From: owner-grand-funk To: grand-funk-digest Subject: grand-funk V1 #4 Reply-To: Errors-To: owner-grand-funk Precedence: bulk grand-funk Monday, 10 February 1997 Volume 01 : Number 004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Phil Catalano Date: Sat, 8 Feb 1997 13:32:56 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: American Band It would be very interesting to hear a GFR tribute album. But I just don't think anyone else can put the soul and feeling into the songs like our boys do. But, it would be interesting! Phil Out of the night the thunder rang in my ear... - --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--= Phil Catalano phil.catalano@mci.com - --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--= On Sat, 8 Feb 1997, NH Borger wrote: > Jim E-mailed me about the We're An American Band question: > > Mark Farner wrote the chords as well as the drum intro and the "whoooo > > whoooo" at the end of the song. He didn't ask for song writting credits > > though. He told me this personally over dinner one evening. > > > a concert pause someone stepped up to me and said: Your solo sounded a > bit > > like GFR ... > It was the Nothing is the same intro melody that did it. I was played > around it. > > To all: What is your opinion about a GFR Tribute album? > > Nico. > > > ------------------------------ From: "NH Borger" Date: Sat, 8 Feb 1997 22:39:57 +0100 Subject: Stupid dream. I don't know about you guys, but I've been haunted by this dream comming back to me over and over the last 20 years now. The dream is something like this. I find a new GFR record in the record store. I buy it in a hurry, trying to find a record player to play it. No record player to find. I don't want to wake up, because then I know the record will be gone. I always wake up without that new GFR record. Maybe in '97 I'll wake up with the new GFR CD in my hands. ------------------------------ From: "William A. Parrette" Date: Sat, 8 Feb 1997 16:47:20 -0500 (EST) Subject: And who was that ... Hi all, As always, it's great to talk funk with you folks. I saw the posts about the '96 tour and a question came to mind. I think we all know that Rick Farner -- Mark's brother -- was standing back in the shadows playing rhythm guitar. At least that is who I was told it was. But who was on keyboards? It was an interesting thing to see: Neither of these two mu- sicians were introduced at the Traverse City show and Rick stayed in the background while the other fellow was right out front with Mark, Don, and Mel. Are Rick and this other fellow permanent members of the band? Just call me curious today and then may you grok in fullness ... Bill-- ...who would give his right arm to be ambidextrous. (42) o o o o +--------------------------+--------------------------+ _____ ---- o ----+ |William A. (Bill) Parrette|7177 Heritage Drive | ]OO|_n_n__][. | |wap@one.net |Westchester, OH 45069-4012| _|__|________)< | | *** http://w3.one.net/~wap/ *** | oo OOOO-| oo\\ | +------------------- 513-779-0780 --------------------+------------------+ ------------------------------ From: "William A. Parrette" Date: Sat, 8 Feb 1997 17:07:48 -0500 (EST) Subject: And, what do *you* think? Hi all again, Well, I think that I *finally* got my Inside Looking Out lyrics correct! I never was sure about that line containing "... God's green Earth ..." But, I'm sure I have it now. Many thanks to IMTurtle2@aol.com for his help! I was also thinking about another song recently. Does anyone else think that one of the best songs -- from a musical perspec- tive -- is Flight of the Phoenix? I still remember learning and playing along with that song when the Phoenix album came out. I have always been a heavy-handed drummer anyway, but I would al- most literally beat "the crap" out of my drums on that one. It really got to me ... got into my soul. And, Kershaw's fiddle added an interesting -- albiet quiet a bit different -- kind of spice to the classic Grand Funk Rock 'N Roll Soul. Speaking, in a sort of side-ways manner, of the hit song off of that album, Rock 'N Roll Soul wasn't anywhere near my favorite at first. But, over the years, it has become one of my favorite tunes to play along with. Anyway, just thought I would see what you folks thought. As always, may you grok in fullness ... Bill-- ...who says "If you can change your thoughts you can change the world." ///// (42?) +--------------------------+--------------------------+--- [ o o ] / ----+ |William A. (Bill) Parrette|7177 Heritage Drive | \_=_/ | |wap@one.net |Westchester, OH 45069-4012| _| |_ | | *** http://w3.one.net/~wap/ *** | / \_/ \ | +------------------- 513-779-0780 --------------------+--oOOO---OOOo-----+ ------------------------------ From: einar@rfci.net Date: Sun, 09 Feb 1997 05:17:41 -0500 Subject: Re: And, what do *you* think? Bill said: > I was also thinking about another song recently. Does anyone > else think that one of the best songs -- from a musical perspec- > tive -- is Flight of the Phoenix? This may be unpopular for me so say but.... I have never cared for Phoenix or Survival. If they were not GFR albums I would have trashed them decades ago. To this day I cringe when I hear Rock n Roll Soul. What a poor choice for a concert tune with so many great songs sitting on the shelf. I won't even begin to name the tunes I felt would be much better in concert. The list would jam the Internet. And for the record.........my favorite song musically is 'Big Buns'. JFunk ------------------------------ From: einar@rfci.net Date: Sun, 09 Feb 1997 05:20:48 -0500 Subject: Re: American Band > To all: What is your opinion about a GFR Tribute album? > > Nico. I'm too much of a hard core fan to want to hear anybody else play the Funk. I'd rather they just do their own tribute! JFunk ------------------------------ From: DrBlut@aol.com Date: Sun, 9 Feb 1997 14:12:40 -0500 (EST) Subject: GFR Hello everyone, how's it going? This is Jim Kohler from Nashville, Tennessee. I subscribed to the GFR mailing list last week, and along with everyone else I'm ecstatic about the reunion and possible new music from my favorite band, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD!! I've been into Grand Funk Railroad since I was 14 in the eigth grade, and my very first album purchase was 'Live Album'. Up until that point, I wasn't into music at all, but one day, and I don't remember why, I told my older sister that I was in need of some really loud, rock music, and she immediately took me to her favorite local record store, picked up GFR's 'Live Album', and said "here, if you're looking for something to really rock out to, this is what I recommend!" I bought it, took it home, and spent the next week listening to it over and over and over again. I'll never forget that week and the excitement of hearing 'Live Album'. I drove my entire family cra zy that week listening to it! As soon as I had the money I went back and purchased 'On Time', 'Grand Funk Railroad' and 'Closer to Home', and that's pretty much all I listened to for the remainder of that year. From that point on, I purchased each new GFR release on the day of release, and with each new release I loved the band even more! My heart aches when I think that I never saw the band play live, but now with the reunion, I hope that my heartache will soon go away! I was fortunate to see Mark Farner in 1988 when he co-headlined "One For The Sun" here in Nashville, which was an annual event held here for some time. He was touring in support of the 'Just Another Justice' album, but 3/4's of the songs he played were GFR songs. He was magnificent, but still I longed for Don and Mel!! Anyway, I just thought I'd introduce myself to the group, and I'd like to say thanks to Bill for his hard work in hosting the mailing list, and for his great GFR website! Also, thanks to Jeff C. for his great website and for starting the electronic petition for the release of "All The Girls In The World Beware!!!", and to Donna W. for her great GFR website. I'd been searching for info on GFR for some time now with no success, and now the search is over!! Thanks, Jim Kohler. ------------------------------ From: "NH Borger" Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 19:28:31 +0100 Subject: Press Release Kit. Jeff, I read your new Press Release Kit. Does it mean that the release of All The Gilrls In The World Beware is for sure now? Nico. ------------------------------ From: "William A. Parrette" Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 17:55:46 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: American Band Hi all, I have been trying to catch up on my mail and have fallen way behind. Belonging to five different mailing lists can generate up to 100 new messages a day -- quite a bit to wade through. :-) Anyway, on Sat, 8 Feb 1997, NH Borger wrote: > ... > To all: What is your opinion about a GFR Tribute album? Hmmmm. This seems to be a popular idea! Jay Siekierski -- another member of this list -- approached me with the same idea early last year. I'll have to admit that, as a musician (okay, okay ... ex-musician), the idea really appeals to me. But, as a traveling contract trainer, finding the time would be another is- sue. Then there's the problem of finding two or three other musi- cian-folks who would also like Grand Funk here in the great-re- pressed-mid-west. Cincinnati