Search - James Brown :: Say It Live And Loud: Live In Dallas 08.26.68

100% raw uncut FUNK

Puffer Red | California, USA | 07/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"James Brown would later learn how to let his band play loose (see the CD "LOVE POWER PEACE"), but from his debut in the 50s until about 1969 he was on a singular mission to create the tightest band in the world. Without a doubt here is indisputable proof of that achievement. Listen to the thunderous drum work by Clyde Stubblefield, the stop-on-a-dime precision of the veteran horn section, and the combination of youthful energy and hard-won experience in Brown's voice. By 1968 he had lived through ten thousand shows, a stockpile of radio hits, and a lifetime of singing - could you expect any less? Arguably, his band would get funkier, and perhaps even more musically innovative just a few years later, but they were never tighter than this. In fact there has never been a band as sharp as this, before or since.



Mixes of "There Was a Time" and the "Tighten Up" interlude from this show were already released on the Star Time box set, which certainly whet fans' appetites for years. I couldn't fathom that the entire show could have as much energy as exhibited in those excerpts, but amazingly, it does. Check out the extended version of "Cold Sweat" for a lesson on controlled groove: Brown leads the band through different vamps, crowd work, chants, drum breaks, and even choruses from "Soul Man" among others. Conventional rock bands who do not understand "The Funk" use live concerts to rehearse for their studio tracks later. Disciples of The Funk are the opposite; the studio recording is just the beginning, just the charcoal sketch, the real masterpiece is TBA at a venue near you.



For an introduction to James Brown Live, there is no better document. As deservedly lauded Apollo 1-3 and Love Power Peace are, nothing exhibits the sheer explosiveness of the James Brown Revue better than this 1968 Dallas show. This is one of the supreme artists of the 20th century at the peak of his powers. Absolutely staggering...



Since 1990, James Brown archivists and reissue producers Alan Leeds and Harry Weinger have done a stunning job with the Brown Catalog. The last thing left to unearth is a pristine video of a show from this era. Harry are you game?"

Pure excitement

John W. Butler, Jr. | Spring, Texas USA | 01/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For all those who cite James Brown's "Live at the Apollo" album as essential listening, I agree. But for even more essential listening, try this one on. James and his band were never sharper, funkier, or commanding than on this record. You can't sit still to this (play "Licking Stick" and try to stay in your seat). The soulfull slower numbers are great too, and the band gets to shine on a few instrumentals while James is taking a breather. This is a wonderful album - you won't find a better live one."

With His Bad Self

Mark Kelly | Oxon Hill, MD United States | 11/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"People who saw James Brown live, or have his live recordings know he had a band that had the chops of the best jazz players. This CD is a great example of them working. A must have CD if you love soul, funk, or just plain good music. Jim Carry was never SMOKIN' like these guys. Not one note of filler on this one. The only thing missing is seeing JB dance."