Customer Reviews

Say It Live And Loud: Live In Dallas 08.26.68

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James Brown would later learn how to let his band play loose (see the CD "LOVE POWER PEACE"), but from his debut in the 50s until about 1969 he was on a singular mission to create the tightest band in the world. Without a doubt here is indisputable proof of that achievement. Listen to the thunderous drum work by Clyde Stubblefield, the stop-on-a-dime precision of the veteran horn section, and the combination of youthful energy and hard-won experience in Brown's voice. By 1968 he had lived through ten thousand shows, a stockpile of radio hits, and a lifetime of singing - could you expect any less? Arguably, his band would get funkier, and perhaps even more musically innovative just a few years later, but they were never tighter than this. In fact there has never been a band as sharp as this, before or since.

Mixes of "There Was a Time" and the "Tighten Up" interlude from this show were already released on the Star Time box set, which certainly whet fans' appetites for years. I couldn't fathom that the entire show could have as much energy as exhibited in those excerpts, but amazingly, it does. Check out the extended version of "Cold Sweat" for a lesson on controlled groove: Brown leads the band through different vamps, crowd work, chants, drum breaks, and even choruses from "Soul Man" among others. Conventional rock bands who do not understand "The Funk" use live concerts to rehearse for their studio tracks later. Disciples of The Funk are the opposite; the studio recording is just the beginning, just the charcoal sketch, the real masterpiece is TBA at a venue near you.

For an introduction to James Brown Live, there is no better document. As deservedly lauded Apollo 1-3 and Love Power Peace are, nothing exhibits the sheer explosiveness of the James Brown Revue better than this 1968 Dallas show. This is one of the supreme artists of the 20th century at the peak of his powers. Absolutely staggering...

Since 1990, James Brown archivists and reissue producers Alan Leeds and Harry Weinger have done a stunning job with the Brown Catalog. The last thing left to unearth is a pristine video of a show from this era. Harry are you game?

Much has been written about the first live JB l.p. at the Apollo and ofcourse it moved mountains back in '62/'63. Additionally, it remains one of the very few live albums to perfectly balance music with audience reaction - an amazing feat for its time. This '68 show joins JB's '62 and '71 Apollo efforts as another successful blend of musical and "concert hall" sound, although I feel that the '68 songlist and overall sound surpass both earlier entries. It has been reported that the show was not originally planned as a commercial release, so "hats off" to on-site engineers who were apparently prepared to tape band instrumentals only. We get, more than somewhat belatedly, the probable first public performance of "Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud", plus a great version of "If I Ruled The World" (only his 2nd live version on record) and a stirring rendition of the now little-known ballad "I Guess I'll Have To Cry, Cry, Cry". Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, and St. Clair Pinckney are all on hand for this historic occasion, and "Cold Sweat" has to be heard to be believed - drummers Nate Jones and Clyde Stubblefield DELIVER - and when Maceo steps up to the mike to contribute TS-wise, it's something for the ages. But there is a small "down-side" for me: the fast cuts seem a bit rushed and are not as impressive as the same numbers I recall from an earlier 1968 concert captured for a TV Special (shown about three times) called "Man To Man". Also, the ballads from that show remain the best versions I've ever heard, especially "Bewildered" which by August that year was reduced to a small part of a medley. Since '68/'69 only fragments of that show have been re-telecast; I do not mean to denigrate the August show, but I hope that the early '68 Special from the Apollo would be released in its entirety on as many mediums as possible. Until the issue of that show and maybe another reportedly phenomenal '68 show from the Boston Gardens, we have James Brown's greatest live album to date to keep us company.

For all those who cite James Brown's "Live at the Apollo" album as essential listening, I agree. But for even more essential listening, try this one on. James and his band were never sharper, funkier, or commanding than on this record. You can't sit still to this (play "Licking Stick" and try to stay in your seat). The soulfull slower numbers are great too, and the band gets to shine on a few instrumentals while James is taking a breather. This is a wonderful album - you won't find a better live one.

The classic story that most of music enthusiasts should know, was how in 1969, James Brown ditched the enormous band he had, an hour before show time, to hire some 16 year old kids with the name Collins, to replace them. Those two kids would eventually become the backbone of the band that changed the face of funk music forever, and not to mention birth hip hop.
BUT- let us never forget the band that James Brown fired (minutes before they could quit) that night, with their lead, by the name of Maceo. They appear here, and show us, quite loud and powerfully- that James Brown had already established what was the face of Funk music. And while that band that James Brown replaced them with has gone down as legends in their own right- they had nothing on this beast.
This era of the Godfather, is without a doubt his wildest and craziest era overall. Ooozing with raw energy- this live performance showcases it nice and tight in one very solid package.
James Brown wrote the tunes, orchestrated the band, and shows he's got the moves and the pipes like nobody else.. but the band itself is capable of anything, it seems. Listen to the change-ups from one song to the next. Theres no breaks anywhere. Proffesional Jazz Musicians practice this type of stuff for over thirty years- these guys were in their twenties- hitting every nail on the head. They are trained and true, and no one falls out of step, yet they suprise you at every turn. Three numbers in the middle without James Brown... still smokin'. Maceo shows us all a little thing called The Tighten Up...
One action packed scorcher of a show, fans of any type of music will likely be blown away by this disc.
God Bless The Godfather of Soul.

