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We think about the Band as having brought us the holy grail of rustic folk-rock, all the way from Canada. But I need you to know... they were also deeply, deeply funky. A thread of their funkiest moments.
“Chest Fever.” An ecstatic organ intro and then Levon enters with a laidback but strutting groove.
“Up on Cripple Creek.” Levon drops basically a breakbeat. Garth Hudson’s clavinet would make Herbie proud.
“W. S. Walcott Medicine Show.” Check out this intro! When Danko’s rubbery bass comes in, it’s all over.
“Ophelia.” Essentially a New Orleans funk song. Levon once again with a Booker T. and the M.G.’s feel.
“Jupiter Hollow.” Garth Hudson is one of the great clav players. Just wow. Some positively Prince-ish synths in here, too.
Listen to the bass and drums!! Marvin Gaye’s “Don’t Do It.”
Jamming on the Four Tops’ “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever.”
And of course the horns on Rock of Ages were arranged by ALLEN TOUSSAINT
What else? @darcyjamesargue? But also... pretty much every song is funky because of Levon and Garth.
