Who in the Funk Do You Think You Are: The Warner Bros. Recordings

by Sly & the Family Stone

Overview

By the time Sly Stone -- with a revamped version of the Family Stone -- released his two Warner Bros. albums, Back on the Right Track and Ain't But the One Way, he had been dismissed as a drugged-out has-been, with his best days past him. The latter part was most certainly true, since he was not only worn out, it would have been hard for most musicians to reach the peaks of Stand!, There's a Riot Goin' On, and Fresh, not to mention his unbelievable singles of the late '60s. But the truth was Sly was running on near-empty, barely able to keep afloat during a series of personal trouble and addictions. In retrospect, that makes these Warner recordings all the more remarkable -- not because they're great, but because they're competent, enjoyable, period-piece funk. That's a testament to the sheer size of his genius -- even amid all the trouble he made pretty good music. Not great, to be sure, but neither of these records are disasters, which is more evident now than it was at the time. This still isn't music that packs any revelations, and there's not much depth in the music, apart from "The Same Thing (Makes You Laugh, Makes You Cry)," but it's surprisingly enjoyable, considering its reputation, and the presentation and packaging is first-rate, making this a nice collector's piece. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/07/2016
Label:	Wounded Bird
UPC:	0664140775626

Tracks

1. Remember Who You Are
2. Back on the Right Track
3. If It's Not Addin' Up
4. The Same Thing (Makes You Laugh, Makes You Cry)
5. Shine It On
6. It Takes All Kinds
7. Who's to Say?
8. Sheer Energy
9. L.O.V.I.N.U.
10. One Way
11. Ha Ha, Hee Hee
12. Hobo Ken
13. Who in the Funk Do You Think You Are
14. You Really Got Me
15. Sylvester
16. We Can Do It
17. High, Y'all
18. You're the One [Instrumental Demo]
19. In Other Words [Demo Version]
20. Hand of Love [Demo Version]
21. Let's Be Together [Demo Version]
22. Get Back [Backing Track Takes 2 & 3]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sly & the Family Stone   Primary Artist
Sly Stone   Primary Artist
Cynthia Robinson   Horn
Pat Rizzo   Horn
Ollie E. Brown   Percussion
Joseph Baker   Guitar,Vocals (Background),Guitar
Gary Herbig   Horn
Sylvester Stewart   Harmonica,Keyboards
Keni Burke   Bass
Rose Banks   Vocals (Background)
Alvin Taylor   Drums
Walter Downing   Keyboards
Joe Baker   Vocals (Background)
Lisa Banks   Vocals (Background)
Freddie Stewart   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Mark Davis   Keyboards
Hamp Banks   Guitar
Fred Smith   Horn
Steve Madaio   Horn

Technical Credits

Bernie Grundman   Mastering
Rik Pekkonen   Mixing,Engineer
Pat Rizzo   Composer,Producer
Bryan Thomas   Liner Notes
Ray Davies   Composer
Joseph Baker   Engineer,Engineer
Bryan Lasley   Design,Art Direction
Sylvester Stewart   Composer,Producer
Bob Fisher   Remastering
D.K. Baker   Archivist
Roger Dollarhide   Composer,Engineer
Stewart Levine   Composer,Producer
Peter Whorf   Art Direction
Mark Davis   Mixing,Producer
Michael "Mike Dee" Johnson   A&R
Cindy Brown   Art Direction
Neal Preston   Photography
Hamp Banks   Composer,Engineer,Associate Producer
Butch Lynch   Engineer
Jo Hansch   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Cindy Marsh   Illustrations
Roland Worthington Hand   Compilation Producer
Rectangle Van Elk   Archivist
Frank Nadasdy   Engineer
Patrick Pending   Design,Art Direction
Serge Reyes   Engineer
Sergio Reyes   Engineer