By Wonder B (81.48.238.231) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 05:39 am:

Sounds interesting for those in the SF area next month... Read this....
This is scheduled for APRIL 9th (show at 10pm) & 10th (show at 8 and 10.30pm) in SF
Tickets $35 advance or $40 at the door...
Location 435 B'dway... check http://www.slyslilsis.com
*******
FUNK FAMILY AFFAIR
"Lookahere," as Sly would say, "Ladies & gentlemen, boys & girls, cats & kitties, hippies & squares...� What is this Whole New Thang called Funk? In this case it's all about the precedent setting, undying spirit of the music of the extraordinary original family band that helped to create it, perform it, record it and represent it right now! Here's your chance to witness the most influential and revolutionary group in the history of American popular music--Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, R&B Hall Of Fame Pioneer Achievement Award winners, members of Sly & The Family Stone: THE FUNK FAMILY AFFAIR

Brother Handfeet Greg Errico for people who only need a beat. You're about to hear the horns blow, Cynthia on the throne, Cynthia & Jerry still sayin', "All the squares go home"

Gold and Platinum players with the royal Stone blood line.

Pristine harmonies by "Little Sister", the original female funk vocal trio, heard on Virtually all of The Family Stone�s discography, led by Sly�s little sister, Vet Stone, with Elva �Tiny� Mouton and daughter of Rose Stone, Lisa Stone..

Also featuring Skyler Jett, winner of a Grammy Award in 1998 for the best selling movie theme song of all time, "My Heart Will Go,� from the highly acclaimed film TITANIC, which he sang with Celine Dion. Skyler has also recently worked with Stevie Wonder, Christina Aquilar and Music Soulchild.

The group is rounded out by Uriah Duffy on bass, who�s style has propelled him forward; as an �A� list bassist, working both internationally with Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera (Tony Toni Tone) and many others. Wilton Rabb on guitar who played for Larry Graham & Graham Central Station and also MC Hammer. , Tony Yates who performed as Orchestrator of Bro Dap is on keyboard along with Jimmy McKinney, also MUSIC DIRECTOR.

The FUNK FAMILY AFFAIR reprises all their hits, "Dance To The Music," "I Want To Take You Higher," "Life," "Hot Fun In The Summertime," "Stand," "Thank You," "Family Affair," "If You Want Me To Stay", etc.

These grooves set the stage for and influenced groups like The Jackson Five, Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Ohio Players, New Birth, The Bar-Keys, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis and, let's face it, all the rest to come after. Heavily sampled in the world of Hip Hop. Now, can you handle THE FUNK FAMILY AFFAIR? Experience it now!
********

I say, I would be there no matter what if I wasn't living so far away! LOL

Wonder B

By Phil (212.129.41.190) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 09:11 am:

Great news WonderB, I'd love to be there, too, but ... where is Sly ?

By Wonder B (80.15.154.194) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 01:37 pm:

At home watching TV... LOL
You know Sly can't get out... he hasn't done so in the past 10 years...I think the last time he was in the public eye was for the Rock'n Roll Hall Of Fame admission...

Wonder B

By NYC Diva (158.57.150.226) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 01:38 pm:

That is the $64,000 Question!

By LadyMystique (216.37.229.14) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 09:03 pm:

WOW! Sly hasn't been out THAT LONG?!?!? Well, I hope he is doing OK...would love to see the concert!

By DyvaNaye (205.188.209.13) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 09:19 pm:

I would love to hear one good dose of M'Lady and Fun just for old time sake...man that would just about knock me out....Live too?!...sheeesh...

DyvaNaye

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.72) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 03:10 am:

Wonder B:
I think Sly was seen at Mama or Papa Stone's (I forgot which) funeral within the last 3-4 years. My sources also told me that Sly has had some health issues of late that he (supposedly) is refusing to be treated for...and he is staying on the DL because seeing him now would create more questions than his public abscence.

By Wonder B (81.51.160.84) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 06:11 am:

Yeah probably 1Wicked... sad though....

Wonder B

By Bob Olhsson (209.247.222.87) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 01:29 pm:

Not having Sly playing keys or Larry Graham playing the bass makes this press release quite a stretch to put it mildly!

