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Thread started 06/07/05 9:16am

namepeace

(Un)official Sly Stone Thread: thoughts, observations, memories, etc.

As inspired by the Marley-Wonder thread, please feel free to post your thoughts on Sly Stone. To me, he was a pure genius of funk-rock, a pioneer in every sense of the word. He made music that inspired everyone, and influenced artists of the past and present. Any artist who could help inspire Miles Davis has to be considered a legend.

His greatest legacy may be as a songwriter. From "Everyday People," to "Family Affair" to "Everybody Is A Star" to "Stand!", its hard to argue with the man's pure genius for inspiring lyrics. His product outshines virtually anything that's come out since.

It's a shame he hasn't produced more stuff.

Thoughts?
Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016

Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder
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Reply #1 posted 06/07/05 9:47am

DorothyParkerW
asCool

I LOVE Sly. The man is pure genius and he changed the face of music forever. I mean there are only a few people that can honestly say they inspired a new movement in music. His albums are timeless, challenging, and multi-layered, and his band mixed-race/sexed band was a reflection of society. Furthermore, Sly was a multi-instrumentalist who often was the only musician on his songs. I just do not think that people honestly understand how brilliant Sly Stone is. The guy was a consummate studio musician and song writer, yet he was able to take it to the stage and create a funk revival everytime he played live. Sly was so good that most bands feared following him at music festivals.

Sadly, people only focus on the negative with Sly and that's a damn shame because his impact on music is immense. There's A Riot Goin On and Fresh should be required listening for anyone that wants to truly understand what music is about. Pure genius from a man with very few peers.
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Reply #2 posted 06/07/05 10:03am

funkpill

Well said.... cool

Truly a genius.....
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Reply #3 posted 06/07/05 10:11am

okaypimpn

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It would be nice if Sly came back with the Family Stone and put out a gospel album.
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Reply #4 posted 06/07/05 10:25am

blackguitarist
z

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DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I LOVE Sly. The man is pure genius and he changed the face of music forever. I mean there are only a few people that can honestly say they inspired a new movement in music. His albums are timeless, challenging, and multi-layered, and his band mixed-race/sexed band was a reflection of society. Furthermore, Sly was a multi-instrumentalist who often was the only musician on his songs. I just do not think that people honestly understand how brilliant Sly Stone is. The guy was a consummate studio musician and song writer, yet he was able to take it to the stage and create a funk revival everytime he played live. Sly was so good that most bands feared following him at music festivals.

Sadly, people only focus on the negative with Sly and that's a damn shame because his impact on music is immense. There's A Riot Goin On and Fresh should be required listening for anyone that wants to truly understand what music is about. Pure genius from a man with very few peers.

I agree.
SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
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Reply #5 posted 06/07/05 10:29am

blackguitarist
z

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I adore Sly Stone. He is, without a doubt, one of the most important music icons to ever live. Period.
SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him."
http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary
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Reply #6 posted 06/07/05 10:30am

andyman91

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As well respected as he is in some circles, I think he's kind of a forgotten legend.

Kind of like Prince was 'till last year. A star, a legend, a genius, but forgotten & underappreciated, and ready to be rediscovered.

His earlier music was so incredibly positive (Stand, Higher, Life, Fun, Hot Fun, Dance to the Music, Thank You and on and on) but it never felt naive or like he was avoiding reality.

I wish somebody'd remaster "Riot," however. I wonder if it sounded better on record.
[Edited 6/7/05 10:31am]
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Reply #7 posted 06/07/05 11:17am

krayzie

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DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I LOVE Sly. The man is pure genius and he changed the face of music forever. I mean there are only a few people that can honestly say they inspired a new movement in music. His albums are timeless, challenging, and multi-layered, and his band mixed-race/sexed band was a reflection of society. Furthermore, Sly was a multi-instrumentalist who often was the only musician on his songs. I just do not think that people honestly understand how brilliant Sly Stone is. The guy was a consummate studio musician and song writer, yet he was able to take it to the stage and create a funk revival everytime he played live. Sly was so good that most bands feared following him at music festivals.

