Reviews (page 9 of 14)
2.75 This seems more like a "you had to be there" type of thing than a must hear album.
Soulful shit but nowhere near the peak of my man JB (don't call him that)
banger også
Great performer.
I can't believe that people went to his concerts just to listen to some mediocre R&B for 30 minutes and go home
overall pretty enjoyable, just don’t think i’ll replay it often
Surprisingly short album, but it still packs a punch. Love the instrumental bridges, they really work to psych you up for the next song.
Fun, loud, and very raucous. The songs were all very fun, but I found myself getting a little bored in the longer medleys. All in all a good short listen. Top tracks: I'll Go Crazy, Try Me, Think
This stirs the argument again of whether live albums should be included on this list. This one has a a bit too much whooping and hollowing for my liking which detracts from the actual merit of the music. James Brown is a well loved and respected musician and rightly given the title Godfather of Soul. That said he has never made an impression on my musical taste buds. I admire this album from afar but like James Brown himself and despite his exceptional talent, does nothing for me. 2/5 12/10/24
I guess you had to be there
Short and sweet,bit of a cash in
Can see why he was so popular
Fantastic vocals, great band, and a well constructed set, but this is my least favourite of the live recorded albums I've had so far. James Brown is obviously excellent at audience interaction, it sounded like they were having a blast, but all the screaming is not my cup of tea. Compared to other live recordings from the same era, I think the recording quality could have been better.
Solid live album. I like the album art.
Just okay. I thought I would like it more.
Soul Brother # 1, James Brown! Classic. Soul
gut
Not bad Very soulful but I want my JB funky
wow, what an energy! he certainly could move his audience...
Where are the hits? This was a ton of band hits with some same sounding signs in between.
Enjoyable enough
Not that into James Brown in general. Can only listening to so many shrieks before it gets repetitive. The band is top notch though. 2.5/5 Stars
I hadn't really realized that before James Brown invented funk he was a pretty decent r&b singer. This is from that period and pretty standard of the genre although in the second half the atmosphere gets more loose and meandering and theatrical and you can kind of see what direction Brown might be heading in. I am not entirely sure if it works as an album per se, but that's largely due to my slight aversion to live albums. When the trade off is between the energy of a live recording and the care and attention to detail of a studio version, I usually prefer the latter but, to be honest, this might be one of those instances where it could be argued that it would have been impossible to create this kind of electricity in the studio.
1963. On first listen, I thought “Great, it’s like Sandlot music.” Undoubtedly talented, but I still huffed and puffed at the generic “60s” do-op sound. Then, I got to the backend of the album and the track “Lost Someone” just hit me. And it carried on and on. And the following tracks ran with that soulful energy and kept me close. This is another time and place album, which would have been a blast to see live, although I don’t think I’d ever sing along. Still, the horns and bass on those final tracks give this album a bit more shine than I originally would have scored it. So this is James Brown. Favorite track: Lost Someone
Beautiful start to finish
Lidt for kort desværre
I used to live right by the Apollo so this was a special treat and took me back to a different time. Not something I would listen to again, but a fun experience.
It’s James Freaking Brown! Of course it’s good.
I prefer James Brown's funkier stuff and find it hard to appreciate a live album. Still, the influence he's had on artists over decades is apparent here.
Quite fun. 3.5 if I could, but I really enjoy these old rock albums. Except Elvis.
Good, but short album. A bit upbeat for me, though I enjoyed it.
4/5
Fun but I wanted to like it more than I did.
Not really my thing
This one could not grab me unfortunately. I think some of the energy is lost in me, due to all the background cheering and live noises.
Too much screaming for my brain to handle. Still impressed with the quality of his voice for an old live recording.
Mid
I felt good listening to this. Great live
Great background album - it's classic James Brown. It must have been super fun live.
Highlights: I Don't Mind, Lost Someone. In a nutshell: Daaaaammmmmmn! James is turning it on here! And the band is hot to go. Everyone seamlessly transitions between songs. This would have been amazing to see live. Overall: 6/10
Not a fan. Not my style but kinda ok.
Not really something I usually listen to but for a live album, this one is good. You can definitely feel the energy and stage presence of Brown in this album. It’s electrifying.
this was okay, pretty short with a long song
Good live R&B album, not the best recording but a great performance
Another great live album. I don't usually listen to live albums much as they can be hit or miss. This is very much a hit.
I know he's a legend, I know it's probably blasphemy, but I just didn't enjoy listening to this. Honestly was a bit bored. 8 tracks and one of those is an introduction to the album/band. None of his big big hits. Don't see what is so special about this really.
james brown has of course always been invoked as an influence for literally everybody…but i’ve never actually listened to him properly! so this was an exciting opportunity. you can feel the fervor of the crowd in his presence, that great tight-throated style of singing that he has, everyone screaming in response. my only complaint is that all of the songs felt weirdly short?? every time i felt like i was really getting into the groove of each song it would just stop abruptly. considering he was known for the duration of his live shows i was a little surprised by that ngl. i wanna DANCE, goddammit! give me more!!!!
