Rufus Thomas - The Preacher And The Bear

Year Released: 1970
Genre: Funk / Comedy Soul / Southern Soul

Description:
A playful reworking of a traditional comic song, “The Preacher and the Bear” finds Rufus Thomas blending storytelling, humor, and pure funk groove into a Southern soul spectacle. Released on Stax, the record pairs his charismatic vocal delivery with tight, church-meets-juke-joint instrumentation — snappy drums, punchy brass, and an irresistible bassline.

Thomas’s humorous narrative of a preacher encountering a bear in the woods carries the classic Stax mix of gospel roots and dance-floor rhythm, proving his versatility as both a storyteller and entertainer.

Though less sampled than “Funky Chicken,” the record exemplifies the comic storytelling tradition in funk and R&B that artists like Bootsy Collins and George Clinton would later carry forward. It remains a cult favorite for its character-driven charm and deep groove.