James Brown "Say it Live and Loud - Live in Dallas 08.26.68" Polydor 31455 7668-2 1998 (77:33)
Show Introduction (:37)
If I Ruled the World (3:45)
James Brown Thanks (:49)
Introduction to Say it Loud - I'm Black and I'm
Proud (1:33)
Say it Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud (3:08)
I Guess I'll Have to Cry, Cry, Cry (4:19)
Kansas City (4:13)
Intermission: The James Brown Orchestra
Suds (5:16)
Soul Pride (3:01)
Tighten Up (7:11)
Star Time!
Introduction to Star Time! (:42)
Licking Stick - Licking Stick (:42)
Cold Sweat (12:51)
There Was a Time (4:57)
Medley: Try Me/Lost Someone/Bewildered (6:14)
Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (:30)
I Got the Feeling (2:43)
Maybe the Last Time (1:13)
I Got You (I Feel Good) (:27)
Please, Please, Please (2:15)
I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me) (3:09)
Finale
Cold Sweat (reprise) (:46)
I Got the Feeling (reprise) (:27)
Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud (reprise)
(1:51)
Waymon Reed (trumpet), Richard "Kush" Griffith (trumpet), Fred Wesley (trombone), Levi Rasbury (valve trombone), Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis (bandleader, alto saxophone, organ), Maceo Parker Jr. (tenor saxophone, emcee), St. Clair Pinckney (tenor & baritone saxophones, duet voice on "Licking Stick"), Jimmy Nolen (guitar), Alonzo "Country" Kellum (guitar & bass guitar), "Sweet" Charles Sherrell (bass guitar), Clyde Stubblefield, Nate Jones (drums), Richard Jones, Marilyn Jones and Sylvia Medford (violins).
Good God, ow! What a gem ... why did it take Polydor 30 years to release this?!? "Say it Live and Loud" catches the Godfather of Soul, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business, Soul Brother #1, the One, the Only, Star of the Show ... Mr. James Brown in a crucial transition period. The summer of 1968 found Brown in the beginning stages of funk but also still belting out a stunning mix of soul/r&b ballads and swing numbers. Brown, backed by probably the best band he ever had, is at his energetic peak here. And that is what makes this disc so good ... pure passion, talent and energy. The show is split up into 4 sections: the opening, 'intermission', 'star time!' and the finale. The opening of the show gives you a little bit of everything: a few of the stirring, classic ballads ("If I Ruled the World" and "I Guess.."), Brown rapping to the crowd, the fresh on the charts and soon to be legendary funk anthem "Say It Loud.." and the ripping swing of "Kansas City". Mr. Brown exits stage left and the tight orchestra takes over for 3 solid instrumentals replete with killer horn, guitar, bass and drum solos. "Tighten Up" in particular shows off just how talented this band is with perfect tempo change-ups, starts and stops and solos all called out by the equally legendary emcee and sax-man Maceo Parker. Mr. Brown then returns for 'Star Time!', which is an explosive mix of funk tunes ("Licking Stick", "Cold Sweat" and "I Can't Stand.."), swing tunes ("There Was a Time", "Maybe the Last Time" and "Please, Please, Please"), ballad medley ("Try Me/Lost Someone/Bewildered") and very brief, very fast versions of "Papa's Got..", "I Got the Feeling" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)". The finale kicks out 3 more extremely fast and brief reprises and then Mr. Brown leaves the building. Hot! There are some very minor sound issues here and there ... a horn a little too loud, a bit of distortion or what have you ... nothing much to worry about though. The 18 page insert is first class with liner notes from the one and only Chuck D of Public Enemy and Alan "Tex" Leeds, as well as numerous b/w pictures. And much respect to Polydor for packing this mutha ... 77+ minutes! If you've yet to give James Brown a real try, "Say it Live and Loud" is a great, varied place to start from his prime time. In fact, it has now become my favorite James Brown disc. If this one doesn't make you move, you'd better check your pulse ...
Where did I get this cd? - from a local Borders.