I feel like I could really hear the source of so much rock music in this album. People often talk about the impact of soul and black artists on rock n' roll and I feel like this performance really made me understand that connection deeper. The live albums we've heard so far have a really palpable energy between the performer and audience that I really appreciate too. I like how even through a recording, you can feel that they were feeding off of each other.
It's James Brown, so it's good, though I prefer some of his more dynamic songs
Now that's a proper live album!
So this is very enjoyable, but I disagree on principle with live albums being in here.
Would be awesome to have been there, but weird listening to recorded concerts like this
185/1001 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
It’s a good live hype album. Lost Someone seems to be a song that was an experience live, but I didn’t get absorbed by the recording. It’s essentially the same blues progression with no changes for 11 minutes with 30 seconds between verses by Brown. I’m glad I finally listened to this album, but don’t think I’ll revisit it. 3/5
Quite ok, but I think you must have been there
I’m starting to feel like Bruno mars took some inspiration from him
Nice. Not amazing
7.5/10. :) The vocals on this album are great. I loved hearing the excited audience in the background. :)
jimmy sang and hes got the groove and stuff his only 1001 representation really is just a live album huh
3- Stars (7/15)
brown and his band blow through the A side with a bunch of songs less than 3 (sometimes less than 2!) minutes like a proto-grindcore band, and when slowing things down for a couple lengthy cuts in the second half the crowd is eating out of his hand. just an absolutely electric display of showmanship with one of the best voices ever on a Human Being...place-taking and exhilarating to this day. could have listened to way more of this, but the short runtime is also part of its power i suppose...and rly its just proof i need to listen to the double LP Volume II!
A live album of an artist I don't like with a boring 10 minute track in the middle. At least it was a short album.
Just loads of fun at a breakneck pace. I got a little bored during 10 minutes of Lost Someone. The Night Train is the main memorable song, a banger, the rest is a good time, can't complain.
Great live show, hella energy, audience reactions are very entertaining and the transitions are fantastic. Would love to revisit
Loved it. Easy listening and went by quick. Didn’t even noticed when the album started over
Oozing soul. Absolutely energetic performance by Mr. Brown.
Not my favorite JB era but still amazing.
Although I respect James Brown, I rarely listen to his recordings because I'm almost never in the mood for up-tempo dance music and shouting. Surprisingly, there were some nice slow burners on here. The mix left something to be desired with vocals primarily in my right ear and random instruments occasionally jumping out too far. And of course crowd noise. Overall, though, I enjoyed it and feel it is a valuable piece of music history.
I like the introduction, there's a lot of energy to it. I don't usually like live albums because the crowd seems distracting, but I'm trying to look past that here. It's not really my style of music but the brass is really good. I wish I knew more about this time in music history so I could have more of an appreciation for this album, because it's clearly really influential and well produced. I just don't have the context to share the appreciation it had in it's time.
Fire af, Back to the future type shi
What live performance!
what makes this record phenomenal is that it captures in a bottle what makes james brown special. his studio recordings are great, but what sets him apart from everyone else is his high octane performances, his charisma, his vocal chops. he is wailing all over this thing and it is so damn impressive. i don't know how you could listen to this and not be floored. a live album of the greatest stage performer of all time, what could it be other than pure, distilled energy?
sooooooooo boring
I am pretty sure James Brown Live in 1963 would have been worthy of 5 stars and this album gives you a good sense of that. 5 stars or A for me.
This was a pleasure to listen to. This crowd was super excited to listen to The Godfather, and so was I. 4
C'MON TAKE ME TO THE BRIDGE It's James Brown. You know what you're getting with James Brown already don't you?
For being live and Jazz, I actually didn't mind it. Was a pretty groovy album to listen to. None of the songs were "add to daily mixable", but it was still good.
It was almost over before it even started. Wow - James Brown and his musicians were just on fire. Very enjoyable
3/5
Very energetic performances of covers and James Brown tunes. Definitely worth a listen if you are only familiar with the hits like I was before listening to this album.