Sadly, people only focus on the negative with Sly and that's a damn shame because his impact on music is immense. There's A Riot Goin On and Fresh should be required listening for anyone that wants to truly understand what music is about. Pure genius from a man with very few peers.


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Reply #8 posted 06/07/05 11:20am

krayzie

avatar

andyman91 said:

As well respected as he is in some circles, I think he's kind of a forgotten legend.

Kind of like Prince was 'till last year. A star, a legend, a genius, but forgotten & underappreciated, and ready to be rediscovered.

His earlier music was so incredibly positive (Stand, Higher, Life, Fun, Hot Fun, Dance to the Music, Thank You and on and on) but it never felt naive or like he was avoiding reality.

I wish somebody'd remaster "Riot," however. I wonder if it sounded better on record.
[Edited 6/7/05 10:31am]


This is why I thought too, he's very underapreciated and forgotten... neutral

When people used to talk about the greatets artists of all times, Sly is rarely mentioned...
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Reply #9 posted 06/07/05 11:21am

andyman91

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Gotta be the shoes!
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Reply #10 posted 06/07/05 1:09pm

blackguitarist
z

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krayzie said:

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I LOVE Sly. The man is pure genius and he changed the face of music forever. I mean there are only a few people that can honestly say they inspired a new movement in music. His albums are timeless, challenging, and multi-layered, and his band mixed-race/sexed band was a reflection of society. Furthermore, Sly was a multi-instrumentalist who often was the only musician on his songs. I just do not think that people honestly understand how brilliant Sly Stone is. The guy was a consummate studio musician and song writer, yet he was able to take it to the stage and create a funk revival everytime he played live. Sly was so good that most bands feared following him at music festivals.

Sadly, people only focus on the negative with Sly and that's a damn shame because his impact on music is immense. There's A Riot Goin On and Fresh should be required listening for anyone that wants to truly understand what music is about. Pure genius from a man with very few peers.



Great picture!
SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him."
http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary
http://ccoshea19.googlepages.com
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Reply #11 posted 06/07/05 1:18pm

DorothyParkerW
asCool

You know Sly was genius..Hell he was one of the two main inspirations for Miles Davis' fusion explorations.
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Reply #12 posted 06/07/05 1:26pm

funkpill

George Clinton has said
that Sly & The Family Stone
is the funkiest band....Ever!!!

Oh!! cool
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Reply #13 posted 06/07/05 3:03pm

SPYZFAN1

Sly is a misunderstood genuis. His work is prolific and it was ahead of it's time. I understand he's long retired from the industry, but his impact is still felt. "Riot", "Fresh", "Small Talk", and "Back On The Right Track" are headphome masterpieces. Miles, Jimi, and George have PRAISED the man. He;s left a good legacy of music. There really needs to be a 4-CD Sly boxset with all kinds of outtakes, demos, etc. Hopefully he knows people still dig his stuff.
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Reply #14 posted 06/07/05 5:45pm

mrwigglesdaw1r
m

fro"Hey Music Lover" music
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Reply #15 posted 06/07/05 7:26pm

theAudience

avatar

Take James Brown funk, elevate it to the next stage with harmonically interesting chord progressions that form the foundation for excellent pop songwriting sung by soulful vocals and you have the essence of the greatness that is...



...Sly Stone.

Oh, and it didn't hurt to have a unique bass playing style incoporated into your music either.
(regardless of what the haters say)

I didn't get to catch him at the different shows with Jimi Hendrix, The Animals or Rotary Connection at the Fillmore East. Or any of the clubs they'd set on fire (with their playing) in The Village.

Unfortunately, I only caught him during a bad performance during The Strawberry Fields Festival in Canada.

Thank goodness for albums.



