Right On To The Real And Death To The Fakers

Artwork originally found at WeFunkRadio

Light My Fire - The Doors
Light My Fire - Al Green
Light My Fire - The Four Tops
Light My Fire - Jose Feliciano
Light My Fire - Ebony Rhythm Band

T.G.I.F.F.! That’s right, Thank Goodness It’s Funky Friday. And oh what a funky Friday it gwan be.

Today we here at The Funk would like to dedicate our posting to the University of Maryland Basketball sqizzaud and their ill fated/half assed effort yesterday in the ACC tourney. I don’t really follow college basketball like my man Baffoe does, but if the ACC tourney is in your backyard, you sort of watch to see what’s happening. And around the DC area, there are two things that you are guaranteed to hear about each and every day in regards to sports. That Daniel Synder is the devil reincarnated and that Maryland Basketball “has to win this game, because they are Maryland”. Now, as most of my peoples have figured out over the years, I hate Maryland (not the sate) and everything about the university. To me, they are just West Virginia University, College Park Campus.

But B, why you hatin’?

As the great Common (FKA Sense) once spit, “If I don’t like it, I don’t like it, that don’t mean than I’m hating”. But this has really nothing to do with anything other than if you live in the Metro DC Area; you are force fed the “greatness” of Maryland Basketball. Homerism at its best.

But the post is dedicated to them cause they need to seriously “light a fire” under their asses if they make the NCAAs, cause if they lose in the first round, that campus will ignite. And that would be some funny shit to watch.

So anyhow, we bring you the five versions of the seminal Doors classic, “Light My Fire”.

First up is the OG version by The Doors. Take a listen and then compare and contrast it to the rest. I was never into the whole Doors craze (meaning I didn’t sit down and analyze the lyrics like they were biblical text) but they did make some good music. This is one of my favourite songs out of their catalog.

Second, we travel down to visit the good reverend. No I’m not talking ‘bout Jesse, I’m referring to Al Green. You all know Al. Al, meet The Funk..The Funk, meet Al. Al takes the original version and seriously gives it a dash of funk, a pinch of southern soul, and about a tub full of sappy molasses straight out of the woods. Rev. Al pleads with the track and to the woman listening to it to light his fire, and in his day, I’m sure Al got “lit” whenever he wanted to. The horns, a classic Al Green sound, ooze out of the speakers like well, you get the idea. If you don’t have it already, go get this to listen to. As a note, I found this on a compilation so at the end you'll hear the beginnings of another track.

Third, we take it to the Four Tops for their rendition of "Light My Fire". If you listen to their version against the Rev. Al Green's version, you'll notice the difference in style and execution. The Four Tops are straight up Motown sound, which I really like. Their version has more of that Big Band sound to it with the orchestration and the guys doing the harmonizing back ups. Levi Stubbs does his best work when he would get church-a-fied on tracks while the sounds sort of just were turned down a bit. Classic record by a classic group.

Fourth, is the beatnik version (at least to me it is) by Jose Feliciano. It's a slower, jazz/coffee house version and really for the sake of argument isn't "Funky" per se, but it is a good cover version of the original. So just take a listen and if you don't dig it, well fast forward to the next one...

Finally, we have the Ebony Rhythm Band's super "mark" duper version. My man Zak sent me this last week and all I can say is that it is seriously a funky instrumental track. Like most intsra tracks of the day, this one uses a lot of organ and rhythm guitar to substitute for vocals. They hit it right on the head. At about the 2:05 mark, the wah wah electric guitar gets its shine on and funks out something serious. There is a nice little breakdown about a minute later as well. Before this week, I was not to familiar with The Ebony Rhythm Band but after looking around, the boys over at Stones Throw Records had this to share. So if you like it, support good funk reissues and a good label and go buy their stuff.

SPECIAL BONUS!!!!

Here are some of the covers we found that didn't really fit into our plans but are funky anyhow. Take a listen and add them to your collection.

I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - CCR
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Zapp & Roger
For What It's Worth - Serigo Mendes & Brasil '66 (orig. posted on Soul-Sides.com) *
For What It's Worth - The Voices Of East Harlem
Apache - The Ventures
Apache - Sugar Hill Gang
99 & A Half Won't Do - Wilson Pickett

So there you have it, another Friday, another funky assortment of music for you to funk out to. So get with it man. I'll get at you all next week. As my homie Keith Boogie would say "I'll keep you abreast of twats going ons".

Special Birthday Shoutout to Raissa, whose insightful look into the mind/action/feelings of a shooter girl in Canada just might lead me to write a script or something (if she wants to anyhow). But don't fear, I'll never go Hollyhood on yawl. The Funk ain't for sale. But you can rent it by the hour. HIYO!!!

Peace to:
Taxi Driver
Low End Theory
Joey @ Straight Bangin'
Mike @ Royal Toy Box
Richard @ ETNOBOFIN (NZ Represent!)
LaSchmoove
Ja'Marty Marr
Brother J
DJ K-oz
Beth & Hurt McGirt
The BAN Family
Mo Lowery


At one with the funk,
Brother B Deenie