Too short ! Really enjoyed, not much notes, it’s just really good. I like hearing the crowd! Highlights: (all of it?) - I’ll go crazy - I don’t mind - Lost someone - Please x3 / You’ve got the power
I went into this album expecting a 2 star record and I have to say I wasn’t swayed from that assessment. Live albums and I have a hard history together. I can probably count on 1 hand thee amount of LIVE ALBUMS I enjoy (two of which are by Nirvana) This record is 8 tracks. 1 which is basically an intro. So that’s 7 songs of music and they fair pretty average to poor. Best track is “Try Me” which has a sorta “Earth Angel” feel. It also doesn’t have an over bearing James Brown voice. “I Don’t Mind” is another good slow jam The biggest issue with this Live record Is the mixing of Mr. Browns vocals. They are way too loud in the mix. When he gets Screaming and yelling it almost hurts the ears. Obviously he has a powerful voice but sometimes less is more. The crowd is very loud as well. They have those Beatlemania type girl screams (without the great songs to back it up) Now this album could have been saved by a decent live album of some late 50s early 60s style of music but is let down by the 10 and half minute dirge that is “Lost Someone”. “Lost Someone” is a nothing song and I swear is only here to increase run time of this concert. This track might have been a nice fun slow jam Live, and if you were at the show this probably was amazing to see in person. However on an album it’s nothing spectacular and goes on far too long. It’s a perfect mixture of James Browns screeches and the audience doing the same, YES it’s all TOO MUCH (make sure volume isn’t up all the way) If Living in America is like this with James Brown then Kick me out of the Apollo Theatre and let me be like Apollo Creed after Drago knocked the life out of him 2/5 My Star Rating 1* - Not Good 2* - Has Merit 3* - Would listen again, Pretty good 4* - like it/ Love it 5* - Love It & is for Sure a Classic album
I wasn't a fan. I get that he was an important artist and paved the way for soul music, but it's not for me. Hoping one of his studio albums will change my mind.
OK
James Brown, the legend, the creator of Funk, here in the early 60's, still as a Soul, R&B and Rock n' Roll singer whose fame was at an all time high and decided to release the live show from the Apollo theatre as an album which became his best known and most influential album. David Bowie quoted it as one of his all time albums and many other artists said that it was highly influential to them and their music. The album is full of passionate vocal deliveries and wonderful energetic instrumental performances. The album is an absolute beast in what it does and stands as one of the best albums of that year and the whole early 60's. The 'Introduction and Theme' starts the albums tone with an introduction that hypes up James Brown and his band plays a fanfare to bridge the way into the first song. It is just an interlude but it does its job very well and really hypes the whole thing up with an energetic and groovy melody. Especially the end is just incredible. 'I'll Go Crazy' really starts the whole thing with James showing how great he can sing and it's then followed by an energetic and very dancable song in typical Soul and R&B style that really suits James Brown's incredible performance. The song is just simply incredible although I wish that it'd go on for a little longer. The Doo-Wop example that 'Try Me' really gets a more sentimental tone into the album and Brown still delivers with his vocals as does the brass band and the backing vocals. It's a joyful but slower song nearly feeling like a Waltz. It's beautiful and an incredible song followed up by a short instrumental bridge towards the end. The fast rhythm section that feels very Jazzy which is featured on 'Think' really carries the song which feels much more reliant on the instruments than on the vocals. The result isn't as great as a couple of previous songs but it's still really good, great even. And again, an instrumental bridge in the end. 'I Don't Mind' is pretty much a mix of the styles heard so far. It's a little slower but has incredible vocals in a very Soul sounding style but also a couple of melodic and dynamic changes throughout. It's another pretty awesome song but it again feels a little less like it can hold up to the standard that has been set so far. Really good song but sadly with not enough strength that would really make me love it. And another short bridge towards the end that flows into the next song. The song 'Lost Someone' was actually split into two parts on the original vinyl release because it is a staggering 10 minutes long which is even crazier when the longest song so far 2.5 minutes long. Although this seems like it'd go totally wrong with the length of it, the song actually keeps very steady throughout and doesn't really go down in quality or keeping the listener interested. The vocals are great, the melody is great and it builds tension. It does feel a little bit over the top and even a little dragged around halfway through but it picks up again after a while. The song transitions into another quite lengthy track. The 'Medley' which consists of 9 different song that were put together into one 7 minute masterpiece of Soul, R&B, Jazz and even a little early form Funk. Because it plays with so many different songs and melodies in one, the song is interesting and amazing the whole way through. I absolutely love it and all the little changes and songs throughout. Every hook, every chorus is just simply perfect. All that means that the whole song is perfect. The album closes with the thematically fitting 'Night Train' which is easily the most Rock n' Roll sounding song on the album. It's still very much R&B and Soul but the guitar playing and the drums are very reminiscent of early Rock n' Roll. The song keeps it steady, neither really crazy nor with a slower tone and just finishes the album perfectly even if the song itself might've needed a little improvements around the edges to make it more interesting throughout. favourites: Medley, I'll Go Crazy, Try Me, Think, Lost Someone least favourites: I Don't Mind Rating: decent to strong 8 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes
If it had less of the crowd screaming it would be even better - 3.5 rounded up
Phew! An American treasure doing what he does best, entertain!
Quintessential James Brown. Live albums are always interesting. Trying to pick up on the energy present but sadly it just felt like I was too distant.
só a abertura vale umas 4 estrelas .
