Search - James Brown :: Revolution Of The Mind( Live At The Apollo, Vol. III)

Before his time

Charles F. Carter | willingboro,n.j. usa | 06/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"anybody that knows of james brown knows that his music was way before its time.these are timeless tunes that are still being used today in the hip-hop world.timeless music and culture."

Hot Pants!

p. silverman | USA | 06/02/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The newest James Brown fans, who possibly have not seen his live clips from the '60s, or have heard some of his best live recordings, are in for a shock - this is one bonafied smoker from Cut One To Twelve! Although there are some issues, namely that Cut Four, "Escapism"/"Make It Funky", (containing elements found in a future full-length version of the studio track), according to the excellent written notes by Harry Weinger, was actually a show opener; that the guitars and bass have little aural impact; and that in too many spots the soulful concedes to the sexual, "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose", "Super Bad", "Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved" and others make up for any technical or artistic shortcomings as they throw off alot more heat than just the July, '71 sun. It's an explosion of sound, of passion, every note carrying the message: baby, you'll never be the same after digging this.
This session, Volume Three in a series, begs for the same "Deluxe" reissue treatment that Volume Two recieved. (Then maybe the most exciting album ever released, "James Brown - Live At The Garden", will follow in similiar fashion and give us a chance to actually *hear* his 1967 band!)."

"Everybody over here, get up..."

finulanu | Here, there, and everywhere | 12/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some venues just bring out the best in a performer, and for James Brown, it's the Apollo. Here's James Brown playing all of his funk hits, with a kinetic band behind him and a whole barrel of charisma - his random spoken interludes on "Bewildered" (with a hilarious lecture on why the women in the audience should quit their diets and why JB loves hot pants) and "Make it Funky" (which has him introducing his bandmates) are just as good as the songs themselves in this case. Which is not to say that the hits are bad by any means. No way. There's a much looser take on "Sex Machine"; hyperspeed takes on "Give it Up or Turnit Loose" and "Superbad"; an aching "Try Me"; and a version of "Escape-ism" that's brimming with even more funky energy than the original take. In a way, I like this version of "Superbad" more than the hit version, because it's got this really cool horn part in the choruses that was kind of simplified on the hit version. And the band... I love the band on this release. Harold "Cheese" Martin (great nickname) provides some sweet rhythm guitar licks throughout; the horn section of St. Clair Pinckney (tenor sax), Jimmy Parker (alto sax), Russell Crimes (trumpet) and Fred Wesley (trombone) is a powerhouse; the twin funk-drummer attack of John "Jabo" Starks and John Morgan is driving as always; and Bobby Byrd's backup vocals provide a nice counterpoint. Bassist Fred Thomas does some cool stuff, too, especially on "Soul Power" and "Get Up, Get Into It, and Get Involved". This is a tremendous release, packed with all kinds of tight, funky playing and a pile of fun. That makes it his best live album!"