doesn't seem to be the hot-bed of Grand Funk fandom -- I *think* I'm the only one. :-) Actually -- even though it wouldn't be quite "the same thing" to the hard-core Funk-fan, I think ideas *like* this have some merit for getting "the word" out. I've considered calling or writing the program director at the local classic-rock radio sta- tion again (I did this several years ago) and trying to convince them to have a Grand Funk day or weekend. Maybe, I could get the mayor of Cincinnati to proclaim a Grand Funk day and have her present "our boys" with the key to the city! Yeah, that's the ticket, that would get the word out! Right -- in my dreams. ;-) But seriously, there has to be some way to get the band some of its audience back. There must be some way that we can help in the marketing of the band and help them regain prominence in the rock world. Maybe that tribute album ain't all that bad an idea? Take care and may you always grok in fullness ... Bill-- ...who heard that armadillo means to provide weapons to a Spanish pickle. __ _-==-=_,-. +--------------------------+------------------------- /--`' \_O-O.--< ---+ |William A. (Bill) Parrette|7177 Heritage Drive `--'\ \ <___/. | |wap@one.net |Westchester, OH 45069-4012| \ \\ " / | | *** http://w3.one.net/~wap/ *** | >=\\_/`< 42?| +------------------- 513-779-0780 --------------------+--- /= | \_/|----+ _/=== \___/ ------------------------------ From: "William A. Parrette" Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 18:03:36 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: And who was that ... Hi all, On Sat, 8 Feb 1997, *I* wrote: > ... > I think we all know that Rick Farner -- Mark's brother -- was > standing back in the shadows playing rhythm guitar. At least > that is who I was told it was. But who was on keyboards? ... Okay, someone wrote to me in private e-mail (which I think would be in incredibly bad taste to quote on a public list) that the keyboard player was Howard. Does anyone know any more about Howard? Who is he? Where did he come from? Will he be around this Spring? Again, call me curious today. But, as always, may you grok in fullness ... Bill-- ...who had Mole problems and called Avogardo at 6.02 x 10^23. /^--^\ (42?) +--------------------------+--------------------------+-- \____/ /-----+ |William A. (Bill) Parrette|7177 Heritage Drive | / \ | |wap@one.net |Westchester, OH 45069-4012| | | | | *** http://w3.one.net/~wap/ *** | \__/ /_/ | +------------------- 513-779-0780 --------------------+------\ \---------+ / / \/ ------------------------------ From: "William A. Parrette" Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 18:30:59 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: And, what do *you* think? Hi all, I think that I'm trying to set a new land speed record for replies in one day. Maybe I should contact the Guiness folks? ;-) Anyway, on Sun, 9 Feb 1997 einar@rfci.net wrote: > Bill said: > > I was also thinking about another song recently. Does anyone > > else think that one of the best songs -- from a musical perspec- > > tive -- is Flight of the Phoenix? > > This may be unpopular for me so say but.... I have never cared for > Phoenix or Survival ... I understand what you're saying here Jeff. I thought that the production quality on Survival was so *different* from any previ- ous Grand Funk effort that I didn't really listen to much of any- thing on the album. I was in a band or two that would cover their rendition of Gimmie' Shelter, but that's about it. But, when I went to transcribe the lyrics for this one (I have one theory at the chorus of I Want Freedom; any other guesses out there?), for some really weird reason, I gained a new apprecia- tion for this album. I don't really want to get the reputation as the "lyric guy" (what's that? oh, too late, huh? oh well ...), but kind of like Paranoid, Winter And My Soul, and, later, People Let's Stop The War, and Lonliness, Mark was really trying to say something with those Survival lyrics. Now, on Phoenix, I'm on the fence and sort of leaning your way a bit. Flight Of The Phoenix was the only song I *really* liked for the longest time -- a real (excuse my "French") ass-kicker. As for Rock 'N Roll Soul, there are some *very* interesting drum techniques in there. And, as a drummer myself, I gained a real appreciation for the techniques. In fact, I was severely disap- pointed at the Caught In The Act version because they didn't use the original intro! You know, though, it's just one of those "party-on" songs like Footstompin' Music and We're An American Band. It just has a similar kind of feeling to me. Oh well, just my opinion ... > ... > What a poor