Sly Stone "If You Want Me To Stay"Dec. 7, 2007 late show NYC

[1blastman]

Drugs will own ya, Sly could have been so much more than his is today.

But his contributions to music will be around forever - he was so original and so incredibly great in his prime.

[RikJamezBich]

This should have been the event of the decade. II never even knew about this show.

[restlessfactory]

dude the late performance of this show was sick i was front row, and that crack head back-up singer had me rollin, one of the best nights of my life i grew up on sly and always wanted to see him this night was sick

[soulmambo1]

sly had and has the recipe for what ails ya. no haters or critics can pierce that baby! love the groove or go home!!

[triton2855]

SLY was in a motorccle accident years ago thats why his neck is messed up

[ncblkking252]

why cant he move his neck ?

[laketahoeron]

hes on dope! what else

[Manny864597]

WTF happened to sly??? he looks soo different i didnt even notice him

[typicalaussiebloke]

Sly is SUPER BAAAAAAAAAD!!!! That guy really knows how to funk , he was super funky in the 70s n he is still super funky today, interesting to see he traded his afro hairdo for a mohawk or should I say frohawk, must of had fashion influences from Parliament/Funkadelic as they had crazy space age fashions in the 70s n 80s. Here's to the legend of funk! :)

[laketahoeron]

I dont think so, he was known for getting to high back stage and not coming out not super just some funk!

[rocknrollhoochiekoo1]

@typicalaussiebloke Sly actually contributed with Funkadelic on the album "Electric Spanking of War Babies" and throughout the late seventies and early eighties they would always tour together.

[giugnhgbvinierngvb89]

is that sly??? he looks like miles davis haha...he should tour with prince and kick ass

[JCInsatiable319]

gett off of miles davis dick u fag hahahahaha

[tiboni]

I am so Glad ya'll can get into Sly in 07'

He is juch a legand out of S.f. Ca, BeBe. It breaks my heart to see what some self

indulgence can do. GET ON SLY,SAW

YA SO-O-O MANY YRS AGO. sTIL SO-O GOOD!

TIAPROMO

[LittleM1021]

never sold out. sly is the shit. still lookin the same

[pretorious700]

Sly has always been one weird mofo.

[stemmadegli]

Drugs usually have that effect on people. BTW Rusty Allen of this band was one of the best bass players ever.

[pretorious700]

I'm a bass player, and I agree, Rusty was bad.

[Funkmasterozone]

Big respect to Mrr. Stone!

A real Legend on this Planet!!!!!!!!

[Zippertheslipper]

That Sly guy looks and sounds the same as he did back in the 70's, far out dude. ;)

[NONcorrupt]

i love this........SLY AND FAM IZ FIYA!

[fnkdrmmr]

It's good to see Mr. Sly Stone after all these years.

[Vociferor]

fuckin awesome man

[msmango41]

Now this is some serious FUNK...I absolutely love it sounds better than anything out today. Ya still have Sly Go Baby!!!!

[anteupper]

Give'm credit in '08.

[ladykier]

this sounds so good especially when he really gets down on the vocoder . the bvs sound really good too. I saw them in NYC the second show at BBKings and he rocked it so hard. I can't wait till he starts selling his own digital downloads on

his own website. he has 1000s of songs. think about that MOUNTAIN MOTHERLOAD OF SLY MUSIC we never got to hear yet.

[mootbooxle]

Whew...yeah for real...I can't wait to see that happen! I believe he will too - you can tell Sly's loving being back in the game after all these years...and to think that just because he was gone from us, he never stopped creating - like you said, that's gotta be the Motherload!!

I just can't get enough of Sly.

Long Live Sylvester Stewart!

[beautysjrotter]

the album fresh is my alltime medicine. Thank u Sly & the Family forever. Thanx for this post. Awesome Deluxe.

[MahoganyArchives]

This is so cool thanks so much for posting it. I love me some Sly Stone!!!!

[soulessland]

too bad the sound quality is poor coz this is really great..!

[zepkid1]

it was Sly and Hendrix that made me the composer musician i am today.If you notice most of the good old musicians are dead and long gone.Sly managed to get away from media and people for a long time all the while making a lot more music that will come out one day. Sly is a true icon and a hero in music.I love you Sly, Arthur and Cherokee Sue california friends of Leon hendrix band!!!

[bcfreeman]

THANK YOU!!! Yes. He is a hero and an ICON that has survived when others did not. SURVIVOR SLY!!!! Here to give us more music and joy!!! Let's not look towards the past but to the NOW & FUTURE and give up the props to HIP POP!!! SURVIVOR SLY!!

