Live at the Fillmore East October 4th & 5th, 1968 cover

Live at the Fillmore East October 4th & 5th, 1968

Sly and the Family Stone · 2015

208 min · 34 tracks · funk

A vibrant fusion of funk and psychedelic soul ignites the stage with infectious grooves and electrifying performances.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Dance to the Music — This track encapsulates the band's exuberant energy and call to unity, serving as a rallying cry for celebration that resonates throughout their set.
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    We Love All (Freedom) — This performance showcases the band's commitment to social themes while blending various musical styles, embodying the spirit of freedom and inclusivity.
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    Medley: Turn Me Loose / I Can’t Turn You Loose — The medley highlights Sly's improvisational skills and tight ensemble playing, demonstrating their ability to engage and excite a live audience.
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    Color Me True — This song reflects personal and collective identity struggles, showcasing Sly's lyrical depth amid an infectious groove that defines their unique sound.
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    Music Lover — The track stands out for its intricate musicianship and soulful delivery, affirming Sly's place as a pioneer in combining rock with funk elements.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The live performance captures the band's dynamic energy and improvisational style, making it a notable document of their era.

What we noticed

  • The album features multiple medleys that blend songs together, creating a continuous flow of music rather than distinct tracks.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic live performance energy
  • infectious grooves for dancing
  • wave-like pacing for engagement
  • extended tracks for deep immersion
  • celebratory atmosphere with friends

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer concise, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification only

Where this album fits

Career context
By 1968, Sly and the Family Stone had already achieved significant success with their breakthrough albums. This live recording captures them at a pivotal moment, shortly after the release of 'Dance to the Music' and just before their iconic album 'Stand!' The Fillmore East shows exemplified their rising prominence in the music scene, showcasing their innovative sound and dynamic live presence.
Stylistic neighbors
Parliament· Funkadelic· Earth, Wind & Fire

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • We Love All (Freedom)

    The chorus repeatedly emphasizes a collective desire for freedom and acceptance, inviting audience participation that blurs individual boundaries.

    This communal aspect transforms the song from a personal expression into an anthem for social change, reinforcing the band's message of unity.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Are You Ready 4:57
  • 2 Color Me True 4:54
  • 3 Won’t Be Long 6:55
  • 4 We Love All (Freedom) 8:24
  • 5 Medley: Turn Me Loose / I Can’t Turn You Loose 5:14
  • 6 Chicken 9:22
  • 7 Love City 8:52

Disc 2

  • 1 M’Lady 5:12
  • 2 Don’t Burn Baby 4:38
  • 3 Color Me True 6:03
  • 4 Won’t Be Long 6:41
  • 5 St. James Infirmary 7:39
  • 6 Medley: Turn Me Loose / I Can’t Turn You Loose 5:46
  • 7 Are You Ready 5:45
  • 8 Dance to the Music 5:11
  • 9 Music Lover 8:07
  • 10 Medley: Life / Music Lover 9:11

Disc 3

  • 1 Life 3:05
  • 2 Color Me True 6:03
  • 3 Won’t Be Long 7:14
  • 4 Are You Ready 6:20
  • 5 Dance to the Music 5:24
  • 6 Music Lover 6:18
  • 7 M’Lady 5:43

Disc 4

  • 1 M’Lady 5:23
  • 2 Life 3:03
  • 3 Are You Ready 7:59
  • 4 Won’t Be Long 7:52
  • 5 Color Me True 6:25
  • 6 Dance to the Music 5:30
  • 7 Music Lover 5:51
  • 8 Love City 5:33
  • 9 Medley: Turn Me Loose / I Can’t Turn You Loose 5:25
  • 10 The Riffs 1:48

What to play next

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Go back to

Different Strokes by Different Folks

2005
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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata