Tragic Funk?

pj4533pj4533 481 Posts
edited December 2005 in Music Talk
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
«1

  Comments


  • JoshDJoshD 215 Posts
    Patti Jo - Ain't No Love Lost

    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?

  • clarence reid..."i'm gonna tear you a new heart" love it, cause it's a sad man whose not gonna stand for no shit

    "too hurt to cry" and "victim" by candi staton are two faves...more soulful i guess

  • bull_oxbull_ox 5,056 Posts
    Rhonda Davis "Long Walk on A Short Pier" (Duke) 45
    Mitch Mitchell/Gene King "Never Walk Out on You" (Prix) 45

    Issac Hayes "Hot Buttered Soul" (Enterprise) LP

  • BaptBapt 2,503 Posts
    Keith Barrow, The Montclairs...

  • bull_oxbull_ox 5,056 Posts
    Bobby Byrd: I'm Not to Blame (King) 45
    Gwen McCrae: 90% of me is You (Cat) 45

  • Wanda Davis "Save Me"

  • Sly Slick and Wicked- Love's Gonna Pack Up

  • not quite TRAGIC, moreso uplifting is the message but these two have always been tops in my book as far as gettin ova the hump...tellin it like it is...

    "i'm tired i'm tired i' tired"...marva whitney
    "i'm cashing in" voices of east harlem...

  • BreakSelfBreakSelf 2,925 Posts
    Eunice Colins - At the Hotel

    Cresa Watson - Dead

    L. Anderson - A World That's Not Real ( )

    Monticellos - Plaid Stamps



    etc, etc, etc...

  • Sir Guy with the Spellers Band- Let Home Cross Your Mind (DPG)


    Carlton Basco - Dont Chain my Soul (freedom)

    and one cheaper one..

    Gloria Walker - Baby You Hit the Spot (flaming arrow)

  • Bill Withers - "I Can't Write Left Handed"
    Funkadelic - "Cosmic Slop"

  • mannybolonemannybolone Los Angeles, CA 15,025 Posts
    Erma Franklin: Piece of My Heart


  • bassiebassie 11,710 Posts
    Wish Someone Would Care - Irma Thomas
    All the King's Horses - Aretha Franklin
    But Beautiful - Nina Simone

  • JoshDJoshD 215 Posts
    Funkadelic - "Cosmic Slop"

    Interesting choice, I guess I could see that

  • Electric Church - "Down The Line"

  • nrichnrich 932 Posts
    great post
    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.

  • FlomotionFlomotion 2,390 Posts
    Cymande - Brothers On The Slide

  • great post
    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.

  • There's one track on the Madhouse LP that's really moving. Guy OD's during the song.

  • BigSpliffBigSpliff 3,266 Posts
    a lot of Syl Johnson... and I don't think he really believes the lyrics to Different Strokes. More of a tragic pep-talk!

  • Funkadelic - "Cosmic Slop"

    Interesting choice, I guess I could see that

    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


  • bassiebassie 11,710 Posts
    a lot of Syl Johnson... and I don't think he really believes the lyrics to Different Strokes. More of a tragic pep-talk!

    I was going to say Concrete Reservation for lyrics, but the oooo oooo's are not that tragic somehow...more rousing...

  • faux_rillzfaux_rillz 14,343 Posts
    I'm torn as to whether this subgenre tag is more accurately referred to as "Guzzoesque" or "Bizzoesque"...

  • "Home is Where the Hatred Is" Esther Phillips or Gil Scott Heron


  • 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)

  • BaptBapt 2,503 Posts
    Aahh!! Nice cover!



    I got that one. A direct to disc recording.

  • Fair Child - Willie West

  • guess you should probably throw in:

    Ann Alford - Gotta get me a job
    Eddie Simpson - Big Black Funky Slave

  • bassiebassie 11,710 Posts
    i think the definition of tragic is loosening up.

  • i think the definition of tragic is loosening up.

    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???)
Sign In or Register to comment.