He relocated to New York in the early 60s and established himself as a jazz drummer, joining the band of Lou Donaldson, and spending the second half of the 60s and the early 70s recording soul jazz behind leaders like Donaldson, Grant Green, Leon Spencer and Lonnie Smith. Like guitarist Melvin Sparks (who plays on today’s selection) Muhammad seemed to specialize in backing organ sessions.

Now, when I got this 45, I blanked on the fact that the flip side was a cover of James Brown’s ‘Super Bad’, which was a very nice surprise indeed and it kicks, and I’ll make sure to whip it on you sometime soon.

That said, the tune I’m posting today is Muhammad’s cover of Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd St Rhythm Band’s ‘Express Yourself’.

After I digimatize this particular 45 and transferred the files to the old iPod, I gave both sides repeated listens, focusing (natch) on Muhammad’s drums, which snap like a mofo, but what really grabbed me, and it ought to grab you too, is the fact that his playing on ‘Express Yourself’ positively screeeeeaaammmms NEW ORLEANS!

Yesiree Bob, unfold your ears and take a listen to the drums breakdown around the one minute and thirty nine second mark and the funk gets all loose and second line-y. Get your head inside of those drums and tell me if you don’t hear a little bit of James Black, an almost exact contemporary of Muhammad’s who also came up out of New Orleans to make his mark as a jazz drummer (but is best known for the funk).

Muhammad lays down about 20 seconds of absolute magic, dancing back and forth between his kick drum and his snare in a laid back tidal wave of syncopation that is utterly mind blowing.

While I was writing this I just keep running the marker back and playing the breakdown in a loop and it just got deeper every time.

I should also note that the band is very groovy, with some nice electric piano action from Harold Mabern.

It is a tasty number indeed, and ought to hold you fine people over the weekend until I return on Monday.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.