Comments on: Sugar Water: There’s Always a Riot Goin’ On

By: CD Reviews: Angie Stone, “Unexpected”; Tahiti 80, “Activity Center” | Popdose

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:50:47 +0000

[...] Stone’s “Family Affair,” the hit single from that band’s fifth album, There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971). The R&B veteran promises “unexpected soul” on the following ten cuts (plus [...]

By: rwcass

rwcass — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:06:17 +0000

That's quite a compliment, Sini. Thanks! And just so you know, a “Complete Idiot's Guide to Sly & the Family Stone” is in the works for Popdose.

By: rwcass

rwcass — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:06:17 +0000

That's quite a compliment, Sini. Thanks! And just so you know, a “Complete Idiot's Guide to Sly & the Family Stone” is in the works for Popdose.

By: Sini

Sini — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:16:44 +0000

Thanks Robert. This is the best piece I've ever read on Popdose. It reminds me of the old days on jefitoblog.

By: rwcass

rwcass — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:02:08 +0000

To me, the only thing that mars “Stand!” is “Sex Machine.” It just seems like filler. Too bad he didn't have “Everybody Is a Star,” “Hot Fun,” and “Thank You” ready in time for “Stand!” That'd be a mind-blowing album.

“Ain't But the One Way” is just okay aside from the cover of “You Really Got Me,” which is great, and “Ha Ha, Hee Hee,” which is a triumph. But even mediocre Sly is worth having. His weakest album is probably “Heard Ya Missed Me,” but even that starts out with two great cuts. I love Philadelphia International's output in the '70s more than any other “brand” of soul and R&B, but CBS shouldn't have forced Sly in that direction, if that really was the case.

By: kingofgrief

kingofgrief — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:51:13 +0000

Even as a nascent music geek, I wanted to call shenanigans on including a greatest-hits album on a best-of-all-time list. Still bought it and loved it, though.

I also need to pull out Ain't but the One Way for a second listen, I found the vinyl last year and gave it 3 o/o 5 stars on Rate Your Music. I've got a soft spot for under-the-radar albums like that.

By: rwcass

rwcass — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:32:19 +0000

I'd forgotten that "Riot" was on that list. I remember reading my brother's copy of that issue several times in the summer of '87, but I didn't know or care much about Sly yet. (I was 11.) Now I'm seeing that the Family Stone showed up three times on the list! Kind of odd that "Greatest Hits" is on it since "Stand!" is too and most of "Stand!" is also on "Greatest Hits," but so be it.

I'm going to have to look for the 2007 reissue of "Dance to the Music" soon. That's the only one I still haven't bought of the reissues, though I do have the 1995 reissue. I would guess it's sold out too. Thanks for the tip!

"A Whole New Thing" is clearly the work of a band discovering just how much fun it can have. Sly even lets Larry and Freddie sing lead on a song apiece.

By: kingofgrief

kingofgrief — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:10:16 +0000

If I ever get around to compiling a list of my favorite albums ever, Riot will wind up in the top twenty at least. I bought it in early '88 on the strength of its inclusion on Rolling Stone's countdown of the 100 greatest albums of '67 through '87. I was a senior in high school, given to depressive episodes, and Sly's insular funk was perfect headphone escapism. I can't believe the domestic '07 remaster is already out of print; I'm glad I was able to pick up the box set on release day. Guess I'll be listening to Riot as I retire to bed this Halloween morning. (I'll also soon reevaluate A Whole New Thing on your recommendation.)

By: rwcass

rwcass — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:51:07 +0000

I read about the second edition the other day while doing research for this piece. Your book's an invaluable resource.

By: Jeff Kaliss

Jeff Kaliss — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:33:29 +0000

You mention my book, I Want to Take You Higher: The Life and Times of Sly & the Family Stone, and I want you to know that Backbeat Books has just issued it in a second, updated, paperback edition, based in part on new interviews with Sly, George Clinton, Cynthia Robinson, and others.