James Brown Live At The Apollo

If you don't think this is a five, just go ahead and get the funk out of here. Perhaps the first album on this list that I wished was longer.

Live albums are such a visceral time capsule of an artist and the audience at a specific time. Early 60's New York at a James Brown show was probably a hell of a time and it really comes through on this recording.

Really really cool

Groovy album. Love the atmosphere of the live album - hearing a crowd cheering along really immerses you in ways that cant be described until you hear it in terms of music, I quite enjoy the groovy feeling. The brass giving it its all certainly adds to the ambience. overall very enjoyable. 4/5

У прошлом животу сам био ту уживо, дебели Тони ми дао кинту да изведем рибу. Нисам веровао да обојени тако добро свирају и певају.

Rating: 5.5/10 First listen: Yes Would listen again: No Fav track: I found someone Comment: Master Sounds 98.3 vajbz, a ja sam vazda bio kej dast covek

groovy

Words cannot describe how much I hate every song in this album. I would rather listen to two chuwawas going at it for the rest of my life than to listen to another second of this hot pile of steaming cow dung. The only thing that can be called an achievement with this album is to make me feel things with an intensity I have never felt before, anger, frustration, dispair and most importantly hate. I hate this album. With all of my heart and soul. 1/5 cause 0 is not possible

Much better than expected. It reminded me of Ray Charles at times.

Jazzy, big-band-esque sound. Great lead voice.

Not nearly as good as his other albums. Historically relevant, but not enjoyable.

Album No. 0225 on my list. Ah, once again I'm getting an album from the 1001 list that I have no idea what to do about. "James Brown Live At The Apollo, 1962" has been considered as one of the best live recordings of all time, and I get why that is the case. However, it does contrast my personal impression of this album somewhat. I definitely, 100 %, get why this album is on the 1001 list. I think it should definitely be on it. "Live at the Apollo" shows what a great performer James Brown must have been, and it characterizes his show, and especially the reaction by the crowd, pretty well. Brown must have made quite the impression at the time (according to the reaction of the crowd, especially on female audiences). I really like the raw, uncut energy of the concert that is captured on this record. Rarely have I ever heard such a loud crowd, at least in comparison to the performance itself. However, I don't like the music on this album itself all too much. I had listened to this record before, and every time I listen to this record, I find myself in a cool concert atmosphere with a great performance, but the songs that are performed don't matter to me all that much. Maybe it's because I'm not much into R&B, maybe the temporal distance between these songs and my own musical upbringing is too large. I dunno... I just don't *get* the songs. That being said, I'll add "I'll Go Crazy", "I Don't Mind" and the medley ("Please Please Please" etc.) to my playlist. In the end, it's a narrow 3 stars for me. Might have given 4 just for the energy and atmosphere, but as I said: the music itself shines much less than the performance. 3/5 stars.

3.5

Everyone always says the artists they wish they could’ve seen before their time. The Beatles, Hendrix, Led Zep. Not enough people say James Brown, what a performer!

groovy!

It's not often you see a whole album amplified by the fact that it is live, but this was certainly one of those rare cases! While it is overall a fun, energetic album thanks to James Brown's charisma and vocals, it can also be really emotional and touching at times, particularly on the track 'Lost Someone', where you can hear "yeah we love you" and "go on and sing that song" ringing out from the crowd. This must have been an incredible show to attend, and I'm eager to learn more about the historical significance of the Apollo (I believe I read somewhere that Lauryn Hill got a rough start to her career there?) Anyway, back to the topic at hand, the songs here had so much meaning behind them and 'I don't mind' is one of my favourites which I already knew about and loved. The sound quality is incredible considering the time period, and this was a really enjoyable listen!

James brown is so fun

Unmistakable energy. Would have been something to see live. 3.5 stars

Sounds like it would have been a fun, very high-energy show back in the day! The repeated instrumental bridges made me laugh out loud; I don't know why, I guess they were just so over-the-top lively and catchy.

James brown cool. Aber live… joar

Short, sweet, and bombastic. 3.5/5.

It was fine. More bluesy than I thought. But didn't amaze me or anything. Then I get into his other works and I feel maaaaybe those would've been a better addition to this list? Idk.

VERY smooth & soulful; an excellent live album!

A bit boring

Fun album, great funk

Really wanted more. It was good but I needed more. Maybe it was too short and I don't think I've said that in any of these reviews so far

The band is phenomenally tight, his performance is incredible, and the production quality is amazing for a live album from 1962. If the material itself were a little stronger, this would have been a five star album for me.

I'm sure this hits a lot harder when you're a teenage girl in the 60s

Good God. So good. I wanna kiss myself.