A fantastic album with a unique sound. I absolutely LOVE IT!!! The energy just bursts out of the speakers. 'Try Me' and 'I'll Go Crazy' are my favorite tracks. The audience was amazing and played a big part in giving the album its vibrant vibe. It’s a great live album, but to me, not necessarily a great album overall.
Meh. 2. Its a fast listen but still a bit of a slog. I wish I could relate to those folks swooning and fainting when he sung, b.c. I just felt neutral. He walked so Beyonce and Mnek could run though.
This rocks
I don't know any of these songs, it's such a weird experience listening to live versions of songs you don't know but holy fuck Brown was a phenomenal performer. This is the most fun I've had listening to music in so long it is a must-listen genuinely.
Really fun album, the beginning really gets you hyped and it just keeps on going. Reminds me of the time I was lucky enough to see him when he was supporting the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Hyde Park.
James Brown is always fun to listen to.
"King of Soul", "the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business", "Minister of New Super Heavy Funk", "Godfather of Soul", "Mr. Dynamite", & "Soul Brother No. 1”…yep!
Definitely a fun listen. I enjoyed him doing a little bit of crowd work and the medley was cool. Album goes by quick!
The blueprint
No denying his greatness
This is the sound of star power. An essential soul record and one of the best live albums ever recorded. All hail James Brown, the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business and Godfather of Soul.
This album is basically what this list is for. James Brown is an absolute legend. But the band, oh that band. Five Stars!
high energy James Brown
Not for me
I normally don't go for many live albums (preferring the studio versions of songs) but I like the way this has the Intro and the asides as part of the act. James was one of the greatest showmen ever and it comes across in this record. This doesn't really have a whole load of hits but that doesn't matter. This guy is the business.
*crowd screaming intensifies*
I can only imagine what seeing him live was like. Great album.
Soul, Rhythm and Blues. God there's so much energy and passion behind these performances. A master of the crowd, just an amazing thing to hear. Live albums like this are so much fun. 4/5
God bless James Brown! One of a kind. Saw this badass back in the early 90’s, on Seattle’s downtown waterfront. A bit long in the tooth by then, but still managed to light it up like it was 1968! This album I own, and gets in the rotation on a regular basis. I love him and miss him!
This is a freight train of energy, as to be expected. Like stepping back in time.
VERY short album. The live concert audio was not great. Always a showman
Definitely seems like a classic of the genre. Just not my favorite genre. 3/5
It feels like I have listened to many "Live at ..." albums in throughout this list. Each time they become a little less impressive
This is the crispest live recording I've ever heard. I don't know how they taped this but it sounds like James Brown is in my head.
It's star time...
Such old songs. That I hadn't heard before.
Not as good as later James Brown
Never really listened to James Brown but this album was incredible. A ton of fun. I don't even really care much for this period/genre of music. The way he interacts with the crowd is so fun. You can hear all the girls screaming and going wild. I feel like even I would have had a blast at this show.
He's a good singer and the instrumentals are decent but the live element of this is just much too irritating.
Bot my kind of music typically, but being a live album does give it enough hype for me to enjoy it. I love hearing the crowd react to his vamping and I appreciate the range in energy from one song to another. It keeps things fresh.
It was ok
Decent
Too short tbh
King of funk Lekker hoor, enorme fan van deze man
He really is one of the greatest voices and musicians to have ever lived.
Tapers off a good bit in the back half (a better way to put this is that it changes modes and I prefer the first mode), but pretty damn great all the same. Surely these have to get worse at some point, I’m not used to so much great music in such a short span.
Too short, I want at least another hour of this
No
James Brown is amazing but this is the first live album I've heard on this list where the live element has worsened the experience. Low 2.
yet another incredibly exciting live concert album from years ago. i absolutely love vintage live recordings where you can literally feel and hear the awe and wonder from the audience, the young women absolutely SHRIEKING as soon as james sings the first word. some songs are for slow-dancin' others are for boogying down. it's short and sweet.
It's fine.
Big game James Brown all Ways brings the big house down town Alive, life’s lives live. Such energy. Even during the “breaks” these guys pull out all the bus stops. Fantastic album. All aboard? Yes All aboard? Yes All aboard? Yes The night train[!]
I like that you have to specify which year of pivotal James Brown Live at the Apollo album you mean. Lost Someone rules. Must be the most interesting audience noise I've heard on an album. The bit where he wanders away from the microphone is awesome. Have to figure this is as close as it gets to capturing the wild magic of live music, where the performer intuits exactly where to find the equivalent of a resonance frequency for a gathering of people & messes around nearby. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)
I waffled a bit between a 4 and a 5 here, but the way Brown harnesses the screaming crowd’s energy into the most psychotic sounding call and response imaginable (on Lost Somebody) is enough to make the call. Remarkable.
One of the best live albums ever.
I’m not sure live recordings of dubious quality are good for anyone.