And I won't even mention failing to give props to that somewhat obscure singer who Al Sharpton used to work for...

By Juicefree20 (68.161.48.203) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 08:54 pm:

Whoever wrote the release had their thumb you know where! Sly was bad, but influenced Parliament & Funk??? If I remember correctly, George & the boys had a little tune in 1967, what was it called again? Oh, yes, it was called Testify & charted 6 months before Sly hit the charts. I think that song would qualify as funky.

There were two unknowns by the name of Sam & Dave who had 2 unknown songs named Hold On, I'm Comin & Soul Man. There was another unknown duo who had a rather unknown song called Tramp, way back in 1967. What were their names again? Oh yes, the unknown Otis Redding & Carla Thomas.

What about that obscure young former Gospel singer from Detroit? I think she had a song called Respect. What was her name again? Maleefra? Teleefra? Oh yeah, that's right, it was Aretha Franklin.
I recall another guy, by the name of Wilson Pickett, who had songs like Funky Broadway, before Sly came along. What about Norman Whitfields funky smash by The Temptations by the name of I'm Losing You? Or his smash, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, as recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips?

Wasn't there some guy from Georgia way that had a few funky songs back in the mid 60s? I think that he had a song called Hot Sweat, no, no, it was Cold Wet. Oh, that's right, it was Cold Sweat. Y'all remember that one, don't y'all? It only turned Soul completely upside down. Please excuse my sarcasm. As the article neglected to acknowledge his existence, I simply forgot that James Brown was the Father of Funk. I guess that the writer never heard of little ditties such as: Out Of Sight, Let Yourself Go, Money Won't Change You, Bring It Up, There Was A Time, I Can't Stand Myself & the apocalyptic monster jam, Cold Sweat (The Godfather Of Funk Jams!!!). According to the writer, James had no influence on Funk at all. In fact, none of the above counted.

Now, if memory serves me correctly, all of these songs were quite funky. I also seem to remember that We're A Winner charted 3 weeks before Sly's initial smash. All of these songs that I've mentioned, charted before Slys' "influence", which began in Jan '68. There were many more songs that were in the same funky vein, that pre-dated Sly.

Now, Sly was definitely the man & he was great for a few LPs anyway. He was innovative & influential. But....he wasn't the first & as long as there was a James Brown or George Clinton, Stax or Muscle Shoals, not the best. If they're as accurate about this show, as they are about the roots of Funk, this show's in trouble. One must pay due homage to the originators & forefathers. This writer didn't & shame on whoever he/she is!

Please excuse the sarcasm, but man, who writes these press releases/reviews anyway?

Juice

By Wonder B (81.50.39.51) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 04:53 am:

Juice, I conccur... the article is a 'little' bit far fetched... you forgot to mention that Jimi Hendrix burst onto the music scene in 1967 and had his original style well established before Sly hit the charts... and since he (Jimi) died in 1970, Sly's influence (as said by the writer) may have been thin to say the least...

Wonder B

By intheknow (68.121.21.126) on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 09:47 pm:

Sly Lives in the Hollywood Hills now - I see him walking a a small dog on Franklin Ave - Looks good to me - he sold all his publishing but those ASCAP writters check must bring in a nice piece every six months.

By sly fan (64.169.106.215) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 04:09 am:

I am glad to hear that intheknwo..I heard he was in Studio City for awhile ..I am very happy to know he is well. As long as he is happy....

By ErikT.O. (64.228.108.43) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 02:26 pm:

So is anyone here going to the show Friday?

By catdaddyfrom thebay (63.164.145.161) on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 03:08 pm:

I'm going....Sly may not be there but these guys sound "GREAT" the weak points is the Bass Player but everything else is in the pocket......grooveliscious baby- Man Im happy the brother (Sly) is doing well- Wheres Freddy???

By slyfan (67.123.73.174) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 08:58 pm:

Flyer for the show Here:

http://www.craigslist.org/muc/28365177.html

By slackmob (63.200.53.10) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 09:05 pm:

How'd you hear them before the show? I've seen the bass player perform around the bay in lots of situations (I see a bunch of shows in SF) and he's definatly not Larry, but he's DAMN funky and respects the feel of the gig. Check out his work with Ledisi or Martin Luther. Stanky!