'85 Chastain plus rare sides
Phil S. | USA | 07/17/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"James Brown's set at Chastain Park in '85 is perhaps his most accessible material (here including the rarely seen "Superbad", with a great Maceo Parker solo) and we have much of it again in a nice package along with some live material from Studio 54 in '80, sides from his 1983 independent venture, "Bring It On", on the Augusta (Churchill, Augusta Records, Inc.) label, and cuts from his excellent his 1980 Polydor l.p., "Soul Syndrome", both of which are quality and would substantiate CD issues on their own.
The live material has a great "Georgia On My Mind", and entertaining takes of many other familiar sides. Not the "live" stuff a new fan might imagine from the '60s and '70s but not a bad place to start.
"You Can't Keep A Good Man Down" is classic stream-of-consciousness JB, just short of being a *real* Brown classic; in fact, if my ears send the right signal, a presumptive left-over from the "Payback" era. It sounds as if it could have been cut around 1973-74. Another must-hear from that '83 effort is the Grammy-nominated instrumental "Today". A similiar melody to Al Jarreau's "We're In This Love Together", but it more than stands on its' own. In fact, it warranted placement on the '92 "Star-Time" compilation. "Stay With Me", from '80, was an engaging offer featuring Mr. Bobby Byrd. The tune made some noise (not as much as it deserved); a mellow, medium beat ballad. The original B-side is here, "Smokin' And Drinkin'", a socially conscious entry, with interesting lyrics.
The studio albums would have been enough for a fine package; the live session is a bonus for those who haven't heard it. The 12-inch remix of "Rapp Payback, Part One" ensures an essential for the JB collector.
["Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" is the hit single; "Body Heat" is live in '80; "I Got The Feelin'" is the same track presented twice, at different lengths. Buyer should know that there are some rough edits on Disc Two]."
Correction on track listing
R. Barnes | Philly | 07/04/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As of the writing of this review, the track listing for this product is in error. This is a 2 disc set and only some of the tracks are live. The corrected track list is below.
Disc 1
1. Give It Up Or Turn It Loose 2:14
2. Sex Machine ( Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine)(Live) 4:17
3. Get Up Offa That Thing (Live) 2:12
4. I Feel Good (Live) 2:28
5. Rap Pay Back Part 1 (12" Remix) 7:02
6. Prisoner Of Love (Live) 2:42
7. Stay With Me 4:07
8. Smokin' And Drinkin' 4:35
9. The Right Time (The Night Time Is The Right Time) 5:42
10. Bring It On 4:07
11. Honky Tonk 4:49
12. You Can't Keep A Good Man Down 4:22
13. Funky Men 7:30
14. Mashed Potatoe Time 5:19
15. It's Too Funky In Here (Live) 4:57
16. Gonna Have A Funky Good Time (Live) 3:44
Disc 2
1. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag 2:05
2. Today 5:14
3. Superband (Live) 3:19
4. Body Heat 4:57
5. Please Please Please (Live) 1:40
6. Doin It To Death (Live) 4:04
7. Try Me (Live) 1:54
8. Get On The Good Foot (Live) 3:16
9. Georgia On My Mind 5:56
10. I Got The Feeling (Live) 3:35
11. Cold Sweat (Live) 1:00
12. I Can't Stand Myself (Live) 2:09
13. I Got You (Live) 3:22
14. Hot Pants 0:59
15. I Got The Feelin' (Live) 2:23
16. It's A Man's World (Live) 7:44
"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1