Unpacking the mystery of a defunct local funk band
Before the compact disc eclipsed shellac and vinyl records in popularity, thousands of 78s, 45s and LPs were recorded in Knoxville and surrounding counties from the 1920s to the 1990s. The Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound frequently finds these oft-forgotten nuggets of local music history in thrift stores and estate sales around town, and it is at times staggering to think about how many of these records must have been manufactured. (The resurgence of vinyl in the last decade or so has resulted in local artists once again pressing vinyl singles and albums, and some of these are already turning up at Goodwills and KARMs.)
Although Knoxville-based labels like Thunderhead, Valley and Big Mama lasted several years and released dozens of titles, most locally produced records are on private-press labels, created by the band or a financial backer with the express purpose of releasing an album or single. Some of these labels might add a few more numbers to their catalog before folding. As you might expect, the majority of records we find around East Tennessee are bluegrass, country or gospel, with a fair amount of rock ‘n’ roll, jazz and R&B sprinkled in. When a record makes it into the archive, we’ll do a cursory search for information in the News Sentinel database and a few record databases. Often, there’s little to no information easily discoverable, which makes the record even more mysterious and enticing.
Occasionally, we’ll come across a record that stands out from all others, a recording that sounds unlike anything else in the archive, leading us to wonder, “Who made this?” Such was our reaction when we heard the self-titled album by Fantasy Train. Cut in 1984, it’s a solid R&B/funk party album, elevated by the band’s obvious interest in the then-contemporary electro-funk sounds of acts like Prince, The Time and Cameo. The songs are rooted in old school ’60s R&B and ’70s funk, but the production and sensibility are firmly of their time.
Guitarist Larry A. Goins delivers some extended guitar solos showing he’s conversant with blues and metal, but the album’s credits also have him contributing laser pistol and computer voice. All three make an appearance in opening track “Baby’s a Lady,” a six-and-a-half-minute ride that at times recalls Sly and the Family Stone’s “I Wanna Take You Higher.” (Like the Family Stone, Fantasy Train was a multiracial, multi-gendered group, and though it’s not clear if they’re related, two of the members share a last name.) The remaining eight album tracks don’t quite reach the heights or sheer go-for-it-ness of “Baby’s a Lady,” but that song alone earns the LP high marks for originality,
Even more intriguing, the band hailed from New Tazewell, the album was recorded in Cosby and the cover design and photography were produced by a Del Rio company. I might be wrong about this, but it doesn’t seem like there was a lot of laser pistol-enhanced funk coming out of Claiborne and Cocke counties in the 1980s.
So, who was Fantasy Train? The one News Sentinel mention of them I uncovered finds them performing Rendezvous ’85 at the Tennessee Amphitheater in World’s Fair Park. Often an address printed on the cover or label helps us track down someone, but in this case, a PO Box contact is listed.
If you remember Fantasy Train, and particularly if you were a member of Fantasy Train, please contact us at tamis@knoxlib.org. We would love to learn more about this band, see any photos or gig posters and especially hear any more music you might have recorded.
I have this copy, and was in a later band with Larry around ‘91. We actually done a 3 song demo at “Big Mama” way back then.
Everything then was tape, not digital, so getting it “right” was a little harder to do.
Thanks for the good memories!