From: owner-grand-funk To: grand-funk-digest Subject: grand-funk V1 #13 Reply-To: Errors-To: owner-grand-funk Precedence: bulk grand-funk Thursday, 20 February 1997 Volume 01 : Number 013 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Phil Catalano Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 14:20:01 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: fwd: Re: 1974 MSG > > More about pictures....I have a whole bunch from the Hershey, PA concert in > March of '75 (color and B&W). It was a general admission show that we > waited outside for in the freezing rain. I guess the ensuing life-long > bronchitis--deafness thing was worth it: we got front row center. Well we > were there for a while and then the sea people kind of pushed us around a > little. For the most part though we were right there! Again, my buddy > took some awesome shots...we were so close...my favorite is the one of > Mel's nose hair. But seriously, I've got to dig these pix out and scan > them in. Phil, do you have yours handy? I know you have many of the same > ones I have. > Yes, I've got some too, but I don't have alot of good ones, just a couple. I believe you probably have most of the good ones! Scan them babys in and lets reminisce! Maybe we can try and figure out what songs the pictures are from (yeah, right). Phil ------------------------------ From: "William A. Parrette" Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 16:40:22 -0500 (EST) Subject: GFRR Equipment (fwd) Hi all, I got a message from another fan off-list and I thought I'd pass it on to the rest of you experts! :-) Please note that, at the moment, this fellow is not on-list. So, please address any and all replies directly to him in private e-mail and *not* to the list. - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 13:15:36 PST From: "Richard J. Meyer" To: WAP@ONE.NET Subject: GFRR Equipment Hey you have a great web site!!! It's great to know that there really are lots of GFR fans still out there......Anyway my specific question relates to equipment......I've seen lots of info on other stuff but I'd like to know the types-brands of equipment they used in the "peak" years---'69-70. I saw them at Madsion Square Garden and subsequently bought a West bass amp back then(which I still have).But I'd like to find out about the drums,the amps and the guitars they used to give them that unique sound...... Please e-mail me with any info you may have or let me know a contact for this info...... thanks! - -------- End Forwarded message -------- Thanks and always grok in fullness ... Bill-- ...who has heard that "Denial ain't just a river in Egypt." (42?) +--------------------------+--------------------------+- | | -- o ------+ |William A. (Bill) Parrette|7177 Heritage Drive | \/ o Y | |wap@one.net |Westchester, OH 45069-4012| | /!-!\ | | | *** http://w3.one.net/~wap/ *** | \| |/ | +------------------- 513-779-0780 --------------------+---- _\___/_ -----+ / / \ \ ------------------------------ From: "Michael Catalano" Date: Wed, 19 Feb 97 6:54:27 EST Subject: Re: [Fwd: Re: Favorite Song] Welcome aboard RStaln! I couldn't agree with you more about Born to Die. Both BtD and GSGP are my favorite Funk albums these days and for many reasons. I was first introduced to GFR back in '71 when E Pluribus was released and became a die-hard fan in '72 when I first saw them live. I love all the old stuff, the raw three piece version (I think Paranoid off the LIVE album captures the true essence of the trio: the sound, the energy, the feel and the fans), and that's why I think I am hooked on BtD and GSGP. The band evolved musically and I went right along for the ride. By far, in my opinion, these two albums demonstrate the muscianship and diversity of Mark, Don, Mel and Craig. For me these treasures were never lost. It just took some time to realize that they (the two albumns) were, in fact, treasures! A quick story. I work in an engineering laboratroy environment and we're permitted to listen to music while we work. Of course I have my GFR repetoire on hand at the ready. Our self-designated lab DJ is continually airing BtD and GSGP. So now when you're walking through the lab and pass by someone you hear them humming "Talk to the people" or singing along outloud with "Good Things" or "Sally". It's great to see people in their thirties and forties tapping their feet and whistling along. And what's best is when they ask, "Who is this?"; the expression on their face when they hear Grand Funk Railroad! Grand Funk? Didn't they do "Closer to Home" or something like