ppl i think the commodores were the funkiest funk bend ever after p-funk.their mix of funk grooves and distorted heavy guitars r incredable.their arangmants r great.who could say lionel richie was that funky back in a day.
anybody ever seen them ever alive or have a story abut them 2 share?
recommended songs:look what you've done 2 me,slippery when wet,sexy lady,why you wanna try me,thumpin music,visions,lets do it right,brickhouse and many many more...

They a great band man. Mr Richie is one hell of a singer too.

Lewis

I tell ya, phunk is my new thang now.....my new love and something I ain't never gonna leave.....i dig many styles of music, but damn! Phunk got it all! And I've only listened to a millionth of the phunk out there because i'm rather new to getting into it.

I do like Heatwave.....been diggin' them lately.
I will definitely go more in depth with the commodores' music....hell, i just got their live album on LP. Gonna be something i dig? i can't listen to it now....i'm diggin the V103 friday night dance party thats goin' on the radio....i'm from the Chicago area.

A Peaceful Wild, Ya'll!!!
T-O-DoubleD

richie,is great song writer

HEY ANYBODY HERE KNOW how good is mister lionel richie on piano?he never shows it on his solo albums?

I grew up diggin on them as a kid with of course so many other music acts from the 70's. My older bro who growing up I thought was just the coolest guy~ He was a D.J. in the 70's and had a wide selection of music & jumpsuit's that would have made Prince feel proud. Commodores posters with P-Funk & Earth Wind & Fire were on our room walls.
2 B growing up back in the day like that & hearing all the great music that passed through these ears....it was a treat! Commodores I know had there impact on me as a kid. Being in the 5th grade (i think) at the time. 4 our class project we had 2 sing a certain song in front of the class room. So being the kid I was back then (the 3-time winner of the softest afro contest) Sorry "Dante", 2002 I bet that hair is still like a brillo pad (grins)~
Anyways, the song that my mom wanted me 2 sing...can't remember 4 the life of me...but I was not feelin it at all! I was thinking I can't do the class room gig with that. This song would get me laughed at..Needless 2 say, sitting at the end of my bed thinking of what 2 do. My brothas record collection was not far from my eyes 2 see. Now I was told not 2 "ever" 4 any reason touch any records....But I needed some funk very bad!
So flippin through all his LPs I came across the record single 4 "Brick House". It was just what this kid needed. So on the day I needed 2 sing, I snuck-out my Bro Commodores record. I Put it under my jacket and feelin much better knowing I had the hottest single of the month. I hooked up with my old friends & told them we was doing Brick House. One guy was white the other Fiji, he looked more black then me..lol, they were down with it and ready 2 B the new "Commodores International version"... As we got up there we all got hit with the tickles....as the song started we tried are very best 2 not start laughing....but we gave in.... the laughter won out...and we were told 2 sit down half in2 Brick House~
We sucked big time! But damn that was a blast tryin 2 get funky as a kid, what a memory. If U can find the Old Skoo Commodores Live, its a keeper~ PS. There was no DNA back then but my brotha found out I touched his records anyways....I'm sure I got smacked 4 it~

Definitely get the Commodores LIVE album. I have the vinyl, but found alot of it online as well. Just to Be Close to You, Zoom, Won't You Come Dance With Me and Easy are just some of the songs that are even better than the originals. Lionel was the man, it' too bad he sold out. I still listen to their old stuff quite abit.

The Commodores' 'Live' album,originally released in 1978,has just been remastered! I just got my copy yesterday and it is a must-have if you're a fan.

For as funkiest bands I think Commordores, EWF and P-Funk along with Bootsy's Rubberband were some of greatest in history. Kinda like old great boxers Ali, Frazier, Foreman. What ever happened to the Commordores did they break up??

thebanishedone said:

They're cool, except they found the top of the charts by selling out to the pop mainstream.

As per "the commodores were the funkiest funk bend ever after p-funk.their mix of funk grooves and distorted heavy guitars r incredable."

