Maggot Brain
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Maggot Brain is a 1971 (see 1971 in music) album by the American funk band Funkadelic. It was released on Westbound Records.
This is the definitive album of the Eddie Hazel-era of Funkadelic, and one of the most influential albums in funk-metal, and rock and roll in general. The music swings through psychedelia, hard rock, gospel and soul music, with tremendous variation between each track.
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Track Listing
- "Maggot Brain" (George Clinton, Eddie Hazel)
- "Can You Get To That" (Clinton, Ernie Harris)
- "Hit It And Quit It" (Clinton, Billy Bass Nelson, Garry Shider)
- "You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks" (Clinton, Judie Jones, Bernie Worrell)
- "Super Stupid" (Clinton, Hazel, Nelson, Tawl Ross)
- "Back In Our Minds" (Fuzzy Haskins)
- "Wars Of Armageddon" (Clinton, Tiki Fulwood, Ross, Worrell)
Personnel
- Lead Guitar: Eddie Hazel
- Rhythm Guitar: Tawl Ross
- Keyboards: Bernie Worrell
- Bass: Billy Nelson
- Drums: Tiki Fulwood
- Vocals: Parliament, Gary Shider, Bernie Worrell, Tawl Ross
Songs
"Maggot Brain"
According to legend, George Clinton told Eddie Hazel to play like his mother had just died, and the result was the twelve-minute guitar solo for which Hazel is most fondly remembered by many music critics and fans. Though several other musicians began the track playing, Clinton soon realized the power of Hazel's solo and faded them out so that the focus would be on Hazel's guitar. The entire track was recorded in one take.
Seven years later, Michael Hampton (Eddie Hazel's replacement as lead guitarist) performed his own interpretation of the song on 1978's magnum opus, One Nation Under a Groove.
This song has very few lyrics, present only at the beginning of the song before Hazel's solo takes off. The concept of "Maggot Brain" is, however, very important in understanding P Funk mythology. On one level, it is said to refer to Eddie Hazel's drug-riddled brain. In the grand scheme of things, Maggot Brain is a mode of being, thinking and existing, in which one transcends the troubles of Earthly existence, instead revelling in the freedom of Funk.
The liner notes to the album included a lengthy excerpt from the Los Angeles cult band The Process.
"Can You Get to That"
This song features Bernie Worrell's organ. It begins as an acoustic number, then grows gradually harder. It is a rewrite of a song by The Parliaments and is heavily influenced by gospel music stylistically.
Another breakup song, the singer of "Can You Get To That" reminisces about older days, and bitterly blames his former partner for the breakup. The titular line (repeated as part of the chorus) is asking if the former lover understands the various accusations and statements.
- Lead Vocals: Garry Shider
- Backup Vocals: Pat & Diane Lewis, Rose Williams, Ray Davis, Bernie Worrell, George Clinton
- Drums: Fuzzy Haskins
"Hit It and Quit It"
The song feature Bernie Worrell's vocals and organ-playing, as well as an extended Eddie Hazel solo at the end.
- Lead Vocals: Bernie Worrell
"You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks"
Some claim that this song is, lyrically and musically, a sequel to "Hit It And Quit It" (the previous song on the same album). It is a very class-conscious song, with the singer pleading for unity among the poor because without doing so, equality could not be achieved.
- Lead Vocals: Billy Bass Nelson
"Super Stupid"
The title of this song refers to a drug addict who buys the wrong drug accidentally. He is also referred to as having a "maggot brain".
- Lead Vocals: Eddie Hazel, Billy Bass Nelson
"Back in Our Minds"
This song seems to be about the singer and someone else (possibly different races, former lovers or friends) having reconciled and are now "brothers."
- Lead Vocals: George Clinton, Tawl Ross
- Trombone: McKinley Jackson
- Bongos: Eddie Bongo
- Jew's Harp: James W. Jackson
"Wars of Armageddon"
The music is a bizarre mix of music and special effects-type sounds, and intelligent, though unusual and abstract, lyrics.
This song is socially conscious, as the singer demands immediate freedom from oppression, as well as "power to the people" (and many more demands, many nonsensical, see above).
External Reviews
- Five stars (highest rating)
- The All Music Guide (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A8q7tk60x9kra)
- Listed in David Keenan's "The Best Albums Ever...Honest by the Scottish newspaper The Sunday Herald.
Chart positions
Billboard Music Charts (North America) - album
1971 Pop Albums No. 108 1971 Black Albums No. 14 1990 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 92
External Links
- the Motherpage (http://www.duke.edu/~tmc/motherpage/albums_funkadelic/alb-mbrain.html)