People who saw James Brown live, or have his live recordings know he had a band that had the chops of the best jazz players. This CD is a great example of them working. A must have CD if you love soul, funk, or just plain good music. Jim Carry was never SMOKIN' like these guys. Not one note of filler on this one. The only thing missing is seeing JB dance.

I remember as a young child being very VERY frightened of James Brown when my parents used to watch his dance show that came on network television in the 70's probably because I didn't understand a sweaty man screaming for no apparent reason. Now, some 20+ years later I can appreciate James Brown for what he was and is...

Plainly stated, James Brown was easily 20 years ahead of his time as far as the type of music that he produced. This recording made me wish that I was alive back in the 1960's to see James Brown at his very best instead of asking my parents what it was like to see him do the "Camel Walk" and the "Bugaloo" and the ever famous cape antics that went along with "Please, Please, Please".

My only wish is that he didn't play his live tracks so doggoned fast. Half the funkiness of "Cold Sweat" is the almost intentional drag of the song as Clyde Stubblefield lets loose his fury on the drums as only he can...okay...maybe rivaled by his counterpart Nate Jones. Hearing those two play in tandem on "There Was A Time" is almost worth the price of the CD.

This is a can't miss. From the time Maceo Parker (the 2nd Funkiest person on the planet)introduced Soul Brother #1 and announced "It's Startime" this CD is action packed. I only wish that I could have been there to pay my $2.00 like Mom and Dad used to do and see it myself.

This thing just stayed lodged in the car CD player for weeks and weeks. No reason to listen to anything else!

Powerful, funky, historic, a bundle of frenetic energy~ The thing that knocks me out about this recording besides some of the best cuts of the band of that period live is the SHOW. You get to hear the roles of the band members in the presentation that was "The James Brown Show". This was not just a singer and a band that got up there and played and entertained for a couple of hours or so. This was a multifaceted entertainment machine! Tight, slick and having a great time being the best! Do not miss an instant of this recording, even the introductions and goodbyes.

Maceo is a revelation on this recording. If you think of him as a rhythmic alto player, wait till you hear the burning tenor solo on Suds. I mean, James Brown has left the stage and the energy level gets higher!!! How can that be? Not to mention a developing front man in his own right. He is not alone, the band is great, the names that you know inventing this music right there on stage. Peewee Ellis wrote great, flexible arrangements and band turns on a dime!! James cues, the band jumps!

By the end of the CD, tempos are flyin'!! Cold sweat is waaaay fast. Not the kind of thing you record for a 45 but exactly what is needed this particular evening with this crowd. The Soulbrother #1 reads the crowd perfectly and takes them further than they expected they could go. Ya just gotta keep it goin'. Keep winding em', keep em' dancin' up and send them higher,higher higher!!!! James dancing, women screaming, Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me while I boogaloo."

This is a show!!!

I enjoy this CD by James Brown for many reasons. SAY IT LIVE AND LOUD is a recording of a show which took place in Dallas, Texas, US on 26 August 1968. It is a remarkable piece of history as well as an energetic display of early funk. I appreciate this show more when I consider what was happening in 1968 in the US. Surely, the most important event for African-Americans particularly and the nation as a whole was the assasination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April. The summer was hot as an incinerator as one city after another burned in a swelter of racial tension which erupted into violence at the heart of one major urban centre after another. The 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City were opened shortly after a civilian demonstration left an untold number dead (some estimate more than 250 people). During the competition, Mrrs Tommie Smith and John Carlos were both forced to relinquish their medals and removed from the US team when they gave a Black Power Salute during the medal ceremony. No other athelete, before or since, suffered this penalty -- even the National Socialists who all saluted in the 1936 Olympics held in Hitler's Berlin. During this turmoil, Mr Chuck D writes in the notes, "James Brown singlehandedly took a lost and confused nation of people and bonded them with a fix of words, music and attitude." From a musical perspective, Mr Alan Leeds writes, "James Brown's 1968 band, arguably his best ever, is at a peak." Are they ever. My favourite parts of the show are "Lickin' Stick" and "Cold Sweat". This show captures the band transitioning from standards like "Please, Please, Please" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)" to the funk sound that would be developed in the next decade and is still fueling popular music. If you are interested in the events of the late sixties in the US, in the origins of Super Super Heavy Funk from the Minister himself, or in an awesome performance, this CD will interest you.

At a little under $1/minute, the Cold Sweat alone makes the 12 bucks you'll shell out for this one worth it. This might be the most insane version of this tune ever, more so than Live at the Apollo. The rhythm section is so rock-solid and funky, and you can practically visualise JB going through his dancing paces in front of a hysterical Dallas crowd. Add in all the other tunes, and its a serious bargain.

Mere words cannot convey how magnificently funky this album is. When you're done listening to it, you WILL be tired and sweaty. Buy it already!