That's largely because you were listening to Pfunk bassist Cordell "Booogie" Mosson and guitarist Eddie Hazel. MOTOWN had followed Norman Whitfield into the land of copying the PFUNK sound. Whitfield began this practice by actualy sitting front row of Clinton's gigs and pulling out a tape to copy their grooves. Then he'd turn the tape over to studio hands like Dennis Coffey and band RARE EARTH to have them craft a sound identical to FUNKADELIC. That's why those TEMPTS, RARE EARTH UNDISPUTED TRUTH and EDWIN STARR lps sound so much like a FUNKADELIC groove.

Outside of Whitfield, they specifically went and hired Mosson and HAzel to create thos lowdown funky hooks for the Commodores. Whitfield also used them extensively on the CARWASH soundtrack. YOu really need good ears to tell this but you can also find them on Jackson Five grooves DANCING MACHIEN and GET IT TOGETHER. Motown wasn't really eager to give out credit, cuz they had really copped a strong dose of PFUNK power.

commodores were tight. but the second funkiest band second to P-Funk? come on man. there's the JBs. theres Mandrill (to me one of the funkiest ever). there's cane and able. hidden strength. bootsy's rubber band. maceo and all the kings men. and many more.
I dig the commodores live album though.

MAN CHECK COMMODORES SONGS "SEXY LADY" 'SLIPPERY WHEN WET" "WIDE OPEN" "THE BUMP" "I FEEL SANCTIFIED" "LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME" "ANIMAL INSTINCT","SUCH A WOMAN"
"GIRL I THINK THE WORLD ABOUT YA"
ITS FUNK RIGHT AFTER P FUNK

OOHH I FORGOT MY FAVOURITE COIMMODORES SONG "FUNKY SITUATION"

I just read an interview with Lionel Ritchie in Billboard Magazine.He says that he is reuniting with the Commodores and they are tossing ideas around for a new CD.In addition,Motown/Universal is remastering their old albums,including Lionel's solo albums.

DavidEye said:

Figgers; shoulda happened long ago. Not like either of 'em been stirrin' things up lately. Thang is are they gonna soft and MOR or try to get funky again?

sorry guys, but what the world does not need is another lionel ritchie album.

The Commodores made some great music! Slippery When It's Wet, Brick House, This is Your Life...great stuff. I would be interested in hearing their new music with Lionel Richie.

PFunkjazz said:

I agree.They should have reunited in the early 90s,when the "Old School" funk bands were suddenly hot again.I hope the new album is funky,but I don't think they'll ever come up with something as wild as "Brick House" again:)

DavidEye said:

Well you neeed to check my post upthread for where they got that funk from; Eddie's gone, but Cordell "Boogie" Mosson's still with us.

After reading this thread,I suddenly became interested in The Commodores again.I had always been a huge fan,but I hadn't really played their music in years.Thanks to the person who started this thread!! I've been listening to their music non-stop the last few weeks,and I am now completing my Commodores CD collection.Most of their albums are out-of-print,but Amazon has the import,remastered CDs 'Machine Gun'(their 1974 debut) and 'The Commodores'(their 1977 hit album).While I'm waiting for those to arrive,I picked up their recent 2-CD 'Anthology' set,released late last year.Forget about all the other compilations (and there are many),THIS is the one to have!! It not only contains all the hits in their FULL-LENGTH album versions,it contains key album tracks,and a few rarities.Here's the full tracklist...

Disc 1---

***"Machine Gun"---their first hit,a funky instrumental
***"I Feel Sanctified"---early funk jam later covered by Wild Cherry (in addition,their own hit "Play That Funky Music" borrows ALL of its' musical ideas from this Commodores song).
***"Are You Happy"---a single from their unreleased 1973 album.Nice song!
***"The Bump"---more early funk that sizzles!
***"Slippery When Wet"---a 1975 funk hit,one of their best
***"This Is Your Life"---Most of the other Commodores compilations have the edited version of this track.Here,you get the full 6-minute version,with the second verse included.GREAT BALLAD!! Sounds a little bit like Earth Wind and Fires' "Devotion" (same theme,same chords).
***"Gimme My Mule"---OH LAWD,this is the funkiest Commodores song EVER!!! I went crazy when this came on!! It was never released as a single,but it totally rocks!!!!! Funky as hell!! Can't get enough of this one!!!!!
***"Sweet Love"---another nice Ritchie ballad
***"Cebu"---funky instrumental
***"Fancy Dancer"---a 1976 funk jam
***"High On Sunshine"---In late 1976,Motown was planning to release this gem as a single,but they chose "Just To Be Close To You" instead.I like that song,but why didn't they simply release both tunes?? This song is gorgeous.
***"Just To Be Close To You"---soulful hit Lionel Ritchie ballad.Features his spoken "rap",which is kinda corny:)
***"Brick House 12" Version"---no explanation needed:)
***"Zoom"---Damn,I love this one.It's a long,hypnotic Lionel ballad with great lyrics!!!
***"Easy"---Their BEST BALLAD!!! This is an irresistible,mellow country-tinged ballad that remains a classic.One of the highlights of the entire 70s decade!!!


