 Graham Central Station Graham Central's third album, released in 1975, straddles the same line between funk and religion that Prince would wrestle with many years later. Less overtly religious than Release Yourself (their second album), this one puts the funky soul front and center. It's a great party record, and one of those albums that makes you realize "Oh, so that's where it all comes from." "The Jam" opens things up (much like Prince's "Jam of the Year" would open Emancipation – no wonder Larry Graham is now taking a lifetime leave at Paisley Park), followed by the hit "Your Love" and more funk with "It's Alright." Track four is a solid cover of Ann Peebles' "I Can't Stand The Rain," which doesn't outdo the original but has plenty of personality itself. "It Ain't Nothing But a Warner Bros. Party," in addition to being one of the greatest titles ever, is a huge standout. Now, a Prince cover of this one would be something! Wait, am I reviewing Prince or Graham Central Station? What I love about Graham Central Station is their ability to serenade themselves and make it work. Half the time they're simply doing songs about being Graham Central Station playing songs, and the result is always successful. Then there's the oddball attraction like "Old Smokey" (as in "On Top Of …"), a soulful ragtime tune thrown into the middle of the party, which should be obtrusive but isn't. Larry Graham knows damn well a party has many different moods, so he never drags out the groove when there's another side of the band to be let out. "Easy Rider" is some sort of rocker, "Water" is another funk-out, and the closer is the church-ified "Luckiest People." They really don't make 'em like this anymore. Come back, Larry Graham!
Review by Lane Bowling |