Reviews (page 11 of 14)
Man's got a killer voice, this album in particular just didn't do it for me. Will check out more James Brown tho
Yep.
Very busy and energetic. Definitely James Brown!
its old, but really good performance. I might put it in the background from time to time
Not really my thing, but nice enough background music.
Fine for what it was but it didn't "move me" like I imagine it did others at the time of its release.
James Brown. Sex Machine. Did not know many songs besides that one, and even though that one is a hit, it never occured to me to listen to an entire album of him. After listening to it and reading a bit about it, it seems this live album is a good place to start. You can hear and feel that he was a great musician and - nice touch since it’s a live album - that the audience was exctatic about it which adds to the atmosphere.
5 million stars. I don't think I have anything else to say on the matter.
I have only heard the usual 'classic' James Brown songs and it was really interesting to hear these songs I didn't know and also in such a raw and real setting. I enjoyed the album much more than I thought I would as James Brown's big sound is not what I normally enjoy. This was more low-key soul and I really liked it. It is not an album I would choose to put on again in the future, but would not complain about hearing it again. I can appreciate the concept of 'Soul' as it definitely reflected Gospel influences in my mind and the idea of religious fervour at times.
Never heard before! The songs seem rooted in call and response also found in some preaching. The tunes just pull me in and make me want to move and dance!
He’s so horny for screaming girls
So much fun, the intro is epic, showing how beloved James was in 1962
Very tight band, likely driven by the hardest working man in show business
Some pretty great instrumentals in here despite the majority of their short runtimes, and it fulfils the purpose of a live album pretty well, with lively and significant the occasion feels. Vocally and lyrically, however, I must admit I'm not at all moved by this
Energetic!!!
James Brown's Live At The Apollo album delivers an electrifying performance, showcasing the Godfather of Soul's unparalleled stage presence. The energy is palpable, and the band's tight arrangements are on point. However, my main gripe lies in the prominent audience noise, occasionally distracting from the musical brilliance. While it adds a live atmosphere, at times, it overshadows the intensity of Brown's incredible vocals and the band's tight instrumentation.
Not my usual type of music, added “Lost Someone”
Not my vibe.
It's fine. It's just a live album from the 60s. Nothing too crazy was happening here.
The audio quality is not very good. There's a great deal of screaming, which I found irritating. It's not an album I'd revisit. Maybe there's another James Brown album in the collection that I might prefer.
not my music
James Brown is a revolutionary icon with an unprecedented impact on music. The "Hardest-Working Man in Show Business" influenced the development of several music genres including funk, soul, R&B, rock, and pop. This album, "Live at the Apollo," is an incredible live showcase of Brown's popular music from the time. This album was hugely popular and a critical success.
Classic
The songs that are good are really good. I like the energy.
Didddiddyy
High intensity soul
this gave me chills, it being a live recording made it feel so much more visceral and raw. browns voice is incredible
Plaat bomvol energie, puur sonisch niet hoogste kwaliteit, maar wat een vreugde. Een hele week lang zelf de apollo afgehuurd, 20 shows gespeeld om de beste takes op plaat te krijgen. Vooral fan van het einde, die 11 minuten ballad en dan de medley daarna. Maar 't begin vliegt even goed voorbij. Niet echt "hits", maar een goeie totaaltrip.
B- Introduction to James Brown and The Famous Flames (by Fats Gonder) 3 I'll Go Crazy 3 Try Me 3 Think 3 I Don't Mind 4 Lost Someone 3 Medley: Please, Please, Please/You've Got the Power/I Found Someone/Why Do You Do Me/I Want You So Bad/I Love You, Yes I Do/Strange Things Happen/Bewildered/Please, Please, Please 3 Night Train 3 This was pretty good, but it didn't knock my socks off.
Great for listening in the kitchen
Not my bag, baby
Sounds like a damn good party
You can certainly tell why he’s known as the Godfather of Soul.
Wow! Awesome live album, this is some amazing stuff!
I'm sure that James Brown is good, but I just don't like gospel-like singing.
4.5
It's great, but the LP has too many very short tracks. Wish it went deeper
A legendary performance, great music, supercool intro, but as this album ages I wish the production of it was better.
5000 stars.
This was a fun album, seems like James Brown was having a really great time and the crowd was loving him. I like when soul/gospel gets funky and I think this was a little too early for that. 3 stars.
