By: Brian Crisp, Kristin A. Hasler
 |
Official website: http://www.georgeclinton.com |
THE SERMON ON THE FUNK
No foolin' around, Tuesday offered ample prerequisites for funk in Minneapolis: Fancy Ray sippin' on a 40-ounce Corona; the bass slap drippin' from the ceiling; and throngs of funkateers throbbin' to back beats. A tribe of fourteen bodies graced the First Avenue stage. One had to ask, is that man wearing a diaper? Is Fancy Ray really standing next to me? Is that Bootsy? The seminal Parliament Funkadelic collaborator will in fact not grace a Minneapolis stage until the 4/20 Funk Brothers show, yet George Clinton and the P-Funk served up some mighty tasty helpings of funk on Tuesday, even without Bootsy.
George and the tribe never fail to serve up lip-smackin' dishes. First on the menu: an hour of jam as fourteen musicians took their turns stirrin' up the pot, adding their respective talents to the simmering mix. The taste, although satisfying, left the crowd salivating for one thing: pure, melted George.
Second helping: the Atomic Dog himself leading you down the first trip on the buffet. Rumps shook. Hands waved in the air. We all screamed "P-Funk!" The crowd settled into the sublime, two-hour P-Funk feast. Running through "Maggot Brain", and "If Anybody Gets Funked Up." We burped, wiped our mouths, eager for more. As George would say, it was straight off the gravy and the mother ship had most definitely landed
Third helping: the delectable sorbet, George's teenage granddaughter leading the crowd in "Something Stank" and the smoke rolled above our heads. It was time for the post-main course joint. Giving new meaning to the phrase "keeping it in the family", George and his kin continued their grand and ancient tradition of bud smokin'. While the crowd toked, she sang "She like 'em young/with a yard of tongue". Is your family anything remotely as funky? (Fancy Ray will give you a dollar if it is.)
After a small helping of psychedelic tribute from rhythm and guitar, the final course was served to the still-hungry Nation. "One Nation Under a Groove" led into "Flashlight", giving way to "Atomic Dog". Our bellies and brains were filling to delicious capacity. "We want the funk/gotta have that funk." At this point, if you were not yelling, smoking ganja, shakin' ass or just plain getting' funked up, you were in the bathroom on your cell phone and NOT a true Funkateer.
"Shit/goddamn/get off your ass and jam!" The lights came on (a very scary visual to have at First Avenue, mind you) but the mantra kept us cookin', boilin' over as George returned for one last jam: Little Richard's "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On".
We left with bellies full of funk, satisfied by Chef George's masterful dishes. Most satisfying was the reassurance that at age 62, George can still switch in the kitchen. His extensive career, solid funkmeister credentials, staggering discography and unique styling make for live shows that will never leave funksters hungry for more.
Funkateers-free your mind, and your ass will follow.
Location Info:
First Avenue
Artist Info: George Clinton
Share this story:
Article comments powered by Disqus