Funkymonk

!st Soul Album and First bit of Vinyl I bought was Stevie Wonders "Characters" and the First Funk Album I bought was Parliment Funkadelics "The Motor Booty Affair"

Burning Down

Trying to get to 15 posts?

ribbons

First soul album was (I think) Marvin ***e's I Want You. I'd heard the title track on the radio and liked it - and I also was intrigued by the cover art by Ernie Barnes which I'd seen featured on the "Good Times" tv show.

Same here! Wiggles the Worm! I bought that one after I'd read about it in a Robert Christgau review.

VEGANGELICA

Liz, I was intrigued about what intrigued you about the cover art, so I looked it up while listening to "I want you" (which I have actually heard before! Phew!):



Wikipedia says Ernie Barnes had this to say about his painting: I felt his perspective is interesting: he felt that "African-Americans utilize rhythm as a way of resolving physical tension." I'd say that this is true of everyone and is also true of music--it lets you get out or resolve tension.

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ribbons

Thanks for highlighting that, Erica - I agree that it's true of everyone, rhythm and music being a means of releasing tension. I like the fluidity of movement depicted in Barnes's portraits (no surprise there, since he was an athlete) with the exaggerated length of limbs. It seems fitting that a Barnes painting would be chosen as the cover of a Marvin ***e album, since Marvin's voice had a similar supple, soaring quality. Another interesting comment by Barnes was that he painted his characters with their eyes closed "because of our blindness to one another's humanity":

VEGANGELICA

That's a beautiful interview with Ernie Barnes, Liz! I like the whole quote after the interesting one you mention about why he painted subjects with eyes closed:

Ernie Barnes:
"We fail to see the gifts and the strengths that people might possess, but we're very quick to tell them what they can't do. It is very easy for us to find fault and to slam a person who is sincerely trying to make an effort, to achieve, to strive for self-improvement, one of the deepest and most distinctive human impulses."

This quote makes me think of how music critiques can often be so harsh, and sometimes cruel. I like your critique of Marvin Gaye's voice, which you said has a "supple, soaring" quality. His voice sounds very smoooooooth to me. His music reminds me of the "Love Boat" theme song! I'm afraid that's the only soul-type song I ever heard regularly when I was younger:

"Love Boat" theme song (in lieu of actual soul and funk albums, since I've never bought any!):



Liz, did you take regular weekly journeys on the Love Boat when you were a kid, too?

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ribbons

Yes, Erica, I was a faithful viewer of The Love Boat! Funny, my favorite aunt/godmother loves Jack Jones (singer of The Love Boat theme) both as a vocalist and her type of heartthrob. She has scores of his records, and since I'm especially close to her, I grew up hearing his music a lot.

VEGANGELICA

"Exciting and new!" I don't think I've ever heard any other songs by Jack Jones besides the Love Boat theme. He sounds like a crooner!

My family never listened to much popular music--no soul, no funk, no jazz--when I was growing up, so I have no fond memories of relatives' musician heartthrobs! It's hard to have a crush on Bach, although one might adore his brain.

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ribbons

Oh c'mon, Erica, you know Bach is über-hot! He can play my organ anytime.

debaserr

first soul: marvin ***e's what's goin on.

first funk: a certain ratio's i'd like to see you again.

however, i am fairly new to both genres.

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