Customer Reviews

Born to Die

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Born to Die is the most underrated GFR album by a long shot. After GFR went the way of the HIT RECORD with Locomotion, Bad Time, Some Kind Of Wonderful, Etc., they lost a lot of there core hard Rock fan base who neevr have Born to Die a chane. Also many of the newer fans were into the hits and expecting more HITS. With Born to Die instead of a pop type album we received a very sophisticated hard rock album; and one which may very well be GFRs best. This CD is 24 bit digitally remasterred and sounds fantastic, it is also the first time Born to Die has been released on CD (besides the pirated ones out of Russia) anywhere. The album great from start to finish. Born to die (the title track) is about Mark Farner's (Vocals, Guitar) cousin who died in a motorcycle accident. Dues is a Don Brewer (Vocals Drums) composition and he sings the lead about searching for things spiritual and finding hypocrites. Sally is a silly Love Song and attempted to be the HIT from this album, it really did not fit the theme of this album, but it is not a bad song. I Fell For Your Love another Don Brewer song is probably GFRs most sophisticated song in there History, it is about how the lifestyle of a "rock 'n' roll star" can only lead to half a love. Talk to the people another Mark Farner song is political in nature and features a fantastic Guitar/Saxaphone duel, with Jimmy Hall playing the Sax and of course Mark on the Guitar. Take me (a Don brewer Song) is a hard rocker in the vain of Shinin On and the songs on that album. Genevieve is a fantastic instrumental that gives all four funkers writing credit Farner, Brewer; Mel Schacher (Bass) and Craig Frost (Vocals and Keyboards). Next comes Love is Dyin; a lost love song sang wonderfully by Don Brewer (and maybe an indecation of the coming break up of GFR) and it has a great lead guitar solo by Mark Farner. Another political song called Politician is next and the album originally ended up with Good Things a Mark Farner song sang in Falsato. The CD also includes two bonus tracks, one is a rehearsal version of Genevieve and another is an unreleased song called Bear Naked Woman, which is an 8 bar blues song, recorded in rehearsal. Both bonus tracks rock. The CD has excellent liner notes and artwork and is a must have for very GFR fan.
RickDC

I will never understand why this album sold very poorly. It had excellent songs that were going along with the newer style of the 1970s rock and roll music. My only complaint is that I think CRAIG FROST should have played a grand acoustic piano instead of the newer type of pianos. MARK FARNERS' "TALK TO THE PEOPLE," "MR POLITICIAN," and the title track are my favorite songs with outstanding arrangements on this album. The fast paced "MR. POLITICIAN" has an excellent guitar and organ opening riffs and vocalsby MARK and the band, "TALK TO THE PEOPLE" has excellent piano riffs by CRAIG, sax by WET WILLIE'S singer JIMMY HALL, guitar riffs by MARK, and outstanding vocals by MARK and the band, and the title track (written about MARK'S cousin who died in a motorcycle accident) is an outstanding beginner with the piano intro, outstanding vocals by MARK and the band, organ and guitar riffs. On the other hand, it was a shame about MARK'S cousin who died in a motorcycle accident. Meanwhile, the arrangement of "DUES" with the guitar solos, clavinet and organ riffs, the bass guitar, and DON'S lead vocal and drum playing reminds me of PINK FLOYD'S "ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL PART 2." and the guitar solo on GOOD THINGS that features excellent vocals by MARK, piano riffs, and harmony vocals also reminds me of the signiture sound of PETER FRAMPTON'S guitar from "FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE". The arrangement of the soulful SALLY with MARK'S lead vocal, harmony vocals, the piano riffs, and harmonica by JIMMI HALL reminds me of either CHICAGO or JEFFERSON STARSHIP that later featured MICKEY THOMAS. The piano intro, drums, vocals, guitar, bass guitar, and organ riffs on DON'S TAKE ME are excellent, and so is his I FELL FOR YOUR LOVE that also features excellent vocals, guitar and organ riffs. At first, I thought that DON'S LOVE IS DYIN', also featuring excellent vocals, drums, bass guitar, guitar and piano riffs, was about the tentions developing between that band's main songwriters MARK and DON over what types of songs to write about. The group written instrumental GENEVIEVE (I have not listened to the live rehearsal version yet) is excellent too. Furthermore, the unreleased "BARE NAKED WOMAN" that is sung by MARK has some great rhythm and blues that recaptured the psychodelic days for the power trio GFR. I love this album a whole lot better than "GOOD SINGIN' GOOD PLAYIN'." Although a majority may or do not agree, I believe MARK wrote some excellent songs, if not outstanding, on this album like on "ALL THE GIRLS IN THE WORLD BEWARE."

