Funk Brothers Music

dig Me Some Isley Brothers they always balanced out the Funk&The Slow-Jams are No Joke.this Collection Highlights there Timeless Slow Jams.romantic&right on point.there Impact on Music hasn't gotten half the due I feel they deserve to me.Another knock out collection from The Isley Brothers.

I don't even think it's important to know what the Isely Brothers are singing about, their songs, their voice, and the synthesis of both ends up as this silky smooth song that you can't help but sing. "Caravan of Love" is my favorite on this CD. This track is so liquid that it could melt right into a wineglass. It's inviting, the Isely Brother's urging you to "join the caravan of love." It's perfect for whatever romantic evening you have planned.

Every Isley fan should own these two albums, but I kinda know why I never heard or saw these two albums. You get the feeling that they were past their prime years with some of these songs. "Inside You" was just a painful sequel to "Grand Slam", with the Isley's trying to hang on to the old style. I think they get a little too carried away with those DARN STRINGS! (seriously guys, you could have left that part out) The title track gives you the impression of a solid effort, but the rest of the album falls flat. "Don't Hold Back Your Love" puts you in the mind of a watered down version of "Don't Say Goodnight" and doesn't even match up. "The Real Deal" shows the willingness to change direction but at the same time keep some of the elements of the traditional Isley funk. I think they bite a page out of Prince, and The Gap Band's playbook with the title track and "Stone Cold Lover". Good thing they came back with "Between The Sheets" or this would have been a nausiating decade for the guys.

Given the lukewarm reception to the predecessor "Grand Slam," "Inside You" and "The Real Deal" saw The Isley Brothers attempt to tweak their sound to a changing market. The result was arguably the two weakest albums of the 3+3 era.

I'll start with "Inside You," which had the Isleys prominently using string arrangements. Such a marriage of such diverse sounds (hard-chugging soul music and lush orchestral structures) bring to mind Barry White's experiements, and unfortunately that's what some of it felt like. "Baby Hold On" is a little too similar to the Michael McDonald-era Doobie Brothers sound to appreciate it, and "First Love" sounds like a Toto knockoff. "Welcome to My Heart" was just too sappy and while "Don't Hold Back Your Love" reminded me of the early '70s vocal groups it took too long for me to get into it.

The biggest downfall with "Inside You" is not The Isley Brothers' efforts in experimenting with different sounds and textures, but the songs simply sound uninspired. The title track (the lesd single) is the closest thing that would be considered an essential 3+3 era song and this was arguably the first album the group made that had you wondering what other track had the potential to become a hit song.

With "The Real Deal," the group went back to its definitive funk but with a little more emphasis on Chris Jasper's keyboards (and like with "Inside You," he was becoming more prominent on some of the background vocals). The sound of the early '80s was more synthesizer-driven, so the Isleys wanted to keep up. "Stone Cold Lover," "Are You with Me" and "It's Alright with Me" are examples of the colder, punctuated keyboard sound. With Jasper's vocals and the keyboard melodies on "It's Alright with Me," it particularly sounds like another Doobie Brothers-like track.

The downfall with the album is that the key elements of The Isleys' uptempo stuff had gotten stale to listeners after nine years of nonstop albums ("The Real Deal" was the 3+3 model's 11th album). Moreover, the album didn't exhibit the warmth and earthiness generally associated with their music. The only song that is a gem, IMO, is the ballad "All in My Lover's Eyes."

Given that the uptempo music scene had passed The Isleys by, the group moved toward the ballad-oriented music and reinvented themselves almost solely for the bedroom for the "Between the Sheets" album. If anything, these two albums signaled the end of The Isley Brothers as America's funky family.

Musically speaking the Isley's have been tremendous at pretty much everything one can do-musically,composing,singing and TONS of soul and spirit!As for the first album presented on this twofer 'Inside You' was something I owned on vinyl for many years,but since this is that recordings first CD appearence I now have the chance to review it.The title track of that 1981 album is very much in keeping with those of the previous few albums,although taken up a tempo or three.Then comes the very impressive "Baby Hold On",which sounds nothing so much as the Isley's version of the Doobie Brother's sound (it would've actually been a GREAT inclusion on the Doobie's One Step Closer album-also worth checking out)."Don't Hold Your Love" and "Welcome To My Heart",with it's occasional Charles Stepney-isms are no surprise to those accustomed to the Isley's long sexy ballads but there are enough newer production changes to keep the sound fresh as a daisy.The album ends with one of the Isley's best rockers in "Love Zone",one of the few times when they combine Chris Jasper's bass synths with Ernie's guitar theatrics for one of the strongest,toughest funk-rockers of the day.Obviously after this recording the Isley's realized their sound was growing somewhat predictable (and they were right in a way) and decided to change the musical tide a bit.So on 1982's 'The Real Deal',the title cut says it all-it's still funky but as one reviewer stated The Gap Band and Rick James "punk-funk" style is kept more in mind but it's still the Isleys.And luckily they keep the style and tempo up for "Are You With Me?" and the spicy "Stone Cold Lover",all superb songs.Of the midtempo songs presented "I'll Do It All For You" is definately the most steamy.The album ends on a very surprising note with "Under The Influence" which is for all intents and purposes a screaming Led Zeppelin/Cream style hard rock-blues screamer,once again exhibiting their versitility. It's somewhat ironic that after the scorching 'The Real Deal' (which is so ignored many Isley fans never knew it existed) the Isley's completed their modernization with the more popular (and also far more electronic) Between the Sheets album but now that these are available 'The Real Deal' is by far the the mahor treat of this set considering most haven't yet heard it.

