Alvin Lee Message & Discussion Board
Ok, I am certainly no fan of Grand Funk and even less of a fan of Mark Farner. However:
1. I liked some of Mel's bass playing and there were a few of his bits (among a whole lot of other stuff by a whole lot of other people) I used to warm up before shows.
2. I caught the Mark-less (Mel & Don + others) Grand Funk at a county fair two years ago. Not a bad show, particularly because the replacement guitarist and other non-orignal personnel were pretty darn good - certainly better than the original band. I would call it enjoyable. They didn't ring my balls, but even Alvin doesn't ring my balls. That takes someone of the disstaff gender in my case - but to each their own.
However, they are NOT even close to the Alvin-led TYA any more than the current TYA is even close to the Alvin-led TYA,
601, tell me about it! Recon! Semper Fi!
So true, so true!
Uh-oh, Sixy and Dave. There I go spouting off again. Am I hyperbolizing in my old age? Perhaps GFR were better live than on their first LP that I (and/or my bro) had? Maybe they improved later? Maybe I just never "got" them? Maybe I'm full of it? Whatcha think, Toni?? ;-)
Having been fortunate enough to see the partially re-formed Grand Funk (Mark and Don but no Mel) open for ZZ Top in 1982, at least I can say I sort of saw the Mark Farner version of Grand Funk.
They came out and kicked right into a smoking version of Foot Stomping Music. And it was all upward propulsion from there!
I thought they not only held their own just fine against the Top, but I actually thought they were the better set that night.
I had a chance to see the "Farnerless" lineup for free at the Ohio State Fair a couple years ago and passed. Too "Spinal Tap" for me....
Today At The Fair:
Puppet Show 2PM
Lamb Judging 3PM
Grand Funk Railroad 4PM
Actually, shouldn't the Puppet Show have top billing?
First GFR concert. 1968, Long Beach Auditorium (long gone, put up Long Beach Arena),.Opening act, Tucky Buzzard, second, GFR They blew the place up! It was an hour (at least, we left), till Humble Pie was to play. 601, If you had been there, you would understand. (just like 'Nam) Nes pa? ( that's French for you know?)
601, when Craig Frost joined on keyboards, I bailed!
all you guys are sooo smart with dates and history and such!! don't know where I was!! was soo stoned during that time, I don't know WTF happened!!
Dave, you really started something here!! I'm keeping out of it.....
Well, to tell the truth, things are pretty boring around here. ( Blazing Saddles)
Farner breeds horses, doesn't he?!
Boring?? Huh, it sure hasn't been boring around here lately for me! Besides, energies will always naturally ebb and flow. Unless you personally want to keep us all at a fever pitch of non-stop entertainment every minute, tee hee. Hey, dude, go for it!! How 'bout a questionnaire? I LOVE questionnaires!! ;-)
I don't want to hear about Farner's sex life especially if it involves horses . . .
Ok, Laurie, 1st question:
If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be?
I'd be a Naughty Pine . . .
Okay, let's explain seriously. It isn't that I think Farner and/or GFR are awful...I just really think they were greatly overrated. Musical taste is personal and Farner and band never did it for me. And what I really don't get, and what fries me just a bit, is that Farner is often mentioned as an equal of Alvin's...and it just ain't so. Years ago, there was an internet poll for the greatest most underrated guitarist - Farner came in first and Alvin was a distant second. really?!
LOL, Don! But enough about Narc Farmer, already! So...how many naughts ya got in that pine o' yourn, eh, Mr. Tree? Well, well, if I were younger, I guess I could still be a cherry tree. Then again, a tulip tree at any age is always good, heh heh. Some might go ape for me as a monkey-puzzle tree. Some might just stay puzzled. I'd sooner not be a mere fir piece. So I think I'll be a graceful willow tree, but not a weeping one, if it's oaky with yew. :-)
Ok, Laurie, 1st question:
If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be?
I'd be a Naughty Pine . . .