(not trying to pimp the record, it's just a cool pic)

tA

peace Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm
"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all."
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Reply #16 posted 06/07/05 7:50pm

namepeace

theAudience said:

shows with [b]Jimi Hendrix


I would be tempted to trade every Prince show I have ever seen for just one of these.
Good night, sweet Prince | 7 June 1958 - 21 April 2016

Props will be withheld until the showing and proving has commenced. -- Aaron McGruder
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Reply #17 posted 06/07/05 11:46pm

theAudience

avatar

namepeace said:

theAudience said:

shows with Jimi Hendrix


I would be tempted to trade every Prince show I have ever seen for just one of these.

Let me tell you brother, those Fillmore East shows were nuts!
I'm not sure how much you're into 60s acts, but they featured a wide range.
For example one night was Santana, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Tower of Power.
Another night Ray Charles and Dizzy Gillespie.
All this for like $3.50 to $5.50 a ticket. $10 if you paid a scalper.

Check their site for more unbelievable stuff:
http://www.fillmore-east.com/

tA

peace Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm
"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all."
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Reply #18 posted 06/08/05 2:01am

pennstate97

Check out this free video clip of Sly & The Family Stone live on the Ed Sullivan Show.

www.spoiltvictorianchild....f-you.html


then click on the tv screen.

Feel The Funk!
[Edited 6/8/05 2:04am]
[Edited 6/8/05 23:49pm]
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Reply #19 posted 06/08/05 2:53am

SPYZFAN1

Aud, How "bad" was his performance at the Strawberry Fields Festival? Was he too far gone and was he with the Family Stone or solo?
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Reply #20 posted 06/08/05 8:50am

funkpill

pennstate97 said:

Check out this free clip of Sly & The Family Stone live of the Ed Sullivan Show

www.spoiltvictorianchild....f-you.html


then click on the tv screen.

Feel The Funk!
[Edited 6/8/05 2:04am]

cool Classic!!!
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Reply #21 posted 06/08/05 9:03am

Slave2daGroove

pennstate97 said:

Check out this free clip of Sly & The Family Stone live of the Ed Sullivan Show

www.spoiltvictorianchild....f-you.html


then click on the tv screen.

Feel The Funk!
[Edited 6/8/05 2:04am]


Thanks for this experience.

I have a new sig now.

Sly, in a time of social revelolution, had a message of cultural unity that still applies today. The thing I love about everything I've ever seen on Sly and the Family Stone is the energy that they used in conveying powerful grooves with a message of love. Check out the performance at Woodstock (in the movie) and even this link, what a beautiful spirit.
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Reply #22 posted 06/08/05 2:56pm

theAudience

avatar

SPYZFAN1 said:

Aud, How "bad" was his performance at the Strawberry Fields Festival? Was he too far gone and was he with the Family Stone or solo?

It was a Sly & The Family Stone performance SPYZ. They were the final act of a 3-day rock festival
As I remember it (after 3 days of mescaline & stoned ) after the group was introduced he came out alone and just starting framming around on wah-wah guitar. whofarted

The rest of the group finally came out, did about 3 complete numbers and launched into I Want to Take You Higher.
Somewhere in the middle of the tune, Sly vanished from the stage. By this time I had worked my way behind the stage (Easy pickins back then. No modern day security beat downs) where the tour buses were parked. Wandering around back there I look at one of the bus windows. There was Sly inside, head against the window, dead asleep. Band stilled played for another minute or so and left the stage.

End of the Strawberry Fields Festival.

Have A Nice Day.


tA

peace Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm
"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all."
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Reply #23 posted 06/08/05 3:48pm

blackguitarist
z

avatar

theAudience said:

SPYZFAN1 said:

Aud, How "bad" was his performance at the Strawberry Fields Festival? Was he too far gone and was he with the Family Stone or solo?

