Surprise 1970s funksters that shook James Brown into pieces

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As a seasoned gamer with a vast musical history spanning decades, I can confidently say that the Average White Band (AWB) is an unsung hero of the funk genre from the 1970s. Having grown up in the heyday of vinyl records and live performances, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing a wide array of artists and genres. Yet, it wasn’t until recently that I stumbled upon AWB, and I must say they have quickly become one of my favorites.

I’ve recently finished an engaging article titled ‘Ten Groovy and Terrific Funk Songs from the 1970s’. This piece is fantastic, and indeed, those ten songs are undeniably funky favorites. However, creating lists like this can be challenging as everyone seems to have their preferred band they’d love to see included.

I’d like to throw my own suggestion into the mix and name a band that could easily have been included in that list. This group was so exceptional that they might have challenged James Brown at their peak. However, there’s an unexpected twist about this band that makes them stand out.

Have you recently or ever listened to The Average White Band? If not, consider adding them to your playlist of must-hear tunes soon. It might come as no surprise that this band, often referred to as AWB, was formed by a group of white male musicians hailing from Dundee and other parts of Scotland. While Dundee is quite trendy nowadays, it’s not usually associated with the emergence of top funk bands during the 1970s.

The Scottish funk band that shook up James Brown

In 1973, they experienced a significant early success when they opened for Eric Clapton during his live return to the stage. It is rumored that their name originated from Bonnie Bramlett commenting that their sound was “too much for the average white man” after hearing them jam. If you’re not already familiar with them, there’s no shortage of their music available for discovery.

1974’s album AWB and the massive hit single “Pick Up The Pieces” truly exemplify their unique style. Their music is a lively blend of funk, soul, RnB, and a dash of disco that will undoubtedly make you want to dance. You might find traces of their sound familiar since it has been extensively borrowed and incorporated by numerous other artists throughout the years.

Some individuals struggled to grasp the unusual sound and image of this band, as they deviated significantly from a typical funk group. Their original record label, MCA, declined their highly successful second album titled AWB. However, Atlantic Records immediately recognized their potential upon hearing their demo tapes and swiftly signed them on.

Later, there’s also the story about James Brown. After his band, AWB became successful in America, Brown was working on a fresh project. He named his new group The Superior Black Band. They put out a song titled “Pick Up the Pieces One By One”. It seems that the musicians from Scotland managed to irritate someone. I suggest you listen to AWB and find out why.

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2024-09-30 16:00