Customer Reviews

James Brown: House of Blues [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

WOW I was able to see an advanced copy of this show today. The picture and sound quality are absolutely great. The original recording was in HDTV. James does all the great hits and the band looks as hot as ever. Probally the best quality live recording of JB I have ever seen.

I love James Brown, and this current package is sad. The band is tight and the sound is good, but it's like he walks through the whole show giving brief nods to various songs in his career.
He has gotten old, and has lost his vocal power. He does try
to put on a good show, but the magic is gone.
I hope someone puts together a nice package of live clips at some point, that shows what this great man was. It really pains me to be writing this, so if you don't want to be disappointed, avoid this one.

This is pretty darn close to what you see when you see a current JB Tour... great songs, all played very well and very funky. The band is as tight as the go-go dancers outfits. I saw JB @Caesar's a year after this was filmed and the set list was very similar.If you get a chance ...see JB ASAP...if you can't his DVD is as close as you're gonna get.

The '68 to '74 JB is highlighted with lesser-discussed items like "Popcorn" ["Mother Popcorn"], "Gimme Some More" (performed by BitterSweet), "If I Ruled The World", "Soul Power", and "Papa Don't Take No Mess". Two of these titles deserved more than the passing glance they received but the whole program is well-paced and heavily features backup performers - the set opens with diva-esque protege Tomi Rae performing a powerful blues-soul ballad "I Still Care" and the J. Joplin "Try". In consideration of the venue name I had hoped that JB would do some straight ahead blues like he did with B.B. King on another outstanding video JB AND HIS VERY SPECIAL GUEST B.B.KING (something like "The Things That I Used To Do" or "Home Again"), but Candice Hurst emerges from stage left and delivers the goods with the jazz/blues "Why Don't You Do Right" with style. The consumer may wonder about his energy level (at age approx. 66), but except for the occasional reliance on aforementioned contributors plus Roosevelt Johnson (who sings on "Soul Power" and the presumed tribute to the Blues Brothers, "Soul Man"), he is the vital artist we've watched over the years. In fact, his dancing is better here than on some video efforts from the 1980's! Another selling point is the inclusion of the heavy hip-hopp "Funk On A Roll" from the recent I'M BACK album. With all due respect to the talented all-Female backup group BitterSweet, I feel that the tune is more effective with (apparently) all Male singers in unison as on the CD. Still, it is a great selection. I hope James Brown continues to mix in unexpected numbers in his live act and on record (and hopefully on video!).

After all these years, the man still has it, and mind you, he is well up in age and the only thing he does not do is the split.
But I tell you, this is a concert, especially when he performs "funk on a roll." and "Papa don't take no mess".
HE IS STILL THE MAN, in my book. A must have in your collection.

This is Mr. Brown's best video. I happened to be there for the concert and I can tell you he tore the house up!!!. I'm so glad the tape captured the excitement of the live show. This is a must for any J. B. fan! He truly is a legend in his own time!!

I recently saw JB live in Tulsa.. the show was absolutely amazing.
This dvd is basically just a terrible, watered down version of the concert I saw..
The songs listed on the back cover are a sad trick..
Most of them are 10 second high speed [garbage] versions - its disgusting.
Better try your luck on some of the Godfather's older stuff.
Sorry JB.

Set list looks good...but the performance is surprisingly limited. After watching this several times, I've forced myself to enjoy it more. After the death of Mr. Brown, I hold it as a great memory from when I saw him last February.

James Brown is simply not into this show. He's in a rush to get outta there and it shows. He rushes through every song. The ballads are simply him singing about 20-30 seconds until he motions to his band to move on to the next song. Songs where you can't wait to see and hear like "I Feel Good" and "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" are shamelessly too short. I'm not sure what the audience felt, but watching this I was upset and frustrated that he did not give each song the respect, credit and time they each deserved.

Yes he is in his 60's and that is not at all a problem. His moves are still pretty good. My only reason for watching this DVD are for 2 numbers: "Get Up Offa That Thing" and "Soul Man". He shines throughout these songs and only these, in my opinion. There are moments where he can't sing the high notes and heavily relies on his backup singers.

I don't really recommend this DVD---at least for this price $12-$17. I bought mine for $5 and it's definitely worth that. Dont' pay more than $7 or you will be sorely dissapointed and regretful.

This is an excellent entertainment DVD. In the twilight of James Brown's career, he still had the showmanship and class I can appreciate over and over again. He gives us a melody of familiar tunes like "Hot Pants", "If I Ruled the World", "Prisoner of Love" and more. You will be entertained by his dancing alone and with the members of his back up dancers. I purchased other James Brown DVDs and this is one I appreciate the best due to the quality picture of the video and the range of songs included over his career. He was one of our greatest entertainers and his energy is unmistakeble.James Brown: House of Blues

I have watched this dvd so much with my grandchildren that they now love James Brown and know all the songs. I have always loved his music.