This album highlights one of my biggest problems with live recorded albums. Girls screaming. I hate it so much and it ruins the songs instantly for me. Other than that this album was very basic and was pretty forgettable.
The song ‘Love Someone’ is 10 minutes and extremely repetetive
Honestly didn’t care for this.
James Brown sure is cool. I've read that he doesn't really got that many good albums but legendary tracks here and there within his discography. I didn't like this live album as I have a general dislike for live albums. There are a few ones that are great and this is not one of them.
Close to a 4, would be if it wasn't live but loses some of its appeal
It was ok but I wouldn't listen to it again.
It's a vibe but then I can't distinct any of the songs from each other
A great live record showcasing JB as a rockstar. Wasn’t familiar with any of the songs, and I prefer JB’s eventual pathway to funk music, but a great listen still. 3.5/5 Would listen again
God damn, the audience is going mental. It was fun to hear them screaming (don't take that out of context) and interacting with the performances. This is not a genre I listen to and I probably won't return to it, but I still got more enjoyment out of it than I expected.
I learned a while back that just because someone is considered a legend and highly influential, doesn’t mean I have to like them. So here goes. I don’t like James Brown.
while i do like james brown studio recordings, i just can’t get into his live songs. the songs tend to be redundant and he came across as a crazy person on the stage. he tries WAY too hard. twas grating at times.
I would have really appreciated if they would have turned down the volume on the crowd. This was just awful. Just awful.
You’d have to pay me actual money to suffer thru this. I’ll give it a pity two.
Made me wanna dance on few tunes
I'm usually not a big fan of live albums and this one was no exception to that. There's no denying James Brown's legendary status but I would much rather listen to a studio album of his than a live album. I can do without the rabid fans cheering constantly.
A bit much screaming. 3
Twas ok
Nothing special. Sounds like James Brown. Probably a little shocking for the time.
Why are there so many live albums? Great songs but drowned out by audience screams
Fun, raw, unpolished but real. Made me dance.
Huge amounts of energy, great guy
Early James Brown. Not bad, gives the JB vibe but nothing really iconic on this record.
Classic
Fav song: think
Amazing performance and awesome crowd. Great album!
Good music, love his crowd work
Dá não!!!!
Not interested in live albums generally This is fine Will never ever listen to it again 2/5
The sounds isn't great the but the performance is pure heat. Incredibly tight rhythm section doing instant switches between soul ballads and funk rave ups so uptempo it sounds like they're playing on 1.5x. The horns and bass carry the songs along, with some subtle guitar counter melodies and syncopation. It's all about the the vocals though: they reach beyond his throat's breaking point becoming raw screams and then dive back to controlled crooning. The songs are mostly short RnB/pop compositions that don't develop into the deeper grooves of later 60s/70s funk. They introduce James Brown and then it's over before you know it.
James Brown has always felt punchy to me, like the band is boxing my ears. I wish they’d settle into a groove and ride it. But I think it’s a feature that would have made them a joy live. And you can hear it here, this gets an extra star for the euphoric Apollo audience. Also, the man can sing, and his band kills.
Night Train has such a deep groove! Love the screaming girls losing their minds.
Another live record? There's a lot of energy and vibe captured here, but also perhaps too much. There is a lot of screaming. A lot of unrefined energy. There's a 10 minute track of James riffing over a repetitive blues riff and hyping the crowd to scream for him - which is great if you're there but I'm not there. I'm not here for any of this. Am I going to listen to this again? NO. Do I know why this is on the list? No. It could be left off. But I could listen to it. Solid 2/5 from me.
Nr. 49/1001 Introduction NR I'll Go Crazy 4/5 Try Me 5/5 Think 3/5 I Don't Mind 4/5 Lost Someone 3/5 (2x) Medley 4/5 Night Train 3/5 Average: 3,63 Great vocal performance. Didn't love some songs
Behh
Just James brown live,he’s got a great voice and you can feel the energy but I didn’t really love it.
It's James Brown, and even though it's a more understated version of James Brown, it's still James Brown. Such energy, precision, and performance. He really was incredible. Love the cover, by the way.
Anticipated I was going to enjoy this, and I did very much. Funky!
Very raw live performance from an iconic performer at an iconic venue.
Best live album I've ever heard!
Definitely a cool sound, I was disappointed with how short this album was. Good classic R&B.
