"Up On Cripple Creek" (The Band)

"Funk" is not necessarily what comes to mind when one thinks of The Band.  Yet, it's hard to characterize "Up On Cripple Creek" from 1969's The Band as anything else but funk.  Between Levon Helm's syncopated drum licks and Garth Hudson's inventive use of a wah-wah pedal on his clavinet to create a jaw harp sound, the song is rooted in rhythm.
The astounding part to me is that Helm was able to put down his soulful, Southern-fried vocal while simultaneously kicking that beat.  It's the musical equivalent of patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time.
But as the ever-humble Helm (RIP) noted in the Classic Albums: The Band documentary from 1997, he actually preferred to drum when he sang.
"People give me good credit, and I appreciate it.  They think it's harder to play when you sing, but it's actually easier because you play along and you leave holes, and there's where you sing."