Customer Reviews

James Brown: Live in Montreux

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

 

 

Here is the best James Brown concert available, not for the repertoire, which has no songs (save for two non-listed interjections) not found on the many other DVD/VHS JB offers, and in fact does not contain "bonus tracks" *or* the listed "Hustle (Dead On It)" - the 1975 Disco-Soul semi-hit I'm sure was a major selling point for buyers. If it's here then it's possibly in the form of a very familiar sequeway - maybe a few notes from the tune validate its' listing.
What makes this item standout is the fine technical direction, lighting, sound, and more significantly, the chance to watch a great artist, obviously up for the occasion and in great voice. On "Please, Please, Please" he jumps into the audience (noticeably short on lady fans for some reason) and gets down deep on the classic that put him on the road.
There is some consolation for fans here in that "It's A Man's...World" incorporates "Lost Someone" and "Fever" - the only segment which collectors can really enthuse over.
This is an excellent companion to the '79 Comeback show ("The Lost James Brown Tapes" aka "Bodyheat") and the '83 show with B. B. King at the Beverly Theatre in L.A., which are better musically but do not have the production values of this '81 event.

very strong performance from the godfather of soul way back in 1981.
the first time i saw him live was during this tour.
part of this show was broadcasted on french t.v. in 1981, this is the complete thing. sound and picture are very good and i also has the j.b. international's opening the show.
more bonustracks from another montreux gig j.b. did.

the boss is on the good foot and shows all of his shuffle's and other fancy footwork even some full splits !

what can i say BUY IT !!!

ron roelofsen
www.greatest-jamesbrown-videotradinglist.com

Several reviews here talk about the high quality of sound and video. Not so. Maybe if you're watching it on a 19" TV, but I bought it to use with my home theater system, projecting image onto a large screen. The video is absolutely lousy, and the sound only acceptable. I suppose this was originally filmed with the technology of the day in mind. Back in the early '80's, the largest television screen was probably 24 inches. But, blown up to today's large screen sizes, the video is sorely lacking in every way.

Having said that, James' performance is top notch. The high energy is there, he's in great voice and they put on a great show. This DVD is definitely worth a watch, and worthy of your collection, but don't expect too much as far as picture or sound quality by today's standards.

great vintage performance from the godfather , bit like a bootleg ? but ex sound and pic , negative on this , does NOT have the bonus trax has promised from pre -sale info , but for the price hard core JB fans you just gotta have it , its similar to the beat club show of the same year , but with a bigger audience , need to ask amazon why they promise bonus trax
when there aint non? but for the money buy it , funky .p

The biggest disappointment with "James Brown: Live In Montreux" was the song selection and the lack of his famous showmanship. I kept waiting for him to kick it up a notch and then it ended. Disappointing.

james brown himself is great in this video! the problem is the poor quality of pictures and sound and the facts that the camera man switch off of james brown when he get ready to dance, which are one most important part of the whole concert.

every concert of james brown is a masterpiece, this is a very good one, the godfather is original and unique, buy it!

Some points:
Someone said the band was much better (than today's Soul Generals?) I strongly dsiagree. While they are good, I feel that his current band is his best and tightest ever. Also, the bonus tracks promised are on the PAL European editions.
It really is a shame that Amazon didn't check this out before falsely, albeit I'm sure unintentionally, advertising those tracks. The DVD is fantastic. TOO FUNKY has a guitar riff in it I have never heard before. The only drawback is, as usual, the stupid cameraman cuts to one of the band members just as Mr. Brown starts to do the mashed potatoes during 'Papa's Got A Brand New Bag'. This has happened to some degree in almost every concert James Brown video I have!! Most aggravating. Another somewhat annoying observation: the beginning song is RAPP PAYBACK, from 1980, not the original PAYBACK from 1974.
In the middle of the song, James goes into THE PAYBACK. How hard is it to do a bit of research before releasing a DVD??

This dvd is one of the earliest live shows of James that I've seen so far. If only this technology was available back in 1963 when James in his prime. But The Godfather has gone through so many transformations, only a true fan would know what period WAS his prime! Just imagine this...this dvd of his performance is only a small part of a show that he use to put on. Much more dancing, more dynamics with the band and a much better band! But for JB fans who have only recently been converted in the last 20 years! LOL! This is still a great dvd! BUY IT! And then search for more!