An amazing talent to be sure, but I just don't imagine myself coming back to this at all
Not sure how I feel about this live album. It had moments of being fun but def nothing special. Rounding down.
One of the great live performers, the atmosphere at this gig is phenomenal.
Alright
Potentially the best live album ever recorded. The whole band is cooking here.
The constant screams of adoring fans are pretty annoying, but the performance is outstanding.
Great album. Super influential. Could even be longer
Live At The Apollo is one of those albums that everyone likes because it has mass appeal and works really well as a sum of its parts. It’s groovy, funky, all-ages fun. The issue is, I rarely listen to those parts on their own. Hell, I rarely revisit Apollo as a whole, as it is. What’s more, I think this era of funk has just been culturally regulated to Wedding Music™️. Maybe I’m showing my age/that I’m at that point in life where you spend your fall going to 5 weddings, but this style is just sonic novocaine to my ears. This is a quintessential example of an album I respect a lot more than I enjoy. But that’s also how I feel about James Brown generally.
solid live album, JB and the backing band is always good
It’s all good, but none of his awesome, famous songs. His early work just isn’t as catchy.
The recording sounded OK but I didn't feel like the live format really helped this album. I had a good time listening though, how mad can I be?
worst or second worst live album we've had so far, but mercifully short
He knows how to command a stage! This was short and sweet
i like james brown! but the crowd needs to get it together. 2.5
Fully support everyone listening to James Brown, but why are we listening to this James Brown album. This crowd does not have enough energy. I guess at least it happened before the explanation could possibly be that everyone was on their phones recording instead.
I am not so keen to see all these live albums included on the list, but this album is the exception that proves the rule. It's great in every aspect (especially the 11-minute version of Lost Someone) but a shame for all the screaming: 5-1 = 4.
I love the music of James Brown and I'm sure this was a legendary concert, but I did not enjoy listening to this recording. There are much better versions of the songs they were playing.
It must have been a very special concert, with the women screaming and all. Listening to it 60 years later is nice but not much more than that.
Pretty electric and pretty awesome, filled with a lot of songs I wasn't familiar with, albeit a short album.
Not for me.
Solid live not my taste but I know enough that I can appreciate this. 2.75
James Brown is an incredible vocalist! It’s hard to believe this is live because it all sounds so smooth. 7/10
Great energy. Really knew how to rile up a crowd. Unfortunately, didn't feel much listening to it. 2.5/5 = ok
Do we all know how good James Brown was? This is an interesting document but not really the best introduction to his work.
I don't know what the point of this is. I guess the music is great and all, but most of it is this weird start and stop to interact with the crowd, that doesn't really work when you are listening to an album. Probably great live, as an album it's like 10 minutes of actual music.
It's CLASSIC James Brown, but I'm hard pressed to say it's the best of James Brown as there are obscure albums of his with amazing cuts, better audio, and less crowd sounds.
A singular iconic performer. One of the most influential and impactful artists of early rock and roll and R&B. But studio albums don’t capture James Brown’s essence the way live performances do. It appears here and there in the studio. But on “Live at the Apollo,” it’s pure, unadulterated Brown. (Though on stage may be the only place where pure, unadulterated James Brown is a good thing.)
Left wishing I could see the passion that I can only hear and imagine.
My measure for rating live albums is how badly do I want to have been at the show. I’m having a difficult time understanding how the music critics think this is the greatest live album, and one of the greatest albums, of all time. It’s a fine album and I’m sure I would have had a fun time in the audience, but I don’t feel overwhelmingly excited.
This isn’t a show, it’s a party. And James is one hell of a host. You can feel the energy coming through. The larger than life presentation, the soul, the passion, it is all spectacular.
Enjoyable. Lively.
Just really good. The band is playing almost perfectly and the energy is great. Yeah that’s it basically
Soul brother #1.
Det swinger! Men det er fanme gammelt 🙄
Soulful R&B even on a live album just hits in a certain way. And that the mans voice is as smooth as they come only makes that more obvious. Standouts Try Me "I wanna scream"/5 (3/5)
The hardest working man in showbiz showing of his skill.
Never could get into James Brown and his music. I found it tedious. 2/5
Half the James Brown experience is seeing him do that thing where he collapses on stage, seemingly from exhaustion, and a stage hand drapes a cape over him to usher him out, only for James Brown to discard the cape and come back to life.
First time listening to a james brown live performance it was funky and energetic.
Lots of things say they are the best live album. This might be.
Absolutely incredible. Generational
The immortal James Brown, this is a fantastic live album!
Good but not amazing. Love James Brown and this is a fabulous band, but I prefer the later 60s early/early 70s version of JB. Heard this a few times over the years, but even this listen is fun but not something I’d revisit.
