@@gregb8565 ..Mel and Don can burn in hell as far as I'm concerned, they really don't deserve RRHOF...Mark does, but the RRHOF is a sham anyways. They pass over many to many worthy bands for some really lame ones.
@@harryberry474 Craig Frost should be included in the RRHOF too. GFR most successful commercial years (in Concert and in the studio) was when he was in the band......with one exception and thats when they sold out Shea Stadium as a Power Trio.
@@Buildsolarhomes I (was) a huge fan during their first 3 albums and GF LIVE, I had those plus Survival and LIVE but I noticed a change in their sound (more popular sound) I dropped them from my favorite band in the world status) when Frost entered the line-up I left GF behind. But for 3 years or so 👍👍
I was 16 when On Time was released and became a Grand Funk fan at that time. I saw them live in 1970. I still listen to them a lot, especially their first 3 albums. I just have to put this in... No Farner, No Funk.
I agree with everything you said, I stopped buying their music after Survival (which wasn't very good) I'd hear their newer songs on the radio and thought they sucked.
@R Jones: I agree. I've long thought of him as doing, in American heavy rock, what Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath went on to do in British heavy rock, that "frustrated lead guitarist" style of bass where the bass almost doubles as a rhythm guitar and sometime lead instrument, yet grounds the song and doesn't take over the way some bassists could do. And he was doing that on albums before Butler had recorded Black Sabbath's debut.
My rankings are very similar, but for some reason I've always been obsessed with Phoenix. To this day. "Rain Keeps Fallin" fascinated me. "Tryin' To Get Away", "Rock & Roll Soul" and "Freedom Is For Children" did, too. And the opener, "Flight of the Phoenix" was really a redesigned copy of "Foot Stompin Music", so easy landing pad for us longtime fans. Still my favorite Grand Funk Railroad album.
My favorite band of all time...Mark Farner is one of the most talented musicians to ever walk on a stage. He wrote 90% of the songs, was the lead vocalist, played lead guitar, keyboards, drums and the harmonica. Mel was the best bass player in rock n roll for several years and Don was exceptionally talented. Craig Frost played a killer organ when he came on board as well. But Farner was the heart and soul of this band....without him, there is no Grand Funk. They were just awesome from '69 to '75 especially...
Great show! For me, Born to Die is an absolutely incredible album and would rank in my top three. The opening track, written after Mark's cousin died, is one of my all-time favorite GFR songs and features one of Mark's most emotional solos. The album does not have a bad track on it. My first album I ever owned was the Red album. I interviewed Mark for a magazine and met the band when they played in Atlantic City on the Bosnia tour.
I will never forget one summer day when I was still in grade school, wandering into the living room at home and hearing "Closer to Home" wafting out of my parent's stereo radio and being transfixed by the melody, the orchestral backing, and the vocal harmonies. It was one of those "Aha" moments in my life that has always remained fresh in my mind.
As a drummer, Don's T.N.U. C. forced me to learn it, pound for pound. I'm 66 now and the other day in a band I play in I tried to remember the sequence of that song and forgot that's a young drummer's song. Ha.
Pete's comments on the "Pheonix" album were of particular interest to me. I love the album but I can see where he's coming from. I was just over a year into what I call my heavy rock odessy {this would be Aug 1980} when I first heard of Grand Funk Railroad. The entry in the NME encyclopaedia of rock {from 1977} had described their first album as "tuneless heavy metal at its most crass" and quoted Rod Stewart as calling them "the all time loud white noise" and further described the band as "loathed and reviled with virtual unanimity by rock critics in America and Britain" and, the classic for me, "America's foremost exponents of heavy metal thrash." That same article goes on to talk about their "metallic thrashings" and in relation to them not succeeding in the UK, their "imported heavyweight noise." My first thought having read all this was "I've got to hear this band !!" I was living in Nigeria at the time and records from abroad came in when they did. There was no rhyme nor reason as to when an album would be spotted on the roadside or in a shack so you can imagine my joy when I saw a copy of "Pheonix" and got the guy in the shack to tape it for me {on the other side of the tape, he recorded Blue Öyster Cult's "Spectres"}. And what a disappointment it was. It wasn't heavy in the way I'd come to understand heavy after listening to Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Status Quo, Blue Oyster Cult, Uriah Heep, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Triumph, Hendrix, Ted Nugent, Whitesnake, Nazareth, even Wishbone Ash, Boston, Pink Floyd and Kansas. The songs were uninspiring and the album as a whole seemed depressing. But, along with Styx's "Cornerstone" and Jethro Tull's "Heavy Horses," "Phoenix" was to play a crucial role in my evolution as an appreciator and lover of variety and colours in music. I'd already been on that road with the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Led Zep but what Phoenix did was finally force me to take an album on its own merits {or lack thereof} and dig it for what it was, not what I wanted it to be. I guess because I'd spent money on it, I gave it a chance and bit by bit, it grew on me until it became that album that I could say I love. Pete said that for him, there was no standout track, no radio classic. I think that is one of the album's great strengths. Not long ago, there was a great video Pete did about those songs that we never want to hear again, songs that have been played to death. Well, because one is unlikely to hear much from the "Phoenix" LP, that means that it has a chance to endure where it really matters ~ in the heart of the listener. I've listened to it hundreds of times since the summer of 1980 and I never get tired of it. I think it's packed to the gills with great tracks, "I just got to know," "Freedom is for children," the utterly glorious "Got to find me a better day" and the insanely magnificent "Flight of the phoenix" being shining jewels in a star studded crown of brilliance. I went backwards with Funk to the superb "Survival" and the immense "Live album" {I think it knocks "Live at Leeds" solidly and permanently into second place and is the best live hard/heavy rock album of the period} and though initially I was enamored with their content {they fitted the descriptions of Funk's music that had got me interested in the first place}, and still love those albums, they never were able to topple "Phoenix" for me. I checked out some of the later stuff too but they never came close for me although they were good. Even the band had a downer on "Phoenix" and their explanation was twofold, partly because they were in the midst of their dispute with their manager, Terry Knight and partly, at least from Mark Farner's viewpoint, because he didn't feel great about Craig Frost joining the band. But that's the joy of art. The artist is rarely the best judge of their own work and regardless of what they say, "Phoenix" has stood my test of time {close to 40 years} as an album that started slowly but with perseverence became and has remained, pure gold. The only part of the album I dislike is when it ends !
When Phoenix came out I hated it. There was only a couple songs I liked. After never listening to it all these years I listened to all the funk albums and got to Phoenix thinking it would suck but to my surprise I loved it. It blew me away. Every song is good to great.
What a thoughtful review.....very fitting because I find Phoenix itself to be a very thoughtful, introspective album compared to their work up until then. My favorite tracks on here (really could choose any as there are no weak tracks at all) would be the haunting "Someone" and the epic and sombre "Freedom is for Children". Phenomenal stuff.
Great studio albums (Closer to Home is my favorite) but after seeing them live in the 70's and at their reunion in 1997, Mark, Don and Mel hands down were the best live rock n roll band ever. No one could command a rock n roll stage like Mark Farner.
