WHERE MUSIC LISTENS TO YOU

SUTC:Funkadelic Covers The Sonics

Posted about 1 year ago
No,no..not those Sonics. No proto-grunge here. Just over a week ago I posted the title tune from this 1973 P-Funk record for Metal Wednesday and now I'm back with this proto-power ballad restyling (check the excellent rap interlude) of a 1959 New York doo wop record, licensed to Chess/Checker from the tiny Harvard label. The original was written by lead vocalist of the "original" Sonics, William Franklin.So what's the big deal?A)I hadn't heard the original 'til this week when I purchased The Chess Rhythm and Roll Box Set.2)I never knew the Funkadelic tune was a cover.and, most importantlyC)This is the only cover song to appear on any Parliament or Funkadelic album.For you, probably no biggie, but for me, priding myself on knowing just about everything about P-Funk, a big Wow, and no small amount of shame and guilt.Please see the original in comments..OK, back to my matzoh..good yuntuf, on this 2nd night of Pesach (Passover).

Comments (16)

  1. Cody B says The Sonics - This Broken Heart ..............
    Permalink posted 04/20/2008
  2. runobodyii says Encouraging that even a gown like you still has new things to learn. Digging these Sonics.
    Permalink posted 04/20/2008
  3. ivylander says Don't you love it when a new door opens up like this? I wish it happened more often. I'm with RU - much as I dig the P-Funk, the Sonics track is so heartfelt and just superb....
    Permalink posted 04/20/2008
  4. Cody B says Thanks folks..I tried to find out more about Mr.Franklin and The Sonics, but there was little or nothing to be found. Maybe George knew him from his Jersey days..
    Permalink posted 04/20/2008
  5. Scotch says It's always good to know the giants upon which your heroes stand. L'Chaim! I don't know if that's appropriate for Passover, but it's the best I can do.
    Permalink posted 04/20/2008
  6. Cody B says Thanks scotch..that does just fine, all the best. run and ivy-yeah, the sonics tune is pretty cool. I still can't find a lick of info 'bout the Sonics or Harvard records, except that Mr.Franklin was from Hackensack,NJ, which may lend some creedence to my theories about him crossing paths with George Clinton back in the day..but that's all I can find. As for the P-Funk version, I just think they were paying twisted trubute to their doo wop roots à la Frank Zappa. Even the earliest straight ahead Doo wops from the Parliaments in '58 were a little tweaked, but not like this.
    Permalink posted 04/20/2008
  7. Mike the Knife says Great comparison between Clinton, Inc. and Mr. Zappa, C.B. Roots is roots. And that's one sanctified ballad! Elijah will surely raise his cup to this one...
    Permalink posted 04/20/2008
  8. indiepixie says thanks scotch....went to my first passover dinner as an honorary jew last night. great time. this is funkadelic indeed :)
    Permalink posted 04/20/2008
  9. Cody B says Mr.Knife- I've only just begun to scratch the surface on Chess..they put out a lot of nice records, and not only the blues either. Ms.Pixie- I only married into the tribe, so I've have a few sadorum under my belt. My six year old son knows more Hebrew and Yiddish than I do. Glad you enjoyed the tradition!
    Permalink posted 04/20/2008
  10. timm says Nice post, Cody. I had no idea
    Permalink posted 04/21/2008
  11. extraordinarypoems says

    I really enjoyed this.  You always have the best selections.

    Permalink posted 04/05/2009
  12. Cody B says

    So kind of you to say exp...and thank you so much for taking the time to drop by and represent that you did.

    Permalink posted 04/06/2009
  13. P-Shark says

    Thanks, never heard the original vers. before. That Funkadelic track is actually an edited version the was to be released on a US Music with Funkadelic album. Now for the first time that longer vers is released on a US Music with Funkadelic cd or if you prefer, lp. Heres the link> 

    http://www.thefunkstore.com/PFunkCDs/JustTheFacts/PFCD09_UsMusicFunkadelic_CD.htm 

    Permalink posted 04/16/2009
  14. Cody B says

    great info Shark...there just ain't enuf P in the world.

    Permalink posted 04/17/2009
  15. P-Shark says

    Agreed Cody.

    The U.S Music lp can be found in dustygroove. Just wish it was longer.

    Permalink posted 04/17/2009
  16. Cody B says

    I had some of the tracks from previous reissues and the Funkadelic singles collection, but I will pick it up for sure.

    Permalink posted 04/17/2009

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