Famous L. Renfroe: Introduction, Children, Believe, It’s So
From: Children [Fat Possum, 2008]

Last week while chatting with a friend after a concert, he asked me and another friend if we’d heard of a blues-gospel artist named Famous L. Renfroe. The answer to his question was undoubtedly written all over our faces. He started to wax poetic about how great this artist was, and that it was the “holy grail” of gospel music. He even started to sing various parts of one of the songs, illustrating his point that the backup singers on this record were definitely the real deal. While I am only a casual acquaintance with this person, I couldn’t help but notice his boundless enthusiasm for the music. I figured that locating a copy of this record would definitely be in my best interest, so I began my search online to see if I could possibly find some sample mp3’s out there.

After searching for an hour, I decided to call it a night and start fresh the next day with an uncluttered brain. While I believe that it’s more about the journey than the destination, I was eager to hear this music that was so highly praised by my friend. I started exploring different avenues, like going to blogs that focus on gospel and funk records, but I eventually scored when I performed a random search on Soulseek and found a person who had the entire Famous L. Renfroe album available to download. Good things definitely come to those who wait!

I was already familiar with the Good God! A Gospel Funk Hymnal compilation that was released on Numero Group in 2006, but I could never be prepared for the magical gospel sounds of Famous L. Renfroe’s Children. Legend has it that these songs were first recorded in 1969, and they were shelved for unknown reasons. I can only guess that it was something to do with its lack of commercial potential, but all it takes is one listen to these gems for you to realize that Famous L. Renfore could have been bigger than Al Green or Sam Cooke.

“Introduction” gets the proceedings started on the right foot with a funky guitar riff, and then the tempo of the track steadily builds as the call and response backup vocals add weight to the unstoppable groove established by the rhythm section. The slow rhythm of “Children” features more of a classic gospel sound with soulful vocals that remind you of classic singers like Otis Redding or Percy Sledge. One of the most amazing things about this song is that the vocals are only accompanied by bass and guitar, and they are placed prominently up front so the listener can hear every nuance of the voices.

On”Believe,” Renfroe and the band effortlessly move into the gritty funk sound that has been showcased on countless Now Again compilations like Texas Funk and Numero Group’s Local Custom’s: Downriver Revival. This song really locks into a low-down groove with fantastic finger-snappin’ chicken-scratch guitar backing up Renfroe’s laid-back but soulful vocal delivery. I believe that “It’s So” is the sole instrumental featured on this record, but it still packs a powerful punch by laying inventive guitar licks over the top of a funky rhythm section.
Whether or not Famous L. Renfroe recorded this album in 1969 seems to be irrelevant. What is important to remember is that the music contained within is pure, unadulterated gospel-funk that keeps you coming back for more.
As far as I can tell this album is available through the Fat Possum website, so make sure to purchase a copy if you are truly into this.

Who Knows – Marion Black
from 7″ on Capsoul (1970). Also available on The Numero Group’s Eccentric Soul No. 1.

Smoke & Mirrors – RJD2
from 12″ on Definitive Jux (2003). Also on the Dead Ringer album.

Who Knows – Quantic Soul Orchestra f/ Kabir
from the album Tropidelico on Tru Thoughts (2007).

Hello readers. I apologize for being so long between posts, my excuses are a tough bought of cold gettin’ ill that knocked me out for a week and subsequent intense endeavors in nanophotonics and casimir force studies. But Junior really held it down solo style and Kevin brought another anatomy of a sample super-post, so you’ve been in good hands.

Briefly, I am putting up a wonderfully bluesy soul song (or a beautifully soulful blues song) by Marion Black called “Who Knows.” From the small and short-lived Columbus, Ohio, Capsoul label, this track is so wonderful with great vocals, a killer bass guitar riff, tight drums, and the real sprinkles on my cupcake is the piano vamps. Just about a perfect song…I even dig how the recording just runs out on the 45 while the song feels like it will go on like our hero.

Columbus’s own RJD2 utilized this track heavily in “Smoke & Mirrors” off his debut album Dead Ringer. The drums and bass guitar are still there and the vocals of course just a little slowed down. This track is so great, just listen to all the tricks and pans and subtle textures (the second vocal track and piano heavy 3rd minute being the toppest notch). I could go on and on about my love of this track and Dead Ringer in general, but I’ll stop in a poor effort to keep this post at a reasonable length. I do want to put in my 2 cents about the hate that flowed around RJD2’s emo/rock album and DJ Shadow’s half hyphy/third rock/one sixth electronic album this year. I recognize the desire to hear the next Endtroducing or Dead Ringer but regardless of how much i like the results, I’m excited to see these cats try something off track from their other work and explore. I saw an interview with George Lucas where he was asked about getting pilloried for the original Star Wars re-edits and the maudlin tone of the pre-quels and he said, “These are the movies I wanted to see so I made them. If people are so convinced it is wrong, they should make the movie they want to see.”

One guy who has been filling the need and craving for beat driven album is Will Holland (aka Quantic) who puts out a wide range of funky material either electronic (as Quantic) or recorded with a band (as Quantic Soul Orchestra). The latest QSO album is one of my favorite albums of the year (look for the definitive list coming soon) and low and behold it has a superb cover of “Who Knows” with Kabir Malik Green of Panama’s Los Fabulosos Festivals on vocals. Most of the Tropidelico album is far more Latin in flavor as it was inspired by Holland’s extensive traveling and performing throughout Central and South America, but it is all amazing.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.