Graham Central Station - Release Yourself

[TheThennecan]

1:12, bass playback?

[boobengarden666]

Dear black people, thank you for existing

[cindytee1]

They had it going on!

[LupenVanLuxus]

Hello!

I am looking for a " GCS Release yourself" house cover dated around the year 2000. I think it was on an Ibiza compilation- not sure dough, since my dad used to have a copy and not the original. It would mean the world to me, cause my dad lost this particular CD and I can't seem to find any info on this particular cover. Thank you in advance.

[xxnoangelxx]

Graham Central Station! Larry took it to church!

[TheDavid2222]

Larry Grahams hair is so awesome!!!!

[811ceceq]

The bass is blowing my mind too.  beyond belief !! Larry Graham best bassist in the world .

[bloots23]

maximum funk

[mrjonrickly]

yo...isn't that sly on keys with the white hat?

i'm a thinkin'.

[jasrutherford]

the 1st guy to slap on Sly & The Family Stone's "Thank You"

[olskoolrich]

Drake is Larry Graham's nephew!

[EmpressElizabeth1920]

Whatever happened to the female lead singer

[dwduartejr]

@EmpressElizabeth1920

Google Patryce Chocolate Banks. She's still going strong. I just found out David Vega, the white guy on guitar, and Robert Sam the brother on the keyboard with the sling have passed away.

[dwduartejr]

Respond to this video... Google Patryce Chocolate Banks. David Dynamite Vega, the white guy on guitar and Robert "Butch" Sam, the band member who played keyboard and didn't make this taping have both passed away.

[oleuropien]

The drummer is really not the drummer there. He is a filling in, because if you notice, Robert " Butch" Sam the original organ/keyboard player didn't make the gig. The keyboard player on the left w/ the "keytar" is the real drummer" Willie Wild. The person on drums wearing the wig is filling in.(not a drummer)

[Dajandosmith]

Just..Nasty.BTW,did anybody notice the proto keytar?

[Mongo76]

Drake's daddy ..... ha...interesting

[eazye07]

@Mongo76 thats not drakes dad

[Mongo76]

@eazye07 Yeah Drake's Dad is Dennis Graham, Larry Graham's brother.... So Larry is his uncle not his dad. My mistake. Thanks for pointing that out.

[FreakinKoolMedia]

LMFAO the drummers not even playing the drumbeat

[moviechick007]

I am a 53 year old (young) woman, and I want to play BASS!!! NOW!!!

[OractheIII]

Larry is the definition of a true pimp!

[philiptwood]

Larry looks like black Jesus LOL.

[GreenGearMood]

TAILS, STOP RUNNING INTO THE BOMBS. I ONLY HAD 3 RINGS TO GO.

GODDAMMIT, TAILS.

[lokismig]

Gail Muldrow is the female singer?

[FunkInDaPocket47]

GCS truly never got the regognition from the public that they deserved...but they influenced so many other musicians that their sound is so pervasive in music! These were and are true musicians and entertainers...so glad we have their stuff captured in video! This is what funk is and always will be!

[SAMUELSAAVEDRA1]

Black Jesus?

[wolfpackleader6]

1:11 They're lip syncing! D:

[jimy0803]

@wolfpackleader6 of course they're lip-syncing. most of the artists on Sout Train did, save for a few exceptions. btw, has anyone noticed that Soul Train's cameras for the most part, didn't always switch to the person whom was singing on each verse? that was a bad habit imo.

[lionqueen728]

I LOVE IT!!!!

[HumanRockDictionary]

A band full of badasses! The funk is so orgasmic and it's making me cringe.

[mrmoore1970]

This is so damn funky...not only did I feel the funk, but it blew me away!!! Damn I was only a kid when this came out but I'm glad I grew up in this era of music

[jedynyiprawdziwyGomo]

A white guy playing groovy guitar? F... yeah:P

[DidYaServe]

All kinds of awesome.

[vinan23]

I was in love with Patryce Choc late Banks when I was little and as a grown still in love with Patryce.

[tinapbutler]

I remember my sister playin this when i was a little and how Larry's voice just stayed stuck in my head. I mean you had to be really good to keep my attention. Larry is the greatest base player ever. Luv this!!!!!!!!

[Twilightruler]

Good lord...THIS IS MUSIC. 

[2010Funkmaster]

If I may ask, what year is this. Because I remeber Larry had the curly hair for Ain't No Bout A Doubt It, but buy My Radio... he had an clean cut afro.

[usamud]

Being from the Bay Area I have seen GCS many times, went to school with family members, got invloved with one of them ( the rock and roll lifestyle is crazy) and they were tight. Great stage presence and true musicians. The sound live was amazing! No record could capture that.

