Alice's Restaurant Massacree

If you know nothing about anti-war songs or you do but never laughed at one then allow me to introduce you to this one. It's the classic anti-war song entitled Alice's Restaurant Massacree by Arlo Guthrie. Now when the song starts off you have NO idea where this tune is going which is partly what makes this song hilarious. Now Arlo claimed this song was actually an anti-stupidity song rather that being an anti-war song but make no mistake, this eighteen minute plus song is an anti-war song and it's the best I have ever heard.

Alice's Restaurant Massacree is off of Arlo Guthrie's 1967 album Alice's Restaurant and with it being eighteen minutes long, you can imagine it took up one whole side of the album. When I first heard this song I never laughed so hard at something musical before in my life. The song was introduced to me by some stoners I had met at a friends college (they also introduced me to The Doors and I introduced them to Parliament Funkadelic, fair trade I feel).

Now before you ask, yes there was an Alice, Roy, and an officer Obie up in Massachusetts. And yes, an 18 year old Arlo along with a friend of his actually did get arrested for littering which makes this song even funnier in my opinion. I have loved this song from the moment I heard it all those years ago and wanted to share with you. Hopefully you'll find it as funny as I do, just be on the look out for those mean, nasty father rapers. Enjoy!

You'll Never Find

Was there anyone better? Honestly, was there anyone better than Lou Rawls? Seriously. I defy you to find me ANYONE better than this smooth voiced vocalist. I know, I know not everyone is a fan of this man (though I don't see how that could be) but you KNOW this song and that much I DO know. You'll Never Find is a classic that has been covered and spoofed by damn near everyone. Now I have to admit I offered Lou resistance when I was younger (I didn't know better). I was raised on Lou so he was around all the damn time. I once asked why don't we put a plate of food out for Lou since he's always here, Mom wasn't too happy with her smart mouthed son but I survived...only to get more Lou in my life. Thank you mama!

Off of his 1976 album All Things In Time, You'll Never Find was Lou Rawls breakthrough hit going all the way to number one on Billboards R&B charts. The song comes in with that cha-cha feel and you immediately feel like dancing then Lou hits you upside the head. Talking to a woman, he tells her that he's the one who loves you/and there's NO ONE ELSE!  which is pretty ballsy. The thing I love about this classic is how it goes from cha-cha to disco for the chorus and then right back to cha-cha (and those strings in the background...the perfect ingredient).

Lou was a cut above the rest and while he may be gone, I can't help but be happy that he left us gem to remember him by. Enjoy!

Haven't You Heard

Growing up this song was one of my favorite songs to roller skate to (you remember the roller skating rinks, right?). Whenever I hear it gets me smiling and bopping my head because this song is groovy and infectious. It's by the amazingly talented Patrice Rushen and the song is Haven't You Heard off of here 1979 album Pizzazz.

Haven't You Heard is more an instrumental track because it's so heavy on the music and light on the lyrics. It allows Patrice to show off her amazing piano and keyboard skills oh and by the way she also shows off her producing skills as well. If there was EVER a female version of Prince, Patrice Rushen was it. There was nothing she couldn't do in the studio and that's proven on this song. Percussion, lead vocals, piano, keyboards...all her. The only thing she didn't do was play the drums and guitar. 

This song is a light, breezy, fun kind of song that may be best enjoyed whilst behind the wheel of your car...or on roller skates if you still have yours. Enjoy!

Melting Pot

If you know anything about funk music, soul music, real music then you know who in the hell Booker T & The MG's are, don't you? They are only one of the greatest rhythm sections ever formed. They were the studio band for the infamous Stax Records and they were responsible for the "Memphis Sound". That sound that was in complete contrast of that northern label known as Mowtown. Where Mowtown was clean, Stax was dirty. Where Mowtown was smooth, Stax was filthy. Where Mowtown was caviar, Stax was fried chicken and okra.

Booker T & The MG's played behind some of the greatest artists in music. names like Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Rufus Thomas and so many more. And at a time when racial tensions were at violent levels, Booker T & The MG's makeup shocked almost everyone, especially in the south. Comprised of Booker T on organ, Steve Cropper on guitar, Donald Dunn on bass, and Al Jackson on the skins, those four men created timeless grooves together. My all time favorite is this one, Melting Pot off of their 1971 release of the same name.

No vocals, nothing to distract you from the pure funk these men were laying down, it's just music and damn good music at that. Not much more I can say that the groove doesn't say all on it's own so enjoy! Now I want me some damn fried chicken (hold the okra though :).