Really really good. My favorite so far
This is JB before JB. He has not yet turned up the funk machine to its full glory to become Mr. Dynamite. Here he shows up as a really good R & B / soul singer. The seeds are there - the showmanship, the energy, the voice. The band is tight, it's just that the material is not quite fully there yet.
aperto de mente
It's a lot of fun to listen to, but not very interesting, if that makes sense. James Brown's shouts and screams are fun, but the rabid fans' in the crowd are not.
I'll Go Crazy Try Me I Don't Mind 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
James Brown had been making music for a decade by the time Live at the Apollo was release. His live show was polished, and Brown's unmatched, energetic performances were well polished, and well known. This live album captures the the full, rich sound of Brown and his band. His gospel-inspired vocal sound, and the R&B sound to the band helped define the early sound of popular rock music. His band's vocal harmonies and rich horn section also set standards for the music that could be called early rock 'n roll. This is an incredible live album, both for the quality of the recording from that era, but more for the remarkable performance captured. This is an album that introduce the world to the hardest working man in show business.
Very James Brown, children!
Hopefully my last problematic yet talented human on the list Would have been quite a show
Vilken inledning! Det är svängigt och rösten är bra. Think och Lost Someone gillar jag. Publiken verkar älska Please Please mest. Det är genomgående bra men inte egentligen musik jag vanligtvis lyssnar på. Säkert en riktigt bra konsert men liveskiva är svårt, tar fokus från musiken. Några av hans hits är ju inte med på denna skiva. En 3a. Den är bra men inte bäst.
Rätt jobbig live-skiva med allt publikskrik. Det svänger dock skönt.
Inget ont om JB, men det här var en spelning som jag inte tyckte fungerade särskilt bra som liveskiva. Halvdassigt ljud och hans showande och tjejernas skrikande stör mig bara tyvärr.
Great energy, but it really doesn't do much for me otherwise.
Enjoyed, but not something I'd put on myself.
Great
I had to deduct stars because I hate live recordings. Also because this was an odd mix of full songs and instrumentals as songs. James Brown is a fantastic entertainer and I wish I could have seen live.
Album 454 of 1001 James Brown - James Brown Live At The Apollo Rating : 3.95 / 5 I like James Brown more than I like this album. Can't say too many things negative about a recording of him live at The Apollo. Though I'm not a big fan of live albums, this one does put you in a place you'll never be able to go again. They are all having a great time.
I Love James Brown. I am sure this performance was electric in person, but this album is not
#263. Hey look, it's the number 1 R&B star of 1962! 2/5: I don't care. Song added to playlist: Night Train I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
I'm not a huge fan of live albums, but this one is a lot of fun. The band bangs the entire time. The instrumental bridges between the songs are high-key fucking insane. Favorite Song(s): Try Me, I Don't Mind
Bueno
Eternal classic, I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD
Not for me. 1/5
Un sorprendente registro en vivo de una de las presentaciones más potentes del "Padrino del Soul". A pesar de su controversial vida, en sus inicios podemos notar su talento y cómo influenció a gran parte de la comunidad de músicos norteamericanos afrodescendientes. Recomendable.
Enjoyed this one a lot. In between a 3 and a 4 but lean more towards the 4 :)
Nice blues/jazz album that I enjoyed a lot.
funky wunky awesome possum
9/10
I’m sure this is an important album that deserves better, but I didn’t latch onto anything here.
Hell of a live show recording. Setlist flowed from number to number with almost no downtime, bouncing from upbeat ditties (I'll Go Crazy, Think) to some bluesy ballads (I Don't Mind). Most expansive track, Lost Someone, gives a display of both in one with plenty of space for Brown to stretch his voice and interact with the crowd. Not the kind of music I typically go in for, but credit where it's due. This was solid. 3.5 rounding up
Never listened to older James Brown music. Not bad. Funky godfather of soul. 3 stars
Lots of screaming.
Groovy
This album flew by I was toe tappin the whole time. His vocal style mixed with the backing vocals and band just have an iconic sound to it. He also sounds like a vacuum during one point of Lost Someone and that is impressive.
fine music
objectively great but not my thing I suppose
Couldn’t get into the album, though I understand why he was such a charismatic star of his time. His vocal style just wasn’t for me.
Cool
Uninteresting, but with good vocal performances
Didn't realize James Brown was active so early, for some reason I thought he was mainly in the 70s. I'd like to say I enjoyed this more than I did; unfortunately, most of this didn't catch me. I hope James has other records that catch my ear more in the future.
AMAZING
There are very few live albums I enjoy. This ain’t one of them. So much crowd noise.
Decent live album, James has the audience in the palm of his hand here
absolute bop. the part where he tells the men in his audience not to hit their wives was insane though
Yeah this ruled. The perfect pick-up if you're feeling a little down. Favourite song: I Don't Mind
Great album! James Brown at his best!
Good
No ha sido mi album favorito pero debería de oirlo más.
