VA - Listen to the Voices: Sly Stone in the Studio 1964-70 (2010)

Artist: VA
Title Of Album: Listen to the Voices
Year Of Release: 2010
Label: Ace Records
Genre: Funk, P.Funk, Soul, Rock
Quality: FLAC(image)
Bitrate: Lossless
Total Time: 01:19:42
Total Size: 401MB (Scans)

Sly drew from gospel, R&B, rock, jazz, pop, folk rock, psychedelia and everything in-between, married them to a positive outlook tinged with humour, and stayed focused on achieving his goals, using the tools he had. In doing this, Sly Stone liberated black music - rhythmically, lyrically, sonically - but he did it all within the context of the song. That is the reason Sly’s music has been covered by the Beach Boys, why Sinatra accorded him respect, why Miles Davis would wait hours in the studio for a chance to watch him at work.

“Listen To The Voices” is the sequel to Ace’s earlier survey of Sly’s musical progression, “Precious Stone: Sly Stone In The Studio 1963-65”. It’s a project that has been in my back pocket for some time, for, as a terminal Sly freak, I’ve ransacked not just studios, but tape vaults, collector’s stashes and beyond, hunting for any and all evidence of this singular artists creativity, because every last scrap provides another clue, another revelation or, in most cases, just reconfirms Sly’s genius. His funky 1966 demo of ‘You Really Got Me’ came from a bank vault near the Mexican border; an unlikely H.B. Barnum was the source of the folk-punk ‘Underdog’ that Sly recorded with the Beau Brummels in October 1965. And my good pals Edwin and Arno Konings, the Dutch detectives whose forthcoming book “Thank You” will finally give Sly the definitive biography he deserves, came up with an acetate of the brilliant ‘Man Does Not Live’ – written for Walter Jackson in 1968 but performed here by the Family Stone with a touching, heartbreaking dollop of pure soul.

Starting where “Precious Stone” stopped, on “Listen To The Voices” we continue Sly’s journey to the end of the decade, joining some dots, revealing some hidden gems, reiterating the team effort that lay behind the creation and evolution of a truly once-in-a-lifetime outfit, Sly & The Family Stone. The Stone Souls’ recordings reveal why Sly easily pegged his brother Freddie and Greg Errico to be in his new band, and the Family Stone’s earliest demo session reveals the sheer joy they found playing together. But even with their level of success, Sly’s creative desire was unsated, resulting in side projects that complement, and on occasion even match, the Family Stone’s catalogue. His 1969/70 Stoneflower productions on 6IX, Joe Hicks and Little Sister are crucial pieces of the Sly Stone jigsaw, while the outrageous French Fries single is finally identified as a Family Stone recording.

In May 2009 I spent several days in Sly’s company talking about music and its creation, creativity, for the sleeve notes. The man is as funny, smart and brilliant as he ever was, and he seemed to enjoy talking purely about his music for once, rather than being asked prurient questions about his personal life. It was an unforgettable experience. Freddie and Greg also contribute to the notes, which shed fresh light upon the years in question: quite possibly Sly’s purple period. “Listen To The Voices” is a celebration of both Sly & the Family Stone the group, and of Sly Stone the auteur. It’s my way of saying “Thank You” to the incredible, unpredictable, one and only – Sly.
By Alec Palao

Tracklist:

01. DANCE A LA MUSIQUE - The French Fries
02. I'M GOING HOME (PART 1) - Joe Hicks
03. FOR REAL - Sly
04. LIFE AND DEATH IN G AND A - Abaco Dream
05. I'M JUST LIKE YOU - 6IX
06. MAN DOES NOT LIVE - Sly & The Family Stone
07. UNDERDOG - The Beau Brummels
08. CAN'T SHE TELL - Billy Preston
09. I CAN'T TURN YOU LOOSE - Sly & The Family Stone
10. YOU'RE THE ONE PT 1 & 2 - Little Sister
11. LSD - Freddie & The Stone Souls
12. LIFE OF FORTUNE AND FAME - Sly & The Family Stone
13. ARE YOU SURE - The Beau Brummels
14. DYNAMITE - 6IX
15. I AIN'T GOT NOBODY (AKA GOOD FOR REAL) - Sly & The Family Stone
16. YOU REALLY GOT ME - Sly
17. STANGA - Little Sister
18. I REMEMBER - Sly & Billy Preston
19. SOMETHING ABOUT YOU - Freddie & The Stone Souls
20. TAKE MY ADVICE - Sly & The Family Stone
21. HOME SWEET HOME (PART 2) - Joe Hicks
22. SOMEBODY'S WATCHING YOU - Little Sister
23. SUPERFUNK - Freddie & The Stone Souls
24. LIFE AND DEATH IN G AND A PTS 1 & 2 - Joe Hicks
25. SMALL FRIES - The French Fries


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