Tags
Average White Band, Funk, Hamish Stuart, James Brown, Music, Pick Up The Pieces, Rick James, Roger Ball
I have always loved funk. But the other day, I asked myself: what exactly is it? Oh the joys of Wikipedia. Immediately I discovered that African-American jazz musicians originally applied the term to music with a slow, mellow groove. Then it evolved to a rather hard-driving, insistent rhythm, implying a more carnal quality.
Yes. Funky music is sexy. We all know that. But what I didn’t realize is that “funk” as in an… ehhm… earthy odor is the referent here. So funk is the musical equivalent of a wine with gym-shoe aromas, a stinky Époisses, or a the Long-Suffering Husband after a strenuous workout in a nylon shirt. But funk music is a more easily acquired taste than these.
In early jam sessions, musicians would encourage one another to “get down” by saying, “Now, put some stank on it!”. As late as the 1950s and early 1960s, when “funk” and “funky” were used increasingly in the context of jazz music, the terms still were considered indelicate and inappropriate for use in polite company.
I am fond of James Brown, George Clinton, and the various forms of disco-funk, but the funk songs that I like the best are the ones with a strong jazz influence, and a horn section (heh, heh). As it happens, this is sometimes funk played by White Guys. In fact, one of the best funk songs of all time is by the Average White Band, a group originally from Dundee, Scotland (which in its various iterations has included Black Guys). And I must say, looking at the photos from their glory days, that they were collectively a delicious-looking herd of manly Menschen. But I have a weakness for Seventies Men.
Click for source (last.fm.music)
Luckily I don’t have to choose among such immortal hits as James Brown’s Sex Machine, Rick James’ Superfreak, Parliament’s Flashlight, and AWB’s “Pick Up The Pieces.” But “Pick Up The Pieces” is the song I’ve got on my exercise playlist. It’s an indispensable entry in my musical pantheon.
Check out sexy Hamish Stuart in his full kilted glory in this Youtube video (Celtic funkiness–I love it!):
And take a trip back to 1977 with this version live at the Montreux. Hamish sings, and an extremely hot Roger Ball plays tenor sax:
Linnet Moss 
The more I read it, the more I love your blog. Great subject. Pick Up The Pieces is one of those that I have to stop and listen to when it comes on the radio. James Brown’s Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag is another one. Funk of the 70’s is creeping back (or re-birthing into new genres) into today’s music, which is just fine by me.
Some of my personal favorites includes Rufus’ (Chaka Khan) Tell Me Something Good, which is just about the sexiest that funk gets. And there’s Kool & The Gangs’ Jungle Boogie, Ohio Player’s Love Roller Coaster, & Stevie Wonder’s Higher Ground, just to name a few more.
Funk truly is the sexier love child of Jazz, which is already a sex-related term in itself – a naughty slang derivative of “think on what it “sounds” like, and you’ll get it.” Its use was (is) perhaps a joke on the western world, brought through to the US via various African, South American & their adjacent Island cultures, as they meandered (or were forced) through the port of New Orleans. The above random trivia is courtesy of a must see film, “Jazz”, by Ken Burns. 🙂
Thanks! You mentioned some gems there. One of my favorite things in the world is James Brown dancing. I remember when “Love Roller Coaster” came out. I must have been in grade school still, but I thought it was the greatest song I ever heard. We little girls used to dance “the bump” to that. Of course the boys wouldn’t dance:) I didn’t mention Wild Cherry but referenced them in my title. Maybe it was around that time that “Play That Funky Music White Boy” came out. Another one that I bought the single of and played until it drove my Mom crazy… BTW, I really enjoyed the Ken Burns film.
I too was in grade school. I too did the bump. And I almost mentioned Wild Cherry, which still maintains as a timeless party favorite. The music of youth manages to bring back so many memories.
I’ve always loved funk too! Thanks for bringing me back. Cheers!!
I raise my glass to you! Happy listening.
How wrong is it that my husband’s ring tone for me is Superfreak? (FYI, I am in my late 40’s. :-))
Not wrong at all, Very Kinky Girl! I think it’s a compliment!
I so thought it was gonna be about Crocodile Dundee! 😉
I love that movie! And the music from it too, but I don’t remember it being particularly funky…
It wasn’t funky. haha.
Great link! I remember when this song came out. I had a chance to see them in concert but didn’t!
Thanks. Cheers.