It was a Sly & The Family Stone performance SPYZ. They were the final act of a 3-day rock festival
As I remember it (after 3 days of mescaline & stoned ) after the group was introduced he came out alone and just starting framming around on wah-wah guitar. whofarted

The rest of the group finally came out, did about 3 complete numbers and launched into I Want to Take You Higher.
Somewhere in the middle of the tune, Sly vanished from the stage. By this time I had worked my way behind the stage (Easy pickins back then. No modern day security beat downs) where the tour buses were parked. Wandering around back there I look at one of the bus windows. There was Sly inside, head against the window, dead asleep. Band stilled played for another minute or so and left the stage.

End of the Strawberry Fields Festival.

Have A Nice Day.


tA

peace Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

Damn.
SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him."
http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary
http://ccoshea19.googlepages.com
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Reply #24 posted 06/08/05 3:53pm

Handclapsfinga
snapz

theAudience said:

SPYZFAN1 said:

Aud, How "bad" was his performance at the Strawberry Fields Festival? Was he too far gone and was he with the Family Stone or solo?

It was a Sly & The Family Stone performance SPYZ. They were the final act of a 3-day rock festival
As I remember it (after 3 days of mescaline & stoned ) after the group was introduced he came out alone and just starting framming around on wah-wah guitar. whofarted

The rest of the group finally came out, did about 3 complete numbers and launched into I Want to Take You Higher.
Somewhere in the middle of the tune, Sly vanished from the stage. By this time I had worked my way behind the stage (Easy pickins back then. No modern day security beat downs) where the tour buses were parked. Wandering around back there I look at one of the bus windows. There was Sly inside, head against the window, dead asleep. Band stilled played for another minute or so and left the stage.

End of the Strawberry Fields Festival.

Have A Nice Day.


tA

peace Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

dayum. eek lol
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Reply #25 posted 06/08/05 3:57pm

SPYZFAN1

Thanks Aud. DAG!! That's sad. But at least you can say you saw him play live (even if was only briefly). I knew someone that saw him play a little club back in 82 and he said the show was bad. Sly came out and couldn't remember the the lyrics and he was slurring and mumbling his words. After the 2nd song, he walked offstage and left the club while the band was playing the 3rd song. He said a riot almost broke out in the club (no pun intended) when folks realized he left.
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Reply #26 posted 06/08/05 4:04pm

theAudience

avatar

blackguitaristz said:

Damn.


Handclapsfingasnapz said:

dayum. eek lol


SPYZFAN1 said:

DAG!! That's sad.


Now, are those reactions to...
(after 3 days of mescaline & stoned )

or

Sly's performance?


cool

tA

peace Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm
"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all."
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Reply #27 posted 06/08/05 4:06pm

SPYZFAN1

lol..Sly's performance. You didn't have to play in front of a festival crowd so it was OK for you to be "kissing the sky". (lol)
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Reply #28 posted 06/08/05 4:53pm

LesGrinds

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SPYZFAN1 said:

Thanks Aud. DAG!! That's sad. But at least you can say you saw him play live (even if was only briefly). I knew someone that saw him play a little club back in 82 and he said the show was bad. Sly came out and couldn't remember the the lyrics and he was slurring and mumbling his words. After the 2nd song, he walked offstage and left the club while the band was playing the 3rd song. He said a riot almost broke out in the club (no pun intended) when folks realized he left.



Wonder if that's the show I saw at the Keystone Berkeley. Same thing happened -- They let us stay for the second show (they kind of had to) and he did it AGAIN. I do remember him sitting down at the keyboards and beginning "Family Afair" and we were all pulling...just PULLING for him to keep with it.

Kickin' back-up band, though -- wonder who it was?
__________________________________________
"You can always change your underwear."
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Reply #29 posted 06/08/05 5:02pm

theAudience

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SPYZFAN1 said:

Sly came out and couldn't remember the the lyrics and he was slurring and mumbling his words.

hmmm Sounds very...



...like. neutral


tA

peace Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm
"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all."
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