Ruth was a songwriter-performer (the first signed to Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invictus label). While at Invictus she forged a friendship with George Clinton, which led to her doing some arranging and writing songs for Parliament's Osmium album. She must have made a very good impression, because her 2nd album (the first was kinda gothic folk) featured the entire Funkadelic crew(who at this time were almost ready to leave the alleged low pay and general craziness associated with Mr.Clinton and go on the road exclusively with Ruth), including guitar monster,Eddie Hazel.Sly Stone was impressed and she was asked to open for his tour in '71.When she started to introduce her band as Funkadelic and let them close her shows, Sly was not amused (Would you want to follow Funkadelic?). The band was let go and they headed back to George and Ruth faded from the public eye.Ruth shows her British roots on I Am What I Am with 2 Stones Covers.Here's Funkadelic backing Ruth Copeland on a nice folk-metal version of Play With Fire.
Comments (27)
Yeah...this is the stuff!
: = )
I AM WHAT I AM has been one of my all-time favorites from the beginning. I played this album for my nephew, and said, "Now this is what rock and roll is all about." I was in college and it was played on the – we called it "progressive" station, like "alternative" or "college" now. I had no idea of the Funkadelic connection, although we used to hear their first album on the progressive station. I knew a guy who had served in Nam. He said all the soldiers used to listen to The Medal a lot. I saw Ruth Copeland for the first time at the Hollywood Palace in Catonsville, the Baltimore suburb where I lived. She was so outstanding. The last time I saw her was at the Emerald Gardens, a ballroom also just outside of Baltimore. The place was packed and rocking. She was very emotional. She talked like we were saving her life. She said she had been down and out – I guess to the effect that her career was in the toilet and she was depressed. But then she got the call to book her for this show in Baltimore. She said something to the effect that she couldn't believe anyone would go to see her and they said, "They love you in Baltimore." AND WE DID! Then she said, "I'm gonna make another album and I'm gonna call it, 'They Love Me In Baltimore'!" During that show, a guy called out a request by shouting the title, "Crying Has Made Me Stronger". She said, "Oh, cryin' has made me a whole lot weaker, man." Recalling that comment and everything she said, I was really sorry and afraid for her when TAKE ME TO BALTIMORE came out. Hopes dashed! I felt that disco had taken the music to a place I couldn't go. I thought the new record company, RCA, probably pushed her to do this type of thing, but it was her only offer. It got horribly, even cruelly panned in, whichever, Stereo Review or Hi Fidelity, with no comment on her earlier work. (I'd give it another listen now, but I need a turntable. Imagine. Approximately 9,000 records and no working turntable!) My heart sank. Anyway, it has been excellent hearing these tunes and reading the admiring comments of other Ruth Copeland fans. I'll comment on that Gimme Shelter video too. My heart really beats fast and hard listening to these songs again. Every time. It never becomes routine. By the way, Un Bel Di (One Fine Day) apparently was left off of that SELF PORTRAIT/I AM WHAT I AM combined reissue and the Invictus sessions. Fie!
Brilliant update Spike 1. Thanks so much for all that info..
Glad to share. This is my first post. I joined more or less to share this. I hope to participate more now that I have made the plunge. There is so much music of so many kinds.
We need more good folks..look forward to your shares..or commernts
Wow. Interesting thread. I just re-discovered Copeland today while burning up my Pepsi points downloading free MP3s. I searched for her because I hadn't heard Gimme Shelter in ages and was dying to hear it. Was thrilled to find a video/audio clip on YouTube. I have the original LP I am What I am. I was stunned to read here about the Baltimore connection (still not sure what it is exactly).... if I'd known she was playing around here (I grew up north of Baltimore in the suburbs) I'd have been there (depending on my age I guess). I first heard her on one of the LP stations around here, taped it and played it alot. Then I eventually bought the album. AND, I never had a clue about the Parliment/Funkadelic connection... even though I was a DJ in the 70s and 80s. From everything I've read she just kind of disappeared. Ruth!!! Come back!!! We, or at least I after listening to Gimme Shelter, miss you.
Good to see you Jimh..man, I can't believe the number of folks who checked MOG just for Ruth..Hope you stick around.
Hi - I forgot to add I discovered the group via Google while I was searching for her. I''ll hang around, no prob.