[verdemanthe1]

black jesus's sermon on the funk

[DirrtyJewceBahxxx]

the funkiest tune of all time.

[swamijohnson]

One of the funkiest jams in the universe.

[n00bz0rpwnz0r]

lol at the lip syncing

[tonoslim]

LOL! Larry looks like the cowardly lion from the Wiz.

[sexsavannah43]

He is also the rapper drake uncle

[exnewsanchor]

Rest in Peace Robert "Butch " Sam Original Organ(piano on this track ) player for GCS

[2dkoda]

CHUCH!

[soulgirl66]

@2dkoda LOL! I know that's right!

[EmpressElizabeth1920]

This is a hot song, I also like "The Jam"

[lewdrum73]

That was the first album I ever bought because of that tune.

[kwmoonccmoon]

ラリーグラハムは優しいような難しいような・・・、でも何故か好­き！！！？２

[FunkyCosmicGirl]

Whoo hoo!! Love it. I feel that this is one of the most under-rated artists ever. They influence so many others with that funky bass and unique sound.

[mrjonrickly]

that's so funky it made my face pucker!

i mean this is the best of the best!

larry sure could slap that bass...a true pioneer!

[tararep]

girl drummer!!!

[Raggaemon]

Man oh Man ! This is something that sounds straight out of those Southern Baptist churches ... lawd hamercy on the funk !

[eazye07]

larry is so sexy ilove him & sly

[olskoolrich]

Larry Graham....Bootsy Collins????

Who cares who's better?

[sharimorgan]

The engery level is jumping off the roof. This was recorded in 1974 and the only female in this group Choc'Let is my blood cousin. I remember telling my classmates she was my cousin...they didn't believe me. 30+ yrs later I gave a "Classmate" party and she performed at the party and set them knee grows straight! And told them I was not lying we are related by BLOOD!! haha I loved it. It was so cool I love u Pat!!! We all got a big laugh out of that one

[exnewsanchor]

C and I communicate every now and then. I know they were blown away !

[saiko189]

lol the energy level is committing suicide, but i love the high octane type-o-funk

[zakalwe101]

man this is so fckng solid. Awesome stuff.

[bucknorm]

I had one of his albums.

Funky baby, get funky

[jvlivs2]

Wow. Graham looks like a "Black Jesus" (LOL). My parents used to wear their hair that long back in the day. Love the performance!

[fdsaks]

Thats not black Jesus thats Ned the Wine "O". lol

[ShinobiArcade]

he look more like a Funky Black Jesus who can play a lot of funky beats with his bass guitar from funk heaven

[hoxvoxbox]

GOD OF FUNKY!!!

[ranus69]

Love this song Larry is the one of the greatest underrated bassit around.

[sandwichtaster]

especially since he fucking invented slap pop

[sookietex]

i say again, gettin' happy up in heah! :D

[abolton691234]

I remember playing this tune with my family (Stringfield F.) I loved it then & now it has so much rythm & so did my family this will make your NECK hurt in fact it will break it! or make u stomp a hole in tne floor!

[mmkorn22]

That bass is blowing my fucking mind.

[megaboxxx]

dave navarro @ :55!!!!! lmao!!!

[theBlackCerimoner]

true!!!

[FatTomy]

@megaboxxx dude it could be him for real hahahahaha

[jedynyiprawdziwyGomo]

@megaboxxx Dave navarro wouldn't be able to play even a happy birthday song:P

[FreakinKoolMedia]

@megaboxxx is that really dave?

[jauntin]

is this song a 'playback' ?

[angrysamoan666]

Natch

[jesper79]

Yeah... unfortunately many of these shows were... a shame

[fdsaks]

Many of those show were great I guess you are one of the uppity blacks that forgot where you came from or a young person that does not know the history of the show, and how hard it was for us to make it. Don was the first brothers on tv that ran his own show with no backing. He gave many artist a voice that would HAVE NEVER had one. So shame on buorgeoisie negro.

[FCntertainr]

This is Sanctified Pentecostal (Black)church music which is were FUNK originated before electric instruments were used. This tune brings back memories of the group I played in high school. We used this to TURN IT OUT and played it last and jumped up and down when we sang RELEASE YOURSELF! Too bad some guys only did that and never really learned how to play. This group was a group of equals with a great leader. Choc'late was amazing, Dynamite, Butch, Happiness, Manny? drums no weak parts!- Fc

[Lonewolf36]

Great comment and info. I wholeheartedly agree. Don't know where you live but if in the San Francisco Bay Area check out my band, Funkanauts, on the 17th with Patryce Choc'late Banks;

Velmas Blues N Jazz Club

2246 Jerrold Ave.

San Francisco, Ca.

October 17, 2009

9pm -until your party shoes have WORN OUT!!.

