LP Reviews: Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back; Back on the Right Track; Ain't But the One Way
Having listened to these three albums—Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back (1976); Back on the Right Track (1979); and Ain’t But the One Way (1982)—they really don’t merit their own individual reviews since they are all varying degrees of disappointing.
A sad end of the line for Sly & the Family Stone, here are some quick thoughts I have on each album…
Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back
Released: 1976
LP Charts: #33 R&B
Easily the worst Sly & the Family Stone album of them all with just Sly and Cynthia Robinson on board from the original band. Not only does this LP merely retread the same ole ground, but often does so in annoying fashion: “Sexy Situation”, “Blessing in Disguise”, “Everything In You”, and “Family Again”.
On the bright side, the percussion-laden title track is decent fluff. “What Was I Thinkin' in My Head” has some really stupid lyrics, but is yet more kinda catchy fluff. “Let’s Be Together” is clearly patterned after the Family Stone’s late ‘60s pop-funk, but given the new musicians, and Sly’s own stuck-in-the-rut behavior however, the song ultimately just puts into stark relief how far below in talent and execution this new version of the Family Stone was from the original incarnation.
ALBUM GRADE: D+
Song Scores
Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back: 6/10
What Was I Thinkin' in My Head: 6/10
Nothing Less Than Happiness: 5.5/10
Sexy Situation: 3/10
Blessing In Disguise: 4/10
Everything In You: 4/10
Mother Is A Hippie: 4/10
Let’s Be Together: 6/10
The Thing: 4/10
Family Again: 3/10
Back on the Right Track
Released: 1979
LP Charts: #31 R&B, #152 pop
After three lackluster/underwhelming albums, Sly tried reassuring us he was Back on the Right Track. Unfortunately, the album title is false advertising. Granted Sly Stone definitely does not embarrasses himself on any single song. However, that’s largely because he fully retrenched his sound into the early ‘70s mold of There’s A Riot Goin’ On (A+) and Fresh (A).
Given that it was now 1979, this music was not causing any riots or sounding particularly fresh. It’s generally one competently performed funk groove after another that will mildly please old fans without making any converts.
In a nutshell, you’ve basically heard all these songs and grooves before on previous albums.
ALBUM GRADE: C
Song Scores
Remember Who You Are: 7/10
Back on the Right Tracks: 6.5/10
If It’s Not Addin’ Up: 5/10
The Same Thing (Makes You Laugh, Makes You Cry): 6/10
Shine It On: 6/10
It Takes All Kinds: 5/10
What’s To Say: 6/10
Sheer Energy: 5/10
Ain't But the One Way
Released: 1982
LP Charts: nada
Ain’t But the One Way basically follows in the footsteps of Back on the Right Track. Mostly the same ole grooves, largely performed without any spark. A couple exceptions are “One Way”, which gets props for a pleasant keyboard solo; and “Ha Ha, Hee Hee” boasting a cool early ‘80s funk vibe mixed with that classic Sly Stone silliness (see the title).
Sad to say that those relatively intriguing songs are undermined by the deeply embarrassing “Who in the Funk Do You Think You Are”. Sly does a poor Mick Jagger impersonation on there. Yes, you read correctly. There’s also a stunningly bland cover of the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”, which is way too clean and polished.
ALBUM GRADE: C
Song Scores
L.O.V.I.N.U.: 6/10
One Way: 7/10
Ha Ha, Hee Hee: 7/10
Hobo Ken: 5/10
Who in the Funk Do You Think You Are: 3/10
You Really Got Me: 4/10
We Can Do It: 6/10
High Y’all: 6/10