Audio Fidelity will be releasing Grand Funk‘s 1974 classic rock album Shinin’ On on limited edition hybrid SACD on January 27. When it was released, the band were riding high on the success of their 1973 We’re An American Band album (and the accompanying #1 single on the title song). Grand Funk retained Todd Rundgren to produce Shinin’ On, their eighth album. (Pre-order is available here.)
The band–Don Brewer, Mark Farner, Mel Schacher and Craig Frost–were in the midst of a roll with six consecutive Top 20 singles. Shinin’ On had the group in top form.
The unlikely cover of the Carole King / Gerry Goffin-penned “The Loco-Motion” drastically changed the 1962 Little Eva dance classic on its ear with a stomping beat and a screeching guitar lead from Farner that gave the band their second #1 pop single in a year. The title track offered Frost’s keyboards and infused its hard-driving, spacey rock groove with harmonies that accompany Brewer’s lead vocal. The song reached #11. The combination of the two radio hits again led to big album sales.
Watch a live version of “The Loco-Motion” from 1974…
Related: “We’re an American Band” goes to #1
Closing-out the album is Grand Funk’s amped-up blues rocker “Little Johnny Hooker” which features Farner’s powerful and driving guitar work.
The original album was packaged in a 3-D sleeve that had a pair of 3-D glasses embedded in the front cover to best appreciate the dramatic art work. The Shinin’ On SACD reissue slipcase will include a pair of 3-D glasses so the art work can be viewed as originally intended.
Shinin’ On Track Listing
Shinin’ On
To Get Back In
The Loco-Motion
Carry Me Through
Please Me
Mr. Pretty Boy
Gettin’ Over You
Little Johnny Hooker
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