that? An acid rock band from the 60's? And I say, "Sure, let me cue that up for you" and fire up the Closer to Home CD. It's great.... GFR in '97 Mick - ------------- Original Text From: RStaln01@aol.com, on 2/18/97 7:07 PM: This is my first post to this group. I have to say it is really great to see all the excitement being generated over what is probably my favorite band! If I may I would like to say that I feel Born to Die to be one of their most overlooked albums. It would be the first cd I would add to my collection would, or should, all their unreleased cd's ever come out. There is a lot of emotion and feeling on this album. From the trauma of losing a relative (Born to Die) to the never ending crap from the critics (Dues) as well as the upbeat (Sally) and the political statements they cut their teeth on (Politician). And just to show how tight the ensemble was there's the instrumental Genvieve(sp?). Give it a chance. I consider it one of the 70's lost treasures. Of course on any given day, and mood, I could say that about any of their work! For me Good Singin - Good Playin was the one that took the longest to connect with but I can now appreciate the music it contains. Well anyway, just my $.02! Rock on ladies and gentlemen! RStaln01@AOL.COM The following was included as an attachement. Please use UUDECODE to retrieve it. 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I seem to be having a little email problem on my end...I just have to post these GFR tidbits for your dining pleasure... - ------------- Original Text From: Michael Catalano@2215@ENG_MEL, on 2/18/97 8:46 AM: To: imail[Bugsy41157@aol.com] Cc: imail[grand-funk@roadkill.com] - ---------- From: Michael Catalano@2215@ENG_MEL, on 2/18/97 8:28 AM: To: imail[] Cc: @ENG_MEL Oh yeah, I was at that show in '74 at MSG. I had a little advantage over my brother (Phil) though, I had just seen GFR about a week before up in Springfield, Mass. It was the same show with Wet Willie opening, so I kinda knew what they were gonna play. One of my best friends at the time was with me. We were on the floor in about the 11th row center. My buddy, being an amateur photographer, took some excellent pix. Actually, if Phil can't dig it out of his archives, I've got a mint B&W shot of Farner and Brewer that I'll try to scan for one of the web pages. It's an 8 X 10 in excellent condition. As far as the song list is concerned, I remember it being the "Caught in the Act" lineup. More about pictures....I have a whole bunch from the Hershey, PA concert in March of '75 (color and B&W). It was a general admission show that we waited outside for in the freezing rain. I guess the ensuing life-long bronchitis--deafness thing was worth it: we got front row center. Well we were there for a while and then the sea people kind of pushed us around a little. For the most part though we were right there! Again, my buddy took some awesome shots...we were so close...my favorite is the one of Mel's nose hair. But seriously, I've got to dig these pix out and scan them in. Phil, do you have yours handy? I know you have many of the same ones I have. Mick Mick - --------- From: Phil Catalano , on 2/16/97 2:48 PM: Wow is right! Small world! What a show that was! My brother Mick was there too. He'll probably remember more stuff than I can. We'll see what his reply is. I've got the songlist from that concert also. I'll post that in a little while. Phil - --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--= Phil Catalano phil.catalano@mci.com - --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--= On Sat, 15 Feb 1997 Bugsy41157@aol.com wrote: > Wow! We were right by each other. I was 3rd row, second section, right off > the aisle. Can't remenber what song that chick ran up there, but I remember > her. First time I saw someone run on stage. She almost made it! Mark was > wearing green pants with silver glitter bottoms. How bout that mirror guitar, > remember that? He changed into "American Flag" pants after the break. Weird > how you can remember stuff like that, huh? Susie and Wet Willie were cool but > couldn't wait for them to get off so the boys would come out. > > "I said it once, and I'll say it again, your the greatest fucking audience in > the world!" > ------------------------------ From: "Michael Catalano" Date: Wed, 19 Feb 97 7:46:00 EST Subject: fwd: Re: [Fwd: Re: Favorite Song] Again , I appologize if you've already received this...Please don't delete me from the list I'll get my act together! - ------------- Original Text From: Michael Catalano@2215@ENG_MEL, on 