Boring
Meh. I'm guessing I would enjoy this a lot more if I could see what he was doing. I don't think his singing is that great on this album.
Was quite slow
This is great. James Brown has such a legendary voice, and the instrumentation is top notch.
Quite enjoyed it
While most of the songs don't blow me away, they sure blew away the audience. Brown and the crowd both feed off each other's energy an amazing way. Worth listening to just for the relationship between the performer and fans.
Hard to review an album that is 60 years old Pretty mid now but at the time it was probably the bees knees
Jazzy
Skilled musicianship right there. I respect a really solid live performance.
Blind album, know the artist by name. It was a fun album at times and a good listen. Fun, exciting, great dynamics as well. Wasn't my favorite but decent and I really liked the last few tracks I'd say.
Tosi nopeetemponen mut kivan yhtenäinen. Ei paljoo tuu välispiikkejä kun biisit vaa viuhuu :D Lopussa sit hidastuu huomattavasti. Sit en ehkä jaksanu nii kuunnella enää.
This is a super influential / seminal album in the history of rock and soul music. The band is tight af and Brown's voice is amazing. But would I listen to it again? Doubt it. 4 for the history.
😎
Bursts with energy from decades ago. Are you ready for star time?
Wow - it's JB so yeah, but that band is TIGHT
Probably the Most Energetic Performer The USA Has Ever Produced. Hot Funk & Cool Soul, Need I say More. The man was a Walking Fire Ball Great Album, Great Documentation of Him as a Performer & Band Leader. The Fact is, Springsteen Borrowed a lot from James Brown & Otis Redding forms live shows. But James Brown was the Master
It’s just a masterclass in how to play to an audience. James Brown was the master of showmanship. He wouldn’t have been as good as he was without having such a great backing band, but the band wouldn’t have been as good without James Brown at the helm. A lot of people are decrying the quality of the recording and the fact you can hear the audience over the performers. But… that’s the point… it’s a live album, and it’s a live album from a performer who’s biggest draw was the fact that he was the best! fucking! showman! in! existence! And that comes across in the performance even through a recording made 60 years post the fact. The fact that the audience are responding in such a raucous way is testament to the greatness of the performance. Maybe it’s a due to a difference between performance values in the early 60’s compared to now, I’m listening to Sam Cooke at the Harlem Square club writing this, and there’s a similar vibe, little to no patter between songs, little between songs at all really. But too quality bands backing a performer who just knows how to play to a crowd, how to keep them engaged, how to keep them in the palm of their hands
Great
cool
Not as good as I was expecting
Eh
Great album top to bottom. The man has energy.
Pretty good
A classic album that I honestly expected to like a lot more than I did. James Brown is a legendary performer, but I don't think this was him at his best!
Great range in voice, but this was a very boring listen.
good live jazz album. probably wouldn’t add any of the songs to my playlists but would definitely listen to the album as a whole again!
Compared to his studio albums, this isn’t my favorite collection. But it’s still James brown so pretty legit.
мех
It's okay, but rather boring
I've never been big into James Brown's music. Maybe what ruins it for me is knowing what a wacko, and abusive SOB he was off-stage. Though I try to seperate the artist from the art, it's hard when a man's act centers around being a showman, but he's responsible for a lot of misery in people's livs. The music is forgetable, and James Brown sucks as a person.
Interesting album of some early James and the magic is still there. The bit where he’s away from the mic singing “I’m weak” before coming back is awesome (3.5/5)
This album sounds very dated. Much of it seems like a holdover from the 50s. I’d like to think I like James Brown but I don’t really know.
i love this album. his jazz was very relaxing to listen too. i don’t usually tend to listen to jazz however this album was very fine. not too long but not too short.
Great early set by James Brown. You hve to love hearing interactions with the crowd though.
People yelling at a concert.
James Brown performances are always next level and his band is wonderful, flawless and groovy.
Extremely tight and satisfying playing. Great band, but I do prefer James Brown when the cuts are built upon and extended, like Lost Someone and the Medley
Hyvän fiiliksen settii! Kuuntelin saunassa ja toimi :)
No me imagino lo mal que la pasaron las personas que estuvieron adelante de los parlantes escuchando por más de media hora los gritos de este flaco.
Aburrido
You can feel a lot of history in this album. This is the set up to a lot of classic rock and pop. I wouldn’t have this on repeat today but this definitely contributed to a lot of what we have today in the modern music.