The version on Apple Music is, at least for me, missing one song and the length is just over 20 minutes or so and it felt like the album had barely even started when it was already over. Apparently the missing song in a good ten minuter, so that's one third of the whole album lacking. Bummer. Anyway, I've been meant to check James Brown out properly simply due to the guys in Can mentioning him as one of their biggest influences. Well, to be perfectly honest, this didn't quite match my expectations. It's perfectly fine, but I was expecting something a lot wilder somehow. I also feel like a mere 30 minutes isn't enough for a live album, unless it's punk or something other, extremely intense material, which this really isn't. That said, maybe missing one third of even that just makes me disillusioned about this album a bit. Yeah, I really wanted to like this, but I guess my expectations and assumption of what it'd be like were completely wrong. Can't get into it, sorry.

I think this is one of those albums that were probably much better at the time. I enjoyed it, it just wasn't amazing to me. Brown has a ton of energy and knows how to get a crowd going, but I felt the songs were just OK.

Clearly trailblazing but not my scene...

I guess I should love this because it's James Brown and it did deliver the expected stereotypical James Brown vibe but nothing further.

Foot tapping music. Sounds like the beginning of a lot of genres

I'm not sure I'm sophistimacated enough to appreciate this. I got kinda bored I'm sorry!!!

Proof that teen crowd screaming in 1962 wasn’t just for the Beatles. Electric performance!

so much screaming it hurts

Don’t mind

Dažas dziesmas ir 10/10, dažās dziesmās viņš kko mumblo

I’m glad I read some of the historical context for this or I likely wouldn’t have cared as much. As it is, it’s a quick jaunt into Harlem with lots of screaming and panting. You honestly want to give James Brown a lozenge or a hot tea for a lot of it. And I still don’t like the early 60s trend of tracking vocals to one side and the band to the other. That said, it sounds like I’d have had a blast if I were there, so 3/5.

Quando se fala de um artista como Brown, a escolha de um disco ao vivo é óbvia e clara. A alma da sua arte vive no palco, sob holofotes e de mãos dadas com músicos eletrizantes. Destacando-se aqui as lindas serenatas, tão sinceras e tão eloquentemente complementadas por uns backing vocals sem iguais. Uma voz surreal. Desumana. Um alcance estratosférico. Muito divertido de ouvir e consistentemente impressionante. Muito ótimo. 5/5

Not very exciting. Pretty mediocre maybe

Ovi stariji albumi uživo su mi generalno zabavniji ali ovo mi je nekako sve otišlo na jednu pjesmu i nikad nisam voljela njegov glas.

Legendary performer whose music has never really been for me, beyond the greatest hits. Can't think about James Brown without also thinking about his celebrity hot tub party.

Därvaro-känslan slår i taket. Och vilket band, snörtajt! Och JB själv har ett sväng och en nerv i rösten som inte så många andra. Men det är en kort lycka och lite för lite låtar. En stark fyra

yup, thats a live album alright 2/5

A performance that draws you in and leads to excitement amongst the audience! Some tracks feel like missing out on the video though.

In general, I'm not a huge fan of live albums. I *love* live music, but removed from the environment it's just not the same. If I'm listening to a recording, I'd rather it be the studio recording that is performed and engineered for repeated listening. This album also falls into one of my other traps which is that every song sounds basically the same (to my ear).

Maybe I struggle with enjoying live albums (as opposed to experiencing them live), maybe it's the length, but this wasn't my favorite to come through the queue. James Brown puts on quite an eclectic performance that doesn't quite hit home for me, as the audience reactions draw away from the performance. Favorite Song: I'll Go Crazy Score: 77/100

USA Beatles

6 - love me some James brown but this is a very mediocre show

I was surprised to find this a little underwhelming. I'd imagine that being able to actually see James Brown do his thing is a big component of the live show. The energy was really solid, but none of the songs really stood out to me.

I didn't enjoy the live recording. I do like James Brown's energy

As a live album it adds context for what gets the crowd going and the music is good.

Ok 3/5

Lovely

average james brown record

No es mi tipo de musica, no lo escucharia por mi mismo. Lo que mas destaca es la voz de él, y cómo se comunica con el publico. Me parece interesante agarrar algunos temas y sacarlos, para aprender como es la forma, las cadencias y los acordes de este tipo de música, que sirve cómo base para la demas musica popular. Me gustan mas las versiones de estudio de James Brown que este disco.

I don’t hate it, but it’s just annoying to listen to. I would never put this on. Not for me.

Great artist, terrific performer, subpar live album.

Un disco muy llevadero. no me veo escuchándolo de nuevo, pero todo lo movedizo qeu tiene el género de funk lo tiene este disco y así lo representa en su presentación en vivo. 3,8/5.

6.8/10

fun to listen to once, but I at least partially want interesting lyrics and these were lyrically not as interesting. “Night Train” was my favorite here!

It's a decent live album.