Well Isley fan's here it is finally the chance to own two good albums on CD from the past. I not going to sell them I'm just glad they are fianlly availiable. If you dont have the you have you better get them.

INSIDE YOU (1981) and THE REAL DEAL (1982) are the featured albums on this third two-on-one Isley release from BGO Records. Both of these albums broke the group's nine gold and/or platinum album streak.

The previous album GRAND SLAM (also 1981) took longer than the previous eight albums to reach "gold" status. So on INSIDE YOU, the Isleys tried to reinvent themselves by incorporating lush string arrangements into their clavinet/guitar solo funk formula. For the most part, it works, especially on the title tune, the Doobie-ish "Baby Hold On", the lush Stylistics-like ballad "Don't Hold Back Your Love", and "Love Zone" in which Ernie's guitar soars above a comfy bed of strings. However, the pop leanings fall flat on "First Love", the soggy "Welcome To My Heart", and "Love Merry Go Round", a good idea that somehow fails to catch fire. INSIDE YOU stalled at #45 on the Billboard pop album chart, the Isleys first non-top 40 album since 1971's GIVIN' IT BACK.

After that pop/funk experiment failed, the Isleys brought the funk back to the forefront in 1982's THE REAL DEAL. The title track and "Are You With Me?" incorporate some Gap Band influences in the mix, while those darn strings rear their ugly head in the poppy "It's Alright With Me". "All In My Lover's Eyes" is well-sung but features lazy lyrics, while Ernie's guitar saves the funky "Stone Cold Lover" and the bluesy closer "Under The Influence". This album crawled to #87 on the Billboard Pop Charts.

After the failure of these albums, the Isleys came back with 1983's platinum BETWEEN THE SHEETS. These albums aren't the best representation of the Isley catalog, but they have their moments.

As good as any more thoroughly produced live album, this August 10, 2003 recording of the Allman Brothers Band's concert in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a real treat.
The sound is excellent, and the mix, which puts Warren Haynes in one speaker and Derek Trucks in the other, is equally fine. The band is right there in front of you. And both lead vocalists, Gregg Allman and Haynes, are in fine form.

Some of the "Instant Live" albums have the band sounding a little ragged for the first couple of songs, until they find the right gear, but not so here in Walnut Creek. The opener, "Don't Keep Me Wonderin'", is tough and tight, and it is followed by an excellent take on Elmore James' "Done Somebody Wrong" and a soulful "Come And Go Blues" from "Playin' Up A Storm", Gregg Allman's third solo album.

But the somewhat rarer tracks are of course the most interesting. The ABB were touring in support of the then-recent "Hittin' the Note" album at the time, and it's a bit of shame that there aren't a couple more songs from that excellent album to be found here...only three, one of which is an extravagant forty-minute take on the "Instrumental Illness" featuring Californian funk and soul saxist Karl Denson.
But the fine Freddie King-cover "Woman Across The River" sounds terrific, a gritty vocal by Warren Haynes and some sizzling lead guitar playing, and disc two opens with a beautiful "Old Before My Time", Gregg Allman's intense, haunting and quite beautiful country/folk lament, one of his finest lyrics, and one of his best vocal performances as well.

Other highlights include, well, the rest of the album. Okay, I've never been very fond of "Dreams", even if Branford Marsalis does appear on this live rendition, and fifteen minutes of "Whipping Post" may be five too many. But you can't beat these wonderful, intense performances of songs like "Gambler's Roll" (from the "Seven Turns" album), the funky "Wasted Words" (from "Brothers and Sisters"), and the wonderful re-done Gov't Mule-number "Soulshine" which has Haynes and Allman sharing lead vocals.

And the covers are highly enjoyable as well. Nobody can really match Howlin' Wolf himself on the awesome "Who's Been Talkin'", but the ABB go a long way towards making it their own, just like they did with Muddy Water's "Hoochie Coochie Man", by not trying to emulate the Wolf too closely. They do a slightly mellower, more soul-flavoured take on the song instead, and Gregg Allman provides a magnificent vocal. "One Way Out" is a classic live feature for the ABB, a wonderfully tough, funky 50s blues number originating with either Elmore James or Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II). And blues singer Susan Tedeschi, the wife of nine-years-younger guitar slinger Derek Trucks, guests on a nice, personal rendition of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice (It's All Right)", providing the lead vocal.
And finally, as a bit of a surprise, the band do an extremely credible and very enjoyable "Into The Mystic", the old Van Morrison soul-fusion-piece. Tremendous vocals by Warren Haynes and a top-notch performance by the entire band. Van the Man should be proud.