Not something i’d listen to in my free time but you can’t deny it’s an electric performance. The tracks Try Me and I’ll Go Crazy really encapsulate this albums tantalizing mix of RnB and Soul.
Personally not my style. Enjoyed some of the moments throughout
Fun!!!! Some really amazing songs but I was thrown by a minute album having a 10 minute tune on it.
So good. The live aspect helps to out job into perspective. Lots of fun.
Excellent
Typically not a fan of live albums. Music is solid, but vocals/screeching are not my favorite, and the crowd noise/screams is/are distracting. Largely repetitive as well. Fav tracks: N/A
From listening to this, I can't work out what all the fuss was about. I know he was known as the godfather of soul music, but this, nah. It was followed on YouTube by Get Up Offa That Thing. Now that was more like it, but that is more funk than soul, and we all know that George Clinton was Godfather to that. All in all not for me, very low 2
Don’t know much of James Browns work before he became a sex machine. So I quite enjoyed listening to this early version of him. Great voice and arrangements. Liked it 👍
Feel dreadful with a cold. Needed something neutral. This was neutral, but shit in a nice way. So I'll just give it a 1.
The tracks themselves are good, but the audience detracted from the music.
Like it!
一般般
Not bad. Put it on at a party
Did he say he was the hardest working? I mean I listened to it and was jammin but that’s a hell of a nickname to give yourself
J'ai bien aimé Night Train et le medley, mais y'a pas eu d'énorme click sur ce concert.
Un bon live punchy, sauvegardé pour réécoute
Fun, yeah, yeyyeeayaahhh. Can't get over the extreme panning on old albums.
While the crowd noise was distracting at times, this was a really fun live album. James Brown kills it on the vocals. Every song has its own vibe but the whole set has a consistent aesthetic at the same time. Just great vibes from start to finish.
Not a lot here that I've heard before but James brown is James brown iconic sound. Very short for a live event. It is 60 years old
Screaming in audience do not add anything whatsoever. He's got a great voice and by the sounds of things is a great performer. Not a fan of the music tho. Probably like a 3/10 for me
Don’t usually listen to this genre or era of music but thought it was fantastic. Dudes voice wails!!
definitely not my thing
All time classic.
soulllll brudda make girls scream brudda
This was okay. Didn’t enjoy this live album as much as the Sarah Vaughan record. 2.5/5
i liked it. thought it would be better, but it was still very good.
I wish I could've seen this live. This album is a lot of fun, especially the call-and-response scream thing on Lost Someone. Favorite(s): I'll Go Crazy, Try Me, Think, Lost Someone, Medley
Nah
One of those "it must have been amazing" live recordings. I'm sure I don't have anything meaningful to add to the critiques of James Brown.
I enjoyed listening to this one because it was funky and I could feel the energy of the crowd. Good stuff. Three stars.
I never really fully understood James Brown until I listen to this live album. I get it now. He was a true showman.
I really enjoyed this album. I thought that James brown was definitely active with his audience when he was singing and he had is own little kick to the song! 4/5
Never listened to James Brown before but really enjoyed this album
classic and worth the time. Play it Loud.
A live album of songs I’ve never heard before - poor thing never stood a chance
Not a fan of live albums with screaming from fans throughout. Very soulful singing. The instrumental bridges are interesting and definitely only a live event thing. The focus was definitely on the slower song of Lost Someone, and then speeding up again for the last two songs.
Can a live album be better than the sum of the studio songs? Yes. This album is not. The crowd work is extensive-- voices are loudly heard instructing the crowd to shout and, worse, this is needed! Call and responses, or at least the capture thereof, are lack luster yet extensive crosstalk comes through everywhere else on the recording. Unprompted shouts don't seem to be related to particularly impressive or energetic moments in the song-- perhaps a visual of the stage would be needed to "feel" these moments along with the crowd. Listening to this album is simply an exercise in awkwardness. It comes off like he's a b-rate opener pleading with the crowd to pay attention.
Yeah cool n stuff but really not my cup of tea
3,5
Love James Brown but just don't love the lice album aspect of it.
Great fun to listen to. Live albums can be really hit or miss, but this one benefits from being a tight 30 minutes with no fat on it. The 10 minute song that takes up a big portion of the album is great, his back and forth with the crowd takes what could've been a repetitive song into a fun experience that slowly builds over time before exploding into the medley after it. His vocals are insane too, some of the screams are almost inhuman.