The Funkanauts and Special Guest, Patryce ChocLet Banks Formally of Graham Central Station presenting her newly released book..."Déjà View: Memoirs of a Funk Diva"

[exnewsanchor]

Willie Wild Sparks on drums on this vid

[FunkyCosmicGirl]

Whew!! One of the greatest and most under-rated bands ever.

[karend1958]

Tha BASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

[Mose7793]

the HAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII­IIIIIIIIIR :D:D:D:D:D:

[jaco0639]

Love Larry & GCS - to the poster who's Uncle was David "Dynamite" Vega, respect to your Uncle David, R.I.P. You can take pride in the fact the he and GCS gave lots of us pleasure for years and are reaching new fans.......

[geosh78]

David's sister is DianaChefGill on youtube. they've even posted "Rare" vids of David playing after GCS.

[juikju1]

i just discovered Larry Graham. This stuff is amazing, not a funk / soul man normally, but this really got me going! Wonderful!

[Ouizit]

The best song from GCS to me.

[3121destiney]

this is hands down one of my personal favorites!

[kenta2206]

if only they weren't so big on synchin back then

[lizvega40]

That's my Uncle David Dynamite Vega, i remember seeing this as a kid. Miss you uncle david, R.I.P.

[garnergens]

OH NOOOOOOOOOOOO, David is no longer with us ???????/ I'm sorry to hear that. My condolences to you and your family. RIP David. He played a mean guitar, and "they say he's outta sight" and he was. Much respect.

[skizmsucks23]

I Think Graham central station is better than sly and the family stone!!

[muzikman183]

Chocolate was all over that tamborine huh!??! lol shakin that fro like she knew she was killin it! gon girl!

[makitfunkee]

Either done letter-perfect or lip-synched. Great to see them doing it either way. I LOVE this song.

Thanks for posting!!

[gypsymama501]

I love the Lord - He heard my cry! I know thats right!

[sprchimp13]

The guitar at 1:37 is bitchin

[thinkbck]

Wow! I really enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing shockg021, you da best!

[LosAngeleno1959]

High School memories back in the day. East Los Angeles Roosevelt High School 77.

[DjCruznAKARomtek]

☻/

/▌

/ \ Meet BOB

[buokopter]

fuck bob

[1Linzrob]

All the ol school bands were great. THIS is my ALL time FAV. Live in concert?

SMOKIN!

[Ephesians1957]

My favorite group of all TIME . The originals showed here Larry ,Butch, Chocolate ,David, Willie Wild and Hershall BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD. Love Ya.

[DianaChefGill]

David,

Play on bro, I miss you...

your lil sis,

[Ephesians1957]

miss him to Baby .

[bdurty00]

You talking to me exnewsanchor? My dad got me hooked on these cats.....they are a little before my time. But I love old music. I know a WHOLE lot of oldies....these cats now a days ain't doing nothing, they hide behing studios and all kind of tricks. This is real music!

[exnewsanchor]

2:30 Choc'Let's FRO !!!!

[ksfordham]

This girl could sang!! Lawd have mercy.....

[bdurty00]

Graham Central Station is so cold! They ripped those bass runs and piano chords straight from the church and flipped it hard. These cats can really play. GOOD MUSIC!

[exnewsanchor]

That was one of the things that got me hooked on GCS when this came out waaaaaay back in seventy-foe!

[Bygde]

Agreed. I'm a metalhead, but I think GCS is AWESOME! I'm going to order some albums when I get a job!

[flageolette]

Thanks for Uploading!!

Cheers,

[FishFingers12345]

Hi ! Super Music! Please, can you help me somebody? Where can I find lyrics for this song?Thank you very much for answer.

[retawdee]

G....CS..THE BADDEST GROUP FROM EAST TO WEST!!!!!!!!!!! (repeat 4 times.)

[bostonchip2006]

SHOCK-G-021...keep shocking it and rocking it...jam fire & Pa-Tay lights!!!!

Mr. Chip's

Swang-gan my Air Bass Guitar

[bostonchip2006]

Where was this at....wow-wow-wow this like me going back to Incirlik Turkey in 1973 when my Pop's was hanging out with his buddies talking shop...thanx for the post!!!

Mr. Chip's

[IANBOT2]

Hershall Kennedy and Graham are from Castelemont High in Oakland. Kennedy played trumpet and organ. He played in the V-jays and lighthouse for the Blind bands.

[exnewsanchor]

Did you attend school With Hershall? I met him after a Graham Central Station Show Norfolk Va in 77.

[RapterX]

I know what you mean Chris. Theres no real music played these days

[argo9]

THE BEST bass line ever created (beside HAIR)... This is my ring tone !!!

