KCRW public radio in California does a free song of the day, and today's song is...

http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/tu/tu121010larry_graham_and_gcs

Its a absolute "MasterPiece".............

what happened to the previous thread???

I like the song. But I really don't like the voice... I think his voice is too deep and course for the song choice. But it does get a bit better when the music and back up singers start to blend with his voice for the chorus.

Omg In tears laughing over those vocals!!! Wow.... Sounds like a long belch before each line....simply hilarious!!

That's not Larry Graham singing. That's Prince's voice, altered and deepened electronically to sound like Larry.

Oh boy. Those vocals. Its a nice song but it should have been Prince's song.

WaterInYourBath said:

That's not Larry Graham singing. That's Prince's voice, altered and deepened electronically to sound like Larry.

I can't imagine a full album of Larry's voice. I just can't. Prince's expert guitar playing doesn't even save this one. And it's really too bad because the guitar is reminicent of Joy in Repetition. It is has a very sexy, mysterious vibe to it. But I can't seem to get past Larry's voice to truly enjoy it.

metallicjigolo said:

Diggin it, but Prince shoulda coulda woulda kept this one for himself.

It's a Larry Graham composition, not a Prince song. Prince has no writing credits on the album, but does play and/or contribute backing vocals to three tracks.

In regard to criticism regarding Larry's voice, I like his baritone and think it works well in the more organic envionment found on 'Raise Up'.

Overall, 'Raise Up' is a great, solid funk album.

"Shoulda Coulda Woulda" is a Prince song. Whether its not credited to him or not he wrote it produced it arranged,composed it..I'm sure he just gave it to Larry as a gift. He loves him that much..

vox are embarrassing. not just on this song either. the question is why?! i loved his vocals on the classic material. even on GCS 2000, they sounded good. never mind. just listened to Don't Let Em Change U and it still sounds belchy.

[Edited 10/14/12 11:14am]

Thankfully Prince is only credited with contributing to this album, and not producing. At least he can distance himself from this project a little

LG's vocals are painful indeed - someone really 'shoulda, coulda, woulda' told LG to get a guest singer or three for this one!

I have no desire to hear this track again - nothing can save it. Not even up for d/loading for free. Seriously.

Edit: Wrong thread!

[Edited 10/14/12 15:17pm]

i don't like ro dislike the vocals on this in particular - very old school vibe.
I like the song a lot. If it IS a Prince song then it proves he has no idea what to keep or discard. Production is better than Prince's latest too.
Yeah- Prince is distant from stuff that sounds decent anymore.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

"Shoulda Coulda Woulda" is a Prince song. Whether its not credited to him or not he wrote it produced it arranged,composed it..I'm sure he just gave it to Larry as a gift. He loves him that much..

Hopefully this is obvious to all? This is defo a P ballad and a great one at that..

Larry has very done well, but I would LOVE to hear D'Angelo cover this... saving that Prince himself with strings and horns

Am I the only one who likes Larry's voice? I think his vocals compliment GCS,imo.

In the same Bootsy accented Rubber Band & Jimi Hendrix did as well.

I don't get why anyone thinks it is really horrible. It is a cool sounding voice, maybe not the most flexable range but either did Bootsy,Jimi or George Clinton. Is this the part where I get drawn and quartered? I will just sit on this tree stump & wait for the angry mob.

agree with u. Prince also got some of his deep vocal range from listening to Larry. I remember the hit ballad Larry had with "One In Million in 79/80.It reminds me of the deep vocal range Prince used in his hit single title track from the multi platinum album "Diamonds & Pearls".....

THE HATERS ARE OUT AGAIN 4 LARRY LIKE THEY ARE FOR POOR ALLY.People need to realize Prince doesn't care what u think. He will always do what he pleases..

Trickology said:

Am I the only one who likes Larry's voice? I think his vocals compliment GCS,imo.

In the same Bootsy accented Rubber Band & Jimi Hendrix did as well.

I don't get why anyone thinks it is really horrible. It is a cool sounding voice, maybe not the most flexable range but either did Bootsy,Jimi or George Clinton. Is this the part where I get drawn and quartered? I will just sit on this tree stump & wait for the angry mob.

I like Larry's voice as well, so no you aren't alone. I think this song is great, however, if Prince would've sang the lead, with Larry adding the background vocals I'd have liked it even more. The song has the potential to be a hit, imo. He isn't just singing, he's feeling what he's singing, and I wish him success.

As a side note: Larry, if you read this thread and you wrote the lyrics and music for this song, would you please write an old-school soul hit for Baby Brother? n' be wild!

I REALLY love this song - but I'm finding myself longing to hear Prince sing it instead!

Yep great song for Prince on vocals, but at the very least they should release an instrumental version.

Another crappy new song--goodie.

Barefoot and pregnant! lol

Listen to the far superior Meshell Ndegeocello song.

metallicjigolo said:

Diggin it, but Prince shoulda coulda woulda kept this one for himself.