I stopped listening to it halfway through the first time, though it wasn't the best listening environment. Will try again, I guess.
Absolutely yes. Bring on da funk
driving the ladies WILD
Magnaður listamaður og ótrúlegur söngur. Þessi lög voru samt ekki að heilla mig og þessir eilífu píkuskrækir skemmdu alla vega fyrir mér.
Version live pas ouf. J'aime moins que d'habitude JB.
maybe if i was a 14 year old girl 50 years ago LOL not bad but not for me
classic R and B live performance. Wish I could see him dancing during this!
Those instruments so well differentiated and so synchronized...
Very energetic!
R&B y soul. Entretenido. Venga, un 4.
R&B, soul.
Just a short, solid live performance with a great atmosphere, nothing that blows me away though. Also, the album art is cool.
Rarely do I enjoy live albums anymore but this is now 2 for 2 on live albums through this site. This is great background music that from time to time stops you in your tracks and just has you grooving to what it has to offer. Choice cut: I Don’t Mind
Jäi laimeaksi näin 60v tapahtuman jälkeen. Osittain pisteitä laskenee levyn kuuntelu pyöräilyn aikana ja siitä aiheutunut taustamelu syö entisestään tunnelmaa pois.
Hukkui taustalle ajaessa. Muuten ok
I've mentioned in prior reviews that I don't particularly like live recordings. Still true, but this one at least made me sorry that I was never able to see James Brown let alone young James Brown live. This seemed like a super fun show, his voice is beautiful, and the band is tight, but the quality and crowd were legitimately distracting. I did put Try Me on a loop for quite a while after finishing though.
Blödes Rumgekreische von der Bühne und aus dem Publikum.
This thing literally flew by. Not many of his hits, but still enjoyable. I'm not sure why this one was on the list though?
One of the highest energy albums ever! 5*
Not awesome
Not a bad album. I think some of these older live albums are better than more modern live albums.
Hacía tiempo que no me tocaba un directo. Año 1963 a ver. Ufff cómo suena desde "Introduction" Pero no están sus éxitos, así que aunque es algo a escuchar una vez creo que hay trabajos que lo representan mejor.
I’m a sucker for live albums, and this is a wonderful historical artifact. Interesting to connect some of the sounds and rhythms here to early Who from a couple of days ago on my Albums Before You Die journey. Good stuff. Short and sweet, from back when a full length release could clock in at just over 30 minutes haha.
This era is the only era where live albums are better than the studio ones. So much energy. The Jerry Lee Lewis one that we got and this one both hit. As soon as Fats Gonder introduced JB I knew it was gonna slap.
can’t image the electricity in the air during a live james brown concert. this live album helps imagine it, but you def had to be there to fully experience it. sounds great for a live album. absolutely rips front to back. gets a 4 bc let’s be real this thing is sick but i’m not gonna be bumping it ever again
Jeg kan sagtens forstå at den har opnået status som legendarisk, og atmosfæren er en klar 5’er. Dog er musikken langt hen af vejen kedelig blues/soul, hvad der kendetegner tiden.
In my notes for a different live album from this project, I said something about enjoying a live album more when I can't hear the audience. Truly don't know what I was smoking saying that. Maybe it was something I enjoyed about that particular album, finding the mix impressive, idk. But I love hearing the audience usually. It amplifies the frisson. Goosebumps galore. Hearing the women screaming and ow-ing in this recording at the Apollo makes me wish I could use a time machine and be there in person. I'm giving it 3 stars, but only because I don't have a desire to relisten any time soon. For me, 4/5 stars are for albums I want to hear more than once or twice. It would be great to own on vinyl to spin on special occasions though.
7/10
James Brown is iconic so I was excited to get this album. The intro hyped me up so much as they announced the legend onto the stage. Then it starts to go and it doesn't stop until the last second of the last song. This album is so lively and makes you feel like you're there at the concert. I didn't expect to give this a 5 because it was a live album, but it definitely deserves one.
It was different and I enjoyed it!!!
I don’t usually like live albums but this one was fun. Hearing the girls screaming, I can imagine his dance moves. Great music.
First song is upbeat really enjoying it second song old timey love song not bad just not my favorite first instrumental was really good definitely sounds like you gotta listen to the live show all at once not just one song can go into your playlist right now third song is upbeat instrumental 2 also great fourth song like the second one but way better im feeling a 7.9/10 rn maybe an 8.2 depending on the next few songs next song is 1/3rd of the show can definitely put this in a playlist and listen to this doesnt need the rest of the show honestly brings it to an 8.2 that song was good definitely brought it to that 8.2 next song is also good imma go up to an 8.4 because you can also listen to this song standalone you can also listen to night train on its own 8.6 album I saved Think Lost someone Medley Night Train
I’m sure he was great love. This couldn’t capture the energy.
