#2 Down By the River-The Best of Buddy Miles - by profyousion
Friday, January 2nd, 2009profyousion’s video review down-by-the-river buddy miles
the best of buddy miles
I never really cared for Buddy Miles that much, other than the fact he was the drummer for the Band of Gyspsies. I got hip to him because of the jam “who knows”, which was kind of an anthem when I was in high school, along with “down by the river”, “funk #48″, “crossed eyed mary”, “foot stompin music”,”south california purples” ,”inside lookin’ out”,”them changes”, “rock and roll stew”etc.
However, Cass Technical High School in Detroit in 1970, was known along with Northwestern High to have two of the baddest music curriculums in the city. Consequently, when the popular “social clubs”at school would have dances at the various locals’ halls, there was live music, which was a step up from junior highs’ house parties and record playing.
At these dances, most of the music played was black bands covering rock bands! I didn’t find that out til later.
Hendrix and the Band of Gypsies, along with Sly and the Family Stone made rock music ok for black people evidently.
There would be live bands comprised of Cass’ music students, and the groups were as small as 3 members a la Grand Funk…to 7 pieces a la Chicago. And even though they were kids, they were bad!
Anyway, when I finally heard “down by the river”by Neil Young, I hated his voice, and was tryin’ to figure out why it was so popular. By then I had heard so many different cats do “them changes”,which I loved, but didn’t know buddy miles wrote it, although I had unknowingly heard him sing it.
I was told he also did “down by the river”.
When I finally heard the studio version of “river”, I was like: “yeah, now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”
But, as good as that was, he came out with a live version, shortly after Hendrix’ death that is almost 14 minutes long, and is THE version to have.
I own 2 albums of his. Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles Live, and Buddy Miles Live. His drumming never blew me away as much as his vocals.
In my opinion the collaboration with Santana is the better album, but HIS live album is worth having solely because of “river”.
His band is so tight, and everybody with a solo jams! From the intro harmony which is so sweet, to the trumpet, trombone(in rock music? get out!), sax, and organ riffs, and the vocal finale!
written by: neil young as sang by: buddy miles
Be on my side,
I’ll be on your side,
baby
There is no reason
for you to hide
It’s so hard for me
staying here all alone
When you could be
taking me for a ride.
And Oooh, sha la la the weather,
Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
You take my hand,
I’ll take your hand
Together we may get away
This much madness
is too much sorrow
It’s impossible
to make it today.
And Ohhh oh, sha la la the weather,
Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
Be on my side,
I’ll be on your side,
baby
There is no reason
for you to hide
It’s so hard for me
staying here all alone
When you could be
taking me for a ride.
And Oohh, sha la la the weather,
Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
Buddy Miles - Buddy Miles “Live”
Label: Mercury
Catalog#: SRM-2-7500
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: Blues, Funk / Soul, Jazz, Rock
Style: Fusion
Credits: Bass - David Huli
Drums - Buddy Miles
Guitar - Charlie Karp
Organ - Bob Hogins , Donnie Beck
Other [Personal Management] - Jack DiGiovanni
Producer - Buddy Miles
Recorded By [Remote Recording] - Wally Heider
Saxophone - Hank Redd , Stamsey Hunter
Trombone - Bob Hogins
Trumpet - Tom Huli
Vocals - Buddy Miles , Charlie Karp , David Huli
Written-By - Buddy Miles (tracks: A2, C1, C2, D1, D3)
Notes: Recorded 1971 in Seattle, Santa Monica & Bakersfield.
Remix: Record Plant, Los Angeles.