Great sound, great mix, great band, and a terrific set list. What more could you ask for?
4 3/4 stars. A couple of hours very well spent indeed.

Yippee. Pass that roach, snap your Bic, this is a real concert, unedited and the boys are hot! The inclusion of Saxophonists Marsalis and Densen was a bonus for the crowd.

With the advent of Instant Live, the Allman Brothers made most shows available in pristine soundboard quality to listeners. This show from the 2003 tour was one of the best shows of a remarkable tour. The band was touring the new Hittin' The Note record, and much of the tour was played with Karl Denson as opening act, reflecting (I think) some of Derek Trucks musical sensibilities. In addition Warren Haynes is pushing the band to add more cover tunes.

As a result we get wonderful tracs like Who's Been Talking, Into the Mystic and a fantastic version of Don't Think Twice featuring Susan Tedeschi. The aforementioned Mr. Denson takes a star turn on Instrumental Illness and Branford Marsalis joins the bad for Dreams and Whipping Post. Mixed in with new tracks from Hittin' The Note the band brings back Done Somebody Wrong, Come and Go Blues and a wickedly funky version of Wasted Words.

Another awesome IL recording from ABB's 2003 tour, and this one is a keeper. A nice rendition of "Come and Go Blues", a rare appearance of "Gambler's Roll" a emotional version(as usual) of "Soulshine" make this one a winner. "Don't Think Twice" with vocals by Susan Tedeschi is downright chillin', not to forget a beautiful outing of "Into The Mystic" sung by Mr.Haynes. Just wish other bands would follow ABB and release their live shows. Then again, few bands can match their quality live.

This is one of many "instant Live" CDs that the Allmans do annually now. They are in top form with many strong song selctions and with Gregg in fine voice. An added bonus is Mrs. Derek Trucks (Susan Tedeschi) joining the band for her rendition of Dylan's "Don't think twice. it's allright". Barnford Marsalis joins the Allmans for 2 cuts at end of the night and he is great saxophonist and it's great to hear classic like Dreams and Whipping Post with a world class saxophonist behind them. Wasted Words and "old before my time" are 2 songs you will not easily find on Allamn Brothers live Cds also. They issued many Instant Lives from 2003 so pick one that's special like this one.

longevity&Long term careers are often taken for granted. the Isley brothers have been around for so long it is truly incredible. they started out with some Hits&Various Labels until everything fully came into gear.it was cool to hear the ground level version of the Isley brothers.hearing Ronald Isley from the 50's onward is just amazing at how strong His voice has held&Been smooth. this is the start of One of the Greatest Rock bands Ever.

This CD features Isley Brothers recordings from the years before they started their own record label, T-Neck Records. It spans ten years and seven record labels. The Isley Brothers had limited success during these years, which may explain why they changed record labels so often. But they still managed to record many great songs which have come to be regarded as classics. The best known songs are "Shout", "Twist and Shout" and "This Old Heart"; but all the songs are great. Even their cover version of "Rock Around the Clock" rocks! This is the definitive CD of the Isley Brothers early years.

What happend to "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"? Damn it! Don't they always find a way to screw up these anthologies?

Rhino gathered up all the good Isley Brothers songs from their early career on one CD. (Good thing, too - I was despairing of ever finding Shout on a decent disk.) They bagged virtually every decent song the Isleys did over that period (including "Behind a Painted Smile," a major Motown UK hit, and "Who's That Lady," which they remade in the '70s with great results). Decent liner notes, fun photos (they were smoking cigarettes and performing simultaneously?). Good CD.

longevity&Long term careers are often taken for granted. the Isley brothers have been around for so long it is truly incredible. they started out with some Hits&Various Labels until everything fully came into gear.it was cool to hear the ground level version of the Isley brothers.hearing Ronald Isley from the 50's onward is just amazing at how strong His voice has held&Been smooth. this is the start of One of the Greatest Rock bands Ever.

This CD features Isley Brothers recordings from the years before they started their own record label, T-Neck Records. It spans ten years and seven record labels. The Isley Brothers had limited success during these years, which may explain why they changed record labels so often. But they still managed to record many great songs which have come to be regarded as classics. The best known songs are "Shout", "Twist and Shout" and "This Old Heart"; but all the songs are great. Even their cover version of "Rock Around the Clock" rocks! This is the definitive CD of the Isley Brothers early years.

What happend to "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"? Damn it! Don't they always find a way to screw up these anthologies?

Rhino gathered up all the good Isley Brothers songs from their early career on one CD. (Good thing, too - I was despairing of ever finding Shout on a decent disk.) They bagged virtually every decent song the Isleys did over that period (including "Behind a Painted Smile," a major Motown UK hit, and "Who's That Lady," which they remade in the '70s with great results). Decent liner notes, fun photos (they were smoking cigarettes and performing simultaneously?). Good CD.