Being a bass-player myself, what I particularly like about the "Red album" is that it probably has the punchiest and loudest sounding bass recorded on any album:)
I loved Grand Funk Railroad. On Time and the Red Album will always be my heart favorites. They were raw with simplistic production and they grabbed me and never let go. These 2 albums sound like they were in the garage and hit record on an old reel to reel.
The guitar solo from Zappa on "Out to get you" on Good Singin Good Playing still rips to this day. Never got into those last you mentioned but the rest of the catalogue I still get into.
The standout recording on the Phoenix album was "Rock N Roll Soul". 1. It charted in the Top 40. 2. It's on their playlist for practically all of their LIVE performances, including Mark Farner's as a solo artist.
Another great review, interesting the comments regarding "Pheonix" as this was the first album that the group recorded post Terry Knight, it was as much a signal of intent as much as a musical statement. I think it's a towering achievement and the addition of Craig Frost really adds a degree of gravitas and depth to their overall sound. All in all, a great album.
I have to go with E Pluribus Funk as my favorite. I got into this album as a13 or 14 year old in 1972 or 73 and it just blew me away. That was my first foray into heavier rock. I just love your ranking the album series and can't wait for the next episode. Keep up the good work!
Ranking GFR studio albums: 1. We're an American Band, 2. Shinin' on, 3. E. Pluribus Funk, 4. Grand Funk, 5. Closer to Home, 6. Survival, 7. On Time, 8. Phoenix, 9. Born to Die, 10. Good Singing, Good Playing, 11. All the Girls in the World Beware, 12. What's Funk, 13. Grand Funk Lives. The Reason for my top 2 is that We're an American Band was the first album I ever bought, wore it out twice over. And Shinin' On was the first concert I went to and Chicago played with them in 1974 and I became a big Chicago fan after that. Thanks for your show.
I love these guy’s and have all of their albums. They have always lived up to the “funk” portion of their name while pumping out some bad ass hard rock at the same time. My list is very similar to yours Pete, top three exactly the same, thanks for this one! Great job!
As a young teen in the mid to late ‘70s, I cut my Rock teeth on this band! MUCH BELOVED! HUGE Mark Farner fan! He is a worldclass guitarist and vocals that are clear, clean, and bright! And as a frontman/showman, Farner has NO PEERS! Music flows thru his veins and he simply CANNOT stand still on stage being moved by the music! I think his red blood cells are probably shaped like little music notes!
The Greatest Band ever, especially live, and should get more recognition ,Mark is a Great Guitar player and the whole band is Great, and should been in RRHOF years ago , or noone belongs!
That first live album is as clear a manifesto as it is possible to have. It's sizzling. Talk about setting out your stall. Mind you, there's way too much chatter on it, but I guess that was the times ! It was also quite gutsy to be responsibly anti-drug to your audience.
Tagbo Munonyedi It wasn’t anti-drug it was Anti-Narc. Mark was warning the audience there were narcs out to bust anyone but they were dressed just like them and had the usual long hair etc.
Hell ya, the LIVE album was the king, man what an album, I wore it out! Just a raw massive wall of sound from a 3 piece band! Never going to happen again.
Pete thank you so much for doing this. Grand Funk Railroad was my favorite band as a child and I still love them. I grew up listening to their vinyl albums and for some strange reason I never got any of them on CD. i definitely need to get some Grand Funk Railroad CDs in my collection.
You're covering a lot of bands I really dig, Pete! I used to play GFR daily when I worked at the record store. It became a bit of a "thing" for me. I like them all, but here's my list: 13) What's Funk? (not bad, but I rarely listen to this one) 12) Grand Funk Lives (Queen Bee is a great song) 11) Phoenix (not sure why, but ths one never did much for me) 10) Survival (nostalgic for me) 9) Grand Funk (I originally liked this a lot more, but it was played to death for me) 8) Good Singin', Good Playin' (love the production on this) 7) Shinin' On (not much to say - middle of the pack) 6) Born to Die (pretty mellow, but I like all facets of GFR) 5) On Time (this is a great protest album. T.N.U.C. is a favorite) 4) We're an American Band (there's a reason it's so well known) 3) E Pluribus Funk (this is a HEAVY album!) 2) All the Girls in the World Beware!!! (this is the album that got me into them originally - it's poppy, but in a good way) 1) Closer to Home (not a wasted note - classic.)
One of my favorite bands. Saw them in 1970 and I still have many of their albums on vinyl. But I must say "Are You Ready" and "Paranoid" still rock my soul 50ys. later!
We're an American band is my favorite . Title track got me into the band but songs like Creepin' , the railroad , black licorice and stop lookin' back blew me away . Overall great album . Todd Rundgrens version of walk like a man rocks .
Their first live album was the first live album I've ever owned. It was originally panned, but I wore that album out. Great guitar, great drums, and great bass. One of my favorite albums of all time.
Growing up in the 70s of course I heard "American Band" a lot, but didn't know much about them until watching your video. I appreciate your time and effort into putting out this video, it's been an education for me. Although I don't yet own any GFR albums, I have saved numerous live concert clips of the band, and they really kick some serious butt. Thanks again, Pete!
I stumbled across this wonderful ratings show this week and man it is amazing. I love it. Pete, thankyou so much this Australian Italian cannot get enough . Grand Funk were never big in Australia. I had never heard of them until a bloke at a school dance in 74’ brought along a copy of Survival. The DJ would not put it on- then not long after I saw Phoenix at a record bar in Sydney, then this 13 year old became a grand funk maniac for the rest of his life. 1) On Time 2) Survival 3) Closer to Home 4) Grand Funk 5) E Pluribus Funk 6) Phoenix .
Great ranking. I picked up Truckload of Funk Vol1 and 2 about 2 years ago. All the Capitol albums including the 2 live records, remastered and all in duplicate original sleeves. Fantastic has all I need.
When they had their Grand Funk Railroad Reunion Tour in 1996 as Mark, Don and Mel as a Trio , They were one of the Top 5 Touring Bands that Year ... Even Beating Out Maryin Manson Ticket Sales...
Your rankings are pretty spot on. I liked how you light up with Sins A Good Mans Brother and I’m your captain. On the remastered album Closer To Home they put a great bonus live version of In Need on this album.I had no problem with Mark Farner’s guitar playing and to this day he still has that voice. They have done a good job on remastering the GFR library.
Yep...perhaps the only really 'memorable' song, though the rest is quite solid in its own strange way. Kinda of a weird album from them...the 'bridge' album so to speak.
@@seaoftranquilityprog It is definitely the bridge album. Prior to it, they were a heavy rock band and they didn't demonstrate too much subtlety whereas "Phoenix," though rocking hard at times, was more thick, soupy and subtle. In a way, it's the album where they seemed to begin to really craft songs that weren't so immediate and didn't have to carry a thump on stage. Not that they hadn't done songs like that before {"I can feel him in the morning"}, just not an album full of them. One might say that a certain maturity and musicality was creeping in and the songs were the kind that creep up slowly and gradually. That was certainly the case with me. Whereas albums like "Live album" and "Survival" grabbed me by the short and curlies on first listen !
@@pbs58 His crazy violin on "Flight of the phoenix" is all the more remarkable because it was played, literally "sight, unseen." He didn't want to hear the song before he played on it and just jammed along, reacting as he heard it. It's such a great track and Farner's organ playing is so good on it, I suspect that's why he didn't Craig Frost in the band although personally, I think Frost was a great addition. It's not often that a fourth or fifth player comes into an already established band and improves it.
