SMOKE' N CD!
F. Funchess | 03/09/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are looking for pre-recorded vocals, overdubs and pre-recorded beats then pass this by - but if you want REAL music played LIVE, with the energy and drive of a bad a$$ band, then look no further. This LIVE recording is dripping with Funk and features the great vocals of Felton and Michael and the ever-so-funky bass playing of Eric Young. Be sure pick up this CD AND check the band out the next time they are in your town!"
It's about time these groups FINALLY have live recordings!!!
Cedric C. Carter | Asheville, North Carolina | 10/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Con Funk Shun is one of my favorite r&b/quiet storm groups of the 1970's. At one time I had ALL of their albums. I think that the albums "Spirit of Love", "Touch", and "7" were their very best "total package" efforts. I would like to obtain a copy of "7", "Candy" and "Loveshine" again (hint for anyone who can help with a cassette tape copy).Anyway, this live recording contains a good sample of Con Funk Shun's best material. The new members of the group don't miss a beat. I am curious as to what happened to the other original members: Cedric Martin/bass, Louis McCall/drums and Danny Tho mas/keyboards. I had the pleasure of meeting Cedric Martin after a concert in Cleveland, Ohio in @1978. There is nothing so great as live horns and this album has plenty of that in the Ffun intro segueing into Chase Me. The bass is booming and popping with Michael Cooper and Felton "Clyde" Pilate still doing great justice on vocals.There are many, many jams that they could have done on this cd but the representation is good. Personaly, I like Candy, Got to Be Enough, Touch, Body Lovers, Ms. Got-the-body and Do Ya. But these guys do a super job of mixing it up between fast jams and ballads.The slow jams are awesome!!! Let Me Put Love on Your Mind and Love's Train are mega-BEGGING songs and I was very pleased to see Straight From the Heart on this list... it is a very beatiful song and reminds me of my youngest daughter who died tragically 10 years ago at the age of 8.5 months. I use this song to express the love of a father to his young daughter... with all the hopes and dreams we all have for our children... only to see them sadly dashed away. Probably not the original intent of the song, but it works for me. I'm Leaving Baby and Baby, I'm Hooked are good choices too, but I would like to have heard Honey Wild, Make It Last, Can't Say Goodbye, Give You love To Me or their first slow jam Another World.The inclusion of By Your Side with the instrumental solos and introductions of the band members is a brief taste of the true musicianship these guys had during the 70's. Remember Indian Summer Love, California 1, Foley Park, If You're In Need, and Play Widit?Of course, they HAD to end the live segment of the cd with Ffun appropriately. Throw It Up is a nice take on George "Dukey Stick" Duke's popular Reach for It. The mega-mix could have been left off the cd as far as I'm concerned because when you start to listen to it, it sounds so good you want to skip back and hear the entire song again not just small clips!!!I'd love to see this band live again, but since I live in New England now and these guys are California bred, that seems like a very remote possibility. In the meantime, I'm glad to hear that they have gotten back together and are doing some shows.Wow... the 1970's sure produced a lot of enjoyable, clean r&b to listen and dance to. This is a refreshing taste worthy to be added to any collection."
CFS LIVE&BLAZING!
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 03/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Con Funk Shun is blazing on this Live set.The Band is sounding Great.FFun hearing those Horns sounds great.all the jams here&more.a truly rewarding great Live set.It's Funky&Blazing."