Customer Reviews

Gold

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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."]

'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!

I bought this CD mainly for the known and popular songs and because this is one of the few disc that contains the hit "Sex Machine" in its full original lenght. The other song I like very much is "I have ants in my pants - and I want to dance", althought not in this disc, I bought the only disc from James brown that contains that song in the original full lenght and beautifully remastered which is Make it Funky: Big Payback 1971-1975.

Anyways, this James Brown Gold Edition has very nice selections and the sound is not disapointing. Good choice for the casual listener. The catalog for this artist is so extense that cannot be covered in just 2 cd's, that is the reason I say that for the casual listener is perfect, not for the hard fan.

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.

Rec'd the CD in a timely manner and it was in excellent condition great sound and like the way is was package.

it's good to have old school music by James Brown since I've been a BIG!!!! fan of his music since I a was a little boy

The audio quality is, especially considering the source material, very good. As always, James Brown is an inimitable wellspring of juicy, vibrant soul- and this is a very good representative sample of his work.

James Brown changed the face of American popular music. He made the rhythm the music-and invented funk as we know it. On top of that, he wrote some classic pop songs such as "It's a Man's World" or "Try Me". Every music fan should have a collection of James Brown music-and this is one of the best to have.

James Brown was one of my music icons in the late 60s... along with the Jackson 5. Each of James' songs allowed me to temporarily escape my shell of coyness to slip and slide across our hardwood floors! When I listened to Gold Disc 1, the joy of my childhood came back in a flood of old school slides, jerks, screams and sweat! I'm having a funky good time with this one!

"Cold Sweat" has become my absolute favorite!!! I don't even recall moving to the beat of this one back in the day, but it sure makes me move today. Heh! Heh! Heh! Now, I appreciate the words of "Cold Sweat", "It's a Man's World", "I Got the Feeling", "Doing it to Death" (Funky Good Time) and many others. James and his boys (The J.B.s - Maceo, Fred, et. al) bring back such good times with their boldness for 'saying it loud' with passion and 'soul power'!

This CD set is worth it's weight in gold without costing a fortune. You'll even have enough money left to buy dancing shoes or glittering socks! Get this gold... it's worth a mint... then dance the night away!!