Love James Brown, this is a cool slice of history but not great listening.
James brown, can’t go wrong
- Some live jazz, as we usually get - As usual, great background music, but nothing I would go back to - Appreciate the short length tho
- fantastic voice - clearly has the crowd in his fingertips - enjoyable
Try me. Solid music
very cool and movement
Hard not to get swept up in the incredible energy of this
This album hits pretty good if you know what I’m saying. It sure does pack a big punch for such a little package if you’re picking up what I’m dropping down. It’s like a lead pipe to the head if you feel me.
I wanted to love this, but it was too repetitive I’ve feel. Felt like great music to get ready for date night to, but that was it.
This was a pleasant surprise after only knowing 80’s cocaine James Brown
This is an energetic live album. I really enjoyed it, and James Brown is just a blast. Sound quality might not be the best but it was fun.
Love the hardest working man in showbiz but not many hits in this show, kinda short, some audio issues.
Un James Brown absolument bouillant, la voix puissante et pas nasale pour un sous, les narines de notre ami étant remplies de cocaïne. Irrésistible.
Ce gros baiseur de James Brown vient mettre le feu à toutes les culottes du Apollo sur cet album.
The hardest working man in show business is what they called James Brown. I can see why. I'm usually not a huge fan when the audience is super loud in live recordings. It takes away from the music. But it kind of works for this album. Because they go crazy at the start of every single song. The people in that audience loved him. His stage presence and voice had a very commanding energy, so he really had the audience in the palm of his hand. I love Brown's voice, and I think for '62, this album sounds amazing. It was recorded excellently for a live environment back then. But I'm not as big of a fan of some of the musical content. I like the more upbeat tracks like I'll Go Crazy or Night Train, but the tracks that tone it down a little bit more just aren't super memorable. Usually I get excited when I see a song like Lost Someone that has a length of 8 minutes or more. But this particular song doesn't really do much in 10 minutes. It is kind of the same thing repeated. None of these songs are bad, and they don't take away from the quality of the record. They just don't do it for me. But if I were basing this review purely on whether this is a good live Soul record, this would be a great introduction to James Brown.
The highlight of this album came when farting during a trumpet interlude of one of the songs. Very largely forgettable otherwise
Its hard not to appreciate the showmanship of James Brown however this did absolutely nothing to cure my disdain for live albums, if it were to be subtitled 80% of the text would be 'inaudible chatter' occasionally interspersed with a cacophony of felines at the wailing wall during one of the slowest half hours of my life
Thank you to James for only making this half an hour long
It was dull. No real form or substance. Certainly something that would have worked if you could see him on stage.
I understand that this man basically created the genre and greatly respect his artistry, but it simply isn't for me. Throughout the entirety of what was a challenging Thursday morning listen on my way to the office, I found myself hoping ever more strongly against hope that, somehow, an earlier version of his bombastic 80s hit "Living in America" featured on the album. To my horror, I was instead met with a ten-minute long song without any real variety to its structure which set me up very poorly for the long day ahead. It gets docked a star for the all-too-audible wails from the live crowd in the studio, and then another for Brown being a prolific wife beater.
Yesterday I listened to the Alice In Chains unplugged for fun, so this has the bar set very high right after listening to one of the best live albums of all time. Recording quality is good, but the crowd can be very annoying. The vocals are really good, and instrumentation is good. You can very much tell this was an early 60s album. Overall not my thing, but I cannot deny the talent displayed on this album. That said, I probably wont listen again. I almost feel bad rating it this low, but the crowds constantly screeching ruins the album for me. 4/10.
I had to listen to the twice; the atmosphere is electric. It's a really good quality recording that puts me right there in the audience. And what a voice! Favourite tracks: Try Me, I Don't Mind.
It's James Brown at the beginning of his career. Full of vigor and power. He was 29 in 1962 and had girls screaming at him everywhere he was. Deservedly. Great one this.
Great album, screaming in the background wears on me
Older vibe. Great music just not one I can fully appreciate. The combination between rock and jazz is very on brand for the time. Definitely a lot more rock/jazzy style and has a lot of similarities to music nowadays. Clearly a massive inspiration
Good fun, entertaining live aspect, not the best James Brown imo
I am a sucker for about any live album. Love how young James Brown sounds on this recording.
