This Time (3 Tune Tuesday)
I guess I’ve been living under a rock
because, somehow, four years after its release, I’m only finding about this album now, Nick Francis’ debut album Changes. I have no doubt that it will be the best album of the year for me, and most likely the best album of the decade. That’s how good it is!
Without further ado, let me introduce my three tunes for Three Tune Tuesday.
One: This Time, by Nick Francis
This song is so rich. From the opening notes, the keyboard, the bass line, and the accompanying horn section lead us right into an undeniably funky groove that is balanced perfectly by Neal’s vocals and the lyrics. It’s a sound of a bygone era that is somehow made to sound more original than the artists that no doubt influenced it.
Which brings me to song number two.
Two: Live Wire, by The Meters
If you’re familiar with The Meters, then you will have immediately recognized their influence all over Nick Francis’ song This Time (and the entire Changes album actually).
If you’re not familiar with The Meters, listen to the bass line in the turn around of Live Wire and the notes of the keyboard. I think you’ll agree that they are very similar to the bass and keys of This Time.
Three: I’m Easy, by Bozz Scaggs
Last, I’m Easy, from the self-titled Bozz Scaggs album of 1969. I can’t listen to Nick Francis’ album without recalling Bozz Scaggs. The driving rhythms, the backing horns, the hard, hammering keys, the touches of country twang and rhythm and blues, they all mix together in a very similar way.
If any of these are albums that you haven’t heard in their entirety, they are all well worth your time.
That certainly is a funky tune. The only one of the three that I was familiar with was Bozz Scaggs. Thanks for a nice soundtrack to my morning coffee!
You got it!
Can't listen at the moment, but will do so as soon as the rush of morning passes. They all sounds pretty great.
Feels like entering a time warp. Far out man! Seriously, interesting tunes and would really hit the spot, depending on my mood. I bet Neal Francis would be a good one live.
I think he would be a lot of fun to see live. He has a new album out that I haven’t listened to yet. I gave one or two songs a partial listen, but since it had a different sound than this album, I didn’t feel as into it.
I think I’ll wait a month or so and try it again.
Damn, you dug pretty deep on these tunes. At first I thought you were at @rawselectmusic record room.
I know Skaggs, but not The Meters or Nick Francis. Nick didn't do anything for me, but that tune from The Meters was good. Drum and bass work fit like a glove.
Guess I'll have to post 3 tunes now too!
I thought The Meters were a major band, but it seems like no one has heard of them.
They were very tight, masters of space. You’ll definitely like this album.
I like a lot of music, but the sound of the three songs here are my bread and butter sound. The Nick Francis song I shared isn’t my favorite on the album, but every time I hear it, all I can hear is The Meters playing in it. One of the bass lines, some of the guitar tones, and the drum beat in the instrumental section are all straight from The Meters repertoire.
That Nick Francis track was something else. I'll have to listen a few more time and let it sink in more. I wasn't familiar with the Meters. That was great!
Great picks!
Everyone who has commented has said that they haven’t heard of the Meters. I can’t believe it. I thought they were a commonplace band.
Check out the Nick Francis album. In my opinion, it’s great, but I love that kind of music.
Neal Francis's sound is quality and sounds like something many decades old, not just a a few years back to 2019. I will be checking out more from him based on this. I can here the influence you mention in that song from The Meters alright, good spot.
I will be taking your advise, as I love getting an album recommendation, it's much better than a song alone, as you get a real flavour of the artist from a full album.
Yeah, it’s amazing how well they recreated that seventies sound. Some of the tracks on this album sound so much like a vintage Stevie Wonder recording.
Yes, please do listen to all three albums when you get the time.
Neal Francis — Changes (2019)
The Meters — The Meters (1969)
Bozz Scaggs — Bozz Scaggs (1969)
I definitely will. On my next long car journey, I'll give a few of them a listen, cheers