choice for a concert tune with so many great songs sitting > on the shelf. I won't even begin to name the tunes I felt would be much > better in concert ... Well, true. There are *so* many songs that are classics that, as one poster said here recently, they really should play the songs form all of the albums in order track by track. And that doesn't even begin to include the songs that are *actually* "sit- ting on the shelf," or more accurately, on tape somewhere that just didn't get released. So many great songs ... so little time! > ... > And for the record.........my favorite song musically is 'Big Buns' ... Hmmmm. Interesting! I'm going to go back and give it a relisten when I get back home (I'm teaching a UNIX class at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD right now), and try to get your perspective. Again, great chatting Funk with you all. Take care and may you always grok in fullness ... Bill-- ...who heard conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good. +--------------------------+--------------------------+------------------+ |William A. (Bill) Parrette|7177 Heritage Drive | (42?) | |wap@one.net |Westchester, OH 45069-4012| -\\|//- / | | *** http://w3.one.net/~wap/ *** | o o | +------------------- 513-779-0780 --------------------+-uuu--U--uuu------+ ------------------------------ From: "William A. Parrette" Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 19:22:27 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: American Band (fwd) Hi all, Jay Siekierski sent this to me and said that it was okay if I shared it with the list: > ... spoke with mca records > today no release set for GOOD SINGIN'... > CAPITOL STILL HAS EVERTYTHING ON HOLD FOR AT LEAST 6 months. > the 4 next set as i was told were PHOENIX, SURVIVAL, LIVE ALBUM & SHINING ON. > This next line is what i know from being around the biz...A LABEL NEEDS AT > LEAST 5,ooo guaranteed units sold (they must be able to sell that many or > its a lose) if they plan to reissue something, jeff's petition is a great > idea but it should not be limited to one album, but the entire CATALOG. > HE's gonna need alot of names for it to be effective! But the cause is > good! So you heard it here folks! Get those funk-friend and funk- neighbors, get those funk-mothers and funk-fathers, get those brothers and sisters *everywhere* to surf over to Jeff's or my sites and *add their name to the petition list*! Keep Shinin' On, keep playing that Footstompin' Music, and al- ways grok in fullness ... Bill-- ...who asks if molecular biologists wear designer genes? (42) \ o o o /\ o o +--------------------------+--------------------------+---- >={)'> \ -+ |William A. (Bill) Parrette|7177 Heritage Drive | \ \/ /\ o| |wap@one.net |Westchester, OH 45069-4012| /\ o / >={)'> | | *** http://w3.one.net/~wap/ *** | >={)'> \/ | +------------------- 513-779-0780 --------------------+-- \/ ---- / --+ / ------------------------------ From: "William A. Parrette" Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 19:30:13 -0500 (EST) Subject: Was it real or was it Memorex? Hi all, I'd better make this the last post to the list tonight before NASA security comes in and forcefully removes my butt from the classroom. But, as I was sitting here thinking about the Funk, another question came to mind. Many of you have seen one of the mini-reunion shows this past summer. I guess I'm asking for opinions here because I'm really not sure. I was so surprised to hear Inside Looking Out that I *want* to believe that it was done "right." But, does anyone else out there think that Mark mumbled through some of the words or, perhaps, just left some of them out? I'm sure that we all agree that the subject matter just can't sit well with Mark's Christian orientation. But, as I watched Mark sing the song -- I was in the fifth row and I watched close- ly -- I just don't think he sang the original lyrics. Any opinions? This one is going to take some real grokking ... Bill-- ...who thinks that people are only trying to make him look paranoid. +--------------------------+--------------------------+-- =''' ----------+ |William A. (Bill) Parrette|7177 Heritage Drive | c oo (42?) | |wap@one.net |Westchester, OH 45069-4012| | \ / | | *** http://w3.one.net/~wap/ *** | - | +------------------- 513-779-0780 --------------------+------------------+ ------------------------------ From: einar@rfci.net Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 20:13:57 -0500 Subject: [Fwd: Re: Was it real or was it Memorex?] This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - --------------313726457054 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Sorry, I meant this