[brianboru62]

as ONE OF THE SURVIVERS the time is coming full circle this groove is gonna re-explode THANK GOD i waited many many years

[bcfreeman]

Who said that he cancelled the show due to "scheduling conflicts with band members"? Did Sly say this? Where did you get this info from?

==============================­===============

Now, if all you're gonna do is think back to the past, a past of most did not participate in and just read about in a tabloid... Well, I want you to think twice, please. As for Larry Graham, he holds no angst towards Sly. How do I know? I heard him say so, IN PERSON, in a club called TRAMPS!!!

[A10thunderbolt]

My favorite song by Sly. Thanks for posting this.

He may be damaged goods in 2008 (which I myself do not concede) but in 1969 he was the freshest most influential thing is music. Adjusted for time and context that is one hell of a compliment.

[toneyman1]

i love sly i wish i was there

[philburrell]

Sly has the Genius of "Ray", and the vision of "Miles".

[buniluvr]

Get down - get funky! I saw SLY and the Family Stone last night at Anaheim House of Blues. The cheese has done fall off that man's cracker but he remains the King of Funk!

[soln4suh]

""...the cheese has done fall off that man's cracker....LOL!" that's puttin' it mildly. sly had the cheese fall off his cracker during the 70's-he's lucky to have a crumb left of his cracker by now! LOL!! sly was WILD back in the days,snortin' blow with redd foxx (r.i.p. no disrespect-but it was true!) and havin hamp banks and his cronies help him run larry graham out of the family stone. but all of that aside,i echo your comments,sly is THE KING OF FUNK!

[buniluvr]

You are too funny! He has since canceled the rest of his tour due to "scheduling conflicts with band members" so I experienced a little piece of history!

Cheers to you my friend

[soln4suh]

cheers to you as well-have a nice weekend!

[Patrick52150]

Check it out - Sly produced some of the early San Francisco rock icons, Dead-Airplane etc.

He and Bill Grahm fueled a generation with love and music. Due respect please.

[grandpasun]

I hear that every once and a while, Sly will just pop up and perform somewhere. He seems like he was having fun. I hope he decides to tour again soon...

[alisarharris2004]

GO MEMPHIS

[giub81]

respect!!!that man is the pure essence of music!!!!!

from italy

[trcysttt]

Whoa...beautiful! The flame of funk still burns brilliantly inside this genius. Thanks for posting, and letting us warm our hands by the fire.

tracy

[HYTAG3]

SATFS are greatest group of all times!!

[piperbear2u]

All. You are entitled to your opinions and thank you all for sharing them.

If we can put aside all the image for a moment and all the concerts and all that...

This man gave us some beautiful music and posivitiy. How about:

1. (I am) Everyday People

2. Different strokes for different folks

3. Family Affair

4. The 1st All-Girl Funk Group, Little Sis.

5. I want to take you higher.

6. Hot Fun in the Summertime.

I invite all of us to keep it focused on the beauty of the music.

[BillKnighton1]

As a pesonal friend of Sly ... Help Promote this mans life story,and you'll all come to learn about one of the R&B icons that set the stage for so many artist you have supported, and many artist you support today, in all genres of music. You'll truly be Shocked!!! Stop hating and lets make this happen.

[piperbear2u]

Right On!

[Bobby61557]

Im a film maker and screen play writer and remember seeing Sly up at Jerry Martinis in the Valley Back in the day The Lagunitas Kid

[hndrxuntilidie]

When I said habit , I did'nt necessarily meant drugs, Like I bit my nails and I call it my bad habit. I am far from a narc..and why does that hurt you so much...are you a JUNKIE--yourself?

[hndrxuntilidie]

Fuck you..i'm a fan of Sly and was'nt trying to discredit him. Who the fuck are you? I'm going to say it again MOTHERFUCKER...he had been touching his nose, don't know what it was..maybe a bad habit.

[hndrxuntilidie]

Look at the way Sly kept touching his nose--Idon't want to sound like a pessimist..but he looked like he did some snorting before this show. Maybe i'm wrong, and it's just a habit, but..there is a BUT!!

[13BrainSlung]

Shut the F457 Up. What? are you a NARC????? Is that investigation still active???? Sly played,........can we dig his corps up and persecute this Man???????You Suck. Why You went there? Whats Yo problem???? Mutha fucka. Show sum RESPECT.

[hndrxuntilidie]

His music is TIMELESS!

[hndrxuntilidie]

Boy! I'm telling you, white people are some loyal people.

[hndrxuntilidie]

OH MY FUCKING GOD!..look at Sly, I don't know what to say anymore. Such a huge talent, went just like that!

[funkdivaucanttouch]

Sly is improving a lot and I'm proud of him. His last show in November were great and he is showing more energy than in the concerts in July. I wish I could've been there and I hope he has more concerts in the new year and hopefully a an album with ALL THE ORIGINALS MEMEBERS.

Btw, who is Paul Shaffer?

[piperbear2u]

Paul Shaffer is the music director/band leader and organist for the David Letterman show.

[mrgopal]

Sly hasn't scheduled any more shows but that could change. I hope that he puts out an album -- or at least a single -- in 2008. Although I'm not hopeful that it would be any good. His last single, "Eek-a-Boo Static Automatic," was almost as bad as its title. I have heard one unreleased demo from the late 1980s that is fantastic. It's called "Comin' Back For More" and he'd be smart to record it.

[nvarea]

Does anyone know where Sly and the band will appear next? Where does Sly live (just what city - I'm not a stalker!) Might he show up somewhere on New Year's Eve? Are there more shows planned?

[mrgopal]

Sly hasn't scheduled any more shows but that could change. I hope that he puts out an album -- or at least a single -- in 2008. Although I'm not hopeful that it would be any good. His last single, "Eek-a-Boo Static Automatic," was almost as bad as its title. I have heard one unreleased demo from the late 1980s that is fantastic. It's called "Comin' Back For More" and he'd be smart to record it.

[BROWNSOULxxx]

RIOT Goin on lives...!! OOH Yeah A poet....

[mrgopal]

based on the youtube clips from the 11/20 late show, it seems that sly seemed to be all over the place. the vocals just weren't as tight or funky as they were on 12/7.

[piperbear2u]

I'm trying to go by memory.

11/20 show. The band was not that tight as

12/07. Almost as if the band decided that on 12/07 they will decide what happens musically.

On 11/20, Lisa Stone sang MUCHO vocals. MUCHO.

Tight & Funky? I'd have to say that the energy of the audience on 12/07 added SO MUCH to the performance. That ALWAYS picks up a performer's performance.

I hope this helps.

[piperbear2u]

FYI, The fellow in the back, with the baseball cap... His vocals are replacing Freddie Stone's (in the mix that is). He has excellent energy and is in touch with the audience and can get the crowd focused. He's definitely NOT a stooge.

[piperbear2u]

Continued...

8. On the encore of "Hot Fun In The Summertime" Paul Schaffer play Sly's keys and then played the organist's Hammond organ.

9. PAUL HAD A S***T GRIN ALL OVER HIS FACE.

10. In the middle of the show Sly stopped to share an opinion on watching out for kids. I guess the mood just hit him.

[DLance1501]

Thanks for this. I was at 3 of the four shows including the one posted. Sly was great, no one was disappointed, the late shows both night rocked since Sly warmed up.

"Sex Machine" (and who ever expected to hear that?) was amazing.

[mrgopal]

DLance1501, how did the second show on Nov. 20 compare to the second show on Dec. 7?

[piperbear2u]

Mrgopal, each of the 4 shows are unique. Absolutely!! So, here are my observations

on the 11/20 2nd show:

1. The audience at 11/20 was smaller

2. The audience energy was lower

3. Sly's strength was stronger at the 11/20 show.

[piperbear2u]

Continued...

4. At one point, when Sly wanted to take a break, He stepped over to the side and said "Band, you play". After debating Sly said to them "Dance to the Music" which the band played by themselves as Sly watched on SMILING his butt off.

5. Lisa Stone SANG!!! I MEAN SANG. She is a POWERHOUSE vocalist and did MUCHO vocals at this show that at times Sly turned around to stare and admire her talent.

[piperbear2u]

Continued.

6. The version of Family Affair was a "jazzy" rendition as opposed to the standard jam that was played on the 12/07 show.

7. Paul Schafer, (of the Late Show with Dave Letterman) was there in the front yelling and singing with the audience. On Dance To The Music, Sly held the mike down to him. and let him sing "boom boom boom.."

[piperbear2u]

Continued...

11. It was also a very loose show as Sly would say to himself, "uh, what song should we play now?"... Then he would think about it and start playing or singing.

12. He did a WHOLE LOT OF singing and talking on the vocoder at the 11/20 show. A WHOLE LOT.

13. When he walked off stage, with his mike, he would be still be singing.

All in all, he was stronger and jammed more and a little bit more looser with the audience.

Still a great show.

[Teiglach]

Did anyone happen to capture video of Sly's November 20th LATE SHOW;"Higher" as he was escorted through the audience by security.?Thanks.