Glad you did one of the favorite bands! The Grand Funk Railroad red album was my first ever album. However, for me, Born to Die would be my #1 or #2. It is absolutely classic to me with memorable melodies, incredible guitar work (Farner's lead on the title track one of my all-time favorites), and awesome vocals.
All the Grand Funk Albums are works of Art. Mark Farner is awesome. Got to meet Mark at The Flying Monkey in Plymouth New Hampshire playing just as Mark Farner. Very out going and nice man. Not to mention he put on one heck of a show. Red Album/Closer to Home are my favorites.
Good one Pete. I was about 6 in 1970/71 and my Uncle had all the albums i recall. I would stare at the covers. He gave me my first LP ever, GRAND FUNK LIVE! so, while my friends were listening to the Partridge Family, I was rocking out to INTO THE SUN. A little 7 year old mind , soaking this up, over and over as my only vinyl LP. It did something to me.....RED ALBUM my favorite also.....I dont play GFR enough these days. Mel's bass tone on those early LP;s is just HEavy!
My Top 13 Grand Funk Railroad Albums. 13. What's Funk? 12. Good Singing, Good Playing 11. Grand Funk Lives 10. Born to Die 9. All The Girls In The World Beware!!! 8. E Pluribus Funk 7. Shinin' On 6. We're an American Band 5. On Time 4. Survival 3. Closer to Home 2. Grand Funk (Red) 1. Phoenix I've Been Into Grand Funk For a Pretty Long Time.
Self titled "Red LP" is always my go to. Farner one of my fav's, great voice, guitar and awesome front man. GFR is just amazing band. Got to be up there as one of the top rock trios of all time.
Totally agree with your top two picks. I started with the "red" album when it came out. The next best for me was "E Pluribus Funk". "Loneliness" was the first song to successfully pair rock with orchestra. Mark Farner is one of the most underrated singers of my generation (I'm turning 65 this year).
Actually the first album to mix rock with an orchestra was the Moody Blues "Days of Future Past". I'm Your Captain came out earlier that EPF also, BUT Lonliness is an EPIC recording. On eof the best songs ever recordered IMO!
My first show, at 16. The"Phoenix" tour with Freddie King. Memorable moments of "Inside Looking Out". Farner during solo doing slow back-bend to the floor and rising back up. Crazy energy from the whole band that night. During the song "Heart Breaker", people were yelling 'Mel!'.
In the early 70's, before I was able to afford a nice turntable and begin buying my own albums, I listened to my mother's record collection on her stereo system. Some of them I actually liked! One day I walked past a yard sale near me, and in a small collection of albums was the GFR Closer To Home album, very used, being sold for fifty cents. It was an easy purchase. When I got home to give it a spin, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did I buy the Closer To Home album, but also inside the jacket (without any paper sleeve) was their 2nd album (red album). 2 for 1! I played the snot out of those two albums on mom's stereo, always with headphones to not disturb everyone else. Those two GF albums, in addition to Made In Japan (my brother's purchase), were the foundation to my learning how to play bass guitar, then playing music in bands for a living. Long live Grand Funk!
One of my favorite bands my entire life. Amazing band and a stellar album catalog. Can't argue at all with your top 3. But I think Grand Funk Lives is one of the most perfect albums ever made and definitely one of the best albums of 1981, and that's saying something in a year with so much great stuff. Can't say I'm happy with what Don is doing, and has done for years, with his band since Mark Farner IS Grand Funk, but that's life. Anyway, great to see discussion of such an incredible set of studio albums. Thanks!
Hey Pete, love GFR too. One of my all-time favorite bands. I'm too young to have seen the original band in concert, but I have seen and met Mark Farner twice (love that man), and I'm finally going to see Don, Mel, Bruce, Tim & Max in May. I'm excited.
Brilliant band always loved them not as big in the uk as USA and only being born in 1973 got into them in my 30s brilliant band Scotland grand funk fan. Great show you do too buddy 🏴👍🏼
in 1970, GFR and Led Zep were in total Nuke War. My sister gave me on time, I purchased GF (RED) and Closer to Home in 70 then GFR Live! I love the Live LPs so much I open On Time and went played one time and put it away. Played GFR Live so much I built 4 50watt speaker got a quad system and would blow the walls off to my room playing GFR Live! after I burned thru the first set, I got 2 more so I could play all 4 sides non-stop, turn them over and do it again.
Top 4. E Pluribus Funk Were an American Band Grand Funk. Shine On. I remember as a 12 yr old after my paper route/. I traded my 45 Locomotion with the kids 45 Were an American Band who I shared the delivery route with. Many / many 🌙 moons ago. PETE/ your passion with Funk comes through in your expressions and words. I love it !!!!! Enjoy that NJ show tomorrow!
The Red Album is my favorite GFR album, and one of my favorite albums of all time - it never gets old. The live album from the Atlanta Pop Festival is driving and powerful; the second live album isn't bad either. Love Closer to Home, Sin is a Good Man's Brother is NOT to be missed.
My rankings... 1 - E Pluribus Funk 2 - We're An American Band 3 - The Red Album 4 - Closer To Home 5 - On Time 6 - Survival 7 - Shining On 8 - Phoenix 9 - Good Singing, Good Playing 10 - All the Girls in the World... 11 - Born To Die 12 - Grand Funk Lives 13 - What's Funk
Great choice with The Red Album at #1. That was the first album I had of GFR and it is an absolute classic. However, I would rank Born to Die in my top three. I find that underrated album to show a maturity of musicianship and lyrical depth that is a pinnacle in their discography. I love every track. Also love Shinin' On, "We're an American Band," and Closer to Home. Also, Phoenix does have a very memorable song in "Rock and Roll Soul," which I think has that hit song quality to it. Great show on one of my absolutely favorite bands growing up.
GFR, along with Black Sabbath and Foghat, were THE most memorable and influential bands of my life for several different reasons, but mostly because of the iconic bass players in these bands! These three bands were the reason I picked up a bass, while in high school, and never put it down! I'm 64 today and still have five basses around the house! I later became a working musician for about 30 to 35 years playing bass in several bands in the Midwest and Florida. I stole everything I heard from Mel and Incorporated them into the way I still play today. As far as my favorite GFR album, which I still have the original today, it's gotta be the Phoenix album, the first GFR album I ever bought. "Flight of the Phoenix" was my favorite song! It was the song we would play to make sure we had good speakers in our cars. If they could handle that intro where Mel hits that first powerful note, they could handle anything! Lol
Think you for this show. I’ve gone back to GFR because of your rankings. Forgot how good this band is. Listening to the Red album now. I started watching you during the Covid crisis and I’ve returned to a lot of music that I forgot about and have listened to a lot of music that you highlight on your show so it’s really expanded and refueled my interest in music again. 🤘🏼
Red album Closer to Home and Epluribus Funk albums are my faves. I saw the trio with Yes as opening act. I Got to know Mark pretty well after a Holding Pattern tour. A friend of mine was doing his sound and we hit it off. You did a nice review of one of my albums btw Pete.
