Willard's Wormholes

Giant Shirley (1995)
The Strange Disappearance And Mysterious Return Of Funkadelic’s Long Lost Guitarist, Tal Ross.

“Of the numerous musicians who have played along with George Clinton in his Parliament Funkadelic mob, perhaps the most mysterious of them all would be Tal Ross. Ross was a vital force for such early Funkadelic classics as “Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow” and “Maggot Brain,” but left the band in 1971 after a bad drug experience. Years went by without any word from Ross until 1995, when out of nowhere he issued his first solo album. This was 24 years after last recording with Funkadelic.” - All Music Guide

I love this album. Giant Shirley is filled with Ross’ dreamy, meandering, apparently live in the studio jams – more psychedelic than funky, but there’s plenty of both. It’s Ross’ vocal style, however, that sinks the hook in. He sounds tortured… haunted… and not far removed from the “casualty” he’s been made out to be in his absence. It’s nearly impossible to make out what he’s talking about, but Tal’s blues roots still surface via his free-form way with a melody and song. You can also hear the equally disturbed guitars lurking beneath the mix, sometimes biting and frantic, other times just floating in and out with druggy results. Funkadelic drummer ‘Big Foot’ Brailey is on board, smooth groovin‘ most of the way. I suspect that producer Peter Wetherbee (a Bill Laswell cohort) had a lot to do with molding the atmosphere – which sounds like raw, acoustic rehearsals for a funk band. Originally released on Wetherbee’s tiny indie label, Coconut Grove. Give Giant Shirley a few spins. Once Ross’ voodoo madness starts to sink in, it’s hard to shake. A few bucks at Amazon.

Ain’t No Reason
Green And Yellow Daughter
Cry And Show Me
Hussien (I’m Lucky)
Forget Her
Get So Mad
Feelin‘ Good
Keep On Trying
Forever (My Darling Don’t Cry)
All Over The World (Ain’t That Loving)
Angry Fire (Intestical Swing)
Feeling Like Ahh Lover Should
Lovin‘ Toll Man Suite
It Was (Wars Of Armageddon)