Stax Records is an absolute legend, so of course this recording of this song is, according to me, the very best one out there. No doubt these guys have amazing voices, but layer them on top of some serious horns and a tight groove, and you get something on a whole other plane. This has been one of those weeks when I have really leaned on my friends and man oh man am I grateful. Happy Friday, Tune-Up fans!
Funk Friday
Funk Friday: “Chuck Berry,” Feature Cast
StandardYou know what Friday’s problem is? Friday’s problem is that it convinces you that the week is over at 12:01AM on Friday morning. I’m sorry, Tune-Up fans, but that’s wrongedy-wrong-wrong. But! Feature Cast has served up a tasty portion of motivation that – are you ready for this? – you can play during the day, and after the day is over. “Jump up, freak, or hustle – do what you want, but move every muscle. Ain’t no time for playing around! Only one thing to do when you hear this sound.” Consider this song the equivalent of that ever elusive day-to-night outfit that you’ve tried for years to find. I lost count of how many other funk songs this one samples. I know for sure there’s “Cissy Strut” by The Meters (that’s the “ahhhhh YAH” vocal). There are about six others, but I was too busy dancing to identify them. Party on, y’all!
Funk Friday: “Stranger to my Happiness,” Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
StandardThere are a few songs that you can honestly say are perfectly constructed. This is one of them. The interplay between the sax and the guitar is so incredibly fun I laughed out loud when I first heard it; the trumpet punctuates the melody at exactly the right time; and the tempo is just spot-on. (Also – the visual difference between the ebullient back-up singers and the staid bass guitarist is pretty hilarious.) And finally, there is the force of nature that is Sharon Jones singing the lyrics – Sharon Jones who is, by the way, battling cancer and winning. What a boss.
The Yankette would like to dedicate this song to one of her best friends, Deputy Tar Heel, and owes her lovely friend Mr. Bloomingtonian a bourbon for sending this song her way in the first place. Keep your ears open and happy Friday, y’all!
Funk Friday: “Swamp Funk,” Stupid Human
StandardGod bless whatever twisted YouTube algorithm it was that brought me to the band Stupid Human. I simply can’t get enough of the baseline, so I’m glad there’s more than seven minutes of it. Happy Friday and get on down and do the do, jive turkeys.
Funk Friday: “You Can’t Be Told,” Valerie June
StandardI worship at the altar of Valerie June. What a fabulously unique voice – so clear and sharp against the growl of the guitars. This song makes me want to be:
a) in a coordinated dance routine with random patrons at a crowded bar, and/or
b) in a slow-motion movie scene in which I, the film’s protagonist, a wise-cracking hitwoman, am walking down a street in a major metropolis dressed in all black. Plus aviators and heels. Natch.
As neither of these things is going to happen, at least not anytime soon and not without a lot of paperwork, I’ll settle for putting this on in the background to help me push through a grouchy Friday afternoon and into a much more fun Friday evening.
Funk Friday: “What Kind Of Woman Is This,” Buddy Guy
StandardI know, I know. This is way, way more blues-oriented. I mean, the whole chord progression, for a start. But I just can’t help myself – it’s just so very, very funky. Additionally, if you’re like me and you spent the Christmas break sticking to a strict diet of cheese, pâté, prosciutto, chocolate toffee crisps, and port, and now find yourself dreading putting on anything remotely resembling pants, you might need a little encouragement to leave the house. This song will add some sexy funk to the junk in your trunk.
The Daily Tune-Up 