George loses his mind on this one as you probably know, lol. Bernie Worrell & Eddie Hazel = genius!

OK, I'm convinced Prince was listening HEAVILY to this one if you know what I mean:


[Edited 5/29/09 11:45am]
[Edited 5/29/09 11:47am]

They were on acid the whole time of these recordings


The music of Eulogy & Light is Open Our Eyes played backwards...


[Edited 5/29/09 13:33pm]

funkpill said:

Yeah I heard about that was the song ("Open Our Eyes"). What was even more interesting, the song was a religious-like ode! Talk about spooky!

Timmy84 said:What was even more interesting, the song was a religious-like ode! Talk about spooky![/quote]

Funkadelic, taking a cue from The Beatles and Jimi, who at that time had perfected the use of backwards recording and had turned it into an art form.(This was before Zeppelin's mastery of the use of backmasking, which also The Beatles had perfected, is a totally different process from just running something backwards) Funkadelic, and I think especially George, UNDERSTOOD the deepness of the vibe that resonates from a gospel song AND then taking a gospel based track and reversing it, the DEEPNESS not only will STILL come forth but it will also translate a certain sound. Not ALL things sound cool or haunting when played reversed, let alone when it's recorded in reverse. And George certainly was hipped to this.
[Edited 5/29/09 14:52pm]

blackguitaristz said:

I figured the Beatles used it first and yeah good call on Hendrix I almost forgot he also did backmasking. But yeah you're right, not everything sounds great backwards. This song is an exception and yeah it still sounds religious even when backed up, which is even weirder to me.
[Edited 5/29/09 14:53pm]

Timmy84 said:

I use the art of backwards recording and backmasking in my own music, especially with my guitar solos. I try to not do it TOO often, but I definately do it. A lot of times for me personally, is to do it and have it so it can't be detected by others. I've loved that "sound" all my life. And when it's done right, I think it creates, in itself, a beautiful sound. But like I stated earlier, things like emotions, i.e. pain, joy, sorrow, depression, those emotions are POWERFUL and very spiritual. Good or bad. IF that's already captured in ANY performance during the process of recording a song, those are the VERY elements that will dominate in the sound when it's reversed. I have no doubt a cat like Clinton was VERY aware of this.

blackguitaristz said:

I agree. And that's cool you do it, hope to hear it one day.

Timmy84 said:

Check your orgnotes

Thus the genius of George Clinton

funkpill said:

That's what I've been saying.

Classic LP..Right up there with Jimi, Zep and Sabbath.

And yes, B.G has the "backwards guitar lick" thang down like the masters!

funkpill said:

wasnt EULOGY AND LIGHT recorded 4 or more yrs before OPEN OUR EYES?

SPYZFAN1 said:

Like Leroy Sugarfoot Bonner and Roger Troutman would say "Shucks"...thank u Spyz. And yes, this album is as cool as a few Hendrix's albums and I believe that this album is on anything that Zepp and Sabbath (which are two of my all time fave rock bands) have done as albums. Sidenote: Ya'll ever notice that a LOT of what Hazel is playing during his lead axe on the title track Free Your Mind is very similar to what Page played on his lead on Dazed and Confused?

blackguitaristz said:

I've always believed that Hazel dug Page as well as Zepp's material and he and George both obviously dug the track Dazed and Confused. Because to these ears, I've always heard a Page influenced solo in some of what Eddie played on Free. Of course Jimi is all over it as well but I think Hazel wanted to combine Hendrix and Page in that solo.

DigitalGardin said:

Not that I know of, no. "Open Our Eyes" was recorded in '69 and Eulogy and Light was a year later (1970).
[Edited 5/30/09 13:14pm]

blackguitaristz said:

The rhythm to "Mommy, What's A Funkadelic" sounds similiar to Zep's "A Whole Lot Of Lovin"

funkpill said:

Yeah I hear a whole lot of references to the Zep in "Mommy, What's a Funkadelic" considering both songs came out in '69.

funkpill said:

Yes indeed.

YES!! I know theres very little on the album but i much prefer it to Maggot Brain. Love the fuzzed up guitars.

Euology is such an amazing piece. I didt know what to think when I first heard this tune. I was kin do f struck and dead in my tracks by the time the tune went off. I think I immediatley came to the org to talk about "Free your Mind....."

This track intrigued me so much I played the song backwards just to hear the original Open Our Eyes....which I have somehwere but I 4got what album it was on...

Anyway..what was that thing he said at the end again?

paisleypark4 said:

"Open Our Eyes" was on the compilation album, "Music for My Mother" and was the b-side to, I believe, "I Got a Thang" from the first FUNKADELIC album in '69.

As for what, I presume it's George, says in the ending, it almost sounds like he's saying, "sounds nuts" or "saw the light", it's a little confusing...
[Edited 6/1/09 9:26am]

Timmy84 said:

Ok I got that one..I just have 2 find it again.

paisleypark4 said:

You know what's funny. The song is religious ("Open Our Eyes") but when you listen to it backwards, you get the same reaction. It's almost like they're saying "Jesus Lord help me" or something in the background (Eddie and the female background singers) all the while George is reciting from the eulogy of a drug dealer.
[Edited 6/1/09 10:50am]

Timmy84 said:

He is preaching yes its scary! That song is SCARY

paisleypark4 said:

Not to mention George's vocals are screwed into a deep husk in the first half and then ends in a high-pitched yelp in the end. That makes it even more creepy.

acid is one helluva drug

funkpill said:

made some good music tho

The 1st time I listened to "Eulogy And Light", it was in the dark, and IT SCARED THA SHIT OUTTA ME!!!!!