Thirty Years of Funk: 1969-1999 [Box set] [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Leave it to music critics to completely miss the train. Despite a uniformly bad reception from the press and initial cold shouldering from radio DJs, Grand Funk Railroad became the ultimate word-of-mouth legend, emerging from a nonpaid opening gig at the Atlanta Pop Festival on July 4, 1969, to rack up 10 platinum albums and a host of Top-40 singles. The chemistry between Mark Farner, Don Brewer, and Mel Schacher percolated into a soulful, heartland rock & roll style that made them one of the quintessential American bands in the post-Woodstock era. Thirty Years of Funk--an anthology selected with loving care--maxes out its three CDs to offer an unusually comprehensive anthology of Grand Funk. Though fans might quibble over details of the selection (more dubious efforts such as What's Funk are simply passed over), this remastered compilation traces the power trio's evolution with an epic sweep. Intermingled with the obvious choices ("I'm Your Captain" instantly evokes Vietnam resistance nostalgia) are numerous cuts from the early, heady days, charisma-drenched live concert takes, and examples of the band's reconstituted, singles-driven sound with the addition of keyboardist Craig Frost. Even the most knowledgeable funkheads will find room for discovery. There's a bonanza of previously unreleased material: songs from Mark and Don's pre-Funk quartet the Pack, outtakes from studio sessions, plus three tracks from GF's '96 reunion (where the boys play off each other's lines, grooving back into their old sound as seamlessly as a spliced tape). With a custom-made CD package--including a booklet-length history of the group, discography, and rare photos--this set is nirvana for even the most casual of GF followers. --Tom May

Tracks:

Getting Into The Sun-The Pack
Can't Be Too Long (Faucet)-The Pack
Got This Thing On The Move (Mono)-The Pack
Time Machine
High On A Horse
Mr. Limousine Driver
Sin's A Good Man's Brother
Aimless Lady
Mean Mistreater
I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home
Are You Ready (Live)
Paranoid (Live)
Inside Looking Out (Live)

Tracks:

Feelin' Alright
Gimme Shelter
I Can Feel Him In The Morning
I Can't Get Along With Society
Upsetter
Loneliness
Trying To Get Away
Walk Like A Man
Creepin'
We're An American Band
Hooray
The End
To Get Back In
Destitute And Losin'

Tracks:

Shinin' On
The Loco-Motion
Some Kind Of Wonderful
Bad Time
Footstompin' Music (Live)
Rock 'N Roll Soul (Live)
Heartbreaker (Live)
Take Me
Sally
Love Is Dyin'
Can You Do It
Pass It Around
Crossfire
Queen Bee
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (Live)
Pay Attention To Me
All I Do
In The Long Run

Amazon.com

Leave it to music critics to completely miss the train. Despite a uniformly bad reception from the press and initial cold shouldering from radio DJs, Grand Funk Railroad became the ultimate word-of-mouth legend, emerging from a nonpaid opening gig at the Atlanta Pop Festival on July 4, 1969, to rack up 10 platinum albums and a host of Top-40 singles. The chemistry between Mark Farner, Don Brewer, and Mel Schacher percolated into a soulful, heartland rock & roll style that made them one of the quintessential American bands in the post-Woodstock era. Thirty Years of Funk--an anthology selected with loving care--maxes out its three CDs to offer an unusually comprehensive anthology of Grand Funk. Though fans might quibble over details of the selection (more dubious efforts such as What's Funk are simply passed over), this remastered compilation traces the power trio's evolution with an epic sweep. Intermingled with the obvious choices ("I'm Your Captain" instantly evokes Vietnam resistance nostalgia) are numerous cuts from the early, heady days, charisma-drenched live concert takes, and examples of the band's reconstituted, singles-driven sound with the addition of keyboardist Craig Frost. Even the most knowledgeable funkheads will find room for discovery. There's a bonanza of previously unreleased material: songs from Mark and Don's pre-Funk quartet the Pack, outtakes from studio sessions, plus three tracks from GF's '96 reunion (where the boys play off each other's lines, grooving back into their old sound as seamlessly as a spliced tape). With a custom-made CD package--including a booklet-length history of the group, discography, and rare photos--this set is nirvana for even the most casual of GF followers. --Tom May

Customer Reviews:

GRAND FUNK LIVES ON!!!.......2007-01-14

I recommend this CD set for all Grand Funk Railroad fans. It has everything I ever wanted from Grand Funk Railroad. Includes all the songs I couldn't find on other CD's. This is definitely complete. As far as I can see there's only one song that isn't on there from the early years and
that's T.N.U.C....basically a drum solo. That's the way it is with all greatest hits, best of CD's...they always leave one song out. It may
be that the song was banned for the reverse spelling but in any case this CD set is the most complete that I ever found. LIVE ON GRAND FUNK RAILROAD!!!

The BEST "Best Of" Ever!.......2006-05-17

Every record company thinking of compiling a "Best Of" for any band at all should review this 3 CD set to see how it's done properly and comprehensively. Not only was GFR just sensational in its day, this set ensures they remain sensational today. There is not really anything to fault about the set - everything is covered and then some - and proves the timelessness of the band. The only other GFR recodings you might want over and above this compilation is the debut "Red" album and then "Survival" both of which really demonstrate the raw power that GFR delivered and in my opinion were the highlights of the "30 Years of Funk"!

Best damn band that ever came out of Michigan!.......2006-01-27

This is some of the greatest rock you'll ever hear from the 70's. My favorite songs on this set we're the ones produced by Frank Zappa. Let's face it, the ratings that the critics gave this band made KISS look like Bob Dylan. But if your a GFR fan like I am, we all know that the music critics can kiss our asses! Wish I could give this box set more stars.

Grand Funk Railroad LIVE 2006!!!!!!.......2006-01-22

All this digitally remastered old stuff is really great, but did you know that the PRESENT GFR line up is the best there has ever been. By looking for their CD's you would never know that, as there are none from this group as it is. They are the best of the best and the world will never know it if they don't produce a new LIVE CD. Write letters, do whatever is necessary to get it done, but the world and the present band need this. I have seen them and it is true, they are the best live band I have ever heard in my 48 years. Grand Funk Railroad LIVES!!! Let's have Grand Funk Railroad LIVE 2006!!!!! From Alarmingmusic.

A great collection of GFR.......2006-01-10

For all collectors of classic rock and even some casual listeners there are a great mix of studio and live cuts of this true American band.

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