Search - James Brown :: Ballads: James Brown

Nice entry.. will there be Ballads, Part Two?

p. silverman | USA | 10/06/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Harry Weinger has once again assembled another awesome collection for fans and historians. Some incredible stuff was not used (I'll get to that below); some better versions not used; session notes and dates - not here. But considering the many first-time CD entries and the strength of the performances, it's still Grammy-worthy!
The CD kicks off with the Sammy Lowe production of "Prisoner of Love", recorded in New York City, December, 1962. The arrangement became a perennial on the James Brown show, captured for the ages on Live at the Apollo, Vol. Two. A more intense rendition could never be imagined. [Check out the import video "Special Collection: Music Biography - James Brown 1956 - 1976 for an incredible workout from a '67 Ed Sullivan Show]. I still enjoy reflecting on the fact that JB never sings the actual title in his unique version.
The popular heart ballad "These Foolish Things", cut at the same session, is fine, however, I prefer the live version from the King album "Live at the Royal", where the substandard recording does not detract from a powerful performance. The final offer from that '62 studio set is "So Long", not a classic, but worth hearing from time to time.
"Lost Someone" and "Try Me" ofcourse *are* classics, but are presented here with overdubbed strings. The original pressings are preferable, so the tracks become deep fan/completist-only offerings.
"I Loves You Porgy" is a true "classic-to-be", if you will. A sensational vocal over a cool jazz piano. Hopefully, this CD will facilitate its' discovery for the more casual listener.
"Georgia on my Mind", recorded in Cincinnati in January of 1970, has an interesting history. JB performed the tune on a Mike Douglas Show about a month before and the actual telecast version was considered for release with Mike's intro. For whatever reason, the tune was recut, but retained the host's opening words. [For this reviewer, a better effort is found on the King album "It's A New Day So Let a Man Come In"].
The one we have been waiting for holds the #16 spot - "I Cried", a tune recorded by another King artist back in '63 and finally released by Brown in '71. With some unusual chord changes and a brilliant production we have an emotional and musical masterpiece.
Another great highlight is the February, 1969 recording of "Sometime", a ballad materializing three times over three decades for JB, first as "It Was You". The huge production includes Dee Felice on percussion.
At this point I feel that (presumed to exist) previously unreleased live versions of some of the above, plus items like "Nothing Beats A Try But A Fail", "Love Me Tender", and "Something" would have solidified an already awesome CD. It's been written that about eight shows were recorded live at the Apollo in July of '71. I can imagine what a previously unissued take of "Bewildered" from that stage would have meant to this collection."

It's The Man's World...

David Wayne | Santee, CA United States | 01/25/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The man known for lowdown, horn-driven funk, pyrotechnic dance moves, lust-filled grunts, and ear-splitting screams is showcased in a different light here. These are some of James' most tender recorded performances. So find someone to get close to, go down to the basement, and turn on the blue light! You would expect to find the greatest of all the James Brown ballads, "It's A Man's World," and, of course, it's here. This collection also features the studio versions of some great songs James performed on his legendary first live set at The Apollo (Lost Someone; Bewildered; I Don't Mind; and his first R&B chart-topper, Try Me). James also put his soulful spin on standards such as "These Foolish Things," "Prisoner Of Love," "I Wanna Be Around," and "Georgia On My Mind." James was always mindful of songs that influenced him, especially during the 50s and 60s, when most of these songs were released. But this collection rates only 4 stars with me, mainly due to the songs it doesn't include. "Please, Please, Please" is a standard in its own right. It SHOULD be here. "Goodbye My Love" has been called "perhaps the first funk ballad" on another JB compilation, and as such, deserves inclusion. "World" was a top-ten ballad with a nice arrangement and a great vocal by James, but it is still waiting for its debut release on CD. I have to say Right On! for the long-awaited release of "I Cried," which hit #15 on the Soul chart. Also included are the ultra-rare tracks "I Guess I'll Have To Cry" and "If I Ruled The World." All-in-all, this is a very good James Brown collection. But I do feel it is incomplete. Polygram should have gone ahead and made this a double-set, and captured James in his romantic bag, in one comprehensive package."

Classic material

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 10/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"James Brown lays something on these songs.the production&build up lead to great classic jams.James is a great shouter that pleads for love&understanding on songs such as it's a Man's World.his ballads are very underrated overall.this a great collection of material here.i got almost all of his material&this is selections from stuff he has done over the years."