Closer To Home (I'm Your Captain)

[frag759]

This version seems like is way over produced. If I were to go to a GFR show, I'd be expecting a stripped down, raw sound. For god's sake I thought I heard horns in on this version. For the record, I'd like to hear the real deal...Mark, Mel and Don.

[TheBlownz28]

As someone who plays drums also I like Donnie Brewer but I seen Mark Farner a year ago in Flint Michigan at Atwood stadium and I seen Donnie Brewer later that year at the chesaning show boat and hands down I would rather see Mark again over Donnies band.

The best would be to see Mark and Donnie back together but I don't think thats going to happen

At Marks show he said people ask about them getting back together and he said they kicked him out so it's up to them so who knows for sure.

[rareone2369]

They were not that bad with or without Mark Farner...after all these years I don't think it makes a difference. Mark was a great vocalist for sure and it would be nice but....if you want to say wouldn't it be nice....listen to what the Beach Boys sound like today without Brian Wilson! Just sayin, they did their best.

[kyla2112]

At least this lineup does the entire song, something the original band never did.

[jwright621557]

Sorry but GFR is not GFR without Mark because he is GFR

[rickcappetto]

The Band is great, but it served its purpose to let Don and Mel continue on (witch out Mark, when he walked away in 98) a few years back. Its time overdo to PUT Mark, Don and Mel back together.

[DSTaylor69]

Lead sing looks like that dude from Wayne's World II... LOL!!!!!! Brown M&M's

[bluevirgo19]

I can listen to them all day long but I can't WATCH unless Mark Farner is up there prancing his ass off...

[txlastrebel]

AWFUL

[lclaughton]

its not that I hate the lineup in anyway1  However this is not even close to the real thing...plus the groove is missing and guys are singing so well here. Must have been a spur of the moment kind of thing?

[gsoltis29]

WHy so slow?

[ranran19701]

Well Mark Farner would never publicly complain, as his song is still out there 40 years later, but damn I think this is a slap in his face. Don Brewer has no honor.

[pvde67]

@ranran19701 might support your argument, but on the other hand, it sort of became The People's Song, thus even greater then it's original perfomers (although, still being the best performers of the song, best described with two words: SHEA STADIUM!)

[rickettr2000]

Excellent players no doubt ... And of course Brewer & Schacher ... But if they used another name instead of Grand Funk Railroad, they'd go nowhere fast ... Donnie Donnie Donnie ... If you really want to continue this gig, drop a nickel in the meter and call Farner .... You guys have come too far down the road ... Dont let squabbles kill a good thing !!!! From the 60's Funk fan !!!!!!!!!!

[lemikmon]

YEA I like the "tribute band " comment best cause that is at best what this is

[lemikmon]

Good God these guys should be ashamed of themselves and anyone else who thinks this is the genuine article

Not even close

[tonlo92]

This was and always will be Mark's song. No offense to this bands rendition, but this song should only be sung by Mark, who wrote it.

[sissyroxx3]

omg i love this song ROCK ON MAX MEL DON TIM AND BRUCE!

[grabba73]

I got a peavey amp and speakers from yrs back. its gotta be atleast 25 yrs old. with twelves. 4 chaannel banana plugs. still Cranks. but now I just need a band. PA -200

[ThePistol1]

Max Carl is my uncle! lol

[deuce1231]

In case anyone wonders, I'll spell it out clearly. Bruce Kulick is a CLASS ACT, a fabulous guitarist and from what I can tell, does GFR and Farner justice at every turn.

[alan56q]

have any of you ever heard max carlos albums with 38 special. i cant get my head around why some of you think hes shit. hes the best singer around

[superstitioussonata]

I saw this group live just a couple of weeks ago now. My first experience ever hearing Max Carl sing - He blew me away.

[TheSanityInspector]

And to everyone who hates this lineup, just think of them as a tribute band, and relax.

[AcidBob1]

Thanx, you are the voice of reason!

[ranran19701]

yes that's fine. I won't be the first, or last to believe that Mel and Don are great. But Mark Farner was the impetus, the show, the writer of songs, the guitar, the energy, the fabulous voice, and the persona of GFR.

The Beatles were a once-in-a-lifetime marriage of talent, personality, writing special songs, and personality that comes along very rarely.

This video is an example of what GFR would have been without Mark Farner: a bar band.

[nhlron]

"Bar bands" don't have drummers and singers that wrote and sung #1 records ("We're An American Band", Don Brewer, and "Second Chance", Max Carl) -- something Mark Farner has never done himself -- nor do they have members that played with Grand Funk, Bob Seger, Kiss, Meatloaf, Michael Bolton, and 38 Special.

Mark Farner was my hero, but he chose not to continue with this band. The loss is his.

[ranran19701]

You're listening to one of many hundreds of special songs Mark wrote. That "number one" jazz is for record companies....they also had giant hits with "The Locomotion" and "Some Kind of Wonderful".....cover tunes.

For the record, late in the nineties Don ripped Mark off very badly in a sneaky legal battle, but Mark still suggested they could reunite and tour for many years at will....Don turned to him and said "We don't need you".

[koolbossjock]

Great Idea..That helps with the terrible guitar sound.Marshall amps have no place in GFR Music.With the WEST Amps they had a very unique sound that set them apart from other bands.

[TheSanityInspector]

Congratulations on being there, if you were the one who filmed this, and thanks for posting. This song could be played by a kazoo quintet, and it would still kick me over the moon.