Absolutely loved Grand Funk Railroad, but oddly I preferred the Terry Knight years and not so much after that. They released a compilation album 'Mark, Don & Mel 1969-71’ that I listened to more than any other album in my life, by far. Great live performances! Name a band in the RRHOF that can say that they sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles and blew the mighty Led Zeppelin off the stage! They should have been in a long time ago! Thanks Pete!
Inside looking out" best song ever! So the red album is my fave. Just Grand Funk back then. Love me some Grand Funk! I first saw you talking Enslaved top 10. I subscribed to ya! Cheers man!
1) On Time 2) Grand Funk 3) Closer To Home 4) E Pluribus Funk 5) We're An American Band 6) Phoenix 7) Shinin' On 8) Born To Die 9) Good Singin' Good Playin' 10) All The Girls In The World... Beware 11) Grand Funk Lives 12) Survival 13) What's Funk
I agree about Mark Farner's guitar playing. The thing was "at that time" Hendrix & Clapton had the hottest 3 piece bands & were consider the high level marker. Mark had his own thing & although the critic's might have slammed them, the fans were totally on board. Plus they had great songs!
My rank: 1 Grand Funk 2 Closer to Home 3 On Time 4 E Pluribus Funk 5 We're an American Band 6 Shinin' On 7 Survival 8 Phoenix 9 Grand Funk Lives 10 Born to Die 11 All the Girls in the World Beware 12 Good Singin' Good Playin' 13 What's Funk? Bloody underrated band
Also agree, no Farner no Funk! That being said I picked up and enjoyed the album from the band Flint, which were the remnants of the band Grand Funk minus Farner, when Grand Funk broke up and really kind of dug it. Haven’t listened to it in forever so I think I’ll go slap it on the turntable. That’s what I love the most about watching you’re videos; they get me thinking about stuff I haven’t heard in a long time. So thank you Mr. Pardo
My first Grand Funk Album was a Columbia House Feature of the Month sent to Me in the Mail... Mark, Don and Mel Double Live Album of their Best Performances..... WOW It was Like I got their Best All one time. Played it Daily until it was Unplayable...Then I bought the E Pluribus Funk album and I was hooked. By far My Fav studio piece. As always Pete, Thanks for what you do...
The first single I ever heard by Grand Funk was (The Loco-Motion). I was about 12 and was in the record department of a store called Grants (remember that store); In the store, they had a record player on a shelf (of which I couldn't reach) playing "the Loco-Motion" over and over and over, at least 10 times, while I was there at least. I ended up really liking it and, talked my mother into buying it for me. I got bored with the song very quickly (I wonder why?) but, the B-side I was very fond of and still am to this day. The song was (Destitute and Losin') not featured on the original LP, just the flip side for the longest time. It was kind of a depressing song for a 12-year-old but I loved it. It was a 7-minute epic and had no volume to it; Kind of long for a 45. Sorry for the long comment. Love your vids!
Phoenix... I agree! EXCEPT you forgot about "Rock & Roll Soul" I think it got into the top 10 on Bill Board. One of my all time favorites. Also, one of the few GFR songs that the album version is better than any live version I've heard
I agree, the Terry Knight days were the best. The only other non-Knight album that would be in my top-five would be We're in an American Band. E Pluribus Funk is my fav. It has the epic Lonliness - perhaps their best piece; and the album cover - on vinyl, perhaps the greatest album cover ever!
The Knight era albums were the best, i agree. Phoenix gave them a new life after dumping Knight who turned out to be quite the greedy prick. We're An American Band was the best non Knight album for sure, after that i felt the rawness started to dissipate. They truly were the ultimate american power trio imo
I love the chance to comment on my favorite band from my home state of Michigan. I think Pete's picks were spot on. My favorite GFR albums: 1 - E Pluribus Funk 2 - Grand Funk (Red Album) 3 - On Time 4 - Closer To Home 5 - We're An American Band 6 - Survival 7 - Shinin' On 8 - Phoenix 9 - All The Girls In The World Beware
E Pluribus Funk is my n° 1, because it's really heavy and groovy. Only 7 songs on the album, but all unforgettable strong compositions. N° 2 would be Grand Funk Lives, because on this one they finally return to their early groovy hard rock style after having released a bunch of poppy records. It's a very cohesive album too. But anyway, I like most of their albums, because Mark Farner's fantastic voice makes it all worth while listening to.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 79 | คู่เอก "ก้องชัย vs อาเมียร์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WfPSA1A0NHc/mqdefault.jpg)
Another band that should be in the rock hall of fame!
FACTS.
That’s one way to get them to play together
@@gregb8565 ..Mel and Don can burn in hell as far as I'm concerned, they really don't deserve RRHOF...Mark does, but the RRHOF is a sham anyways. They pass over many to many worthy bands for some really lame ones.
@@harryberry474 Craig Frost should be included in the RRHOF too. GFR most successful commercial years (in Concert and in the studio) was when he was in the band......with one exception and thats when they sold out Shea Stadium as a Power Trio.
@@Buildsolarhomes I (was) a huge fan during their first 3 albums and GF LIVE, I had those plus Survival and LIVE but I noticed a change in their sound (more popular sound) I dropped them from my
favorite band in the world status) when Frost entered the line-up I left GF behind. But for 3 years or so 👍👍
Thank you so much for loving the RAILROAD ! My favorite band! No farner no funk!!
I love Grand Funk Railroad. I can never get enough of listening to "Sin's A Good Man's Brother". Great song from start to finish.
Yes--& Closer To Home is a great album start to finish!
Gov’t Mule does a kickass cover of Sin’s A Good Man’s Brother!
@@crusheverything4449 Yes they do. I love their version.
My favorite GFR song. It is AWESOME.
Homer Simpson’s favourite band.
I was 16 when On Time was released and became a Grand Funk fan at that time. I saw them live in 1970. I still listen to them a lot, especially their first 3 albums. I just have to put this in... No Farner, No Funk.
I agree with everything you said, I stopped buying their music after Survival (which wasn't very good) I'd hear their newer songs on the radio and thought they sucked.
Mel's bass playing and tone is phenomenal....
@R Jones: I agree. I've long thought of him as doing, in American heavy rock, what Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath went on to do in British heavy rock, that "frustrated lead guitarist" style of bass where the bass almost doubles as a rhythm guitar and sometime lead instrument, yet grounds the song and doesn't take over the way some bassists could do. And he was doing that on albums before Butler had recorded Black Sabbath's debut.
He was a really diverse player, too! Hard rock, funk, pop - he could do it all.
Mel was a student John entwistle the ox, and just like Chris squire Geddy Lee and more Mel schachter used to pick on his just like the aforementioned.
The first time I saw them live was the 'E Pluribus Unum', the bass was thunderous and the heaviest I had heard at that time.
@@awickedtribe I believe they also had a record-set as the loudest live band ever too
My rankings are very similar, but for some reason I've always been obsessed with Phoenix. To this day. "Rain Keeps Fallin" fascinated me. "Tryin' To Get Away", "Rock & Roll Soul" and "Freedom Is For Children" did, too. And the opener, "Flight of the Phoenix" was really a redesigned copy of "Foot Stompin Music", so easy landing pad for us longtime fans. Still my favorite Grand Funk Railroad album.
