Funky16Corners

Bloodstone – Peter’s Jones

By Larry, September 29, 2011 5:27 pm

Bloodstone, in the Bloodstonemobile…

~~Listen/Download – Bloodstone – Peter’s Jones~~

Greetings all.

And so we come to the end of yet another interesting week, having one and all managed to remain on the surface of the earth despite all of the forces trying to send us flying off into space.

Since it is approaching Friday, I have to step to the side and remind you all that should your ears be available at 9PM on the day in question, you should aim them at the Funky16Corners Radio Show on Viva Radio, where they will dine at a sumptuous buffet of funk, soul, jazz and rare groove, all divined from shiny, black vinyl. If you cannot attend at the time of broadcast, you can always stop by the blogover the weekend and pick up the show (and all of the previous broadcasts) in MP3 form.

I knew of Bloodstone (by name only) and their first big hit, ‘Natural High’ for many years before I actually laid my hands on the album including that track.

What I didn’t know, until I sat down to write this post was that Bloodstone had a fairly nice run on the R&B and Pop charts for a little over a decade, from 1973 to 1984.

The band formed in Kansas City, MO, and consisted of a group of high school friends that had been playing and singing together since the early 60s.

I’ve posted some tracks over the last few months (and the many-yeared course of this blog) of rock bands that liked to dip their toes into funk and soul, but it’s also important to mention (and I have from time to time) that that gate swung both ways, with soul and funk groups getting their rock on as well.

This had a lot to do with the musical osmosis that was unlocked by cats like Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone and George Clinton in the 60s when the freak scene was opening actual and figurative (mental, musical) doors in every direction.

Bloodstone had that vibe going strong in 1973 when they recorded today’s selection ‘Peter’s Jones’ (which also appeared as the b-side on the 45 of Natural High).

The tune – which starts out quietly – works its way into a very heavy groove, with wailing guitars, organ and gospel-inflected vocals, building a sonic bridge between Hendrix and folks like the Brothers Johnson.

It is a very heavy cut indeed and I hope it injects a little groove into your weekend.

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.