[VideogeekinMD]

My dad was at this show!!!

[slistone1940]

i just put up "Thank You." as i mentioned, the quality isn't as good. I'll add clips from "hot fun in the summertime" and "stand in the next couple days.

[piperbear2u]

Thank God you got this video to share. I love you! Yes. Post everything you have regardless of the sound & vide qualities.

(more) Crittenden

[piperbear2u]

So let me share what I saw:

1. Sly physically does not have the strength to perform as he did in the past. Sorry gang, he MUST take breaks. We may not like it, but that is what it is! (more)  Crittenden

[piperbear2u]

2. Yes, when Sly became tired the band covered for him vocally and when he had to walk off stage to rest, the band covered instrumentally, as a band and solo. There was a solo that Jerry Martini took as he noticed that Sly was off to the side resting.

(more)

[piperbear2u]

3. NO, he was not on drugs.

4. There were equipment problems. They could NOT get a larger, fatter sound without feedback.

5. Sly wanted to play guitar.

6. The roadies did NOT have one set-up for him unfortunately.

7. His desire to play guitar came from the audience joy and enjoyment that he was feeling.

[piperbear2u]

Now some REALLY good stuff.

1. The audience was REALLY into the music.

2. As such Sly adjusted the music to include the audience.

3. As you see on this clip, he changed the ending of "Sing A Simple Song" to have the audience end it.

4. THEN he went right into "If you want me to stay.

[piperbear2u]

5. Now, for those who were there, the audience energy for "Family Affair" was SO OVERWHELMING the WHOLE band caught along with SLY and were totally surprised by it.

6. I saw Lisa Stone eye's go WIDE OPEN with amazement.

7. THAT WAS THE MOMENT THAT THINGS CHANGED BIG TIME and the night was kickin' ass.

8. AND Sly adjusted his energy to the audience energy, as best he could.

9. There were some band mistakes..

10. The male singer behind Sly had IMPECCABLE timing singing.

[piperbear2u]

11. He syncopated and delayed his vocals on "I Want To Take You Higher".

12. Unfortunately, that "Threw Off" the bass player who couldn't figure out when to come in with his vocal (where he imitates Larry Graham's part). Therefore, he didn't sing them.

13. Sly performed 4 shows.

14. Because of the looseness and improvisational environment, ALL 4 SHOWS ARE VASTLY DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE.

[piperbear2u]

15. IT IS AN EXTREME CHALLENGE FOR A BAND TO PLAY IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS LOOSE AND JAMMIN' AS OPPOSED TO ONE THAT IS COMPLETELY STRUCTURED.

16. Yet, this band did it, hands down, with an A+ performance.

Now, for those of us who want:

1. A strong singer with strenght and structure to his performance, YES you will be disappointed with what you experienced.

[piperbear2u]

2. For those of us who loved the "UNKNOWN" of what was going to happen next and "LOVED SURPRISES", we were blown away by what Sly was doing.

I am so sorry for such a long post. But as a muscian who could all these things, I felt you should all know.

[bluewine1]

Piperbear, awesome observations. I am a hardcore "Old School "fan and a "friend". I knew the shit was on just by looking at Sly's facial expression at 25 seconds into Sing a Simple Song.I went to every MSG show, I always loved the way Sly would just stop playing a song and start another. Thats what he does or the way he do. It's all groovy.

[dlanodrelda]

Pictures worth a 1000 words to the naysayers and believer of rumors. I was at this show and it was amazing. The first 30 minutes, especially, were so powerful and moving. The industry has changed so much-concerts are so structured today, even "jam bands", so that people have to understand that this seemingly loose show is not so loose as it is ad-libbed around certain set songs. Give the man the benefit of the doubt. His talent and voice are intact at almost 65.

[bluewine1]

Still has the same smile

[nvarea]

4. Some of that tension came from the band not really knowing where Sly was going and what was coming next. They'd get mostly through the song to the last chorus and kind of look at each other, like how do we end this? To end "higher" they gave the mike to the audience, who kept singing. That was pretty cool actually.

5. It made you wish this comeback was made 25 years ago and they played 4 hours longer.

Long live Sly! Best wishes to him and the band.

[piperbear2u]

Yes. That's true the band at times did not know when Sly was going to queue the end of a tune. Sly handed me the mike. Why? I think it was just because of the energy I had and because I was holding out my hand. I think it was totally spontaneous on his part. Not planned at all!!! You're right on the money here about wishing they had played longer!!!

Thanks for the beautiful feedback!!!!!!!!!!