to go to the group? ;( - --------------313726457054 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Message-ID: <32FFC531.147E@rfci.net> Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 20:02:41 -0500 From: einar@rfci.net Reply-To: einar@rfci.net X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.01 (Win95; I) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: "William A. Parrette" Subject: Re: Was it real or was it Memorex? References: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit William A. Parrette wrote: > I'm sure that we all agree that the subject matter just can't > sit well with Mark's Christian orientation. But, as I watched > Mark sing the song -- I was in the fifth row and I watched close- > ly -- I just don't think he sang the original lyrics. Hey Mr. Lyrics, I am cool with the lyrics thing but I'm a Funker because I get off on the tunes more than the message. But I do also enjoy the message, just not as much as the sound. I wouldn't care if Farner hummed Inside Looking Out as long as he played it. I, like you was surprised it was on the playlist as well as TNUC and American Band. I think Farner is not a fuddy duddy type Christian. After all he plays the bars, jails etc. As you suspect Big Bill, he probably mumbled his ass off. But alas, I was not there to bump beer glasses with you! :( I hope you are not charging per post. That must be why only about three people even post anything. Come on guys, get with it. Let's here some stories. C'mon Elton, you are welcome here! The note from Jayfunk was not encouraging.... We must be realistic and not count on 5,000 names. We have 26 so far. But many people are not just asking for ATGITWB but others as well, so that aspect is covered. On the bright side.... there is a Canadian public TV producer working on a GFR profile and a web based music magazine. I know this because we have been in discussions for months on the matter. I should know more by March so please don't email me asking a bunch of questions. I love email from fellow fans but I can not, will not discuss this matter further at this time. There is also a slim possibility that GFR might play the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz Ca. this spring. Again, I will let you know more when I do so please don't email me about it. Don't misunderstand me, I love the email and try to answer them all. But it gets old sending 15 emails to guys telling them 'I don't know'. I will always post what I know within 24 hrs. After I get permission to do so. You guys are truly my ' Funky brothers and sisters' and as Phil and I have discussed, we must bust a keg and crank up the Funk sometime together. I think it would be a night I would never forget. JFunk - --------------313726457054-- ------------------------------ From: Randy Stowe Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 21:32:33 -0600 Subject: Re: Phoenix & Survival Concerning the Phoenix and Survival LP's, I think they were both strong albums. Grand Funk has always been as much about questioning social awareness as just rocking out. There is plenty of good jamming on both of these albums. "I Want Freedom" is just as relevant today as it was back then. Just ask any smoker! Cordially, Randy Stowe ------------------------------ From: thesonics@earthlink.net (Jay Siekierski) Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 20:09:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: survival survival is my fave of the two, phoenix a bit to country for me i guess the fiddle i never cared for the mix but survival was a killer lp all the way around mix etc... The Sonics The All Music Related Site! Music Editor: Jay 'Sonics' Siekierski http://home.earthlink.net/~thesonics/ E Mail thesonics@earthlink.net Phone & Fax:1-415-775-9912 Jay Siekierski 444 Larkin St. #22 S.F. CA. 94102 U.S. of A. Something To Think On? "Make Somebody Happy" Carlos Santana '92 "All You Got To Do Is Let That Sun Come Shining Through And Give Yourself Some Positive Vibrations" Alvin Lee '74 ------------------------------ From: thesonics@earthlink.net (Jay Siekierski) Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 20:16:03 -0800 (PST) Subject: survival The Sonics The All Music Related Site! Music Editor: Jay 'Sonics' Siekierski http://home.earthlink.net/~thesonics/ E Mail thesonics@earthlink.net Phone & Fax:1-415-775-9912 Jay Siekierski 444 Larkin St. #22 S.F. CA. 94102 U.S. of A. Something To Think On? "Make Somebody Happy" Carlos Santana '92 "All You Got To Do Is Let That Sun Come Shining Through And Give Yourself Some Positive Vibrations" Alvin Lee '74 ------------------------------ End of grand-funk V1 #4 ***********************