REVIEW: George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars, Live and
Kickin'
- Joann D. Ball
"Free your mind and your ass will follow." With these words of truth and wisdom, funk philosopher and mastermind George Clinton introduces himself, the P-Funk All Stars and two-and-a-half hours of righteous funk on Live and Kickin'. The otherworldly experience that is a live P-Funk concert is captured here in 15 classic tracks performed live in a number of cities between 1972 and 1997. The only official live record from George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars, this double disc offers a rare look into the evolution of one of the major forces in contemporary popular music.
P-Funk live is always a lively, spirited, intense and sweaty experience designed for maximum audience participation. And even without the visual antics and costumes, you still get the feeling that there's about 20 people on stage funking it up just for you. The production job on this release puts the funk right in yo' ears and into your soul, completely capturing the party vibe on the stage and in the audience.
Disc one opens with "Cosmic Slop," title song from the classic 1973 release. The perfect introduction to Funk 101, "Cosmic Slop," combines blues and rock guitar solos, soulful vocals and jazz horns with P-Funk's own extraterrestrial bass, drums and keyboards. The funk continues to roll through extended versions of the futuristic "Bop Gun" and "Funkentelechy (Where'd You Get That Funk From), with the latter clocking in at slightly over 24-minutes. And the live version of "Standing on the Verge" is the missing blueprint for the style and sound of the Artist Formerly Known As Prince. Listen to the tinkling ivories, the call and response, and the extended jams and you can almost see The Artist dancing around the stage in his platform heels. After a rousing "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off)" and "Let's Take it to the Stage," you get a few minutes to cool off during the new studio recording "Good Love (Instrumental)."
The epic "Maggot Brain" opens part two of the P-funk fest. This track, with its amazing 8 minute electric guitar solo, gives dark side of the moon a completely new meaning. It leads right into the seminal anthem "Make My Funk the P-Funk," on which George Clinton promises to do "whatever it takes, whatever the party calls for." Always one to deliver what he promises, Clinton then shines the spotlight on 70s R&B radio megahit "Flashlight" and 80s crossover smash "Atomic Dog." But it's the quarter of an hour version of "The Mothership Connection" that proves that funk is a religion in its own right. Here Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars preach to the converted and transform the concert into a funky religious revival. Midway through the service, Minister Clinton slows things down for a deep meditation with an update of the spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Encouraging the audience to sing in solidarity through call and response, Clinton and his followers unite to bring the spirit of the Mothership into the room and then take in flight when the trumpets sound.
After the loungy "Pepe the Pill Popper" and the hip-hop inspired "Let's Get Satisfied/Dope Dog," Live and Kickin' comes to an end with studio tracks "Ain't Nuthin' But A Jam Y'all" and "State of the Nation." On "Ain't Nuthin' But A Jam Y'all," the first single and video from record, fellow funkateers the Dazz Band join Clinton and company on this slick and laid back groove. Through the live cuts and studio tracks, Live and Kickin' clearly demonstrates just how innovative and creative Clinton's musical vision and genius has been during the past 25 years. Like the Grateful Dead, Clinton and his All Stars turn concerts into experiences and happenings where the music unites fans spiritually and takes them to a higher level While the musical mainstream has only recently provided a space for the magic of P-Funk, Clinton's influence can be heard in the diverse sounds of The Artist, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Living Colour just to name a few, and the P-Funk groove has been sampled by a host of rap and R&B artists. Recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars continue to tour, delivering the funk and nothing but the funk to audiences around the world.
TRACK LISTING: Cosmic Slop, Bop Gun, Standing On The Verge, Funk Gettin' Ready To Roll, Funkentelechy (Where'd You Get That Funk From), Give Up the Funk (Tear The Roof Off), Let's Take It To The Stage, Good Love (Instrumental)
Maggot Brain, Make My Funk The P-Funk, Flashlight, Aquaboogie, Atomic Dog, The Mothership Connection, Pepe The Pill Popper, Let's Get Satisfied/Dope Dog, Ain't Nuthin' But A Jam Y'all, State Of The Nation
