Customer Reviews

The Night James Brown Saved Boston

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

 

 

Though footage of the legendary concert (mostly copies of copies of copies) have been floating around for ages, it is only recently that its been commercially released.

The back drop: 1968, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King...
Countless American Cities are burning...
The question: How can the powers that be get as many people as possible to stay home and possibly pass up on the big riot?

The answer: James Brown, the hottest performer in show business to cool down one of the most explosive situations in the city's history... So public TV station WGBH decides to televise a special concert at the Boston Garden asking everyone to stay home...

This documentary features talking heads such as Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Cornel West, Rep. Alan Young, legendary Boston DJ James "Early" Byrd, the Mayor of Boston (at the time) and plenty of footage of JB from the era when he was busting out dance moves that literally seemed to defy the laws of gravity (I'm not joking...) Also includes intersting JB footage... and interesting commentary (especially by Rev. Al Sharpton and JB manager Charles Bobbitt on how JB didn't necessarily agree with all of MLK's ideas about pacifism and the Viet Naam war, but how he respected him greatly... It also includes some incredible behind the scenes commentary...

Though I've seen a lot of the footage together, the documentary still is incredibly insightful and a great companion to the actual performance - - really though, it should have been issued as a companion to the documentary, not a separate purchase... That said, beyond the concert, the documentary discusses the politicization of James Brown, from his concept and practice of black entrepreneurialism, endorsement of Hubert Humphrey and Bobby Kennedy, his trip to Viet Naam, the recording of SAY IT LOUD, I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD and his controversial endorsement of Richard Nixon and more.

Also includes brief commentary by Fred Wesley, Marva Whitney, Jabo Starks - - The only criticism that can be made is that to an extent, the film is JBE propaganda... No doubt, the man was larger than life, and although the film mentions that some of his actions did anger many portions of the black community in that era, no representatives of that point of view appear in the documentary... considering that the copy-write to the film is held as "The James Brown Estate" this is not exactly surprising - - Fred Wesley's appearance is also interesting after the publication of his own auto-biography which paints a far less than flattering picture of JB... Hit Me, Fred: Recollections of a Sideman That said, JB indeed was larger than life, and so too was his music.

P.S. Ending moments capture a great Jabo Starks drum solo with great film work ! ! !

Interesting documentary about the true story of the nights following Martin Luther King's assassination, where many of the cities in America were in turmoil with riots and looting. But in Boston, things were quiet, in large part due to Mayor Kevin White's decision to broadcast James Brown's show at the Garden live on PBS that night. Some cynics say it was just to keep the black residents away from the white area of North Station, and that might be partly true, but I think for the most part the intentions were good (and it worked). Good documentary pointing out everything from how James insisted on reimbursement ($50k) to the fact that PBS had never done a live rock band before, and wasn't even sure how to mic and mix it!

April 5, 1968. Martin Luther King assasinated the day before. Riots in over 100 American cities. Scheduled for a concert in Boston Garden that night: James Brown. Should the concert be held? Would anyone show up? What if we televise it? Can we? Would Mr. Brown allow it? Will any station broadcast it?
This film documents the times leading up to the events of April 5th, and the things that happened afterwards. Throughout this remarkable film is the music and the presence of James Brown, Soul Brother #1.
If you want music, there's a lot here. If you want history, there's a lot here. This is an amazing film that Everyone should see at least once in their lives.

This is a thorough documentary film about James Brown's influence and personal position on the civil rights movement in the fragile moments after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April, 1968. The film chronicles the extremely tense racial atmosphere in the United States in general, and in Boston in particular, following King's murder via interviews with Boston's mayor at the time, a former city councilman, Brown's former business manager and two of his band members. Also, there is footage of James Brown providing his own commentary on the necessity black unity. Dr. Cornell West and Rev. Al Sharpton provide some good commentary on James Brown's strong character and courage during this racial powder keg. The film provides awesome footage of classic JB stage showmanship. This is a must see film and a must have addition to your library for its entertainment value, but more importantly, as an educational film that showcases a critical period in the United State's democracy experience.