Search - Sly & the Family Stone :: There's a Riot Goin' On

Still good 2 me

Steven Majors | Washington Dc | 12/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first got this on 8 track and wore it out. Then I got it on Cassette, then I got the album. Now I finally got my favorite Sly album on CD. The sound quality on the CD is the same that was on the 8 Track & Cassette. A little hiss but nothing to get bent out of shape over. I heard that the Inport has a better sound quality, however this album kicks butt. My favorite is "Spaced Cowboy". I do love the entire album. Rumors has it that Sly was "totally wasted" when he recorded it. He also plays more than one instrument on some of the songs. This album has the hit "Family Affiar". His lyrics are catching. "I was on my last leg, i had to borrow my friends extra peg and all".....YOLADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL. You won't be dissapointed.



There is a riot going on."

A Classic Album Marred By Poor Packaging

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 04/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sly Stone was marking the end of the 1960s with what essentially was a solo album that was backed through overdubs by the Family Stone and friends.



Released in November 1971 - the first release of new material in two years - this landmark funk/R&B album debuted at number one on the Billboard album chart and had a number one single, Family Affair b/w Luv 'n' Haight, though two other singles - Runnin' Away b/w Brave & Strong and (You Caught Me) Smilin' b/w Luv 'n' Haight - failed to crack the top twenty.



Sly Stone recorded the vocals and instruments, with Rose Stone as the only other vocal soloist, and then had band members individually overdub their parts, which was a departure from the group working together in the studio. Billy Preston, Ike Turner and Bobby Womack also appear on the album.



The disillusionment over pop stardom and politics is heard in Poet, Spaced Cow Boy, Thank You For Talking to Me Africa, Africa Talks to You The Asphalt Jungle and the title track (which, on the album, has no number or running time, though it "ends" side one).



But this reissue is hopelessly marred by a new cover - it replaces the classic red, white and black American flag, with suns in place of stars, and no title/text on the cover - and the exclusion of the original liner notes. It is also ironic that a concert photo is used for the cover, since the band was basically off the road at this point due to Sly Stone's battles with a variety of personal demons.



But the music is essential and overcomes the ridiculous nature of not letting the entire package from the past tell its story to future fans.



"