2/19/97 8:54 AM: To: imail[grand-funk@roadkill.com], iSMTP1@INETMAIL@NBK[] Welcome aboard RStaln! I couldn't agree with you more about Born to Die. Both BtD and GSGP are my favorite Funk albums these days and for many reasons. I was first introduced to GFR back in '71 when E Pluribus was released and became a die-hard fan in '72 when I first saw them live. I love all the old stuff, the raw three piece version (I think Paranoid off the LIVE album captures the true essence of the trio: the sound, the energy, the feel and the fans), and that's why I think I am hooked on BtD and GSGP. The band evolved musically and I went right along for the ride. By far, in my opinion, these two albums demonstrate the muscianship and diversity of Mark, Don, Mel and Craig. For me these treasures were never lost. It just took some time to realize that they (the two albumns) were, in fact, treasures! A quick story. I work in an engineering laboratroy environment and we're permitted to listen to music while we work. Of course I have my GFR repetoire on hand at the ready. Our self-designated lab DJ is continually airing BtD and GSGP. So now when you're walking through the lab and pass by someone you hear them humming "Talk to the people" or singing along outloud with "Good Things" or "Sally". It's great to see people in their thirties and forties tapping their feet and whistling along. And what's best is when they ask, "Who is this?"; the expression on their face when they hear Grand Funk Railroad! Grand Funk? Didn't they do "Closer to Home" or something like that? An acid rock band from the 60's? And I say, "Sure, let me cue that up for you" and fire up the Closer to Home CD. It's great.... GFR in '97 Mick - --------- From: RStaln01@aol.com, on 2/18/97 7:07 PM: This is my first post to this group. I have to say it is really great to see all the excitement being generated over what is probably my favorite band! If I may I would like to say that I feel Born to Die to be one of their most overlooked albums. It would be the first cd I would add to my collection would, or should, all their unreleased cd's ever come out. There is a lot of emotion and feeling on this album. From the trauma of losing a relative (Born to Die) to the never ending crap from the critics (Dues) as well as the upbeat (Sally) and the political statements they cut their teeth on (Politician). And just to show how tight the ensemble was there's the instrumental Genvieve(sp?). Give it a chance. I consider it one of the 70's lost treasures. Of course on any given day, and mood, I could say that about any of their work! For me Good Singin - Good Playin was the one that took the longest to connect with but I can now appreciate the music it contains. Well anyway, just my $.02! Rock on ladies and gentlemen! RStaln01@AOL.COM ------------------------------ From: RStaln01@aol.com Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 20:56:22 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: 1974 MSG I was at the 75 show in Hershey! It was during the All the Girls... tour. I remember a great show from the guys. A lot of what they played was documented later on the Caught in the Act release. For me the highlight was Closer to Home/I'm Your Captain. This reworked version showed how well Craig had been integrated into the band! I had seen the band previously during the WAAB tour at the Harrisburg Farmshow Arena which was my first ever concert experience! What a great time and great show! For anybody who had been at the Harrisburg concert, do you remember the projector (showing a film of a train coming straight at you) had fallen over during the intro to The Railroad. I had heard that some people were actually hurt and had to be taken out. Don't know if that's true or not I was in the mass of humanity on the floor! The highlight of that show for me was when they played Anybody's Answer. I went crazy as this ranks as one of my all time favorite Funk songs from the early period. I would be really interested in seeing the Hershey photos posted! By the way I have to say that the three web sites by Bill, Donna and Jeff are excellent! It was great to see the Funk finally get a presence on the Web! Keep up the good work folks, I'll be stopping by often! Rock on ladies and gentlemen! ------------------------------ From: jmaijala@sprynet.com Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 20:37:55 -0800 Subject: Re: Survival & Don and a new topic Well Bill, I'm not sure if you have your knoggin up a body orifice, but, how do you breath up there? Grand Funk doing "I