Good mix of jazz/blues/rock. James Brown is an impressive live performer.
Not my thing at all, impressive vocals.
very good
Big similarity to Janis Joplin.
Some 5 star stuff here. Mostly 5 star. It’s just so much to take in you need an entire weekend
Mix was off but it’s early 60’s but can live with it. His band were killer. Awesome performance by the hardest working man in showbiz.
Good vibes. Hard not to bop along to the music and James Browns voice is iconic.
Introduction makes me feel like im in some old theater, than the music starts and you just feel like dancing. The way he can control the crowd at times is one of his best tricks, makes for a very interesting tension in the music. Great voice, great instrumentals like the trumpet parts. Some tracks feel a little simple to me, but are still very fun to listen to! Great record, just not really my personal tastes. A lot of soul and a lot of grove, but also not afraid to take things a little slower. This albums just showcases what a great performer he was. 7/10
So much fun. I forgot how exciting James Brown was.
Strong 3 - Light 4
A pleasant live album, not particularly ground-breaking, but works just fine as background music 3,5/5
Słuchając miałem wrażenie że już kiedyś słyszałem dany riff czy linię melodyczną. Widać był bardzo wpływowy na resztę muzyki i na nagraniu wyraźnie słychać, że lubiany przez młode damy :)
This album showcases James Brown's live performances. People have tried to match his energy and showmanship for years. That being said, I don't recognize any of these songs, this is not a greatest hits show, this is early in his career. It was good.
It was okay, I respect James Brown's work a lot, but I don't think I really want to listen to it very much. That said, I would not be upset to listen to it again. All in all, would listen to it again.
truly one of a kind. Energy is unmatched
High energy, super sexy, no wonder the boomers had so many kids
First listen Saved 2/8 Top track: I'll Go Crazy
Great Live Album with good quality.
I don't normally agree with live albums being on here, but this one is an exception. There's such energy on here, and the recording is great. James Brown sounds like he has the crowd eating out of his hands. I'm not very familiar with his work, so this serves as a good "Greatest Hits" of his early period as far as I can see.
Good stuff but still prefer the funky coked out madness of the 70s
"IT'S STAR TIME!!" James Brown is timeless. Unfortunately, the most memorable moments on this album aren't even from Brown himself. The woman yelling "YOU!" on Lost Someone is the best part of that entire 10 minute cut.
Very jazzy album. Really enjoyed listening to it and it spiced up my day despite not being my normal kind of listen.
Awesome. The crowd brought the performance to life.
Again - live albums should not be on the list. This isn't 1001 performances you should have been to. I'm sure JB put on a hell of a show that night. The crowd seemed into it, and I would have loved to have been there. But, as an album, it poor audio quality and I just feel like I'm missing the real show (which is not his vocals).
Amazing album, a young James Brown in his prime
Very good!
Not my cup of tea musically, but I can still appreciate the power of JB's voice and the tightness of the backing band. I didn't find the crowd noises to be distracting and the whole thing was atmospheric enough to get 3-stars for the talent, even if I didn't really enjoy it.
So funky and a good atmosphere
Every great concert you've ever seen is a pale attempt at recreating the energy that James Brown had when he performed. This live record is fantastic but also misses on that energy, but that's not the record's fault for not being able to encapsulate a four dimension experience on to a three dimension piece of media that yields an aural sound. 4/5
Not a fan of live albums, but heard James Brown could really pull them off. Maybe he could in person, but it doesn’t translate on the album as some other artists are able to. It’s not the worst live album, but a live album nonetheless. 2/5
Seems like a really talented guy. The band was pretty tight! But not something I would add to a playlist.
I think the big highlight of this is the liveliness of the crowd and it feeling intimate. The energy the artists bring this from a good, to a great lovely short and exciting listen.
It's James Brown live 🔥🔥🔥
I like James brown, but hate live albums
Great music, worth a vinyl purchase. 4/5
It was alright, but there was just a lot of screaming and cheering by the end that was just not interesting to listen to.
Not my favorite James Brown record. Ended up putting on Sex Machine instead.
Lots of fun! Put a smile on my face during a bad day.
Gritty live recording. It feels as if you were there. Record itself is short, but captures James Brown's essence.
Some cool soul here, also some screaming girls that ruin the vibe.
