Dance to the music

How could Sly and the Family Stone's Greatest Hits be available on Amazon.com only through third-party sellers?  That sucks. We could get the 2-disc set Essential Sly, but everything we need is right there on the Greatest Hits: "I Want to Take You Higher," "Dance to the Music," "Everyday People," "Hot Fun in the Summertime," and "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)."

Has there ever been a better fusion of funk, soul and R&B?  And was there a more perfect time -- the late Sixties -- to put it all in a psychedelic blender and turn it on "pulse"?

Today's clip is really just a teaser for an Ed Sullivan DVD.  We're sharing it with you because on this particular video you can catch a glimpse of trumpeter/vocalist Cynthia Robinson, who provided a key component to the Family Stone.  With the charismatic Sly,  talented guitarist brother Freddie and bass player/baritone Larry Graham, one of the best thumb thumpers to ever come down the pike, it was easy to be a second fiddle in this outfit. But Cynthia more than held her own. Just listen -- and dance -- to the music.

Cynthia hits the big six-five today, so raise a glass to her and the rest of today's Birthday Band.  And track down some Sly if you don't already have it in your collection.

Tex Ritter (1905-74): Country singer
High Noon, Blood on the Saddle

Ray Price (1926): Country singer
Crazy Arms, Make the World Go Away, For the Good Times

Glenn Yarbrough (1930): Singer
Baby the Rain Must Fall

William Lee Golden (1939): Singer, Oak Ridge Boys
Elvira, American Made, Bobbie Sue

Cynthia Robinson (1946): Trumpet/vocals, Sly and the Family Stone
Dance to the Music, Everyday People, Hot Fun in the Summertime