Disc 2---
***"Come Inside(Live)"---this song was taken from their 1977 'Live' album,which has just been remastered too.
***"Too Hot Ta Trot"---on this compilation,you get the full 5 minute,38 second version (other compliations feature the single version).It's another classic Commodores funk track.
***"Flying High"---more "pop" than their usual hits,but it's still a nice song.
***"Say Yeah"---an underrated Lionel ballad
***"Three Times A Lady"---did you know that,this song is the biggest-selling record in Motown's history?
***"Sail On"---the perfect "kiss off" song...lol...
***"Still"---Lionel's ballads are intoxicating
***"Old-Fashion Love"---the guys entered the 80s with this pleasant,but unremarkable,song.
***"Heroes"---as a balladeer,Lionel could do no wrong.This is another winning song.
***"Jesus Is Love"---yes,they could do gospel too...lol...
***"Lady(You Bring Me Up)"---in the summer of 1981,this wasa huge hit.Catchy and inviting,it's a favorite of mine.
***"Oh No"---"I want you to want me,I'm going crazy knowing he will be your lover tonight..."
***"Painted Picture"---ok song,but without Lionel,the band didn't have much of a future.
***"Lay Back"---Oops,I take that back! This post-Lionel song is EXCELLENT!! Lead vocals by J.D. Nicholas (formerly of Heatwave),it's a mesmerizing,heavily-synthed ballad (hey,this was the mid-80s after-all...lol...).
***"Nightshift"---a touching tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson,this was this last big hit (from 1985).

Davideye,

That compilation sounds awesome! Is it being sold in stores?

NikkiDarling said:

Yes,you can find it at your local record store.It's called "Commodores Anthology" and you can get it for around $20.It's a 2-CD set with great liner notes and rare photos.There are several other Commodores hits compilations,but this is by far the best one.

I have a Commodores live 1978 album that is THE BOMB. I think it is out of print. It has an amazing stank nasty funk version of "Fancy Dancer" on it(that bridge is too funnnnkaaaay). Also noteworthy is ZOOM and BRICK HOUSE in which the Commodores has a BRICK HOUSE contest of sorts right on stage. There was a studio recording o one song on this live 2-record set.....the 1977-78 hit "Too Hot To Trot". Great live set.

* Brother 9/15 aka CR3

Brother915 said:

Nope,that album is BACK in print...lol...Motown/Universal just remastered it and it was released last month.I just bought it and I can't stop listening to it! I love the versions of "Zoom" and "Come Inside".It all sounds like an exciting concert.Go pick this CD up today,it's a must-have!

DavidEye said:

Yes. I check to verify after I sent my post and found out out that is is now IN PRINT. I'm glad it's available again . Once again, FANCY DANCER from this album is super funnnnnkay!!!!!IN a nasty stanky kind of way(LOL).

* Brother 9/15 aka CR3

Most Commodores albums are out-of-print,but if you go to Amazon.com,you can find import copies of the 'Machine Gun'(their 1974 debut) and 'Commodores'(their 1977 hit album) CDs,both remastered.I just ordered my copies:)

I'm waiting for Motown/Universal to remaster the other 70s albums ('Hot On The Tracks','Movin On','Natural High').A multi-disc box set might also be a good idea;)

Did you know they have an unreleased 1973 album,collecting dust in the Motown vaults? One single was released ("Are You Happy?"),but Motown scrapped the album,which would have been their official debut.
[This message was edited Thu May 2 6:44:00 PDT 2002 by DavidEye]