My favorite band of all time...Mark Farner is one of the most talented musicians to ever walk on a stage. He wrote 90% of the songs, was the lead vocalist, played lead guitar, keyboards, drums and the harmonica. Mel was the best bass player in rock n roll for several years and Don was exceptionally talented. Craig Frost played a killer organ when he came on board as well. But Farner was the heart and soul of this band....without him, there is no Grand Funk. They were just awesome from '69 to '75 especially...
I picked Grand funk lives as my number 1. Strong album with no filler.
It ranks a bit low for me, but it's a great album! I'm going to listen to it now, I think.
Yes i agree with you
Great show! For me, Born to Die is an absolutely incredible album and would rank in my top three. The opening track, written after Mark's cousin died, is one of my all-time favorite GFR songs and features one of Mark's most emotional solos. The album does not have a bad track on it. My first album I ever owned was the Red album. I interviewed Mark for a magazine and met the band when they played in Atlantic City on the Bosnia tour.
Grand Funk was the "go-to" band for every teenager's party get together...Everybody loved them!
I will never forget one summer day when I was still in grade school, wandering into the living room at home and hearing "Closer to Home" wafting out of my parent's stereo radio and being transfixed by the melody, the orchestral backing, and the vocal harmonies. It was one of those "Aha" moments in my life that has always remained fresh in my mind.
The first “Grand Funk Live” album was the best ... hands down .. “In Need” amazing tune done live was great; I grew up with that whole album.
As a drummer, Don's T.N.U. C. forced me to learn it, pound for pound. I'm 66 now and the other day in a band I play in I tried to remember the sequence of that song and forgot that's a young drummer's song. Ha.
@@austinteutsch Love that ... thanks for the reply.
Pete's comments on the "Pheonix" album were of particular interest to me. I love the album but I can see where he's coming from.
I was just over a year into what I call my heavy rock odessy {this would be Aug 1980} when I first heard of Grand Funk Railroad. The entry in the NME encyclopaedia of rock {from 1977} had described their first album as "tuneless heavy metal at its most crass" and quoted Rod Stewart as calling them "the all time loud white noise" and further described the band as "loathed and reviled with virtual unanimity by rock critics in America and Britain" and, the classic for me, "America's foremost exponents of heavy metal thrash." That same article goes on to talk about their "metallic thrashings" and in relation to them not succeeding in the UK, their "imported heavyweight noise."
My first thought having read all this was "I've got to hear this band !!"
I was living in Nigeria at the time and records from abroad came in when they did. There was no rhyme nor reason as to when an album would be spotted on the roadside or in a shack so you can imagine my joy when I saw a copy of "Pheonix" and got the guy in the shack to tape it for me {on the other side of the tape, he recorded Blue Öyster Cult's "Spectres"}.
And what a disappointment it was. It wasn't heavy in the way I'd come to understand heavy after listening to Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Status Quo, Blue Oyster Cult, Uriah Heep, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Triumph, Hendrix, Ted Nugent, Whitesnake, Nazareth, even Wishbone Ash, Boston, Pink Floyd and Kansas. The songs were uninspiring and the album as a whole seemed depressing. But, along with Styx's "Cornerstone" and Jethro Tull's "Heavy Horses," "Phoenix" was to play a crucial role in my evolution as an appreciator and lover of variety and colours in music. I'd already been on that road with the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Led Zep but what Phoenix did was finally force me to take an album on its own merits {or lack thereof} and dig it for what it was, not what I wanted it to be. I guess because I'd spent money on it, I gave it a chance and bit by bit, it grew on me until it became that album that I could say I love.
Pete said that for him, there was no standout track, no radio classic. I think that is one of the album's great strengths. Not long ago, there was a great video Pete did about those songs that we never want to hear again, songs that have been played to death. Well, because one is unlikely to hear much from the "Phoenix" LP, that means that it has a chance to endure where it really matters ~ in the heart of the listener.
I've listened to it hundreds of times since the summer of 1980 and I never get tired of it. I think it's packed to the gills with great tracks, "I just got to know," "Freedom is for children," the utterly glorious "Got to find me a better day" and the insanely magnificent "Flight of the phoenix" being shining jewels in a star studded crown of brilliance.
I went backwards with Funk to the superb "Survival" and the immense "Live album" {I think it knocks "Live at Leeds" solidly and permanently into second place and is the best live hard/heavy rock album of the period} and though initially I was enamored with their content {they fitted the descriptions of Funk's music that had got me interested in the first place}, and still love those albums, they never were able to topple "Phoenix" for me. I checked out some of the later stuff too but they never came close for me although they were good.
Even the band had a downer on "Phoenix" and their explanation was twofold, partly because they were in the midst of their dispute with their manager, Terry Knight and partly, at least from Mark Farner's viewpoint, because he didn't feel great about Craig Frost joining the band. But that's the joy of art. The artist is rarely the best judge of their own work and regardless of what they say, "Phoenix" has stood my test of time {close to 40 years} as an album that started slowly but with perseverence became and has remained, pure gold. The only part of the album I dislike is when it ends !
Wow, that was awesome...thanx.
When Phoenix came out I hated it. There was only a couple songs I liked. After never listening to it all these years I listened to all the funk albums and got to Phoenix thinking it would suck but to my surprise I loved it. It blew me away. Every song is good to great.
@@patrickmichels7888 Loved Phoenix when it came out, still do. it is The Grand Funk at their funkyest.
TL; DR, and it's "Phoenix."
What a thoughtful review.....very fitting because I find Phoenix itself to be a very thoughtful, introspective album compared to their work up until then. My favorite tracks on here (really could choose any as there are no weak tracks at all) would be the haunting "Someone" and the epic and sombre "Freedom is for Children". Phenomenal stuff.
Mel Schacher aka "The bong rattler". A great bass player!
Love it👽!!!! Yes he is!!!!
@@stevekosak8624 Missed 'em till Mark was gone. But that singer intro'd him as "weighing in at 2 MEGATONS"!! It still was a show!!
@@delveguy nice!!!!!
Great studio albums (Closer to Home is my favorite) but after seeing them live in the 70's and at their reunion in 1997, Mark, Don and Mel hands down were the best live rock n roll band ever. No one could command a rock n roll stage like Mark Farner.
Being a bass-player myself, what I particularly like about the "Red album" is that it probably has the punchiest and loudest sounding bass recorded on any album:)
One of my favorite bands. Still enjoying them all these years later.
I enjoy these videos, even if I don't like the band, I find them interesting.
How can you not like GFR ,are.you a Beiber fan 🤣🤣
@@gixxusmetalman7435 No I'm not a Bieber and I just don't like them, I'm not a fan.
I loved Grand Funk Railroad. On Time and the Red Album will always be my heart favorites. They were raw with simplistic production and they grabbed me and never let go. These 2 albums sound like they were in the garage and hit record on an old reel to reel.
The guitar solo from Zappa on "Out to get you" on Good Singin Good Playing still rips to this day. Never got into those last you mentioned but the rest of the catalogue I still get into.
Mark does the lead on the 2nd solo about 2 minutes in. Mark also play all rhythm guitar on OTGY
The standout recording on the Phoenix album was "Rock N Roll Soul".
