The Best of the Funk Years

by Johnny "Guitar" Watson

Overview

Shout Factory's single disc The Best of the Funk Years compiles a solid cross-section of the tracks blues icon Johnny "Guitar" Watson recorded for the DJM label from 1970 to 1981. A hugely influential artist who got his start rockin' out in the '50s with such blues crossover classics as "Too Tired" and "Hot Little Mama," Watson reimagined himself in the '70s as a blues pimp extraordinaire replete with a groovy Afro and three-piece suits. But it wasn't just his look that changed; a multi-instrumentalist/vocalist, Watson also created his own unique brand of funk that mixed together jazz, blues, soul, disco, and R&B. Such tracks included here -- "Ain't That a Bitch" and "Funk Beyond the Call of Duty" -- even prefigure work by funk iconoclast Prince. Similarly innovative, Watson's 1980 rap track "Telephone Bill" was ahead of its time. While the double-disc Funk Anthology is a more in-depth representation of Watson's '70s work, The Best of the Funk Years is a superb introduction to this part of his career. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	05/30/2006
Label:	Shout! Factory
UPC:	0826663100846
Rank:	44576

Tracks

1. I Need It
2. Ain't That a Bitch
3. Superman Lover
4. Funk Beyond the Call of Duty
5. I Want to Ta-Ta You Baby
6. What the Hell Is This?
7. A Real Mother for Ya
8. Love Jones
9. Miss Frisco (Queen of the Disco)
10. Telephone Bill
11. Gangster of Love

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Johnny "Guitar" Watson   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Virginia Watson   Compilation Producer
Emily Johnson   Artwork,Package Supervision
Lisa Glines   Package Design
Julee Stover   Editorial Supervision
Johnny "Guitar" Watson   Composer
Virginia "Ginny G" Watson   Liner Notes,Compilation Producer
Keith Blake   Remastering
Jeff Palo   Producer
Shawn Amos   Compilation Producer