Beastie Boys Song Of The Week - Shadrach

I know, I started the Pearl Jam Song of the Week, but I thought I would spice things up for the long term, by rotating the Song of the Week with tracks from the Beastie Boys as well.  Two excellent groups of which, many songs folks know, many songs that people do not.  Likewise, there are many good stories behind the music and many. many memories for me with both bands.

For the inaugural Beastie Boys Song of The Week, I have chosen a stellar single, 'Shadrach' from the B side of the album, Paul's Boutique.  The song is pure party in a can.  'Shadrach' has great beats, raps, and stellar samples.

Beastie Boys - 'Shadrach'



The 'Shadrach' starts off, with sampled female vocals, and heads straight into the rap and some scratching.   After that, it's some quick rapping and some fun beats.  Admittedly, I never gave the song much thought through the years other than I like it.

REWIND - A LOOK BACK 

When Paul's Boutique came out, it barely took off with radio play and support.  I was a top40 listener at the time, so it never made it to me.  In 1989, I was 12 so no surprise there that I missed it.   I did start listening to it in college.  My freshman year roommate had the disc and I listened to it some.  Then in the next few years I started to devour the disc, listening to it over & over again until I came to know it intimately.

I could recite many other songs on the disc, but I never really got this one?  I had no idea what or who Shadrach was, or why anyone would sing about it.  I liked the female vocals, and always assumed they were a Luscious Jackson member, as both bands were intertwined through the years, and future label mates. 

THE REAL HISTORY

About 10 years later, I made a huge effort to expand my music collection.  I ended up with some Sly & The Family Stone.  I stumbled upon 'Loose Booty' featured on Small Talk, from 1974.  The female piece was no female Beastie, but part of the original song.  Furthermore, some parts were lifted right out as sample.  Others parts such as the horns pieces and the "Shadrach" chant were extrapolated into the Beastie Boys' own.   I have yet to determine from various sources whether the collaborators of Paul's Boutique the Dust Brothers had already laid those down beats and samples down, or this was an addition of the Beastie Boys? 

Check out the original version -'Loose Booty' by Sly and the Family Stone to hear the pieces that were taken!

Listening to the Sly Stone version, you can somewhat hear the chant better.  It's actually "Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego" of biblical roots.  (see link below)

For Further enjoyment, I highly recommend getting your hands on the Beastie Boys video anthology.  You can take a look at the video from several versions, switching it throughout the song.  The video version was originally a live take, which the audio stuck, but each frame was painted.  You can see the live, the painted or a overlay version.  One such version is a blend throughout.

For more info on 'Shadrach' check out:

wiki/Paul_Boutique
wiki/Small_Talk_album
wiki/Shadrach_(song)

Enjoy!