"Born to Die" is the only record by the great Grand Funk Railroad that had inexplicably never been released on CD in this country before. That egregious oversight has thankfully now been rectified, as the Capitol GFR Remasters series has just finished releasing its entire catalog of this band in pristine-sounding editions. "Born to Die" is one of the best albums ever put out by the Grand Funk quartet. It consists of all-original tunes, and the playing is consistently fine throughout. Every one of the 10 tunes on this album is a gem of melody, lyric and playing. Mark Farner shines on guitar on every song, and especially--and somewhat ironically--on the Don Brewer compositions "Dues," "Take Me" and "Love Is Dyin'." It is strange that "Sally," which was released as a single, never reached higher than #69 on the Billboard charts; it's as happy, catchy and bouncy a tune as any teenybopper could want. On "Talk to the People," Farner and Wet Willie saxman Jimmy Hall trade licks in very impressive manner. The album also features the tune "Genevieve," one of GFR's very rare instrumentals, and another cooker. Farner's "Politician" (not to be confused with the Cream song of the same name) is as relevant today as when it first appeared in 1976. And then there's the album's title tune, which Farner wrote following the passing of his cousin in a biking accident. This one starts off stately and dirgelike, but soon builds to some more searing Farner guitarwork. But best of all--for me, anyway--is that "Dues" number. This is one of my favorite tunes in all of rockdom to blast the ____ out of; by the tune's end, multilayered Farner guitars are just exploding out of your speakers. I hate using that overused word, but the finale of "Dues" is just awesome in its intensity. This one song, I feel, is worth the price of the CD alone. So, all in all, we have an album with highly melodic songs--songs that, compared to the soulless and tuneless grunge of shlockmeisters such as Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters, are like Cole Porter--socially aware and at times witty lyrics, and superb playing. This new disc also comes with well-written liner notes and rare photos. PLUS, we get two never-before-heard tracks: "Bare-Naked Woman," a slow blues recorded live in the studio that tells of Mark's hatred of overly made-up women(!), and the live-in-the-studio rehearsal of that "Genevieve" number. This CD is a real winner, and certainly doesn't sound as if it's coming from a band on the verge of breaking up. But that breakup would come later in 1976, but only after GFR put out one more amazing collection, "Good Singin', Good Playin'," produced by Frank Zappa himself. And that album is perhaps even more kickass than this one!
Grand Funk Railroad is perhaps the most unjustly critically maligned band in the history of rock. Though extremely popular in their day, I doubt if 1 in a 100 people could now name a song other than "We're an American Band," "I'm Your Captain," "The Loco-Motion" or "Some Kind of Wonderful" from any of the band's 18 sterling albums. The Capitol Remasters series represents a great opportunity for all of us to acquaint ourselves or reacquaint ourselves with some of the finest rock and roll ever made. After 27 years, "Born to Die" has finally made it to CD! The world is a better place.

