Time to celebrate! Once again, I'd like to thank all of you for dropping in on Fridays to have a listen.
1 - I'm Happy Just to Dance With You - The Beatles
2 - Dancing in the Street - David Bowie and Mick Jagger
I'll be posting a Bowie set next week to honor the passing of a music giant.
3 - Just Dance - Lady Gaga
4 - Dance to the Music - Sly and the Family Stone
5 - You Should Be Dancing - The BeeGees
If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
This year I've been taking a once-a-month look at specific instruments and showcasing five songs or tunes which place that instrument front and center.
This year's feature is called Spotlight On...
...and for our eighth installment, I'm transitioning from percussion to rhythm. We began the year listening to the primal body instruments of hand-clapping, whistling and vocal harmonies. Moving on, we explored percussion with April's look at drums, May's look at the vibraphone or vibes, June's look at piano, and wrapping things up with cowbell in July.
For August let's listen to one of my favorite instruments -- bass guitar.
The bass is a stringed instrument, yet its function is to anchor the groove of the music alongside the more obvious percussive sibling, the drums. Bass players often use percussion techniques such as slapping the strings, popping them (a more aggressive plucking) or thumping, as well as playing the strings as would a lead guitarist.
1 - Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey - The Beatles - 1968
This song is extra groovey, with handclaps, bell and other smaller percussion instruments shared out by The Beatles. Paul McCartney totally rocks out on bass with this track.
2 - Reach Out I'll Be There - The Four Tops -1966
The bass player on this track is the one, the only James Jamerson.
"A true session giant, Jamerson has played on over 30 number one records, laid down stone cold grooves for the biggest artists Motown, soul and funk could throw at him, and has influenced scores of bass players from all genres of music." -- Claire Davies, MusicRadar
What is a session musician? These are working musicians who are in demand for recording sessions or live performances, but who do not permanently join a particular group.
Being a session musician generally means more stability as far as residence, because there is less need to tour the country or head out internationally. The session musician builds a reputation locally and becomes the go-to instrumentalist when other acts come to town. This gives the musician the added benefit of playing in many musical styles and alongside a vast array of fellow musicians.
3 - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) - Sly and the Family Stone - 1969
I hope you've been busy groovin' to these tunes. Get ready to cut loose with the slapping funk of Larry Graham, who is credited as the originator of this technique.
4 - Come On, Come Over - Jaco Pastorius featuring Sam and Dave - 1976
This is a fairly tame, more accessible tune from a legendary bass player. He was already teaching bass at the University of Miami at the age of 22. His self-titled debut album coaxed Sam and Dave to reunite just so they could work with him. He played for Weather Report from 1976 - 81, leaving to work on a myriad of solo projects, collaborations and session work. He passed away at the young age of 35 after years of erratic behavior and deteriorating health, a direct result of mental illness.
Jaco Pastorius was loved by family and friends, and revered by his fellow musicians. His death is a simple yet sober reminder that the grip of mental illness can be stronger than the best support system, stronger than the remedies available, stronger even than the burning flame burning inside the person who lives with this type of chronic condition.
As an added bonus for this week's set, here's a far more typical example of Jaco Pastorius' groundbreaking bass playing. He was incredibly influential, pushing the bass to new levels with his lyrical style and use of harmonics.
Continuum - 1976
5 - Hysteria - Muse - 2003
Stepping away from the funkier tracks to some rock bass playing, here is Christopher Wolstenholme of Muse with a base line voted 6th best bass line of all time by MusicRadar.
For anyone who wants to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.
It's February, and time for my newest feature for 5 on Friday -- The Hit Makers.
Once a month I'm going to feature the songs that launched careers. I'll be looking at different musical styles and the groups or singers from those styles who I love the best.
This month, let's get our groove on with funk.
1 - I Got You (I Feel Good) -- James Brown -- 1965
James Brown is credited with actually starting the new genre of funk with this tune.
2 - Everyday People -- Sly and the Family Stone -- 1968
This group is much funkier than this song. Yet it was their big-selling hit which brought them to the greatest public attention.
3 - I Can't Get Next to You -- The Temptations -- 1969
Although The Temptations were already a success in the rhythm-and-blues and soul categories, this song launched them as funk artists with a change in line-up and a new producer.
4 - Move On Up -- Curtis Mayfield -- 1971
An innovative Renaissance man, Mayfield was a soundtrack composer (Super Fly,) a multi-instrumentalist and a civil rights activist.
5 - Shining Star -- Earth, Wind and Fire -- 1974
This song is the funkiest song in the set, as by 1974 the public appetite for true funk had warmed to a song like Shining Star.
Welcome, everyone, to a very special edition of 5 on Friday.
On 11 - 11 - 11, I'm celebrating both my birthday and the upcoming release of my debut novel, SAINT SANGUINUS, due to hit e-retailer virtual shelves in a matter of days.
My hoped-for release to coincide with my birthday is only slightly delayed - stay tuned to my website or here on my blog for the go-live announcement.
In the meantime, let's PARTY.
To join the stops on the Resistance is Futile Blog Tour of the Universe, click on the links below:
Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.
TIME TO PARTY!
Everyone's gathering for my sister's wedding. Far-away family and friends are arriving, nearby family and friends are running around preparing this and setting up that.
Tomorrow, after the "I do"s, a good time awaits. You can start the party now!
It's Thanksgiving here in the Great White North (referring to snow, of course, which actually fell in southern Saskatchewan this weekend. A lot of it! Yikes. We've got a gentle rain falling today here in the Maritimes. The grey sky only makes the fall colours more intense for me. They're absolutely heart-achingly beautiful. I took the picture above in my woodland garden yesterday.
Here's one taken in the side yard.
This one's looking into the woodland garden from my apartment entrance at the back of the house.
Which brings us to my Thanksgiving Poetry Monday. This is Sly and The Family Stone in all their autumn funk finery. They're a groovy fave of mine, and I particularly love this song and its sentiments. This band featured black and white musicians in the late 60's, which was almost like a racially mixed marriage. Not only that, but their drummer was white - proving white men do have rhythm, baby - and their trumpet player was a woman. Definitely not the norm. And their choice of apparel - what could be better than leopard print widelegs and matching vest? Or as you'll see in the clip, shiny fringed pants to make the bass player's gettin' down even groovier?
In my world, I cherish acceptance and tolerance above most other things. This song and this group says this with exuberant joy and gratitude.
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
Looking at the devil Grinning at his gun Fingers start shaking I begin to run Bullets start chasing I begin to stop We begin to wrestle I was on the top
I want to thank you for letting me be myself again I want to thank you for letting me be myself again
Step off'n the collar Slugged me in the face Chit chat chatter trying Shoved me in the place Thank you for the party But I could never stay Many things are on my mind The way
I want to thank you for letting me be myself again I want to thank you for letting me be myself again
Dance to the music All night long Everyday people Sing their simple song Mama's so happy Mama starts to cry Papa's still singing You can make it if you try
I want to thank you for letting me be myself again I want to thank you for letting me be myself again
- Sly Stone, 1969
And here it is, in all its trippy, funky glory. Get down. And have a glorious Thanksgiving.
Champion of the Arts - I write historical and paranormal fiction, as well as poetry. I love to showcase creative works by artists of all stripes. Blogging from Nova Scotia, Canada
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