[nvarea]

3. The younger guy on stage with the baseball cap who was constantly cupping his ear for applause is a stooge. I think the band hated him. He brought nothing to the show. His only role was to cover for Sly's vocals when Sly fazed out. In fact, it looked like there was major tension in the whole band, outside of Jerry and Cindy.

[piperbear2u]

Major tension with the baseball cap guy and the band? WOW! I didn't see that. I didn't see any tension. WOW

[nvarea]

2. He was having trouble with his vocoder, which was a good thing. He did a funky solo with on If You Want Me to Stay, but when he went noodling about on other songs even the band looked like they were looking at their watches. They had a problem with feedback so he gave it up, which tightened many of the later tunes.

[nvarea]

YES! SLY! I saw the second show too, and have a couple of things to add...

1. He more or less sang all his parts and stayed on stage the whole show (when he wasn't rambling through the crowd twice.) He was "with" it compared to other shows I've seen on youtube.

[amirrahim]

This rocks! I was standing on the other side, in front of Chris Rock! Amir

[milotski]

awesome man!!! thanks! contrary to reports - first show rocked too!

[IPOMonster]

This crackhead is so fucked-up!

Check-out the article about him on Fox News dot com...

[bluewine1]

Yeah and your an idiot.

[rjr72767]

You are an Idiot and must not know about the man, what are you 7!!

[piperbear2u]

I checked out the article. I prefer to believe things based on facts, not spins. Where is the "proof" that the man was on drugs? I saw none. Being up close to the stage I could see Sly's eyes and when/where he was standing.

I understand your being disappointed with the show. Yes. He is NOT what he was back in the late 60s & 70s. If you were expecting him to be, you would be disappointed.

So, what were you expecting? A man in his 30s? Please share.

[wgmartin06]

go to starbucks not Sly shows WE don't want you there...go start a War or somethin"

[IPOMonster]

Wow - it seems I awoke the idiot convention or something.

He is a washed-up drug addict - nothing more.

Grow-up turds...

[piperbear2u]

IPOMonster, I understand your disappointment of the show. I suggest (if you have not) to go back to BB Kings and ask for a refund.

Everyone, if you will, I invite all to not engage in name calling. We are all entitled to our opinions of a show's performance and the participants.

Let's not attack one another.

Thank you.

Crittenden (Piperbear2u)

[funkdivaucanttouch]

Piperbear2u, I wanna commend you for saying that and being bold enough to say that. Keep staying positive, the world needs more positive people.

[piperbear2u]

Thank you!

[funkdivaucanttouch]

I know sometimes it's hard to have faith and hope in people, especially Sly since it has taken him so long to make a comeback. But, he is trying and we all can see that, his last concerts have been really great.

Everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinions and I do see where you're coming from, but you have to look at our point of view.

[IPOMonster]

I've already done both son - now I am here...

[piperbear2u]

Hello. You've done both? Do you mean you got your money back from BB Kings? If so, then I am happy for you. Who is "son"?

And where are you?

[mrpink1]

They performed "Sex Machine!?" Amazing!

[rjr72767]

Hey man thanks for posting this video!!! My friend Johnny and I (Rob) are the guys on the left throwing the peace sign and singing along. Sly lives!!! His people should be grateful your promoting the show, we are!

[rjr72767]

Flew in from Atlanta, Ga. just for the show!!!

[bluewine1]

Cool, you guys are true fans. I love this clip.

[slistone1940]

I'm sorry about the sound; I was using a digital camera. It was hard to keep the camera steady with people dancing all around me. Near the beginning of the video, Sly looks at me and points. I moved the camera down and Sly gave me a wide grin. He didn't didn't seem to care that i was recording despite the club's constant warnings. I have some short snippets of some other songs. The footage is much more shaky. If you guys are interested, I might try to post them.

[rjr72767]

Don't be sorry, you and I are probably the only ones to have such great video footage of the "Rock-N-Roll hall of fame" LEGEND..

[bluewine1]

Please post, us hardcore fans will take anything we can get,:)

[wgmartin06]

thank you!thank you!thank you!i was at the late show and loved it big time ,but just cause i was there don't mean i remember it...this helps., really nice people at b.b's

SO GLAD Sly's NOT a puppet for the White Shirts...a True Rocker...a GEM in a beach of sand. thanx again PEACE!!!

[bensaw]

I think this look is the new Sly's best yet. His vocoder solo sounds like it is funky as, shame it's buried in the mix and distorted sound. However, thank you so much for filming and putting this up.

[phattadatta]

Thank you For Posting This Video - It Is So Cool Having Sly Back Playing

[esgotos]

Hey! Very good this video! Thanks for this post!