Thin White Funk
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I'm keyed up, and not just because it's Funky Friday - although that should be enough of a reason. I'm going to my first Bootie event in Los Angeles tomorrow night. (Members of the San Francisco crew that launched Bootie - usually DJs Adrian and the Mysterious D - host and spin tracks at the monthly editions of the mash-up party held in L.A. and New York City, not to mention the occasional overseas version, so I'll be seeing some of my Bay Area pals at their Echoplex gig off Sunset this Saturday.)
Even though the walking boot/soft cast on my leg suggests that I won't be dancing for a while, I'm always ready to hear some mashed-up beats on a kick-ass sound system - and Smash-Up Derby, the glitzy S.F. band that plays nothing but mash-ups - is also gonna be rockin' it live at Bootie L.A. this weekend.
Speaking of a mix of styles, flamboyant British rocker David Bowie pulled a switch in 1975 when he removed the garish make-up and dumped the androgynous personas Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane and the grandiose glam-rock that first brought him fame. He surprised his fans by going for a more urbane look, and began to dabble in funk and soul with his Young Americans album. He then re-emerged with a blend of funk and electronica on his 1976 collection Station to Station, adopting the guise of the Thin White Duke - an elegant, mood-swinging dandy in tailored suits who was clearly influenced by the space-age lounge lizard facade of Roxy Music leader Bryan Ferry. Bowie would even go as far as collaborating with Ferry's former band-mate and techno-mage Brian Eno on subsequent records, including the exquisite one-two pop-in-the-cortex of Low and Heroes.
But Station to Station was pretty damned cool for starters. And one of the funkiest and most enduring tracks in Bowie's discography is located there. "Golden Years" has a disco back-beat like Hot Chocolate's "You Sexy Thing," a snatch of harmonica that recalls the playing of War's Lee Oskar, "chika-chika" guitar licks, finger-snaps, hand-claps, whistling, and a little doo-wop flava on the chorus. Just the thing for a Funky Friday - not to mention a tasty hors d'œuvre to prep me for Saturday night at Bootie.
Turn on the MOG Player - and you'll be golden.
Comments (20)
"...opening doors and pulling some strings..." ,eh?
well, keep that leg in a safe place.
I've mentioned before that one of my favorite concert experiences was watchiing all the glam-adorned faithfull at the intermission of the David Live! tour. They had no idea what to make of it, I really felt a bit sorry for them...they missed their "Golden Years"! cheers Mikey...
Still golden after all these years (unlike Ziggy Stardust which I don't know if I can ever hear again). Nice Friday tunage MtK, Cheers!
you have yourself a good time and report back all the funkiness you see and hear
Station to Station is definitely underrated. Thanks for the pseudo Fasco funk! I always list the Eno/Bowie era as my favorite, but I forget how good (if short) S to S is. Thanks!
scotfree: Yes, indeed. Sometimes the audience is the show.
goodmusiconly: Same to you, Erin!
Rawk: I shall do so if the logistics don't stop me. Torrential rains in the L.A. area this weekend (no lie) may wash out some of the fun for a guy on crutches. For instance, it was pretty treacherous on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City tonight. It was more like the Ventura River. Hydroplaning? More like boating.
c.b.w.: De nada! Always liked S2S a lot. And it holds up well today, with "Golden Years," "TVC15," and "Wild Is the Wind" among the prime cuts.
Bowie has re-invented himself more times than Madonna, a duet is needed I think, although there would be a big fight at the 'Dressing-Up Box' (Now that would make a good video; Madonna to win 1/2 on)
Catfight!!! Me-owww!
One of David's best. Get thee to YouTube and dig him doing this on Soul Train.
Considered embedding that video, Jonh, but decided to stick with the unvarnished studio track. Kool klip, though.
I thought for sure this was going to be a Bowie mash up since you were talking about Bootie! My intro to Bowie was his previous album 'Young Americans' which I loved. Being a young teenager myself I didn't stick w/Bowie long enough for this album since I was discovering lots of different bands at the time. It wasn't until years later that I checked out S2S.
It was funny because I recall bringing 'Young Americans' lp over to my cousins house to have him listen to it & when he saw the cover he said 'He looks like a girl!' I hadn't really thought about it but couldn't disagree w/him. It really surprised me since I hadn't thought about it but then again I was already used to the glam/androgynous look from being a huge Elton John fan. I was pretty progressive even back then in bumfuck Portland, OR!
August: As it happens, I do have a Bowie mash-up in the wings, and I'm gonna have to get it out there in the next few days.
Bring it!
Isn't the 'Young Americans' album already a mashup?? :-D
August: Watch this page - that is, my page.
Jonh: D'accord!
Sorry I missed this one til now.
I'm a big Bowie fan- though this isn't my favorite period of his (perhaps a little too slick in the production for my taste). Still, a very good tune, undeniably.
I got to meet one of the Simms Bros., who backed him as his horn section during the Modern Love daze. The bros. hung out with him on the tour in Germany- though I was told by Mr. Simms (George, I think it was) that he wondered if Bowie kept him around because he didn't speak German well and George did!
btw- the Simms Bros. Band used to play some real kick-ass covers! In fact, I still contend they played Steely Dan better than Steely Dan live. And I wouldn't have thought it possible but I saw- and heard- it myself.
Cool anecdotage, Fasted. I'm a Steely Daniac, so I do believe that the Simms Bros. would be worth a hearing.
Couple of links for you- but be warned: lots of name dropping here.
These guys have played with almost everybody.
http://www.simmsbrothersband.com/news.html
http://www.simmsbrothersband.com/
Thanks! Will check 'em out.
I would dance in the street to this white boy funk. Ta for the listen.
My ongoing pleasure.