High on You
Encyclopedia
High on You is the first solo album by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone
, released by Epic
/CBS Records
in 1975. It reflects the beginnings of change in the concept of "Sly & the Family Stone
". Formerly a tangible self-contained band, the Family Stone broke up in January 1975 after a disastrous booking at the Radio City Music Hall
. At this point, most of the band members parted company with Stone, except for trumpetist Cynthia Robinson
. With subsequent recordings, Stone returned to using the name of his former band, although they were largely solo recordings.
(as he had been doing for Family Stone LPs since There's a Riot Goin' On
in 1971). This album, like the others, includes a combination of all three types of recordings, plus a handful of songs recorded before the band's dissolution.
High on You's first single was the R&B number-three hit "I Get High on You". Stone, a known drug use
r, compares making love with a woman to "getting high". The LP's second single, "Le Lo Li", failed to chart within the R&B Top 40, as did the third, "Crossword Puzzle". All three singles missed the U.S. pop Top 40.
Besides its standard stereo release, High on You was also released in quadraphonic
sound.
, unless otherwise noted.
Sly Stone
Sly Stone is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, most famous for his role as frontman for Sly & the Family Stone, a band which played a critical role in the development of soul, funk and psychedelia in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of...
, released by Epic
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
/CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
in 1975. It reflects the beginnings of change in the concept of "Sly & the Family Stone
Sly & the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone were an American rock, funk, and soul band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music...
". Formerly a tangible self-contained band, the Family Stone broke up in January 1975 after a disastrous booking at the Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
. At this point, most of the band members parted company with Stone, except for trumpetist Cynthia Robinson
Cynthia Robinson
Cynthia Robinson is an American musician, best known for being the trumpeter and vocalist in the popular and influential psychedelic soul/funk band Sly & the Family Stone...
. With subsequent recordings, Stone returned to using the name of his former band, although they were largely solo recordings.
Overview
From this point on, each "Sly & the Family Stone" album would essentially be a Sly Stone solo recording, with contributions from a varying group of collaborators. Sometimes, members of the original Family Stone would participate in the sessions, and sometimes session players and new members would work with Stone as well. For the most part, however, Stone performed a large part of the instrumentation for each song on his own using multitrackingMultitrack recording
Multitrack recording is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole...
(as he had been doing for Family Stone LPs since There's a Riot Goin' On
There's a Riot Goin' On
There's a Riot Goin' On is the fifth studio album by American funk and soul band Sly & the Family Stone, released November 20, 1971 on Epic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place primarily throughout 1970 to 1971 at Record Plant Studios in Sausalito, California...
in 1971). This album, like the others, includes a combination of all three types of recordings, plus a handful of songs recorded before the band's dissolution.
High on You's first single was the R&B number-three hit "I Get High on You". Stone, a known drug use
Recreational drug use
Recreational drug use is the use of a drug, usually psychoactive, with the intention of creating or enhancing recreational experience. Such use is controversial, however, often being considered to be also drug abuse, and it is often illegal...
r, compares making love with a woman to "getting high". The LP's second single, "Le Lo Li", failed to chart within the R&B Top 40, as did the third, "Crossword Puzzle". All three singles missed the U.S. pop Top 40.
Besides its standard stereo release, High on You was also released in quadraphonic
Quadraphonic
Quadraphonic sound – the most widely used early term for what is now called 4.0 surround sound – uses four channels in which speakers are positioned at the four corners of the listening space, reproducing signals that are independent of one another...
sound.
Track listing
All songs written by Sylvester Stewart and produced by Sly StoneSly Stone
Sly Stone is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, most famous for his role as frontman for Sly & the Family Stone, a band which played a critical role in the development of soul, funk and psychedelia in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of...
, unless otherwise noted.
Side one
- "I Get High On You" - 3:15
- "Crossword Puzzle" - 2:57
- "That's Lovin' You" - 2:58
- "Who Do You Love?" - 3:42
- "Green Eyed Monster Girl" - 3:55
Side two
- "Organize" (Sylvester Stewart, Freddie StewartFreddie StoneFreddie Stone is an African-American musician, best known for his role as co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist in the band Sly & The Family Stone, the frontman for which was his brother Sly Stone...
) - 3:22 - "Le Lo Li" - 3:20
- "My World" - 3:26
- "So Good To Me" - 3:24
- "Greed" - 4:13
Personnel
- Sly StoneSly StoneSly Stone is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, most famous for his role as frontman for Sly & the Family Stone, a band which played a critical role in the development of soul, funk and psychedelia in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of...
: vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, various instruments - Little SisterLittle Sister (band)Little Sister was an American all-female vocal harmony group, which served primarily as the background vocalists for the influential rock/funk band Sly & the Family Stone in concert and on record...
(Dawn Silva, Tiny Melton, Vet Stewart, Rudy Love): background vocals - Freddie StoneFreddie StoneFreddie Stone is an African-American musician, best known for his role as co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist in the band Sly & The Family Stone, the frontman for which was his brother Sly Stone...
: vocals, guitar - Jerry MartiniJerry MartiniJerry Martini is an American musician, best known for being the saxophonist for the popular and influential psychedelic soul/funk band Sly & the Family Stone...
: saxophones - Dennis MarcellinoDennis MarcellinoDennis Marcellino is an American musician, speaker and author of psychology, philosophy, theology and political books. He has been a member of some famous music groups: The Tokens , Sly & The Family Stone , The Elvin Bishop Group and Rubicon Dennis Marcellino (born January 17, 1948) is an American...
: saxophone - Cousin Gale (Gail Muldrow): guitar
- Bobby Vega: bass ("I Get High on You")
- Rusty AllenRusty AllenRustee Allen is an American musician best known as the bass guitar player for the influential funk band Sly & the Family Stone from 1972 to 1975...
: bass ("Organize") - Michael Samuels: drums ("Crossword Puzzle" and "Monster Girl")
- Jim Strassburg: drums ("I Get High on You," "Who Do You Love," "My World," "So Good to Me," and "Greed")
- Willie Wild Sparks: drums ("Le Lo Li")
- Bill LordanBill LordanBill Lordan is a rock music drummer who has been in a number of bands, such as The Mystics, Gypsy, and Robin Trower Band.-Discography:* 1971 Gypsy: In the Garden* 1972 Gypsy: Antithesis* 1973 Gypsy: Unlock the Gates...
: drums ("That's Lovin' You") - Cynthia RobinsonCynthia RobinsonCynthia Robinson is an American musician, best known for being the trumpeter and vocalist in the popular and influential psychedelic soul/funk band Sly & the Family Stone...
: trumpet, vocals - "Little Moses": organ ("I Get High On You")
- Bobby Lyles, Tricky Truman Governor (Truman Thomas): keyboards
- Sid Page violin
- Karat Faye: Engineer