The James Brown Reader Fifty Years of Writing About the Godfather of Soul

by George, Nelson; Leeds, Alan

• ISBN13: 9780452289468
• ISBN10: 0452289467
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-04-29
• Publisher: Plume

Summary

Nelson George and Alan Leeds have assembled the first comprehensive collection of writings about the late, great Godfather of Soul, creating a fascinating mosaic of the man and the musician. Known as the hardest-working man in show business, James Brown embodied rhythm and blues, funk and soul, and sensuality. His musical innovations in such indelible grooves as Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine,” I Got You (I Feel Good),” and Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” transformed American music. To appreciate Brown’s immeasurable influence, to chronicle his professional and personal triumphs and struggles, and to capture his essence, writers from four decades weigh in on the legendary Soul Brother Number One. What emerges is a tribute to a trailblazer—one that no dedicated fan or music history buff will want to be without.

Author Biography

Nelson George, author, music and culture critic, journalist, and filmmaker, has been nominated twice for the National Book Critics Circle Award. He has written fifteen nonfiction books, including Hip Hop America and The Death of Rhythm and Blues.
Alan Leeds, a superstar networker in the music industry who has worked with musicians from Prince to Maxwell, is one of the leading experts on James Brown. He and George were among the team of writers who won a Grammy for the liner notes of the James Brown boxed set Star Time.

Table of Contents

Time Line
A Few Words About James Brown
1960s
Apollo, N.Y.	p. 7
James Brown Boasts New Tune and Dance	p. 8
Dick Clark Spotlights James Brown's Flames	p. 9
James Brown: Vitality, Humility, Soul, Talent	p. 10
James Brown Just "Sings His Heart Out"	p. 12
James Brown Meets the Nine Nobles	p. 14
James Brown Is Out of Sight	p. 18
JAMES BROWN IN PARIS: SOCK IT A MOl	p. 34
It's a New Day	p. 36
Does He Teach Us the Meaning of 'BLACK Is Beautiful'?	p. 39
1968, January	p. 43
James Brown Sells His Soul	p. 44
JAMES BROWN'S "SUPERBAD" (excerpt)	p. 51
1970s
From the Inside	p. 57
James Brown: "The Man" Vs. "Negroes"	p. 62
Take It to the Bridge	p. 64
"I Have Two Selves and One Is Black"	p. 68
James Brown Speaks to "Observer"	p. 72
Mister Messiah	p. 76
James Brown Is Super Bad	p. 84
The Man Behind the James Brown Myth	p. 91
Out of the Brown Bag	p. 101
Papa Takes Some Mess	p. 105
JAMES BROWN: BACK TO AFRICA - SEVENTIES STYLE (excerpt)	p. 122
After 21 Years, Still Refusing to Lose	p. 124
1980s
JAMES BROWN (excerpts)	p. 145
J-A-A-A-Ames Brown!	p. 148
A Consumer Guide to James Brown	p. 155
Anything Left in Papa's Bag?	p. 160
THE RENEGADE & THE GODFATHER (excerpts)	p. 171
James Brown & Afrika Bambaataa	p. 180
JAMES BROWN: THE GODFATHER'S BACK, WITH A BULLET (excerpt)	p. 190
James Brown, Up and Down	p. 197
Pleas, Pleas, Pleas: The Tribulations and Trials of James Brown	p. 204
1990s
THE BLUE FUNK OF A SOUL MAN (excerpts)	p. 215
DANCES WITH NATIONS: JAMES BROWN'S STAR TIME NAMES NAMES (excerpts)	p. 220
2000-2007
Getting' Down With Mr Brown	p. 227
Mr. Brown	p. 235
Being James Brown	p. 265
Perry Man Remembers Visit to Graceland After Death of Elvis Presley	p. 294
James Brown and His First Family of Soul	p. 297
James Brown Discography	p. 303
Credits	p. 315
About the Authors	p. 317
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.