1. It charted in the Top 40.
2. It's on their playlist for practically all of their LIVE performances, including Mark Farner's as a solo artist.
Another great review, interesting the comments regarding "Pheonix" as this was the first album that the group recorded post Terry Knight, it was as much a signal of intent as much as a musical statement. I think it's a towering achievement and the addition of Craig Frost really adds a degree of gravitas and depth to their overall sound. All in all, a great album.
top three Grand Funk album by my terms. A brilliant effort -
I have to go with E Pluribus Funk as my favorite. I got into this album as a13 or 14 year old in 1972 or 73 and it just blew me away. That was my first foray into heavier rock. I just love your ranking the album series and can't wait for the next episode. Keep up the good work!
I love the song- We're An American Band! Thank you for your ranking rockiin Grand Funk Railroad review! 🎤🎸🎵🥁
Ranking GFR studio albums: 1. We're an American Band, 2. Shinin' on, 3. E. Pluribus Funk, 4. Grand Funk, 5. Closer to Home, 6. Survival, 7. On Time, 8. Phoenix, 9. Born to Die, 10. Good Singing, Good Playing, 11. All the Girls in the World Beware, 12. What's Funk, 13. Grand Funk Lives. The Reason for my top 2 is that We're an American Band was the first album I ever bought, wore it out twice over. And Shinin' On was the first concert I went to and Chicago played with them in 1974 and I became a big Chicago fan after that. Thanks for your show.
I love these guy’s and have all of their albums. They have always lived up to the “funk” portion of their name while pumping out some bad ass hard rock at the same time. My list is very similar to yours Pete, top three exactly the same, thanks for this one! Great job!
The first 3 Albums are my go to heavy rock favorites of all time....cant get enough... also love Bosina live. Keep up the great work.
My personal best GFR album is Closer to Home. Any ranking from there will do :)
I agree 100%.
Μπάμπη δες ένα απ' τα τελευταία βίντεο που ανέβασα: th-cam.com/video/BwpyVVZa2vE/w-d-xo.html
@@JohninFunk στο reunion!
As a young teen in the mid to late ‘70s, I cut my Rock teeth on this band! MUCH BELOVED! HUGE Mark Farner fan! He is a worldclass guitarist and vocals that are clear, clean, and bright! And as a frontman/showman, Farner has NO PEERS! Music flows thru his veins and he simply CANNOT stand still on stage being moved by the music! I think his red blood cells are probably shaped like little music notes!
The Greatest Band ever, especially live, and should get more recognition ,Mark is a Great Guitar player and the whole band is Great, and should been in RRHOF years ago , or noone belongs!
Just give me the Grand Funk Live album and I'm happy... Their studio work is fair but they come alive on stage...
Truth! Raw energy!!!
That first live album is as clear a manifesto as it is possible to have. It's sizzling. Talk about setting out your stall. Mind you, there's way too much chatter on it, but I guess that was the times ! It was also quite gutsy to be responsibly anti-drug to your audience.
Tagbo Munonyedi It wasn’t anti-drug it was Anti-Narc. Mark was warning the audience there were narcs out to bust anyone but they were dressed just like them and had the usual long hair etc.
as a teenager I cut my teeth on Grand Funk Live.. amazing
Hell ya, the LIVE album was the king, man what an album, I wore it out! Just a raw massive wall of sound from a 3 piece band! Never going to happen again.
Pete thank you so much for doing this. Grand Funk Railroad was my favorite band as a child and I still love them. I grew up listening to their vinyl albums and for some strange reason I never got any of them on CD. i definitely need to get some Grand Funk Railroad CDs in my collection.
When I was seven years old, my sister bought me the red album for Christmas. I’ve been a rocker ever since
You're covering a lot of bands I really dig, Pete! I used to play GFR daily when I worked at the record store. It became a bit of a "thing" for me. I like them all, but here's my list:
13) What's Funk? (not bad, but I rarely listen to this one)
12) Grand Funk Lives (Queen Bee is a great song)
11) Phoenix (not sure why, but ths one never did much for me)
10) Survival (nostalgic for me)
9) Grand Funk (I originally liked this a lot more, but it was played to death for me)
8) Good Singin', Good Playin' (love the production on this)
7) Shinin' On (not much to say - middle of the pack)
6) Born to Die (pretty mellow, but I like all facets of GFR)
5) On Time (this is a great protest album. T.N.U.C. is a favorite)
4) We're an American Band (there's a reason it's so well known)
3) E Pluribus Funk (this is a HEAVY album!)
2) All the Girls in the World Beware!!! (this is the album that got me into them originally - it's poppy, but in a good way)
1) Closer to Home (not a wasted note - classic.)
One of my favorite bands. Saw them in 1970 and I still have many of their albums on vinyl. But I must say "Are You Ready" and "Paranoid" still rock my soul 50ys. later!
We're an American band is my favorite . Title track got me into the band but songs like Creepin' , the railroad , black licorice and stop lookin' back blew me away . Overall great album . Todd Rundgrens version of walk like a man rocks .
Not a weak song on it and pretty hard rockinhg and very well produced.
Their first live album was the first live album I've ever owned. It was originally panned, but I wore that album out. Great guitar, great drums, and great bass. One of my favorite albums of all time.
The live albums is killer. GFR was best live. If i must pick a studioalbum its been E Pluribus Funk. A great album !
Growing up in the 70s of course I heard "American Band" a lot, but didn't know much about them until watching your video. I appreciate your time and effort into putting out this video, it's been an education for me. Although I don't yet own any GFR albums, I have saved numerous live concert clips of the band, and they really kick some serious butt. Thanks again, Pete!
I stumbled across this wonderful ratings show this week and man it is amazing. I love it. Pete, thankyou so much this Australian Italian cannot get enough . Grand Funk were never big in Australia. I had never heard of them until a bloke at a school dance in 74’ brought along a copy of Survival. The DJ would not put it on- then not long after I saw Phoenix at a record bar in Sydney, then this 13 year old became a grand funk maniac for the rest of his life. 1) On Time 2) Survival 3) Closer to Home 4) Grand Funk 5) E Pluribus Funk 6) Phoenix .
Great ranking.
I picked up Truckload of Funk Vol1 and 2 about 2 years ago.
All the Capitol albums including the 2 live records, remastered and all in duplicate original sleeves.
Fantastic has all I need.
When they had their Grand Funk Railroad Reunion Tour in 1996 as Mark, Don and Mel as a Trio , They were one of the Top 5 Touring Bands that Year ... Even Beating Out Maryin Manson Ticket Sales...
Wow - I didn't know that one. Quite an accomplishment beating out Manson at that time.
Your rankings are pretty spot on. I liked how you light up with Sins A Good Mans Brother and I’m your captain. On the remastered album Closer To Home they put a great bonus live version of In Need on this album.I had no problem with Mark Farner’s guitar playing and to this day he still has that voice. They have done a good job on remastering the GFR library.
"Phoenix" has the kick ass "Rock N Roll Soul!!!"
Yep...perhaps the only really 'memorable' song, though the rest is quite solid in its own strange way. Kinda of a weird album from them...the 'bridge' album so to speak.
Right! They have Doug Kershaw on it!!!
