Customer Reviews

Singles 6: 1969-1970

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Vol. 6 is my favorite of this ongoing series. You get:

1) The tail-end of his legendary late-60s group and the (probable) entrance of Bootsy and Catfish Collins at the end of the second disc.

2) Nigh on 40 tracks of peak James Brown funk

3) An inordinate number of songs with "popcorn" in the title

4) Some of the best music being made at the time

The subtitle of this CD set, on the jacket reverse side, says "The Swingin' James Brown" and at first the longtime fan/student/historian is taken aback - "swingin'"? - what about the "funk". Well, the truth is, that *swingin'* jazz was everpresent in his 1969-1970 singles, as Pee Wee Ellis, Dave Matthews, et. al., understood that James Brown's Jazz was perhaps as important as his Gospel. How can you dissect "Gittin' A Little Hipper, Part Two" [Disc 2/Track 7] components and leave out jazz?
So we are presented here with JB's most intellectual recordings, with few exceptions (recuts of "It Was You" and "Bewildered"), progressive musically and deeply philospohical lyrically. But be assured that rhythms are typically all-involving for the musicians and for the listenes.
For this Reviewer, the chance to have on CD material that was not pressed on domestic l.p. at the time ("The Drunk"; the first studio remake of "Bewildered" - notable as a "G-rated" version in comparison to other JB period renditions); or pressed on domestic CD until now ("I'm Not Demanding - Part 1; "Any Day Now", "World - Part 1/2", "Let It Be Me" with Vicki Anderson). Although "It's Christmas Time" was found on the "Forever Soul Christmas" CD not long ago, those unfamiliar with said release will be astonsihed by one of the most sensitive performances of James Brown's career. I enjoy saying that his Christmas music is exceptional in his catalogue (or anyone's catalogue) Alan Leeds' expert analysis of the tracks is a bright aspect of the package; the sessionography will leave no one disappointed.
If I can pick out two highlights at this juncture, having just listened over headphones to this item, "World - Part 1" and "The Drunk" (instrumental) make the cut. The ballad has traveled through time well, and should be an enjoyable listen especially for those who recall his Music Scene TV Show and Joey Bishop Show performances at the time. On the Bishop Show he was asked to sing it a second time, so as to emphasize the *lyrics*. Strong and weak verses alternate through a full orchestral arrangement and the chart numbers do not suggest a "failure", as implied in the notes. If one studies Elvis' "If I Can Dream", Frank Valli's "To Give", or John Lennon's "Imagine", he'll/she'll find some "naive" sentiments, as well.
Somewhere in the copious notes is mention of...Volume 7. A happier circumstance in Pop music you won't find in '09. Let's work our way up to "Dooley's Junkyard Dogs"!

Number 6 in Hip-O Select's "James Brown Singles" is another winner from start to finish. 39! slabs of funky goodness, remastered sound,and fabulous liner notes. If you love JB you NEED to get this before it goes out of print and you have to pay crazy money for it on the secondhand market. And all the others too! Volume 7 just came out this week too, oh hell yea!

Excellent coverage of James' single hits in order of release, including studio demos and alternate takes. A must have for any JB fan, even if you have everything else.

Here we have Vol. 6 of James Brown 'The Singles' Collection. Vol. 6 is different from Vol.'s 1,2,3,4,5, and 7 because most of the tracks on 6 are STEREO. The funky music, antique style packaging and interesting liner notes within render the entire 'Singles' collection as first rate. All tracks are 24 bit remasters. This Vol. 6 now has me wondering why the entire James Brown 'Singles' collection is not STEREO. Nevertheless, this portion of the set is definitely outstanding.