Rating: 
Summary: Serious errors in premise
Review: A number of grievous (and obvious) errors in this book seriously undercut some of the theories promulgated by the author. The most glaring example is his assertion that Elvis Presley's rise to fame occurred in the early 60's - long after the time of "the great black rock and rollers". It isn't just a matter of years; to move Presley to a different period in American history is a particularly pernicious act of racially-based revisionism. It's impossible to believe anyone literate enough to have a book published on any genre of 20th century popular music could be so ignorant. The only reasonable explanation is that the author was unable to coherently make his points using facts and felt that the end somehow justified his means - simply lying to his readers.
Rating:
Summary: Serious errors in premise
Review: A number of grievous (and obvious) errors in this book seriously undercut some of the theories promulgated by the author. The most glaring example is his assertion that Elvis Presley's rise to fame occurred in the early 60's - long after the time of "the great black rock and rollers". It isn't just a matter of years; to move Presley to a different period in American history is a particularly pernicious act of racially-based revisionism. It's impossible to believe anyone literate enough to have a book published on any genre of 20th century popular music could be so ignorant. The only reasonable explanation is that the author was unable to coherently make his points using facts and felt that the end somehow justified his means - simply lying to his readers.
Rating: 
Summary: The true story of FUNK!!
Review: All I can say is get this book...if you need to know more about funk, if you already think you know all there is to know, or if you heard that funky voice in yo' behind calling out, this is the one for you!!
Rating:
Summary: Can't Barely Handle This Much Funk!
Review: First, I propose a small title change for this book. It should be called "THE Funk". The word "funk" only refers to a musical genre. But THE Funk entails the whole lifestyle, attitude, and philosophy that go with the music. And that's what this book is about. Rickey Vincent provides all the info you could possibly dig on the origins, artists, and influence behind the funk bomb that has been shaking the Earth since the 60's. You get the deep, ancient funk origins in jazz, soul, R&B, and even rockers like Hendrix and Santana. As should be expected, there's a ton of props for the musicians who invented funk, especially the Godfather, my main man James Brown; not to mention the old-school master, Sly Stone. Once the funk really took off in the 70's, Vincent provides top coverage of the entire phenomenon, with props for big men like the Isley Brothers, Ohio Players, Kool & the Gang, and Earth Wind & Fire; and unearths long-lost funkateeers like Slave and Zapp, who are ripe for rediscovery. But where would we be without P-Funk? No problem, as Vincent gives us an entire section on the most important and influential funk mob of all time, George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic thang. The story continues into the present with coverage of funk that survived underground in the 80's, and then rocked the world again in the 90's. Most interesting is Vincent's coverage of funk's humungous influence on the hip-hop nation, as well as a whole branch of rock-n-roll (populated by bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Primus). When funk history gets ragged in the late 70's and early 80's, Vincent gets carried away in his endless condemnation of disco (you don't really need to say how much disco reeked), as well as the other new forms of dance music that temporarily buried the funk. But not to worry, because in the 90's the funk re-emerged triumphantly and in top booty-shakin' form. And get a load of the appendix, "Essential Funk Recordings," in which Vincent provides a gargantuan list of classic funk albums that will keep you on a buying spree for the rest of your life.
Rating:
Summary: Can't Barely Handle This Much Funk!
Review: First, I propose a small title change for this book. It should be called "THE Funk". The word "funk" only refers to a musical genre. But THE Funk entails the whole lifestyle, attitude, and philosophy that go with the music. And that's what this book is about. Rickey Vincent provides all the info you could possibly dig on the origins, artists, and influence behind the funk bomb that has been shaking the Earth since the 60's. You get the deep, ancient funk origins in jazz, soul, R&B, and even rockers like Hendrix and Santana. As should be expected, there's a ton of props for the musicians who invented funk, especially the Godfather, my main man James Brown; not to mention the old-school master, Sly Stone. Once the funk really took off in the 70's, Vincent provides top coverage of the entire phenomenon, with props for big men like the Isley Brothers, Ohio Players, Kool & the Gang, and Earth Wind & Fire; and unearths long-lost funkateeers like Slave and Zapp, who are ripe for rediscovery. But where would we be without P-Funk? No problem, as Vincent gives us an entire section on the most important and influential funk mob of all time, George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic thang. The story continues into the present with coverage of funk that survived underground in the 80's, and then rocked the world again in the 90's. Most interesting is Vincent's coverage of funk's humungous influence on the hip-hop nation, as well as a whole branch of rock-n-roll (populated by bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Primus). When funk history gets ragged in the late 70's and early 80's, Vincent gets carried away in his endless condemnation of disco (you don't really need to say how much disco reeked), as well as the other new forms of dance music that temporarily buried the funk. But not to worry, because in the 90's the funk re-emerged triumphantly and in top booty-shakin' form. And get a load of the appendix, "Essential Funk Recordings," in which Vincent provides a gargantuan list of classic funk albums that will keep you on a buying spree for the rest of your life.
Rating:
Summary: Very Well Done
Review: I had recently been turned on to Parliment/Funkadelic(I'm 33). I was interested in someother bands to check out. I bought this book little did I know I was getting the history of the funk bomb. The section on James Brown was so cool to read about. I never realized just how much we owe to"Soul Brother Number 1". Fortunatly Ricky Vincent put it down for future generations of rump shakers to read about. If you got any shred of funk in you I highly recommend you read this book and check out some of the bands Mr. Vincent gives 5 stars to.
Rating:
Summary: Very Well Done
Review: I had recently been turned on to Parliment/Funkadelic(I'm 33). I was interested in someother bands to check out. I bought this book little did I know I was getting the history of the funk bomb. The section on James Brown was so cool to read about. I never realized just how much we owe to"Soul Brother Number 1". Fortunatly Ricky Vincent put it down for future generations of rump shakers to read about. If you got any shred of funk in you I highly recommend you read this book and check out some of the bands Mr. Vincent gives 5 stars to.
Rating:
Summary: glad to see a brother give up the funk
Review: i love all types of music but it's nothing like the funk.you either have it or you don't.and i was happy and lit as a firecracker upon finding this book.i know all the groups and artist mentioned.i've been longing to find a book on these artist cuz you know the mainstream only cares about sampling and putting these acts in burger king commercials so it is a relief to get the funk uncut.i'd love a part two if possibly.i never get tired of the funk.from the 60's to the early 80's is when the best music was made and most of it was because of the funk.thank you ricky v.
Rating:
Summary: I Am Now A Well Educated Lover Of FUNK !!!
Review: I recieved this book as a gift from my Fiancee, who is a FUNK musician. Many times he explained to me what FUNK is and how it began. My interest in FUNK music began to peak and I wanted to know more. I read the entire book in a 6 hour flight from the east coast to the west coast. The book was so informative I couldn't put it down. Prior to my reading this book I had no idea of the indepth history FUNK and the magnitude of its impact on the music industry. If anyone wants to know and understand the history of FUNK; I refer to this book as the "BIBLE OF FUNK". I am now a well educated lover of FUNK!!!
Rating:
Summary: I Am Now A Well Educated Lover Of FUNK !!!
Review: I recieved this book as a gift from my Fiancee, who is a FUNK musician. Many times he explained to me what FUNK is and how it began. My interest in FUNK music began to peak and I wanted to know more. I read the entire book in a 6 hour flight from the east coast to the west coast. The book was so informative I couldn't put it down. Prior to my reading this book I had no idea of the indepth history FUNK and the magnitude of its impact on the music industry. If anyone wants to know and understand the history of FUNK; I refer to this book as the "BIBLE OF FUNK". I am now a well educated lover of FUNK!!!
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