[michaelpbowens]

Does anyone have a video show casing Patryce banks (choclate)

[ggblueam]

All I could find on Google is that Dave Vega died in November 2007 after being in a coma for 1 year.  Does anyone know how what caused the coma? Was it a stroke?

[ggblueam]

Hope ya'll know that Tower of Power played backup when GCS recorded this song. I love GCS!

[ITucker29]

Just a feel good jamm! Gospel vibes all around this for sure!! Good to see the original members! Funk in its highest form!! G.C.S. is the best!!! Love the bridge!! took it to another place!

[debitsncredits]

this was the jam,,,,,,,GCS,,,,,1974-75

[kara1464]

I've got this on the Warner Bros Music Show album (59p)... LUVVIT x

[InfinityNebula]

This is when music was music and had something to offer and say!

[ianenderson]

unreal!!!

[exnewsanchor]

Happy Belated Birthday David I met you once in 1977. Rest in Peace

[DianaChefGill]

Happy Birthday David! Hope you had a party in heaven. (RIP)

Love you!!

[outofdatemate]

this is ass kickingly cool.

[DianaChefGill]

Please change the category this is not comedy!

These talented musicians put their heart into

everything they did back then.

[phoenixdawn34]

I even think Jesus couldn't resist boogie-n to this if heard it

[Buckeyecat2002]

Look at all them froes.

[amd77j]

We jammed to this one. In concert Larry and the group would be jumping while they played this one.

[MissFunkentelect]

Can I get a witness!

[MUZIKNFILMZ]

Churchified FUNK!!--1974 Style!!

GCS was a baaaadddddasssss band!!

[geosh78]

easy, easy, children look at this stuff.

[funkbassology]

he's Jesus to all the bass players out there!

[geosh78]

Simply not true, we view him as a top rate bassist, musician, composer, producer extraordinare, that's all. No comparison to the Christ.

[lotamm]

infact our friend just said that jesus too couldn't resist to this groove

if we talk about bass players.. jesus can't compete with larry. couldn't remember "the creation of electric bass" among their miracles..

btw jesus was a better bread and fish magician :)

[geosh78]

Graham would never compare his talent to Christ in such a manner. No magic in the bread 'n' fish, when you control all molecules there is nothing magic. LOL.

[BassFace316]

i think it's a lack of respect for this band to place it under the category of comedy :(

[moed51]

Type in Larry Graham bass history ,real interesting .

[jody808]

Rev. Graham playing to the congregation, still lovin' GCS

[jcfunkgroove]

hey jody,is Larry a true ordained minister!if he is i want to be a member of his congregation!LOL. if so, what denomination is he?Peace and Blessings!

[jody808]

he's Jehovah Witness

[amd77j]

another undervalued funk band with a serious history behind them.

[Yosed100]

But who cares? This is real music!

[Toshfunk]

so lipsynched...........

damn..........

[Blkojo]

Larry Graham did it all...writing, singing, bass, guitar...even a little choreography.

[tjbass3000]

cool its on my ipod

[DianaChefGill]

Missing you... Big Brother.

[dave69812]

saw them in concert when I was a youngin and they did kick ass

[ugmogog]

Nice fucking hair! I think those afros could be used as aviaries for birds.

[exnewsanchor]

GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION was awesome in CONCERT lip sync was a SOUL TRAIN thing most groups did it on that program. But they performed like NOBODY's BUSINESS I met them in 1977

[mynameisjflo]

david vega was my bro..thanks for posting this

[cidedwards31a]

the tambourine is live ,the rest is a track

[geosh78]

lip synced: (def.) performance is not live and artist is moving their mouth (lips) to the words as though they are actually singing as the camera is rolling. No live instruments or anything. It is was quite common on music dance programs in the 50-80's.

[onealdawg]

It was lip synced. But all GCS fans that saw them circa 1974, live and in concert, probably are STILL on cloud nine. Best described as a trip to Mars and back! The original band was unreal when they hit their stride.

[aliquippawill]

Larry Graham and his group kicked MAJOR Ass back in the day! I remember this tune vividly because it, and the album"Release Yourself", was produced in 1974, my senior year in High School. Larry created quite a name for himself after leaving Sly & the Family Stone by collecting a very talented group of musicians, who created their own unique, extremely funky sound.

[rrrock25]

Larry rules so much. What a great video.

[prettybassgirl]

He is king of the thump funk. Playing with your thumbs was first called thumping instead of the newer word slap. He is playing a funky "Shout" gospel style bass line.

[exnewsanchor]

2:38 sing CHOC LET

[exnewsanchor]

2:38 sing CHOC LET

[exnewsanchor]

2:38 sing CHOC LET

[rhooks11]

Larry Graham!! The master. This is one mean bass play'in dude.

[DianaChefGill]

This aired the same night David passed away...

Thanks "Soul Train!"