Born to Die is the most underrated GFR album by a long shot. After GFR went the ay of the HIT RECORD with Locomotion, Bad Time, Some Kind Of Wonderful, Etc., they lost a lot of there hard Rock base and now many of the new fans were expecting more HITS. With Born to Die instead they received a very sophisticated hard rock album; and one which may very well be GFRs best. This CD is 24 bit digitally remasterred and sounds fantastic, it is also the first time Born to Die has been released on CD (besides the pirated ones out of Russia) anywhere. The album great from start to finish. Born to die (the title track) is about Mark Farner's (Vocals, Guitar) cousin who died in a motorcycle accident. Dues is a Don Brewer (Vocals Drums) composition and sung song about searching for things spiritual and finding hypocrites. Sally is a silly Love Song and attempted to be the HIT from this album, it really did not fit the theme of this album. I Fell For Your Love another Don Brewer song is probably GFRs most sophisticated song, it is about how the lifestyle of a "rock 'n' roll star" can only lead to half a love. Talk to the people another Mark song is political in nature and features a fantastic Guitar/Saxaphone duel, with Jimmy Hall playing the Sax. Take me is a hard rocker in the vain of Shinin On and the songs on that album. Genevieve is a fantastic instrumental that gives all four funkers writing credit Farner, Brewer; Mel Schacher (Bass) and Craig Frost (Vocals and Keyboards). Next comes Love is Dyin; a lost love song sang wonderfully by Don Brewer (and maybe an indecation of the coming break up of GFR) and it has a great lead guitar solo by Mark Farner. Another political song called Politician is next and the album originally ended up with Good Things a Mark Farner song sang in Falsato. The CD also includes two bonus tracks, one is a rehearsal version of Genevieve and another is an unreleased song called Bear Naked Woman, which is an 8 bar blues song, recorded in rehearsal. Both bonus tracks rock. The CD has excellent liner notes and artwork and is a must have for very GFR fan.
RickDC

One of the best CDs by Grand Funk Railroad, hard to believe this was overlooked by most of their fans. Radio charged hits ruled, and since no songs were strongly promoted on the radio, fans did not respond overwhelmingly to this release. After all, Sally was not the most catchy of the GFR singles. Locomotion, Footstompin Music, Some Kind Of Wonderful, We're An American Band, etc sold albums galore (no matter what the overall content of the album was). But of all their overall records, this was one of the best. The guitar work is stunning, the songwriting is TOP NOTCH here. It was sad that album and CD were not available for almost 15 years. Since my vinyl wore out a long time ago, I finally picked up a Russian bootleg many years ago and have been enjoying it ever since. NOW finally, they have released this great CD again with bonus songs, and remastered quality. If your a Grand Funk fan and never discovered this one before, do yourself a favor and order Born To Die. You won't regret it I promise!

this band went from the heavy blues/funk with their 1st 5 studio (and 1st live album), to some really unpredicatbly 'fluffy' music ("bad time" la-la-la) to this - this is fantastic hard hittin' well produced - even "refined" - music - so well recorded and so well played, you'd never know they were a band in turmoil at the time - they are soo tight it's amazing - i'm glad to finally have it on disc - the 4th tape of the 2nd album was plain worn-out - this is a fine re-mastering job of one of rocks best under-rated albums - poor promotion prevented this from really bringing this band back from the disaster that was "bad time" (although "sally" - this records' single - is little more than a sequel - it doesn't fit on this album at all, it's way too 'fluffy') - proper promotion, a little time apart to work on some solo stuff, and maybe, just maybe this band coulda outlived the 70's (successfully)..... sigh ... oh well - this is a great recording and you should own it. add to shoppingcart and proceed to checkout - space puppy - out!

While it didn't have any singles to speak of (well OK, "Sally" and an edited version of the excellent "Take Me" were released as singles), the album contained some of the band greatest songs. One of the best, and a personal favorite, is Brewer's "Dues." Great lyrically and musically, this song alone is worth the price of the CD. "Take Me" is another killer tune. "Genevieve" marked the first time that all four members of Grand Funk shared songwriting credits, and is one of few instrumental tracks that they recorded. The reissue includes two bonus tracks--live rehearsals of "Bare Naked Woman" (a blues tune the group was working on in the studio) and "Genevieve". The sound quality on the original vinyl was superb, and it's slightly better now. The only things missing here are the lyrics (which were on the album's original inner sleeve), and a copy of the original artwork would've been cool, too.

