Grand Funk Railroad - Mark, Don & Mel, 1969-1971 (1972) Remaster

Grand Funk Railroad / Mark, Don & Mel, '69-'71 (1972)



Back in 1972 (I love these Bob Seger references!), this great compilation was released to commemorate the end of a great partnership between producer Terry Knight and his wonder boys, Mark Farner - Guitar, Lead Vocals; Don Brewer - Drums, Lead Vocals; & Mel Schacher - Bass aka 'Grand Funk Railroad'. 'Mark, Don & Mel, '69-'71' would be the final album to don the moniker, 'Grand Funk Railroad' until the band's album, 'Born To Die' some four years later due to the court case over rights to the name by Terry Knight, the trios one time leader and mentor since the days of Terry Knight & The Pack. That seminal group also had a collection entitled, 'Mark, Don & Terry, '66-'67' in 1972. In any case, all of these platinum numbers YOU now can hope to make your very own weren't top of the charts or Radio favourites, at the time, but I ensure YOU that they are the creme de la creme of Funk from these Michigan lads. So, strap yourself in, and prepare yourself for a nostalgic journey in one courageous 'Time Machine' powered by the locomotive known as 'Grand Funk Railroad'! - Rick Wilson, former Rock Radio Journalist with Radio Canale Grandé.



01) Time Machine (On Time) 1969 ***** What a groovy, little Blues-based number with some excellent fret-work by Mark Farner!

02) Into The Sun (On Time) 1969 ***** Although the drums sound a bit dated in 2008, this song certainly wedges itself nicely into the grooves of this disc with some great musicianship.

03) Heartbreaker (On Time) 1969 ***** Great Bluesy Ballad, and first big hit for the trio of funky train-workers! Mark's blazing guitar is electrifying!

04) Feelin' Alright (Survival) 1971 ***** This Dave Mason cover offers a nice contrast to the more popular versions from 'Traffic' with Steve Winwood, and Joe Cocker. Still, Mark milks this one for all it's worth, and some nice percussional adds make this one worth remembering.

05) Footstompin' Music (E Pluribus Unum) 1971 ***** For an instrumental, this one sure has some catchy lyrics! lol 'C'mon, Everybody! We're gonna have a good time now!', and so on. Mel Schacher sets the pace with some superb bass-playing on this primarily organ-driven Rocker that one had always hoped to hear from the likes of bands like 'Atomic Rooster' or 'Rare Bird'. Get up & boogie!

06) Paranoid (Grand Funk) 1969 ***** Not a Sabbath cover by any stretch of the imagination! This one was hatched before that other great chicken cocked up the charts. Opportune lyrics, great vocal, and all accompanied by Rock's secret weapon, Mel Schacher, pushing this one along!

07) Loneliness (E Pluribus Funk) 1971 ***** Before, not by much, but still before 'Stairway To Heaven' captured the crown as an Epic masterpiece of grand proportions there was 'Loneliness' with its mighty orchestral accompaniment. This song's heart-felt soul and moving lyric garner it the title of one of Rock's first true genius strokes, once again from Mark Farner's prolific pen.

08) Are You Ready? - live '70 (Live Album) 1970 (originally from 'On Time' - 1969) ***** A bit rough around the edges in the digital age, but what a better concert starter is there than 'Are You Ready?'? Another mighty bass-driven classic that is pure intensity, and so much more.

09) Mean Mistreater - live '70 (Live Album) 1970 (originally from 'Closer To Home' - 1970) ***** Another Bluesy intro that enters the breakout chaos realm midway to become another classic GFR tune that even dented the charts!

10) T.N.U.C. - live '70 (Live Album) 1970 (originally from 'On Time' - 1969) ***** This curiously-titled, lengthy live number adds to the mystiqué that is GFR. Daddy Don Brewer showcases here on drums, the drums from Hell that had all of us in awe and slashing around wildly on our beds in admiration back in the 'good old days'! And, if YOU are still wondering what the letters in the title stand for then wander no further, grab a mirror, and astound! Not for the faint-hearted!

11) Inside Looking Out (Grand Funk) 1969 ***** This lengthy 'Animals' cover once again offers up all of the finessé that the band could muster up in 1969. Mark certainly captures the Eric Burdon spirit, and the band literally Funkify this one into their very own breed of monster!

12) Closer To Home (I'm Your Captain) (Closer To Home) 1970 ***** Simple song with a quite lengthy yet catchy lyric that has given many a traveller thoughts of home. Another great epic, in any time or place.



As a bonus for uploading this torrent:



The #73 in the charts of April, 1972 single:



A: Upsetter (E Pluribus Funk) 1971 ***** Great song that summed up the period for GFR!

B: No Lies (E Pluribus Funk) 1971 ***** Nice Rocker that says it all about the policy of the band!



Original album listings:



Tracklisting:

A1 Time Machine (3:40)

Written-By - Mark Farner

A2 Into The Sun (6:25)

Written-By - Mark Farner

A3 Heartbreaker (6:30)

Written-By - Mark Farner

A4 Feelin' Alright (4:25)

Written-By - Dave Mason

B1 Footstompin' Music (3:45)

Written-By - Mark Farner

B2 Paranoid (7:35)

Written-By - Mark Farner

B3 Loneliness (8:30)

Written-By - Mark Farner

C1 Are You Ready (3:34)

Written-By - Mark Farner

C2 Mean Mistreater (4:40)

Written-By - Mark Farner

C3 T.N.U.C. (11:45)

Written-By - Mark Farner

D1 Inside Looking Out (9:29)

Written-By - A. Lomax* , B. Chandler* , E. Burdon* , J. Lomax*

D2 Closer To Home (I'm Your Captain) (9:58)

Written-By - Mark Farner