Bosnia

Grand Funk Railroad

It's probably no secret that Grand Funk is a big favorite with Vintage Rock; however, it seems to be a big secret to the general public that Grand Funk is even back together. And maybe in this day and age, it's not that important anyway. To the few who have been waiting 20 years to see this band in action, Bosnia is for them...and only them. This a 2-CD live, greatest hits package recorded at the Palace in Auburn Hills, just between Flint and Detroit, Michigan — GFR's home court. It is the "comeback" album in the tradition of the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and countless reformed units — but with a publicity-friendly catch: it's for a worthy cause. The proceeds from the concert — and assumingly this album — go to the Bosnian Relief Fund to aid the war-torn people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia starts off with the theme from 2001: A Space Oddysey, sounding the alarm for what once was the biggest band in America. Well, at least on this night, they were the biggest thing in Detroit. They open with "Are You Ready," a fist-pumping rocker that's been a GFR standard from the very outset. This version, however, is a little too toned down for it's own good. The producer, Ron Nevison, must have thought he was producing Heart; the guitar sound lacks the usual grit that Mark Farner is known to wield. Regardless, the Funk's concert staples follow suit —"Rock n Roll Soul," "Footstompin' Music," "Inside Looking Out" and "We're An American Band."

Through much of it, "the bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher" and "the competent drum work of Don Brewer" is firmly buried in the mix. Perhaps I've become jaded listening to other recent live GFR, and not hearing what I've heard elsewhere. Grand Funk fell victim to the high gloss production of the mid 70's, and swiftly eluded their original following. They shouldn't try to do it again in the name of charity.

Amidst the obligatory hits of their later days ("Bad Time," "The Loco-motion," "Shinin' On," and "Some Kind of Wonderful"), they still manage to fill the set out with some choice material. "Time Machine" is a stand-out, featuring guest Peter Frampton bending the strings with Farner. Bob Segar reedman Alto Reed blows some snappy sax on "Aimless Lady," another early blues-tinged shuffle from the band's third album.

The second disc, at a mere 36 minutes, features the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paul Shaffer — yeah that Paul Shaffer. The culmination arrives in the form of the epic, "I'm Your Captain." This number alone justifies the presence of the orchestra, and takes full advantage of such rich embellishment. Ironically, the added instrumentation really takes flight during the next and final number, "Loneliness." In this reviewer's opinion, there's a rare gem if there ever was one. Too bad, it was somewhat shelved when GFR didn't employ the orchestra for later shows.

In the meantime, the appetite for new Funk has been mollified. Talk of box sets and CDs of new material is already on the chopping block. Until they take the risks necessary to market their brand of fun, Bosnia gives Funk listeners a chance to go back and wonder just what all the fuss was about. Hopefully, nothing will get lost in the translation.

~ Shawn Perry

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