Pretty good
Last James Brown album we had, I remember thinking (and maybe writing) that it would've been better live. Now that we're here, I find that it didn't do as much as I hoped. The fangirls shouting is more annoying than anything, and the songs are just drags on more than a regular album. James is undeniably at least as good a singer live as he is on the album, but other than that that there's nothing that stands out here. I seriously don't understand why this live album, if you had to pick any, ended up on this list.
I dunno, this was just a forgettable live album for me. Not much more to say honestly. 2 feels a bit harsh since it wasn't bad it just didn't do anything for me.
It automatically gets a lower rating because of the background noises. It's tiring...
Yeah... live album. I like James Brown but do we had to get concert album with audience? I don't know what is the deal with things like that. It is both worse than live event and worse than studio album. It could be 5 just because voice of James Brown and great, energetic music but it gets -1 for live version
Brutal disco de soul sinceramente
Real star power, great audience energy. Not great recording quality, though, and pretty short.
Groovy, but not really memorable.
The sound quality for a 63 live album blew me away, liked his energy and his voice was superb, musically not so strong an album for me
Sounds like it would have been fun to be there.
Great album. Masterful
Captures the energy and intensity of peak James Brown.
Concert sounds electric feels like i was there
Enjoyed
Really interesting to hear James Brown from such an early point of his career. I didn't particularly know any of the songs but he still comes through as the performer everyone knows him to be. I think this is just before he skyrocketed to the very top with some of his singles. An interesting point in music history
Great live album from The Godfather of Soul
Great vocals. Love some of the interaction with the audience. Surprised by how crisp the audio quality is. The extended jams don’t totally land for me, but the band is really tight. My favorite part might be the album cover lol Best song: Please Please Please Medley
4 stars instead of 5 because this is a short album. Otherwise it’s 5 stars always for JB.
no live recorded audience has ever been hornier
I enjoy James Brown, but was unfamiliar with everything on this album, likely because this was relatively early in his career. Unsurprisingly, I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic blend of doo-wop-inflected R&B and soul. And given the profusion of long-winded albums chock full of overlong tracks that we've gotten over the year we've been doing this, I never thought I'd say this: this album was too short. I don't need 90 minutes of Todd Rundgren, but I'd like more than 30 minutes of James Brown.
This has got to be one of the greatest live performances ever recorded. It's top-notch funky soulful James Brown.
Couldn't finish. Songs sounded the same. Repetitive.
Мужик орет знатно
Насколько же легко проносится эта музыка... и насколько же она круче звучала бы, если бы её отреставрировали и пересвели. Нет, конечно, это добавляет определённого "лампового" оттенка и подчёркивает время создания записи. Но... ну... не знаю, мне показалось, что левый канал например сильно перегружен. Но как же парень чувствует... иногда даже чересчур. Когда его вокал срывается в крик - иногда становится некомфортно. Я понимаю, да, это эмоция, проникновение в душу, все дела, но чувак, давай ты не будешь долбиться в мои уши, чтобы достигнуть моей души? Он классный. Но звучит плохо.
Bangs through a whole lot of tune after tune after tune before taking it right down for an epic slice of soul. Band is perfectly in step, really well recorded, voice is at his early best, great crowd work, and you can't quite believe it's all over in just half an hour. More please!
Okay! Try Me just came on. Such a pretty song. I really love blues! I liked the energy in this album. 4 stars.
Absurdly theatrical - this was clearly an event to see, not to listen to. Musically, it's not much to remember. A really good rythym section and horns, but vocals are too busy with histrionics and playing to the audience to be bothered with melody.
I dislike Live albums, but this one wasn’t too bad.
Hell yeah King of the Apollo, Hardest Working Man in Show Business rips off the roof and renames it the House of James. This album’s really short! But listen to the famously tough Apollo crowd melt in his presence, and you’ll be wanting more too.
Simpatico e coinvolgente
The version I got was so short
Scream it James!
As is evident from the crowd reaction on this live album, James Brown was one hell of a showman. His band is airtight and when told to scream everyone at the Apollo joins in. Fortunately that’s quite fun being a part of - even from your own living room! But - and there’s a big but… James Brown, the singer not the showman, might just be among the most overrated in history. His voice is generally okay, but his shouting and screams, his signature, are nothing but average at best. Sue me.
Did the first half of this album with my daughter. I’m not sure it lands with a 13-yo, but it’s clear why James Brown was the man.
