Leave it to Atomic Dog George Clinton to bring the Friday Funk.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, asked what he thought of white artists performing black music, Clinton replied in part:
It’s all one world, one planet and one groove. You’re supposed to learn from each other, blend from each other, and it moves around like that. You see that rocket ship leave yesterday? We can maybe leave this planet. We gonna be dealing with aliens. You think black and white gonna be a problem? Wait till you start running into motherfuckers with three or four dicks! Bug-eyed motherfuckers! They could be ready to party, or they could be ready to eat us. We don’t know, but we’ve got to get over this shit of not getting along with each other.
Mad Blog Media 
Back when my mom and her brothers were musicians (especially Mom and Joe, “The Mouse”**, who both were pros on the big band and jazz scenes, respectively), no one gave a rat’s ass about so called cultural appropriation. It was about making good music. They worked gigs with blacks, jews, gays, and who knows who else.
The world has gone somewhat nuts when we thought it should be getting better.
** http://officenaps.com/jazz-obscura/update-mouse-bonati/
The Mouse in da house! Nice blast from the past, there, K.
When I got roped into band in junior high I wanted to play the clarinet (probably channeling Benny Goodman), but they had all the B-flat woodwinds they could handle, so I wound up with the flute.
One of my few regrets is not paying more attention to playing music and less to listening to other people play. I took lessons on piano and flute, and got roped in on piccolo and bassoon a time or two, and dicked around with guitar like a good hippie.
But I never learned how to play anything well. Closest I got was probably the flute; I have an ear of sorts and can play along with a lot of stuff I hear. Amusing how I can’t remember where I left my glasses (generally on top of my head) but I can remember where the fingers go while freestyling on the flute.
I kick myself when thinking that all my uncles, mom, and cousins are pretty good musicians and I never went beyond playing the stereo. I guess I was a lazy sack of shit. I have a good ear for music and enjoy an eclectic mix of stuff.
I tried to pick up a saxophone a few years ago and my significant other warned me that someone was going to call Fish and Game, thinking there was a wounded elk in the canyon.
I have been hacking at the guitar for 50 years. I’m not much better now that when I started. I have it hanging on the wall in the living room to taunt me. The only good thing is that I refuse to give up. And, it is fun to play the few chords and songs I have learned.
I’ve played flute since seventh grade, probably because it was so portable. Fetching a piano around and about was a chore back in the day; it’s easier now with the advent of decent portable keyboards.
This old Boosey & Hawkes flute needs a vigorous cleaning and a bit of fix-’em-up. I’ve priced new ones and nearly stroked out. Maybe this is the push I need to get ‘er done. That, and the news that two of our local music shops are going belly up. I’ve got to give somebody some money, pronto.
I’ve been thinking about a guitar again, too, Pat. Hal and Harrison are learning how to play and it’s kind of giving me the bug. But I don’t think I have 50 years of learning left in me.
You would think after 50 years I would be playing with the P-Funk All Stars or at least playing rhythm guitar for Bonnie Rait. It hasn’t been a solid 50 years but an on again off again thing. More off than on. But I have learned a little about guitars. And I know cheap ones will quickly destroy the will to play. If I was buying my first guitar, this would probably be it.
Whoa buddy ! A Taylor Koa Series guitar… Now that’s nice. If I never learned to play it, it sure would like nice on the wall. I don’t care if I have 30 years or 2 years, strumming an acoustic guitar sure is nice.
PS: And this book.
That’s some wisdom from George, even if aliens never show up.
One nation, under a groove. Gettin’ down, just for the funk of it.
Saw him in Monterey, with Dylan..Loved his Guitarist,in Daipers…Purple Kush..Day…”In-a Godda-Da-Vida..Baby”
Tiny desk concert and funk. That’s the way to start a Friday. Thanks, Patrick!
thanks. ironically i’ve been in a funk the last few weeks. that certainly lifted my spirits.
Thank George, Bootsy and Bernie for the difference between a funk and the funk.
Make my funk the P-funk. I wants to get funked up.
Music is good for you…..playing or listening. Check it out:
George Clinton has my vote!
Another one.
I recently got in touch with Sam Noto. He is back in Buffalo, NY. Was a great blast out of the past.
George got his feet on the ground. Shit is keepin’ it real.