Dec 11, 2012 (KCMP-FM) — Here's something you might not have known: The Twin Cities in Minnesota were home to a vibrant funk and soul scene in the 1960s and '70s. One of that scene's bands, The Valdons, recently got back together for a special performance in The Current's studios at Minnesota Public Radio.
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The Valdons at The Current's studios in St. Paul, Minn. (The Current)
The Valdons: After Decades, A Funky Soul Reunion
by Jon Schober
Dec 11, 2012 (KCMP-FM) — Here's something you might not have known: The Twin Cities in Minnesota were home to a vibrant funk and soul scene in the 1960s and '70s. One of that scene's bands, The Valdons, recently got back together for a special performance in The Current's studios at Minnesota Public Radio.One of the most popular Twin Cities funk and soul groups of the late 1960s and early '70s, The Valdons eventually split up, but the band's members never dropped their passion for music, continuing to perform in other configurations. So Minnesotans and the rest of the world are getting a rare treat here: the modern-day reincarnation of The Valdons, courtesy of Secret Stash Records.
The label recently released Twin Cities Funk & Soul: Lost R&B Grooves From Minneapolis & Saint Paul 1964-1979, a collection of songs from the likes of Willie Walker, Wanda Davis, Jackie Harris, Prophets of Peace and many others.
In celebration, the label helped reunite The Valdons, with the Twin Cities Funk & Soul All-Stars accompanying, and they all dropped by The Current's studios for one of the most jam-packed sessions we've hosted in a long time. Let's hope this isn't the last we hear from The Valdons — decades later, these guys have still got it.
Credits
- Photo/Video: Nate Ryan
- Audio: Michael DeMark
Copyright 2013 KCMP-FM. To see more, visit http://www.thecurrent.org/.9(MDAxNzgwMTg5MDEyMTQ4Nzc4MjdiNWVmMw004))
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