Customer Reviews

Payback

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

James Brown's 1973 album 'The Payback' is arguably his most cohesive set, this is perhaps due to the fact that it was originally scored as the soundtrack for the sequel to "Hell Up In Harlem". When the film deal fell through at the 11th hour, Brown decided to release the new material as a double LP, the results going on to become a defining moment in funk and soul history.

Not only is the material excellent, but the soulful performances of not only Brown, (check out the emotional ballad "Doing The Best I Can", which is considerably heart-wrenching when placed in context with the events surrounding son Teddy's death during the making of the album), but also from JBs Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker (trombone and alto sax respectively, both featured on the up-tempo "Shoot Your Shot" and the tense funk jam "Time Is Running Out Fast") help shape the album's overall dynamic. Brown even gets funky on Hammond Organ for a few cuts.

From ultra-soulful ballads ("Doing the best.." and "Forever Suffering") to strident funk tracks ("The Payback" and "Take Some, Leave Some), "The Payback" covers it all. In my opinion this was Brown's last great Long-Playing effort, it's follow up "Hell" failed to reproduce the success of the varied-yet-cohesive formula with an over-eclectic mix. "Mind Power" is perhaps a let down track to an otherwise must-have.

I enjoy listening to the music on this CD, I respect the man who wrote and performed these songs. Think about what you might do if the film deal for your most recently assembled recordings fell through? In addition to that, you endorsed a president responsible for the worst political scandal in post-war US politics. If that were not enough, if that did not discourage you to the point of despair, in the same year these two set backs occurred, James Brown lost his son in a fatal automobile accident. Think about what you might do. If you are James Brown, if you are the Hitman, if you are the Godfather of Soul, you fight back with 4 hit records, 2 soundtracks while constantly touring including in Europe (5 weeks), and at the Apollo (1 week). Then, if that weren't enough, for a man who, in mid-year, understandably spent one week in Hill Crest Hospital to rest, he released the PAYBACK in January 1974. The album reached #34 on the Bilboard Pop Album Charts and went certified-gold. Two singles were released from the album: STONE(D) TO THE BONE (November 1973 #4 R&B / #58 Pop); THE PAYBACK (January 1974 #1 R&B / #26 Pop). I just have to respect a man who can fight like that. If you have not listened to James Brown, yet, this may not be the best CD to start with, however, it has some of the best grooves and mature soul funk. If you are interested in some of the best funk performed by a great band, or if you are interested in the music of James Brown in the early seventies, this CD will interest you.

This is one of the James Brown classics that I really could just listen to end to end non-stop for hours. Start in the morning to get the day off to a groovy start, have lunch to it so the steady funk helps your digestion, chill in the afternoon hearing them sit on the one, and then in the evening get everybody dancing, coz don't forget this is damn funky.
The sound here is very controlled, very tight, and sparse, but that's just what you want from JB at his peak (and I do consider this to be his peak). Maceo's playing here shines too - the rhythm, the motifs, the interplay with the rest of the band. In short, top stuff, and essential for anyone who thinks they ever might consider owning any James Brown (which really ought to cover everybody in the world).

The title track of this CD is an all time classic. It is certainly one of the funkiest tracks I've ever heard. I listened to it so many times but it still sounds fresh. It is great because it achieves the maximum funk with the minimum effort - containing only funk essentials (and really makes you want to move !). The rest of the CD is very good but to me does not measure up to the title track. There are two ok ballads and one successfull medium funk "mind power". The other tracks are rhythmic adventures with the horn players given alot of improvisational space. These tracks failed to grab me as the first track did. Overall - a necessary CD for all funksters.

Do you own a James Brown Greatest Hits album? Are you looking to get deeper into the JB groove? Buy this album, you won't be disappointed, this is James brown at his peak, the title track is great, but once you are inside, on tracks like 'Take Some, Leave Some', 'Stone to the Bone' and 'Mind Power' you start to experience pure funk...the musicians Jam on these tracks for almost 10 minutes, and each track is so good, that you're disappointed when they come to an end. I think I'm going to go and listen to it now...

I bought this album on a whim used. Hands down the best purchase I ever made. The Payback features some of Jazz and Funks best musicians backing up JB and taking solos. Each track is a combination of ingenuity and solid rhythms with Soul Brother #1 leading the way. Don't expect to find the three minute Pop style Funk/R&B the JB's played in the 60's: this album's shortest track is just under six minutes! While it is a change of pace from earlier hits like I Feel Good, The Payback grows on you, until you start to think, "This is the greatest Funk album ever".

James Brown-The Payback *****

The Payback might just be James Brown's best studio album of the 1970's, it certainly is one of the funkiest! The musicianship is among the best of all his albums from this period, and for his entire career for that matter. That is one thing you have to give the Godfather is that the man knew how to put together a band, and he knew what to arrange for them. The man was a genius, and The Payback is a testament to that.

From the ultra funky title track, 'The Payback' through the almost tender ballad of 'Forever Suffering' this is the most accessible album in James cannon. The Wah-wah heavy 'Shoot Your Shot' is among Brown's best of his career, and the saxophone on 'Time Is Running Out Fast' is just beautiful. Even 'Stone To The Bone' which loosely seems like a 'Get On The Good Foot' rewrite both musically and lyrically is wonderful. The only gripe is on the albums closer, 'Mind Power' which has a load of spoken word which just doesn't flow with the song most of the way, but the music is excellent. Though what he is saying is great it just seems awkward with the music.

The Payback is it man. This is essential to any James fan. It's easy to see why artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Sly Stone, and P-funk all hold James as a high influence, even if this albums was way into his career after most of those acts had already started.

The best album the Godfather ever made. As the adverts at the time said: Buy this... and FREE yourself.

Untouchable genius.

The Big Payback is one of JBs best,all cuts are above average,BUT Put on some good headphones and just listen to Time Is Running Out Fast,this is the best instramental cut i EVER heard RAW and HARD,and i have heard a lot over the yrs and this one blows them all away,every instrament is in sync and timed just perfect,best jb song ever

THE FUNK ON THIS CD IS DEEP...WHILE THE PAYBACK IS THE CLASSIC, MINDPOWER IS A STANDOUT TRACK TO ME, THE WAH GUITAR AND THE HORN SECTION GOES BALLISTIC,SHOOT YOUR BEST SHOT IS ANOTHER BEAST ON THIS CD....SUPERB FUNK FROM THE MASTER.........TIMELESS