Stand! is a classic album from Sly and The Family Stone. Originally released in 1969 by Epic records, this is an album that didn't cut, it bit! With inspirational lyrics, and lowdown gritty funk, this album with rock your world from A to Z.

Side one starts with "Stand!" in which Sly Stone tells listeners to Stand in where he gives examples (ie-"There's A Midget Standing Tall/And There's A Giant About To Fall). It's one of those songs that can make you hold your head up high. "Don't Call Me N**ger, Whitey" is a tough song that deals with bigotry from both the black and white perspective. The horns just kick in and lock in with the groove, and it catches your attention. "I Want To Take You Higher" is a hard driving song with some wild gospel organ (ala Billy Preston), and Sly sings his butt off on this one. Trumpeter Cynthia Robinson plays a cool solo which is like hearing Hugh Maskela sit in with a blues band, and Freddie Stone plays some nifty guitar like B.B. King. Next, there is "Somebody's Watching You", and the way Sly sings it gives you the feeling of Big Brother with dark narration. "Sing A Simple Song" features Sly, Rosie Stone, and bassist Larry Graham trading vocals. The song is raw, gritty funk, and Larry's basslines drive the song into ecstacy. They all do a great job of singning, and drummer Greg Errico knows how to keep the groove on the one.
Side two starts out with "Everyday People", which is a song of please from people from all walks of life to come together. It's quite thoughtful on how we are all the same.
"Sex Machine" (NO-not the James Brown song) is a 12-minute blues Jam where Sly sings imporovides vocals through a fuzzbox, and then plays a fuzz harmonica solo (like John Popper of Blues Traveler). Freddie Stone also provides a great powerful wah solo (which reminds me of Chicago's Terry Kath), and then Jerry Martini does a great sax solo. The song closes out with Gregg doing an interesting drum solo, before it moves into the last cut on the LP. It's "You Can Make It If You Try", and it's another one of Sly's inspirational songs. Here he talks about how we stumble and fall, but if you try, you'll suceed. Sly in my opinion could be a motivational speaker, and this song can motivate anyone to get through life in general. "Stand!" is an album that will endure the test of time, and it's a thoughtful one at that.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends