Sly & The Family Stone: Small Talk (Remastered + Expanded) CD Track Listing

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Sly & The Family Stone Small Talk (Remastered + Expanded) (1974)
Small Talk (Remastered + Expanded)\n2007 Epic/Legacy\n\nOriginally Released 1974\nCD Edition Released July 1, 1991\nLimited Deluxe Edition Collector's Box Set Released March 20, 2007\nRemastered + Expanded CD Edition Released April 24, 2007\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: By 1974, when Small Talk was recorded, Sly for was ripe for change personally and musically. Stripping away the drum machines from their previous places of importance on There's a Riot Goin' On and Fresh, Sly went back to what remained of the Family Stone, including trumpet and keyboard player Cynthia Robinson, brother Freddie and Sister Rose, Rusty Allen, who had taken over for Larry Graham two albums back, Jerry Martini, drummer Bill Lordan (who would later work with Jack Bruce and Robin Trower), violinist Sid Page, reed and woodwind boss Pat Rizzo, and Vet Stewart on vocals and keyboards. The album was, despite the number of musicians, organic, simple even. It was laid-back and soulful instead of burning-ass funky. There's very little grit in its grooves, but a lot of sparse, simple movement as evidenced by the title track, which opens the record where it's simply Sly, his baby son Sly Jr. babbling, fingersnaps, a keyboard, a bassline, and a drum beat. It sounded jive perhaps at the time because everyone had grown used to Sly the outlaw boogie monster. But Sly Stone knew exactly what he wanted: close to home, tape was left running between completed takes on certain tracks, and many takes were run of certain cuts so musicians could find their own way without being directed. The simmering summer soulfulness that came from the grooves -- check "Say You Will" -- was different, smaller in scope -- especially the strings, played actually, overdubbed, and even synthesized -- and far looser than any Sly & the Family Stone date in the catalog. It also was the end of the Family Stone, though no one knew it yet. The album yielded a bona fide Top 40 hit in "Time for Livin'," but was critically underappreciated and for good reason. It was an inside record that broke no ground and sounded a lot like retreading familiar steps in some ways. Even the gods die. [The 2007 remastered Legacy edition contains four bonus tracks, including an early version of "Crossword Puzzle," alternate readings of "Time for Livin'" and "Loose Booty," and an instrumental called "Positive," all of which have gone unreleased until now.] -- Thom Jurek\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: A new bass player and drummer signaled a toned-down Sly & the Family Stone sound. Partially in keeping with changes in much of popular music in the early '70s, and maybe the result of marriage and a child, Sly became more introspective, quieter, and calmer, even employing a string section on various cuts. A less exhilarating album than earlier efforts, there is still much of merit here, including the Top Ten R&B hit "Time for Livin'." -- Rob Bowman\n\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: (Collector's Box Set) Sly & the Family Stone: The Collection contains the seven albums the group released on Epic Records between 1968 and 1974 (which were recorded between 1967 and 1971). Sony BMG has simply packaged these discs -- A Whole New Thing, Dance to the Music, Life, Stand, There's a Riot Goin' On, Fresh, and Small Talk -- all of which have been completely remastered and contain bonus material and liner essays, all in a slipcase box. They've all been released separately in digipack, so there isn't anything additional to be had. The price point isn't really different either, and given the wildly varying quality of some of these sides, buying the box is for a very specific kind of fan or collector. -- Thom Jurek\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nWhat Was Sly Going For?, November 21, 2006\nReviewer: Andre S. Grindle "Andre' Grindle" (Brewer Maine)\n'Small Talk' is Sly's first album as a husband and father and it shows loud and clear on the cover. Like much of his music in the mid 70's the production on this recording is as spare as it comes, in fact in the case of the title track almost down to none at all. It's little more than drums, bass the sound of Sly's new baby crying. But somehow it's still funky. The first five songs are all like that - funky, bassy bottom but zero top." Mother Beautiful" however contains one of the creepiest usages of a string section I have ever heard. "Loose Booty", on the other hand is a Sly Stone funk classic in every respect - it's got those hot horns,wild vocals and some of most out and out hip-hop breaks-to-be I've ever heard. "Better Thee Then He" and "Livin While I'm Livin" are more great funk but much of the rest of "Small Talk is eerie and subdued, without the underlying muscle that made 'Fresh' so enjoyable. Even the hit single "Time For Livin" is one of the Family Stone's softer moments, even if it isn't a ballad. Sly himself hadn't really gone soft - he was still going for the same spare, horn and organ led gospel/funk/pop sound that had served him so well on his last two albums before this. But where does that leave the music? Basically if you look at it one way 'There's A Riot Goin' On', 'Fresh' and 'Small Talk' are all of a piece - there's very little musical difference and this is the weaker of the three songwise and the only one to heavily use strings, as surrealy produced as they are. Was it time for Sly to call his musical career a day with 'Small Talk'? Maybe in some camps but the results are actually pretty appealing at times.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nBEAUTIFUL, September 15, 2005\nReviewer: S. Robinson "juice jillion" (Savannah)\nI happened to buy this C.D. on a whim in Yokohama about ten years ago. Prior to seeing it I was unaware of it's existence. What a sweet suprise. I loved it instantly. It is one of my favorite if not favorite albums ever. Though I believe "Riot" to be one of the top 5 albums of all time and I think "Fresh" is a better album I prefer "Small Talk" to both because I feel that Sly exercises an emotional range that finds him higher than "Stand" yet more soulful than "Fresh" however he is never as angry or as bitter as "Riot". The title track "Small Talk" showcases a father's pride for his family. In "Mother Beautiful" Sly shows his admiration for his own mother as well as the mother of his child. "Can't Strain My Brain" and "Wishful Thinkin'" are Sly feeling down but they are oh so beautiful. "This is Love" is a doo-wop song that I initially dismissed as trite. I was wrong about it. This is a song that starts off a bit silly but gains momentum throughout with a chorus that goes little beyond the words "This is Love..." but the words seem to gather more conviction with every verse. The song steadily pulls you in building to a harmonious crescendo and then one day you realize that the reason that he's singing this like he means it is because he does. It may be the most revealing song on the album. There is no doubt that Sly's in love. This album offers the best glimpse of Sly before his final descent into decedence. "Small Talk" is a genius bearing his soul. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nOne of Sly's best albums period, April 16, 2005\nReviewer: Allen Zimmermann (San Mateo, CA USA)\nJust listen to it. Funky but very hip. Every tune is good. It's cool how he uses the violin to do some of the horn parts. This is probably the best Sly before he disapeared into LA. His songwriting, production and arrangements on this album are pure genius. I have the LP (bought when this originally came out) but found the cd on Amazon a couple of years ago. It is worth the extra money because it was an import from Japan. I think this album is way better than Fresh and Fresh is pretty good.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe Continued Evolution of a Genius, August 5, 2004\nReviewer: Peter da Cruz "Humanities Teacher, Tarkovsky fan, freak for Russian classics and banjo player" (New York United States)\n \nAnyone who talks about "fading genius" in reference to this album is out of their mind. It is true that by the time Sly released "Heard ya missed me..." the band had hit the nadir of its creative output, but their downward slope did not start until well after this album was recorded. \n\n"Small Talk" is in fact a brilliant follow up to Fresh, and a brilliant acheivement in it own right. The album retains the positive lyrical content, but it redirects that positivity toward more personal and family oriented themes. The arrangements are less in your face, the feel is a lot more relaxed, and there is even a lot of (absolutely wonderful) studio chatter to preface certain songs. \n\nSly could never release two similar albums in a row, so for this album he broke with protocol in another senese that a lot of these reviewers don't get: "Small Talk" is a SOUL album. Here is why: The grooves are subtler and more sedate, violins are involved (but not in a cheesy way), and there is a new emphasis on gutwrenching, heartfelt vocals. Indeed, both Sly and Rosie turn in their best vocal performances here. \n\nI think many of the people who have reviewed "Small Talk" here on Amazon have missed this point entirely, but you might miss it as well. So, if you're looking another agressive funk album the likes of Riot or Fresh, you will also be severely dissapointed by "Small Talk" and should not buy it. \n\nHowever, if you like albums like Donnie Hathaway's "Everything is Everything," or if you Cymande's downtempo stuff, or Charles Wright and the 103st Rythym Band, then spare no expense and immediately purchase this Japanese import. This is one of the best SOUL albums ever recorded (which is not to say it's not funky.) \n\nIf you bought "The Essential Sly and the Family Stone" like I did, you've already heard Time For Livin' and Loose Booty. Like me, you probably thought they were solid tracks but would not persuade you to buy a 30 dollar CD. Well, after hearing Small Talk in its entirety I can honestly say that those are the two WEAKEST tracks on here. \n\nSly was a genius and this album chronicles his continued evolution. It is a must have for anyone who likes Sly, soul, funk, or even just music. The fact that this Small Talk is not available in America is a profound statement about the way our nation treats its visionaries and cultural giants.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nDon't miss out on this one..., June 3, 2002\nReviewer: Kari Aevarsson (Iceland)\nThis is the smoothest and most laid back of Sly Stone's work, and although many think 'Fresh' is better (it's certainly funkier), I personally am more fond of 'Small Talk'! \n'Fresh' still had some of the murkiness and "stoned"-ness of 'There's A Riot Goin' On', but that's completely vanished on 'Small Talk'. In fact a more appropriate title for this album would be...'Fresh'!\n\nAs I said, I like this album a lot (totally worth the import price tag, since it's completely unavailable on CD otherwise). Standouts: the hits "Time For Livin'" & "Loose Booty" are soulful and immensely funky; as for the others...hell, there's not a single bad song on the whole disc! Buy it now before it goes out of print again!\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nFunkin on new ground!, December 13, 2001\nReviewer: oli leggett (Taichung, Taiwan)\nI tried this album out after hearing the Beastie Boys cover of 'Time for Livin''and it was the opposite to what i'd been prepared for-from hardcore punk to mellow familyfunk warmth. I loved it though and the whole album is so warm, sensuous and so sly! The beastie boys came up again in 'Loose Booty' that they sampled for 'Shadrach' on 'Paul's Boutique' and the original is pure hip hop groove in itself. Sly created the looping sound and he uses every instrument [sax, trumpet, voice, violin] to mix together something so new and unbelievable! This is the coming of age album before the drugs and divorce got the better of him and you're left wondering where he would have gone from here. I think the doo wop of 'This is Love' is far more sincere the their version of 'Que Sera Sera' and songs like 'Loose Booty', 'Holdin' On' and 'Better thee than me' are as inspired and as funky as the band have ever been. This is my favourite Sly album and think everyone with any kind of soul should own it.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nLow Keyed S&TFS Still Has Funk, Still Grooves..., November 21, 2001\nReviewer: yygsgsdrassil "yygsgsdrassil" (Crossroads America)\n\n....don't be put off by the strings.\n...this came directly after Sly and Family's outstanding "Fresh" CD. And I guess Sly said I've worked hard, it's time to chill out for uno momento. Sly had married and was taking care of kids. In the groovin' title cut, the baby is "accidentally" recorded--crying on key and on beat.\n\n"Can't Strain My Brain" has Sly doing those bluesy church deacon vocals to strings. "Loose Booty" has Sly and Family in funky partymode ala "Dance to the Music" with a ShadrackMeshackAbednego party chant in the breaks.\n\n"Wishful Thinking" which, in my opinion should have been released as a single, has Sly perhaps sorry for all the time lost for all the "wanna start a revolution" peace movement talks...only to find that peace will be gotten when we..."Relax. We'll Get there Soon" (...or he could be taking "Running Away" a step further by slyly lambasting the USA's race for outer space).\n\nThe post-Doo Wop "This is Love" channels "Hot Fun in The Summertime" which channelled The Platters or The Flamingos. But it has that Sly wink-wink, dig?\n\nA very, very good rare and classic album from the masterful Sly and the Family Stone. Find a copy, now. Get it from Amazon, now.\n\n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nSMALL TALK showcases a mellower blend of Sly and the Family Stone's funk, soul, and rhythm and blues. Includes the hit "Time for Livin", plus the title track and "Say You Will".
This rock cd contains 15 tracks and runs 49min 44sec.
Freedb: c90ba60f
Buy: from Amazon.com

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