It didn’t seem like he was live. Of course there was one girl screaming bloody murder every so often but besides that it was awfully quiet. Unless concert etiquette has changed… it wasn’t bad wasn’t amazing. Didn’t like the suggested music after though.
Pretty classic James Brown. It's very good but it doesn't wow me in any real strong way.
2.5
Hear the scream.. dont feel it.. Im not a women..
Never realized how much James got the crowds going. Those girls were going nuts for him. Good stuff
Great!
Great singer. Live format gives a lot of vibe, but it doesn't fit well in every situation. Enjoyed
Was hoping this would stand out more. Good not great.
This was good, but after a while felt like I was being yelled at.
what do you want me to say? it's a live album. i bet it would've slapped if I was there.
this was fine but nothing stellar for me. I'm sure it would've been very exciting to be there, but none of these are the huge James Brown hits I'm familiar with and the two long songs at the end (which together make up half the album's runtime) were a bit much. i listened to this album twice to make sure i didn't miss something but i guess it just didn't really click for me. james brown is still a great and exciting singer, and his band is really locked in with tight, impressive playing, so credit where credit is due. favorites: try me, night train
He puts on a show
GOD I wish I was there. It feels like something’s missing without the visual component.
So much great energy, best live album I've heard
It's good but it's not great. Partially due to the fact I'm not a huge fan of live albums and partially due to I prefer JB's hard funk from the 70s over the R&B 60's output. Still, it's a decent listen and there is good material on here.
classic, one of my favorite R&B singers that sounds even better live.
It doesn't have all the hits you'd expect from a James Brown performance but still an absolute banger!
Fun live album Standout songs: Ill go Crazy Lost someone Night Train
Nice
Fun live album before he got huge.
James Brown is dead! He’s good here though. Feels good!
This album makes it crystal clear how absolutely beloved this man was. He feeds off his audience and delivers exactly what they want. The band is pivotal and Brown effortlessly moves through the numbers. In many cases, a live album kind of fizzles out to me. This one plays a bit more relevant to me. This album was self-funded and Brown who was already at the top of his craft in just 1962, elevated soul and funk and demonstrated his ability as a master showman. Brown goes on to do much better music, but this one is really about his performance.
I was familiar with his later work. That's too much of the same thing, so I didn't check out more of the man's music. This record is better than I expected. It has enough variation. The songs are good. The audience is excited. Nice and short. Favorite song: think.
Pleasant but preferred Sarah Vaughan 5/10
I don't usually like live albums, but this one is great. James Brown's energy really comes through, and I found it impossible to sit still. I can only imagine what it was like to be there in person, and I can understand the screams in the background.
Talk about putting a venue on the map...
Bit slower than I would prefer but pretty good
Live peak "early" James.
Meh.
I know live albums aren’t necessarily the best showcase for an artist’s music, but I didn’t enjoy this at all
Almost got itself a 4. Just don’t think it’s something I would ever sit down and choose to listen to. Certainly a good vibe though. Simpsons: Guest star
It was alright, wouldn't choose to listen again though.
Not a fan of a live album. His voice is good but that doesn't take away from the crowd noises that annoy me
Really enjoyed it. Would have loved to have seen him live, proper performer and show mon
I liked it. Fun live album. Great energy
Its alright
One hell of a live album showcasing just how James Brown could own a crowd.
Best live album I’ve heard?
introduction isch icooonic. nocher weisch er isch heeert am tanze und alli gönd crazy. ill go crazy erste richtige song, cool er singt geil. try me schöni bgvs, no sehr früehni 60er crooner und so. think isch scho chli meh richtig funky. i dont mind het oorgle und d famous flames siinged. ich hoff de james brown isch mit sim chline finder am dirigiere und d band verstoht jedes chlinste detail vo dem woner will sege. lost someone isch richtig dirigiere time. plus d band isch uuuultra lislig, mega geil. und er singt huuuere geil. s isch immer s glich d band spielt immer s glich es wiederholt sich nur und er elai treit d emotione. kwazy. please please isch die legendär performance wonem d jacke immer wieder agleit wird. cha tschuuutte de guy. mittelteil mit orgle vom medley isch de shiiitt. er haut afoch all sini hits use dasers nöd ganz mues spiele. please dont go jo sehr cool. ah isch anschinend die erst single gsi vode famous flames.
finds immer cute wies früener d artists vorgstellt hend (han gad hüt per zuefall glese, dass de james brown glaub nöd so en coole guy gsi isch) die nur churzi pause zwüsche I'll go crazy und try me insane geil und natürlich s gekreische hahaha bläser au so geil hmm ich finds sehr schön aber s fühlt sich chli lang ah obwohl s ganze nur e halb stund gaht...liit wahrsch ah mier aber ja
Amazing live performance and the quality is well worth a listen and beyond a normal live album. Younger people like me think of James Brown as an older singer, but you can hear so much energy in this performance. Fantastic live album.
Love this live album!