Search - James Brown :: Gold (Rm) (2CD)

Exhaustive 2-Disc Collection

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 06/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Depending on how deep your pockets are, there are several options for James Brown fans looking for a solid collection of hits. The cheapest route is 1991's well chosen 20 ALL-TIME GREATEST HITS. If money is no object, 1991's STAR TIME box set at 70 tracks is a must-have purchase. However, 2007's GOLD does a superb job of compromising between those two extremes by providing 40 tracks beginning with his 1956 debut Federal single "Please, Please, Please" (which peaks on the R&B charts at #5) through his final chart hit for Polydor, 1977's "Bodyheat, Pt. 1." [Note: Brown's top ten hit "Living in America" from the 1986 film Rocky IV is not included since the soundtrack was released by Scotti Brothers Records.]



Songs are presented in chronological order, so listeners experience the history of the Godfather of Soul from his early King hits ("Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "I Got You (I Feel Good)," "Cold Sweat") through his years with Polydor ("Get on the Good Foot," "The Payback").



With his passing last Christmas, JAMES BROWN GOLD serves as a fitting testimony to the legacy of the Hardest Working Man in Show Business. [Running Time - Disc 1, 71:33; Disc 2, 77:32] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED [Note: This album was previously released in 1996 as JB40: 40th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION. The only difference is GOLD boasts "24-bit remastered sound."]"

40th Annivesary Collection under a different name

kevin m antonio | rumford, ri United States | 06/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'James Brown Gold' first came out in 1996 as '40th Anniversary Collection'. So, if you have that you'll just be duplicating yourself.

If you do NOT have that, then pick up 'Gold'. It's a great overview of Mr. Brown's output on Polydor.

As I wrote in my review for 40th:



Better than 'Star Time'



That's blasphemous to some of you readers, I'm sure, but hey, at one time I owned both sets. I kept 40th because it has "Down and Out in NY City"; 'Star Time' does not. Anyway, I found myself going for the 40th set whenever I needed some JB. I guess I just don't have the time or patience to wade through box sets anymore.

As for the music, well what can I say? The man INVENTED funk and rap. Think about that -- James Brown invented two musical genres. It boggles the mind. EVERY R&B performer who came after him owes their career to "the Hardest Working Man in Show Business", "Soul Brother #1", "Mr. Dynamite", "the Godfather of Soul", ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. James Brown!

This set has the songs in chronological order so you get to follow his progress from journeyman soul balladeer to one of the most important figures in 20th century music.

"Sex Machine" is one of the greatest songs ever conceived by the mind of man....

The one complaint I have is you can't see James performing this stuff...

So, if you have the $ and the time, get 'Star Time'. But if you're like me 'JB40' is where it's at. Hunh! good gawd!

"

Great collection

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 10/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is just like the 40th anniversary collection on JB. this covers so many of his classic Jams. a well balance of his Slow Jams and His Classic Innovative Funk that has inspired countless Artists through all styles. if you are new to JB and want to start well this is a Great place to start. the trademark 4 on the 4 Groove. his band breaking it down, the JB Vamp, the JB Bridge are all here and then some. so many of these tracks have been Sampled, Looped,etc.... and they are timeless Gems which will still matter hundreds of years from now."