Feel like I am supposed to have liked this one more
This genre I'm supposed to like, but idk, it sounded meh.
Well, it's a live album, and you should know by now how I feel about live albums being on the list.
Not what i expected. Very hip, soulful, bluesy and electric energy. Enjoyed it from start to finish. James Brown is very dynamic in this set.
Eh
Waaaaah!
I didn't care for this, but it was over quickly enough.
I get this was big at its time. It was a bit too tame for me. Crazy to hear those 1960s screams
I've doubted the inclusion of live albums here but this is great. It has so much energy from band and crowd - you can hear the crowd's desperate anticipation and the way James milks it just long enough. It's also cool to hear something earlier from his career that I was less familiar with.
Not bed
I'm not normally a big fan of live albums but this is certainly an exception. It's definitely the best way to experience James Brown. What a performer. There's not a note (or scream from the audience) that's out of place here. The second half is surprisingly calm but still performed flawlessly.
Levde ikke opp til forventningene, som var skyhøye
Few people ever have or will embody the definition of “performer” like James Brown.
First Album Encounter with The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, and he did not disappoint.
Not really my style but pretty fun.
Electric and soulful. James Brown has an excellent voice when he broke on the scene, but I think I liked it more when it matured. The mastering isn’t fantastic on this and the fidelity is lacking, but the music is fun.
Brilliant
OK but I much prefer the later hard-funk stuff.
This is gay Score: 40 Art: 100 Fantastic album art
Oh, what it would have been like to be a screaming girl at the James Brown show. Pretty early in his career, can definitely hear his talent and ability to hype up his audience.
Song great songs and singing
Funky
Man I bet he would have been great to see live
James Brown is one of the titans of American music, just immense. But this kinda ain't it. The sound quality kinda saps the energy, making this somehow sleepy. A touch too much screeching, both from JB and the crowd. Just a forgettable experience from one of music's most unforgettable acts.
I've never actually listened to a full james brown album before so it's weird having a live album as an introduction. I liked it tho which makes sence considering most of the artist I like are heavily influenced by him
I didn't quite like it as much as I felt I should, though I do suspect that if I were there live it would have been much more enjoyable. I thought the tracks meandered a lot. Standout track: I'll Go Crazy
szkoda, że koncertówka
More of a soul/R&B James Brown, before he got funky.
Nice
Not good not bad, fun live music, James Brown was a baller
I've never really given James Brown a listen other than his biggest commercial hits but I totally get how he gets his nicknames. This is one of the better live albums I've listened to. The band is unbelievably tight and clean and James Brown is a powerhouse. Favorite Song - Try Me Least Favorite Song - Lost Someone One of the reasons I am not super into live albums is the crowd and this song had a lot of crowd work towards the end that dragged on a little but the transition into the medley is great. No Skip Album? - Yes
2.5
A poor effort from James
heart heart heart
very good early JB. I prefer 1968+ but this was good
The ”Godfather of Soul” showcases his unparalleled stage presence, dynamic energy, and undeniable talent on this live record. The album bursts open with "I'll Go Crazy," immediately hitting you with infectious rhythms, impassioned vocals, and tight, groove-laden instrumentation. The band, including the renowned Flames, is exceptionally tight, providing the perfect backdrop for Brown's electrifying performance. Brown's voice transitions between smooth crooning and fiery, gospel-inspired shouts, showcasing his vocal range and versatility. His ability to command the stage and captivate the audience is quite something, as he effortlessly weaves through hits like "Try Me," "Lost Someone," and "Please, Please, Please." The sheer power and emotion in his delivery are unparalleled, showing why he was regarded as one of the greatest live performers of all time. The album's defining moment in my opinion is the extended rendition of "Lost Someone." Clocking in at over ten minutes, the song is an emotional tour de force, with Brown pouring his heart and soul into every note. His improvised interplay with the audience, the intensity of his screams, and the unrelenting groove of the band create an atmosphere that is both intimate and explosive. This is a great example of a good live album, capturing the rawness and spontaneity of a live performance, with the audience's enthusiastic participation adding an extra layer of excitement. Brown's ability to connect with the crowd is undeniable, as the cheers, screams, and call-and-response interactions amplify the electrifying atmosphere of the Apollo Theater. This one is a testament to Brown’s skill on the stage and I heavily recommend it to anyone looking for a good live album experience.
Meh