I don't know who you are, so I can't address you by name. So this response can be taken as a general response to any and all who have questions about why we covered Papa...
While I am certainly the newest member of Rare Earth and as such, low on the seniority chain, I can still say that some of the traditions and conventions that have been apparent through out Rare Earths' career are not lost on me. One of these is the fact that Rare Earth has a long tradition of covering tunes that were written and performed by other Motown Writers and Acts. In fact, it was a previously performed Motown tune that broke the band nation wide and then world wide, back in 1968..{1969? Sorry, I should know this!}
This by it's self may not answer your implied question however. The real answer to the question--"why did you Cover Papa?"-- is that we love the tune. Mr. Floyd Stokes Jr. SINGS IT TO THE GROUND! and, fans everywhere asked that we please do a studio version of the tune.. We've been playing the tune live since I've been in the band, and if I'm not mistaken, they were playing it while Ray was still in the band. {I'm tryin' to cop the wah wah part right Ray, I really am. I still think I might be a little 'forward' on the time.} ..
Music is so great. I listen to everything in my path. I love it, almost all of it.. In order for me to do this, I need to except nearly all music before I even hear it. In other words, I go into every listening experience expecting to like it. This keeps my Ears, my Heart and my Soul open to new ideas, and it's my way of thanking the Musicians for doing the work.
So, I can dig why you would ask. I really can. But one suggestion I might offer is for you to simply listen to the piece and let your senses, your heart and your soul decide whether or not you dig it.. It's a funny thing. When a band makes a Record, there needs to be a balance between giving fans what they want and feeling free to make the music that's in the Artists' head/heart.. We hope of course, that fans like the choices we made and that the music translates the feelings we had while playing the music..
The thing we need to do now is keep on writing and playing new stuff. And we REALLY hope people dig it because it sure is a lot of fun!!
As someone who is the newest member of Rare Earth you seem to have an awful lot to say for yourself. You joined the band way down the line, long after all the chart success. I've noticed that everything you have posted on this forum oozes enthusiasm as well as respect for what has gone before and I really admire you for that. I really really am looking forward to hearing the new CD and I wish you and all the other guys all the luck in the world!
Not only does Ivan have a lot to say for himself he also does a lot of talking with that guitar of his. After seeing Rare Earth in concert so many times that I've lost count I was lucky enough to catch the current line up in concert a few years back and man did they rock the house. My only complaint was that their set wasn't long enough and this was only because there were four bands on the bill that night.
And for those who question the addition of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" on the new CD I have to say that track was definitely one of the highlights of the show I caught. Including "Papa" on the new CD fits into what Rare Earth has been doing for the past forty years so why change now. I'm looking forward to purchasing the new CD so I can "fill my head with dirt" just like I've been doing for the past thirty-eight years.
I second that emotion! Many years ago, when I first heard Rare Earth do "Born To Wander" live, I was so overwhelmed when I heard the band break into a couple of seconds of "Papa."
I went to Gil and told him about the hair thatstood up on the back of my neck the very second those harmonizing vocals wailed-out through the speakers. I scanned the audience and it was plain as day that they were feeling the same.
I asked Gil to please record the full version of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone." My brother, Fred, was there, and told Gil that he agreed with me. The mere couple of seconds of "Papa" during "Born To Wander" that poured out over the jam-packed-full, concert arena had absolutely everyone jumping to their feet.
Gil asked the guys to work up the song to see what it would sound like. One of the guys was reluctant, but agreed. Needless to say, absolutely every time the first lick is heard from "Papa" Rare Earth brings the house to their feet.
Like Jocko says, if everyone remembers, "Get Ready" and "I know Im Losing" You those were remakes of the awesome Temptations rockin hits, and Rare Earth took front row on both tunes. That is one of the statements Ive heard repeatedly around the world from fans of all race, gender, and region; and to me, is one of the finest complements Rare Earth gets. Without a doubt, the Temptations are among the deluxe of primo of singers, and to have ONE person give ya a complement like that is an accomplishment for sure, but to have countless people make that statement constantly, well, it goes without saying Rare Earth always rocked and still DOES- to this day! Gil Bridges has managed to keep the name of Rare Earth alive all these years an achievement anyone would be proud of.
Then, low and behold, here they come again with another HIT "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" right out of the same mountain that "Get Ready" and "Losing You" came from their roots Motown! They have astoundingly come back around more than thirty years later, followed their own suit and did it again. Hats off to you Rare Earth! You Rock! And thats only the beginning; this entire CD is off the hook. When I hear "Dancer" I cant sit still, and "The Love You Save" sends me up the wall with excitement. Absolutely every song on this CD is filled to brim with the kind of music that strikes a chord in the hearts of devout rock-n-rollers, soul, funk, rhythm and bluesers everywhere. There is little bit of everything for whole lot of everyone in "A Brand New World."
I'm hearing great things about the new CD and I need to get my hands on it asap.
Am I right in assuming that "The Love You Save" is a cover of the old Jackson 5 song, or is it an original with the same name?
Is "Dancer" the Russ Ballard song that starts off with the lyrics "She took me to heaven, she took me to hell, when she went to paradise she took me as well"? If so, I can't wait to hear RE's interpretation.
As for "Papa..." I saw a live version on You Tube and thought it warranted the band putting it out on CD.
"The Love You Save" is original written by myself,Ray Monette, And Junior (JR) "Dancer" is the song your talking about. The CD will be available on CD Baby within a couple of day's. Check out John's post on my thread New CD Released.