I have to say right at the start...I had no idea Grand Funk albums were being remastered and released on CD...until I was browsing here. After reading the reviews...I promptly ordered 4 of them....just to start with !

"Born To Die"...well...I had forgotten how great this album is...I haven't heard it since probably the late 70's ! Like reviewer Geoffrey in Albany...I bought it in 1976...I was 16...and probably didn't fully appreciate it either. It was cool among my friends to listen to Grand Funk in the mid 70's...any album.We were kids...it was hanging out...cruising in our cars...and Grand Funk was great "jams"! Now...hearing "Born To Die" again as an adult who's learned to appreciate and love music....let me say...WOW ! Start to finish
this is an awesome set...and the remastering...I was just thrilled with the quality...I've never heard the band like this !

I won't go through every song...read the other reviews here for that...but as a general review... Don Brewer and Craig Frost steal the show ! They're always great...but their work here is exceptional ! Mark Farner provides blazing guitar...his vocals are of course awesome...and Mel Schacher as usual... plays a great bass ! True...there are no familiar "hooks" here from previous albums that some of you reviewing have looked for...but that's part of what makes "Born To Die " special...this is a consistently great piece of work ! Besides the familiar Grand Funk "sound"...I think the album has a David Bowie "Young Americans" style to it in some places...just my opinion...but all I can say is it's great to have "Born To Die" on CD...and it's about time !

Now...I'm going to put a couple of their CD's in the stereo and head to the sofa !

this band went from the heavy blues/funk with their 1st 5 studio (and 1st live album), to some really unpredicatbly 'fluffy' music ("bad time" la-la-la) to this - this is fantastic hard hittin' well produced - even "refined" - music - so well recorded and so well played, you'd never know they were a band in turmoil at the time - they are soo tight it's amazing - i'm glad to finally have it on disc - the 4th tape of the 2nd album was plain worn-out - this is a fine re-mastering job of one of rocks best under-rated albums - poor promotion prevented this from really bringing this band back from the disaster that was "bad time" (although "sally" - this records' single - is little more than a sequel - it doesn't fit on this album at all, it's way too 'fluffy') - proper promotion, a little time apart to work on some solo stuff, and maybe, just maybe this band coulda outlived the 70's (successfully)..... sigh ... oh well - this is a great recording and you should own it. add to shoppingcart and proceed to checkout - space puppy - out!

I bought this in 1976 at 14 and liked it then, but probably didn't appreciate it fully. The older I got it seemed like it got played more and more. If this album has a drawback it's that it doesn't have a song with a hook like a "We're an American Band" or a "Bad time". But it's a solid album. I think this is GFR's best at showing the great musicianship of the players. Craig Frost ,who is often overlooked , is great here. The title track has a great melody and the lead guitar is great! "Dues" (I love this one) has a great drumbeat and fills, a great rocker. "Sally" released as a single is a great sing a long tune, that didn't receive as much airplay as it should have. I don't remember hearing it once. It might have done better otherwise. "I Fell for your love" probably would have done ok as a radio song also. "Talk to the People" has a great melody and some good guitar/sax at the end. "Take Me" is a good one. Marks lead is great in this one, although I always thought more volume on the guitar would have made it better. "Genevieve" might be my favorite on the album (or maybe "Dues") just a great instrumental. "Love is Dyin" is another good rocker. "Politician" is kind of overlooked. It's got a great intro of guitar and keyboards, simple but very cool, and Marks lead towards the end is awesome! Love it! "Good Things" has more great guitar by Mark and some cool harmonizing. The bonus tracks are both worthwhile, "Bare Naked Woman" is 3 minute blues jam, the highlight being Marks guitar playing. The "Genevieve" rehearsal is also cool with the most notable difference being the lead guitar part. As a fan that likes all GFR albums "Born to Die" may not be as instantly likable as a "Closer to Home" but is just as good. The music is more complex and it seems to take a little longer to grow on you. Anyway I think this is a great album and am glad it was finally released (by Capitol) on CD. It deserves to be.