I am a huge Talking Heads fan, and it takes something special for me to recommend a cover of one of their songs over the original. While I am not suggesting this is a better version of Slippery People, I am saying it's pretty damn good. It's sort of an unlikely cover, and I love the thought that an R&B and Gospel group from Chicago was listening to a band like the Talking Heads. This song gave The Staple Singers another hit on the R&B charts following their more successful tracks "I'll Take You There" and "Let's Do It Again". What I really appreciate about this version is how The Staple Singers remained rather true to the original, but tweaking it and ramping it up just enough to give it a new life. The hand claps keep you grooving and Mavis Staples sings this absolutely perfectly. There's loads of ear candy, fun little laser sounds that pique ones interest and the beat is slow but driving and totally danceable. Very danceable actually. This was released as 12" on Private Records in 1984, backed with an instrumental.
The Staple Singers - Slippery People
a hidden gem. whenever this gets played it peaks people's curiosity. even the instrumental gets love.
ReplyDeleteFunky but with a twist...I love it.
ReplyDeletegreat track
ReplyDeleteI have a pretty odd record that is a cover of Zimbra by Talking Heads that is pretty good: http://www.discogs.com/Unknown-Artist-Zimbra/release/86395
ReplyDeleteThis is good! I like the electronic effects in it.
ReplyDeleteso rad
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for a copy of that track for months now! First heard optimo play it a while back and have been on the hunt ever since.
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to think I get tuneage saturation over the years; another gem I have completely forgotten , CHEERS.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog, some good stuff!
ReplyDeleteInsane never knew about this one. Any chance that you could include the instrumental?
Thanks in advance!
Doesn't David Byrne play on this one? I'm pretty sure that's the case. Thanks for the post... I only had the shorter version on the Derrick Carter Choice comp.
ReplyDeletei found this 12 in a s.army bin a few years ago and have loved it since. for some reason i never checked who did the song 1st. figured it would make perfect sense for either group to have written it.
ReplyDeletei love Slippery People.. Is the best band in this world... thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteMarian
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ReplyDeletegreat band, great sound ... excellent lyrics, great music what else can we ask ... many thanks for the info friend
Trevor
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