25 years later there was Funk...
Written: Jul 11 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: 25 years after the breakup it's Funk with an orchestra
Cons: Not as hard hitting as they used to be.
The Bottom Line: For the fan who wants GFR hits done live.
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| Ybo's Full Review: Bosnia by Grand Funk Railroad |
This two disk CD was released with very little advertising from Capital, but still sold well mostly due to Grand Funk's promotion of it when they did a short tour after "Bosnia" was released. This tour too had little promotion, but the band sold out or nearly sold out most of the venues they played.
I just happened to see it in the Grand Funk slot at Best Buy. I did not even know the band (which I followed closely as a teen) was even back together. I knew that Mark Farner, lead guitarist/primary singer and song writer for the band had turned to Christian music, that drummer Don Brewer lived in Florida, his wife a locally famous DJ, and bassist Mel Schacher still lived in northern Michigan and last I heard was involved with real-estate. So seeing this album was a big surprise to me.
Shortly before buying it I had a chance to see the band live and talk about being transported back in time, kind of like the song "Time Machine". I was 16 again. They looked good, and sounded better. The best thing about "Bosnia" is that it was almost a carbon copy of this concert, minus the orchestra but they were able to imitate these sounds with the keyboards on stage.
Opening with "2001 a space Odyssey" (some people like this, I personally wish they'd can it), they start out with the heavy rocker "Are You Ready" which old fans will remember from the first "Live" album. Loud still, but a little more polished, the sound better mixed on "Bosnia" then it's older counterpart. Still I like the first "Live" album feel, as I do on most of the songs that were on that album.
The next song, "Rock n' Roll Soul" sounds much as it did on "Caught in the Act", "Footstopin' Music" rolls into "Time Machine" a great rendition of the song, with Peter Frampton helping with the guitar work. They then roll into a Melody of songs including "Mr. Limousine Driver" which I wish they had done the whole song. It's one of their best. Out of the rest of the songs on this disk, "T.N.U.C" and "Inside Looking Out" are much better on the first Live album. Here they are shortened too much. The rest, "Loco-motion", "Aimless Lady"(a great song live), "Shinin' On" and of course "We're An American Band" all done flawlessly. "Heartbreaker" may be the only song on this album that was on the first "Live" album that I like a little better.
The 2nd disk has more of the bands more pop hits, like "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Bad Time" both done well, and lots of fun to listen to if you like the pop stuff Grand Funk did. "Mean Mistreater" is an old song a little updated, and again I like the first "Live" albums' version of it. My absolute favorite song, "Closer to Home" sounds much like it did on "Caught in the Act" but with out the stupid fade at the end (who thought up 8 tracks anyway??). The real gem on this disk though is "Loneliness" with the orchestra sound and Farner's still strong voice it is worth the price of the CD all by it's, pardon me, lonesome.
This CD also has guest appearances by Dave Letterman's band leader, Paul Schaffer as leader of the orchestra and the already mentioned Peter Frampton, who toured with the band in the 'old days' with his old band Humble Pie. Peter was also asked to join Grand Funk when Humble Pie broke up. Both deliver fine performances.
Although I like "Bosnia", it lacks the energy that the first "Live" album had. It is better then the groups' 2nd live album, "Caught in the Act" which lopped off songs and shortened them (produced during the hey day of 8 tracks which tended to have faded songs as it switched tracks.) Still, if you're looking for the GFR hits live, this is the one you want.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
Ybo
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Member: Yvonne Graf
Location: Farmington, Minnesota
Reviews written: 25
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
The good times are better then the bad times are bad.
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