Marvin Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 (edited) A particular member of the rhythm section, for a covers band, wishes to do funk or funky stuff, and some reggae. But, I'm confused as to what is actually meant by this. When pressed for material that said person wishes to cover, I only get the following. 1. Stretch - Why did you do it 2. Commodores - Machine Gun & Brick House. and that's it. Generally, I've said that we should concentrate on stuff that we can play, that we don't hate and just as important people will want to hear. Basically a good quality strong set of songs regardless of genre. So what is meant by the term funky? Can anyone suggest any sort of funky tunes? Are there tunes songs that are thought of as funky but are not necessarily pure funk? To me funk refers to George Clinton, Parliament, Sly and the Family Stone and so on, oh and Bootsy of course. So am I missing something? Perhaps I can then take something back and say ' what about this?' PS no RHCP please. Ta Apologies if none of this makes any sense. Edited November 15, 2009 by Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 It all makes sense, certainly, and for me at least funky = good. Although having said that, the term 'funk' is used in as broad a sense as 'rock'. True funk, for me, is everybody on the ONE -- James Brown, Parliament, make my funk the p-funk y'awl 'Funky' can encompass all manner of stuff though, it all depends what floats your boat. Do you want to stretch the definition as far as Chic style 'disco'ish funk? Where it starts to get tricky for you is:[quote name='Marvin' post='655380' date='Nov 15 2009, 08:02 PM']and just as important people will want to hear[/quote]The average punter will never have heard Machine Gun, or that damn fine Stretch tune either. Or the majority of James Brown's or Clinton's repertoires for that matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 [quote name='Marvin' post='655380' date='Nov 15 2009, 08:02 PM']and just as important people will want to hear.[/quote] Reading that to myself I think I termed it wrong. Like most covers band the aim is probably to play material that doesn't make your audience want to leave the premises or throw stuff at you. I generally run stuff past the wife as she is the typical disinterested pub punter. Wants to be able to tap her foot to it, maybe dance to but also ignore it to be able to chat to others. She refers to this as the 'tap and yap' test. That fine Stretch tune is definitely in, cracker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 We've been covering [i]Why Did You Do It[/i] for the last few months - fabulous song. We now segue into [i]Cissy Strut [/i]after the spoken "One Two" and then back in to finish [i]Why [/i]after the keyboard solo. Works beautifully. If you're looking for more funky stuff that isn't too widely covered (e.g. [i]Superstition [/i]and [i]Long Train Running [/i]) then check out other stuff by the same artists. Everyone does [i]Superstition[/i], so try doing [i]Higher Ground[/i] instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I'd imagine Brick House would go down well in most boozers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 I thought a bit of Stevie Wonder, but it didn't receive a positive response. And when I said Doobie Brothers, got told 'cheesy American rock'. I'd go for both, Higher Ground a brilliant tune, and so to Long Train Running. I thought they were funky, hence my confusion. I'm beginning to think perhaps my mate has got genre confusion. Like the sound of what you're doing with [i]Why did you do it[/i]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 (edited) [quote name='skankdelvar' post='655473' date='Nov 15 2009, 10:05 PM']I'd imagine Brick House would go down well in most boozers.[/quote] Good tune indeed. Certainly haven't a problem with what my mate has suggested. Edited November 15, 2009 by Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 "Wants to go funky" You don't think he's just going to give up washing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbloke Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 If you do Higher Ground prepare yourself for obvious RHCP comparisons. You also need to tune down a half step. If he wants to do funky and reggaie, then kill two birds with one stone and do Master Blaster instead. It has loads of potential fro you to mix it up a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 If you want to be really popular i would go with some Chic - Sister Sledge covers. Everyone has heard at least a few of those songs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chardbass Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='655473' date='Nov 15 2009, 10:05 PM']I'd imagine Brick House would go down well in most boozers.[/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdiddleymspot Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Get some Jamiroquai in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Spyro Gyra! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwild16 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 'play that funky music white boy' by wild cherry?......always goes down well with the laydees....giggity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Lo Rider is a cracker that a lot of people have heard and know, but dont know they know, if you see what I mean. Tarantino sound tracks have some great stuff that have the same effect, people know it from the soundtrck but if you asked them it by name they wouldn't have a clue. Funky as opposed to pure funk (P-Funk y'all) is a HUGE area, how about something a little more Soul like Mr Big Stuff by Beverly Knight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Pick the funk out this [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8685&st=0&p=90010&#entry90010"]Dance Floor fillers thread[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Many thanks to all. I'll throw your collective expertise at him. [quote name='OldGit' post='655759' date='Nov 16 2009, 10:39 AM']Pick the funk out this [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=8685&st=0&p=90010&#entry90010"]Dance Floor fillers thread[/url][/quote] Very good link, I'll definitely be throwing some suggestions from the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 What is your lineup? Do you have keyboards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='656310' date='Nov 16 2009, 07:46 PM']What is your lineup? Do you have keyboards?[/quote] A simple line up. Drums, Bass, Guitar and vocals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamapirate Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Walk this way - Aerosmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted November 18, 2009 Author Share Posted November 18, 2009 [quote name='iamapirate' post='657178' date='Nov 17 2009, 04:39 PM']Walk this way - Aerosmith [/quote] I'll suggest on Thursday when I meet up with said person, and see how he reacts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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