got the music in me"? I don't think so. or "Whacha talkin' about, Willis?" I would much rather see them cover "Wild Thing" by the Trogs or how about "Born to be Wild"? I bet Mark could have a field day with some hot licks on that one. Wearing Bellbottoms and Platform shoes and a belt 5 inches wide. Jim Maijala ------------------------------ From: einar@rfci.net Date: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 00:16:36 -0500 Subject: Re: Survival & Don and a new topic > Grand Funk doing "I got the music in me"? I don't think so. or "Whacha talkin' > about, Willis?" > > I would much rather see them cover "Wild Thing" by the Trogs or how about "Born > to be Wild"? I bet Mark could have a field day with some hot licks on that one. No No No guys!!! What they need to play is 'Takin Care of Business' by BTO. They would put them to SHAME! :) With the Brew singin' of course! Funkola ------------------------------ From: Bruce Thomas Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 17:50:33 -0800 Subject: Survival...different?! Well Gang... I've been playing Survival the past two days at the regular GFR volume level (LOUD) and sitting back with eyes closed and really *listening* and I can say there's a LOT more that's different about that ablum than Don's softer drum sound: 1> Gone entirely is Mel's fuzz on his bass...it's clean tones only throughout. 2> Mark's guitar still has _some_ fuzz effects in places, but generally it's a much cleaner sound as well (some really freakin' GOOD guitar licks on that album!). 3> Not only did "Mr_Soft_Drums_for_one_LP" have a radically different sound...his playing is radically different too. Gone for the most part is the backbeat, he plays _almost_ like a jazz drummer, hitting 'em in between the beats instead of just crashing down on the backbeat. 4> The material itself is _way_ different as well. Now...just too much difference here for this not to have been carefully planned out. As a teenager I remember going to people's houses who were not Funk fans and what's in the 'ol LP stack but "Survival". I mean I knew 9 or 10 people personally who owned NO funk except Survival..... As a card carying "Funk Freak" I'd run out and buy every record they made because I knew they were the only rock band in America at the time who could be truly trusted with electricty....but all those other folks who bought Survival that had paid no mind whatsoever to their other LP's........Hmmmm, very clever these three . I'd also say they were reacting to the critics at the time who always put them down...Survival is a VERY musical album...it transends style to a large degree and certainly traverses age barries..it wasn't one stricky for the youngsters. /What/say/you/people/?? - -- -=[ Bruce ]=- /~~\_/~\ ,,, | #=#==========# \_/~\_/ ``` ------------------------------ From: Bruce Thomas Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 18:05:25 -0800 Subject: Re: Survival & Don and a new topic <> Hey Bill! I'd say a cover of "I've got the music in me" done in the style presented on Survival would be very interesting indeed... - -- -=[ Bruce ]=- /~~\_/~\ ,,, | #=#==========# \_/~\_/ ``` ------------------------------ From: DrBlut@aol.com Date: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 10:06:21 -0500 (EST) Subject: I've Got the Music In Me and Revolution I agree, "Ive Got the Music In Me" would be a great cover song for GFR to do in their style. Also, I've always thought that they would sound great covering The Beatles' "Revolution", especially if they went into an extended jam with it. Jim K. drblut@aol.com ------------------------------ From: HCRRock@aol.com Date: Thu, 20 Feb 1997 10:15:22 -0500 (EST) Subject: Less is More????? The funny thing about your talk of a softer drum, alot of SURVIVAL you have to strain to hear the guitar, especially during the verses...Terry Knight was not one of your better boardmen in those days... One memory that always stuck out, was the crap I took about Grand Funk...People either got it or they didn't...The "Arty" folks thought it was juvinile music where anybody can bang a guitar or drum can be popular....There was no middle ground back then... My personal favorite guitar solo was the cresendo ending of "Can't Be To Long"....I practiced this over and over as a kid back in my " learning days".......Those of you that have ON TIME on CD turn this one up loud!! Mark had alot of great ideas with his song writing, but Terry Knight didn't have a clue. CRASHTEST CHRIS ------------------------------ End of grand-funk V1 #13 ************************