@@seaoftranquilityprog It is definitely the bridge album. Prior to it, they were a heavy rock band and they didn't demonstrate too much subtlety whereas "Phoenix," though rocking hard at times, was more thick, soupy and subtle. In a way, it's the album where they seemed to begin to really craft songs that weren't so immediate and didn't have to carry a thump on stage. Not that they hadn't done songs like that before {"I can feel him in the morning"}, just not an album full of them. One might say that a certain maturity and musicality was creeping in and the songs were the kind that creep up slowly and gradually. That was certainly the case with me. Whereas albums like "Live album" and "Survival" grabbed me by the short and curlies on first listen !
@@pbs58 His crazy violin on "Flight of the phoenix" is all the more remarkable because it was played, literally "sight, unseen." He didn't want to hear the song before he played on it and just jammed along, reacting as he heard it. It's such a great track and Farner's organ playing is so good on it, I suspect that's why he didn't Craig Frost in the band although personally, I think Frost was a great addition. It's not often that a fourth or fifth player comes into an already established band and improves it.
This band is what inspired me to learn to play guitar. I first heard them in 1972. Awesome band.
Glad you did one of the favorite bands! The Grand Funk Railroad red album was my first ever album. However, for me, Born to Die would be my #1 or #2. It is absolutely classic to me with memorable melodies, incredible guitar work (Farner's lead on the title track one of my all-time favorites), and awesome vocals.
All the Grand Funk Albums are works of Art. Mark Farner is awesome. Got to meet Mark at The Flying Monkey in Plymouth New Hampshire playing just as Mark Farner. Very out going and nice man. Not to mention he put on one heck of a show. Red Album/Closer to Home are my favorites.
Good one Pete. I was about 6 in 1970/71 and my Uncle had all the albums i recall. I would stare at the covers. He gave me my first LP ever, GRAND FUNK LIVE! so, while my friends were listening to the Partridge Family, I was rocking out to INTO THE SUN. A little 7 year old mind , soaking this up, over and over as my only vinyl LP. It did something to me.....RED ALBUM my favorite also.....I dont play GFR enough these days. Mel's bass tone on those early LP;s is just HEavy!
My Top 13 Grand Funk Railroad Albums.
13. What's Funk?
12. Good Singing, Good Playing
11. Grand Funk Lives
10. Born to Die
9. All The Girls In The World Beware!!!
8. E Pluribus Funk
7. Shinin' On
6. We're an American Band
5. On Time
4. Survival
3. Closer to Home
2. Grand Funk (Red)
1. Phoenix
I've Been Into Grand Funk For a Pretty Long Time.
Self titled "Red LP" is always my go to. Farner one of my fav's, great voice, guitar and awesome front man. GFR is just amazing band. Got to be up there as one of the top rock trios of all time.
I concur with your opinion. Those early albums were GREAT!
Totally agree with your top two picks. I started with the "red" album when it came out. The next best for me was "E Pluribus Funk". "Loneliness" was the first song to successfully pair rock with orchestra. Mark Farner is one of the most underrated singers of my generation (I'm turning 65 this year).
Actually the first album to mix rock with an orchestra was the Moody Blues "Days of Future Past". I'm Your Captain came out earlier that EPF also, BUT Lonliness is an EPIC recording. On eof the best songs ever recordered IMO!
My first show, at 16. The"Phoenix" tour with Freddie King. Memorable moments of "Inside Looking Out". Farner during solo doing slow back-bend to the floor and rising back up. Crazy energy from the whole band that night. During the song "Heart Breaker", people were yelling 'Mel!'.
One of my favorite Rock bands back from our day, I'm 65 so Yeah & like your ranking think your on point. Tks PP ✌
In the early 70's, before I was able to afford a nice turntable and begin buying my own albums, I listened to my mother's record collection on her stereo system. Some of them I actually liked! One day I walked past a yard sale near me, and in a small collection of albums was the GFR Closer To Home album, very used, being sold for fifty cents. It was an easy purchase. When I got home to give it a spin, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did I buy the Closer To Home album, but also inside the jacket (without any paper sleeve) was their 2nd album (red album). 2 for 1! I played the snot out of those two albums on mom's stereo, always with headphones to not disturb everyone else. Those two GF albums, in addition to Made In Japan (my brother's purchase), were the foundation to my learning how to play bass guitar, then playing music in bands for a living. Long live Grand Funk!
I know the Animals did Inside Looking Out but Grand Funk crushed it!!
One of my favorite bands my entire life. Amazing band and a stellar album catalog. Can't argue at all with your top 3. But I think Grand Funk Lives is one of the most perfect albums ever made and definitely one of the best albums of 1981, and that's saying something in a year with so much great stuff. Can't say I'm happy with what Don is doing, and has done for years, with his band since Mark Farner IS Grand Funk, but that's life. Anyway, great to see discussion of such an incredible set of studio albums. Thanks!
Coming late to your great channel, those were very informed choices, kudos
Hey Pete, love GFR too. One of my all-time favorite bands. I'm too young to have seen the original band in concert, but I have seen and met Mark Farner twice (love that man), and I'm finally going to see Don, Mel, Bruce, Tim & Max in May. I'm excited.
Brilliant band always loved them not as big in the uk as USA and only being born in 1973 got into them in my 30s brilliant band Scotland grand funk fan. Great show you do too buddy 🏴👍🏼
in 1970, GFR and Led Zep were in total Nuke War. My sister gave me on time, I purchased GF (RED) and Closer to Home in 70 then GFR Live! I love the Live LPs so much I open On Time and went played one time and put it away. Played GFR Live so much I built 4 50watt speaker got a quad system and would blow the walls off to my room playing GFR Live! after I burned thru the first set, I got 2 more so I could play all 4 sides non-stop, turn them over and do it again.
Top 4. E Pluribus Funk Were an American Band Grand Funk. Shine On. I remember as a 12 yr old after my paper route/. I traded my 45 Locomotion with the kids 45 Were an American Band who I shared the delivery route with. Many / many 🌙 moons ago. PETE/ your passion with Funk comes through in your expressions and words. I love it !!!!! Enjoy that NJ show tomorrow!
I grew up with their music,and where did you get the Grand Funk
T shirt you're wearing?
I still have most of the records
check out Google put in Grand Funk Railroad t-shirts and you might find what you're looking for..🙄😜
The Red Album is my favorite GFR album, and one of my favorite albums of all time - it never gets old. The live album from the Atlanta Pop Festival is driving and powerful; the second live album isn't bad either. Love Closer to Home, Sin is a Good Man's Brother is NOT to be missed.
My rankings...
1 - E Pluribus Funk
2 - We're An American Band
3 - The Red Album
4 - Closer To Home
5 - On Time
6 - Survival
7 - Shining On
8 - Phoenix
9 - Good Singing, Good Playing
10 - All the Girls in the World...
11 - Born To Die
12 - Grand Funk Lives
13 - What's Funk
Great choice with The Red Album at #1. That was the first album I had of GFR and it is an absolute classic. However, I would rank Born to Die in my top three. I find that underrated album to show a maturity of musicianship and lyrical depth that is a pinnacle in their discography. I love every track. Also love Shinin' On, "We're an American Band," and Closer to Home. Also, Phoenix does have a very memorable song in "Rock and Roll Soul," which I think has that hit song quality to it. Great show on one of my absolutely favorite bands growing up.
GFR, along with Black Sabbath and Foghat, were THE most memorable and influential bands of my life for several different reasons, but mostly because of the iconic bass players in these bands!