I couldn't help but notice that a live version of "I Don't Mind" is included on this album—which blew my mind, since I thought it was a Who song; the opening trumpets also remind me of "Armenia City in the Sky," though in that case, I think I might just be losing my mind. Anyway, James Brown, ladies and gentlemen. I really like James's early years, because you can still make out the words being sung. To quote Eddie Murphy imitating James regarding the comment above: "babidiba sawriiuuuu dodapeoplesay... HA!"

A very solid album, but I wish 1/3 of the song wasn't taken up by one song. A good energy and a fun live album. Mid 4.

I think in its context, this recording is significant. Obviously in a 2026 lens on one listen the impact is not as profound. 3 for the impact.

The live version meant there were a lot of screams going on. Still, high quality for a live album. A difficult album to appreciate. A great artist, not particularly my genre though. Didn't recognise any of the songs. 'Think' was by far my favourite. The final songs felt like background noise. Would be interested to hear a different album perhaps over this.

“Jesus H. Tap-Dancing Christ. I have seen the light!” The Blues Brother (1980)

Short, sweet, and punchy, with hilariously loud crowd noise.

really fun to hear the crowd go crazy with Mr. James Brown

Great energy!

Eh I mean maybe just old for me

Classic Godfather of Soul.

I’m not generally a fan of live albums, and although it’s not a bad listen, I don’t really care for it

Pretty good, it would’ve been lit to be at that concert, the vibes were nice and I really liked h tbh e instrumentation, it passed by really quick tho

Meh

So good! I just know this night was the most fun

Exceptional album. Perfect music no mistakes, just like the recordings absolutely mindblowing. He might have been a douchebag but he was a top front man and singer. Wont give 5 stars cause live records shouldnt be in best album section. This could be an exception along with a few others

I liked this more than I expected since I'm not usually an R&B kinda guy. Incredible energy on here, both from the performers and the crowd. I've been to the Apollo Theatre, so I can kinda relate to it that way too. I also liked the 60s sound here. 4/5

Really good as a historical artifact, and obviously he's overflowing with talent. However, I don't think this has what I'm looking for and I don't think I'll listen again. The vocal performance is the huge star but the music as a whole is a little too straightforward.

Sounds great but not much sticks.

It was too slow and not the jazz that I'm used to

heel funky, werd wel gek van t publiek

No guardo practicamente nunca nada en vivo, james brown tiene muy buenos temas, y pues el album, demuestra lit como el titulo del showman mas trabajador.

It was nice to get some actual food music after what felt like 2 weeks of suffering.

Super fun listen. My only thorn is that it’s so short. Easily could have done another 15 minutes on there. Side note, don’t understand the hate for live albums. I like the rawness of a live sound. We don’t need everything to be super polished.

I'm not a huge fan of live albums, and this feels like a great example of all the reasons why. James Brown seems like a fantastic singer/performer, but the audio quality is iffy, the audience is annoying, and sometimes James Brown gets so far away from the recording mic you can't hear him. I really liked Sarah Vaughan's live album because she took full advantage of making mistakes and other goofy things, and her audience was quiet. But wasn't big on this.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is Star Time... and make no mistake, James Brown is a goddamn star in every conceivable way. Throwing on Live at the Apollo is like catching lightning in a bottle, it’s an electric, sweaty snapshot of history where James Brown absolutely commands the stage with insane swagger. Backed by the Famous Flames, a band so tight it’s actually scary, the whole set hits you like a freight train. From the stomping groove of "Think" to the raw, vulnerable vibe of "Lost Someone" and the smooth soul of "Try Me", Brown handles both the band and the crowd like a total pro. It’s a lesson in pacing and grit, all before funk even really hit its stride. That said, it’s not exactly a perfect listen. The early-60s production is pretty rough, the screaming fans can sometimes drown out the music, and it’s hard to ignore the reality of what kind of guy Brown was off-stage. At barely thirty minutes, it’s over way too fast, leaving you wishing they’d squeezed in a few more of his later hits. But it’s impossible to deny, it’s a wild, raucous 31 minutes of pure soul power that grabs you by the throat and shows exactly why he’s the legend he is.

Hardest working man in show business. This album still sounds fresh off the presses half a century later. Godfather, take a bow.

I tried to really be open here, but i just can't do James Brown

severo. la musica de esta epoca es buenisimaaa.

You really feel the vibes of the live performance

Liked this

We like James Brown

Not bad for a live recording from 1962! James Brown is always energetic, fun, and gets your feet groovin'! It's a quick listen and a good pick me up, no complaints on this album.

Good vibes all around. Plenty of good crowd interaction and the band was grooving the whole time.

#101 The band is tight, and it sounds like a fun performance. Brown has a great voice and stage presence that can be felt through the recording. Too much crowd noise and screaming. Highlights: Try Me, Medley

Niet helemaal geluisterd maar james brown heeft wel swingy liedjes

Неплохой и очень энергичный концертный перформанс, который действительно хорошо показывает Джеймса Брауна как сценического артиста. Но лично для меня эта энергия не превращается в эмоциональный отклик.