Tragic Funk?

pj4533

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

JoshD

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?

beatstew72

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_ox

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

Bapt

Keith Barrow, The Montclairs...

bull_ox

Bobby Byrd: I'm Not to Blame (King) 45
Gwen McCrae: 90% of me is You (Cat) 45

Mel_Gibson

Wanda Davis "Save Me"

MikeBossy

Sly Slick and Wicked- Love's Gonna Pack Up

beatstew72

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...

BreakSelf

Eunice Colins - At the Hotel

Cresa Watson - Dead

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

Monticellos - Plaid Stamps



etc, etc, etc...

visual_rocka

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)

misterc

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

mannybolone

Erma Franklin: Piece of My Heart

bassie

Wish Someone Would Care - Irma Thomas
All the King's Horses - Aretha Franklin
But Beautiful - Nina Simone

JoshD

Funkadelic - "Cosmic Slop"

Interesting choice, I guess I could see that

Otis_Funkmeyer

Electric Church - "Down The Line"

nrich

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.

Flomotion

Cymande - Brothers On The Slide

Otis_Funkmeyer

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.

DJ_NevilleC

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

BigSpliff

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

misterc

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

bassie

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_rillz

I'm torn as to whether this subgenre tag is more accurately referred to as "Guzzoesque" or "Bizzoesque"...

DJ_NevilleC

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

cheebahaze

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)

Bapt

Aahh!! Nice cover!



I got that one. A direct to disc recording.

threetwosix

Fair Child - Willie West

NiteKrawler45

guess you should probably throw in:

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

bassie

i think the definition of tragic is loosening up.

pickwick33

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???)