Tragic Funk?
pj4533
481 Posts
I don't really know how to describe it, but there is a sound that certain funk (and sometimes soul) records have that is very emotional and often tragic. Some tracks I would put in this category are:Inell Young - What Do You See In HerFred Williams - Tell HerTrinikas - Remember MePatti Jo - Ain't No Love LostBetty LaVette - Let Me Down EasyLeroy Soileau - Wish You Were HereWendy Rene - After LaughterSome northern falls into this too:Freddy Chavez - They'll Never Know WhyBarbara McNair - You're Gonna Love My BabyI posted about this a long time ago, and someone recommended a few tracks to me. One was from an LP....somewhat collectable, but not really that rare. The track had one word in the title, thats about all I can remember! hahaAnyone have any suggestions of tracks along these lines?thanks.-peeJ
Comments
That song is a bullet!!! Straight Fire. I would say the same for Patti Jo - Make me believe in You, definatley "Tragic Funk". Edits of both songs can be found here:
Does anybody know why these records didn't come out on Curtom?
"too hurt to cry" and "victim" by candi staton are two faves...more soulful i guess
Mitch Mitchell/Gene King "Never Walk Out on You" (Prix) 45
Issac Hayes "Hot Buttered Soul" (Enterprise) LP
Gwen McCrae: 90% of me is You (Cat) 45
"i'm tired i'm tired i' tired"...marva whitney
"i'm cashing in" voices of east harlem...
Cresa Watson - Dead
L. Anderson - A World That's Not Real ( )
Monticellos - Plaid Stamps
etc, etc, etc...
Carlton Basco - Dont Chain my Soul (freedom)
and one cheaper one..
Gloria Walker - Baby You Hit the Spot (flaming arrow)
Funkadelic - "Cosmic Slop"
All the King's Horses - Aretha Franklin
But Beautiful - Nina Simone
Interesting choice, I guess I could see that
Antonio Castro - W.E.L.F.A.R.E might just be the epitome of tragic funk, such a smokin bittersweet tune.
Might just play that Gloria Walker tune until I wear through to the other side.
Actually, I think the other side (walking with a new love) is much more tragic, but not quite funk.
Seperate it from the music (which sounds more evil than tragic):
I can hear my mother call
I can hear my mother call
Late at night I hear her call
Oh lord, lord I hear her call
She said, "Father, father it's for the kids
Any and every thing I did.
Please, please don't judge me too strong.
Lord knows I meant no wrong.
Lord knows I meant no wrong."
Then the devil sang
"Would you like to dance with me?
We're doin' the cosmic slop."
She was well known through the ghetto
Tricks would come and then they'd go
The neighbors would talk and call her Jezebel
But always with a smile, she was sure to try to hide
The fact from us that she was catching hell
I was going to say Concrete Reservation for lyrics, but the oooo oooo's are not that tragic somehow...more rousing...
See And Don't See- Marie Queenie Lyons (Deluxe)
Am I the Same Girl- Barbara Acklin (Brunswick)
Who Do You Think You're Fooling- Symphonic Four (Zudan)
I got that one. A direct to disc recording.
Ann Alford - Gotta get me a job
Eddie Simpson - Big Black Funky Slave
the definition of funk round here is so loose its fallin apart
("wish someone would care" by irma thomas - great song, definitely tragic lyrics, but funk???)