These three bands were the reason I picked up a bass, while in high school, and never put it down! I'm 64 today and still have five basses around the house!
I later became a working musician for about 30 to 35 years playing bass in several bands in the Midwest and Florida. I stole everything I heard from Mel and Incorporated them into the way I still play today.
As far as my favorite GFR album, which I still have the original today, it's gotta be the Phoenix album, the first GFR album I ever bought.
"Flight of the Phoenix" was my favorite song! It was the song we would play to make sure we had good speakers in our cars.
If they could handle that intro where Mel hits that first powerful note, they could handle anything! Lol
Think you for this show. I’ve gone back to GFR because of your rankings. Forgot how good this band is. Listening to the Red album now. I started watching you during the Covid crisis and I’ve returned to a lot of music that I forgot about and have listened to a lot of music that you highlight on your show so it’s really expanded and refueled my interest in music again. 🤘🏼
Red album Closer to Home and Epluribus Funk albums are my faves. I saw the trio with Yes as opening act. I Got to know Mark pretty well after a Holding Pattern tour. A friend of mine was doing his sound and we hit it off. You did a nice review of one of my albums btw Pete.
I just can't get 'I'm You're Captain" out of my head it would have been my #2
Absolutely loved Grand Funk Railroad, but oddly I preferred the Terry Knight years and not so much after that. They released a compilation album 'Mark, Don & Mel 1969-71’ that I listened to more than any other album in my life, by far. Great live performances! Name a band in the RRHOF that can say that they sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles and blew the mighty Led Zeppelin off the stage! They should have been in a long time ago! Thanks Pete!
I think most people prefer the Terry Knight years.
"On Time"--how can you not love an album cover where the members of "the Railroad" are playing with "toy trains"!
love the Funk, one of the best American rock bands of all time-just plain kick ass jams! grass roots blue collar rock n' roll at it's very best.
Inside looking out" best song ever! So the red album is my fave. Just Grand Funk back then. Love me some Grand Funk! I first saw you talking Enslaved top 10. I subscribed to ya! Cheers man!
Great channel ..love classic rock
1) On Time
2) Grand Funk
3) Closer To Home
4) E Pluribus Funk
5) We're An American Band
6) Phoenix
7) Shinin' On
8) Born To Die
9) Good Singin' Good Playin'
10) All The Girls In The World... Beware
11) Grand Funk Lives
12) Survival
13) What's Funk
Grand Funk Live, Red Album, American Band and Phoenix. I love every one of their albums. Add Born to Die and E Pluribus Funk.
I agree about Mark Farner's guitar playing. The thing was "at that time" Hendrix & Clapton had the hottest 3 piece bands & were consider the high level marker. Mark had his own thing & although the critic's might have slammed them, the fans were totally on board. Plus they had great songs!
Good list I would agree with most of your comments. I like the fact that you dig deep like a good fan .
Love GFR
GRF was notorious band in Soviet Estonia although nobody played them in radio.
Keep it up, Pete. I’m really enjoying these best to worst videos. You have introduced me to some great albums.
Nice overview of my favorite band of all time!
My rank:
1 Grand Funk
2 Closer to Home
3 On Time
4 E Pluribus Funk
5 We're an American Band
6 Shinin' On
7 Survival
8 Phoenix
9 Grand Funk Lives
10 Born to Die
11 All the Girls in the World Beware
12 Good Singin' Good Playin'
13 What's Funk?
Bloody underrated band
Living here in England we never got to hear much grand funk on the radio but I will definitely be getting some of their stuff now. Cheers Pete 👍
"I can feel Him In The Morning" :)
Yes i agree with you. my memory song
Also agree, no Farner no Funk! That being said I picked up and enjoyed the album from the band Flint, which were the remnants of the band Grand Funk minus Farner, when Grand Funk broke up and really kind of dug it. Haven’t listened to it in forever so I think I’ll go slap it on the turntable. That’s what I love the most about watching you’re videos; they get me thinking about stuff I haven’t heard in a long time. So thank you Mr. Pardo
These guys need to be in the R&R HOF.
My first Grand Funk Album was a Columbia House Feature of the Month sent to Me in the Mail... Mark, Don and Mel Double Live Album of their Best Performances..... WOW It was Like I got their Best All one time. Played it Daily until it was Unplayable...Then I bought the E Pluribus Funk album and I was hooked. By far My Fav studio piece. As always Pete, Thanks for what you do...
I grew up on these guys and Sabbath.
The first single I ever heard by Grand Funk was (The Loco-Motion). I was about 12 and was in the record department of a store called Grants (remember that store); In the store, they had a record player on a shelf (of which I couldn't reach) playing "the Loco-Motion" over and over and over, at least 10 times, while I was there at least. I ended up really liking it and, talked my mother into buying it for me. I got bored with the song very quickly (I wonder why?) but, the B-side I was very fond of and still am to this day. The song was (Destitute and Losin') not featured on the original LP, just the flip side for the longest time. It was kind of a depressing song for a 12-year-old but I loved it. It was a 7-minute epic and had no volume to it; Kind of long for a 45. Sorry for the long comment. Love your vids!
Glad to see someone give "I Come Tumblin'" it's props! And where did you get the shirt?
thanks for another informative, entertaining video. Good to learn a bit more about GFR beyond the few radio hits I heard/liked as a 70's kid.
I'm about 50 years late but I have only just discovered GFR ,its kick ass music I love it
Phoenix... I agree! EXCEPT you forgot about "Rock & Roll Soul" I think it got into the top 10 on Bill Board. One of my all time favorites. Also, one of the few GFR songs that the album version is better than any live version I've heard
I agree, the Terry Knight days were the best. The only other non-Knight album that would be in my top-five would be We're in an American Band. E Pluribus Funk is my fav. It has the epic Lonliness - perhaps their best piece; and the album cover - on vinyl, perhaps the greatest album cover ever!
The Knight era albums were the best, i agree. Phoenix gave them a new life after dumping Knight who turned out to be quite the greedy prick. We're An American Band was the best non Knight album for sure, after that i felt the rawness started to dissipate. They truly were the ultimate american power trio imo
I love the chance to comment on my favorite band from my home state of Michigan. I think Pete's picks were spot on. My favorite GFR albums:
1 - E Pluribus Funk
2 - Grand Funk (Red Album)
3 - On Time
4 - Closer To Home
5 - We're An American Band
6 - Survival
7 - Shinin' On
8 - Phoenix
9 - All The Girls In The World Beware
Closer To Home is a personal favorite.
I gotta say this, though...
NO FARNER= NO FUNK.
Yep, Dirty Don's current lineup has got to be Grand Funkless...
Agree with your rankings, except I would move Closer to Home up to #1.
You look like John Kay of Steppenwolf if that is your real pic.
@@moefeaux1442 Ha Ha , that is John Kay, you are the first to mention it.
E Pluribus Funk is my n° 1, because it's really heavy and groovy. Only 7 songs on the album, but all unforgettable strong compositions. N° 2 would be Grand Funk Lives, because on this one they finally return to their early groovy hard rock style after having released a bunch of poppy records. It's a very cohesive album too. But anyway, I like most of their albums, because Mark Farner's fantastic voice makes it all worth while listening to.