Say It Live and Loud: Live in Dallas 08.26.68

Performer: James Brown
Artist: Maceo Parker; Pee Wee Ellis; St. Clair Pinckney; Fred Wesley; Nate Stublefield; Jimmy Nolen
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: James Brown (vocals); St. Clair Pinckney (vocals, tenor & baritone saxophones); Maceo Parker, Jr. (emcee, tenor saxophone); Alfonzo "Country" Kellum (guitar, bass); Jimmy Nolen (guitar); Richard Jones, Marilyn Jones, Sylvia Medford (violin); Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis (alto saxophone, organ); Waymon Reed, Richard "Kush" Griffith (trumpet); Fred Wesley (trombone); Levi Rasbury (valve trombone); "Sweet" Charles Sherrell (bass); Clyde Stublefield, Nate Jones (drums). Reissue producers: Harry Weinger, Alan Leeds. Engineers: Ron Lenhoff, Suha Gur, Carl Farruggia. Recorded live at the Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas on August 26, 1968. Includes liner notes by Chuck D. and Alan Leeds. Digitally remastered by Kevin Reeves. Recorded live in Dallas 1968, this album finds James Brown at a key point in his career, both musically and politically. In the aftermath of the King assassination, blacks were rioting in cities throughout the U.S. Any sense of African-American cultural identity was in serious danger. Brown, who till then had largely avoided social commentary in his work, took it upon himself to use his celebrity to help unite his people and halt the violence that was tearing the country apart. One of the key tracks here, "Say it Loud--I'm Black and I'm Proud," is funky, powerful affirmation of black pride that proved inspirational to many during this trying time. During his inner city performances during this period, Brown repeatedly called for an end to the riots, and his influence helped to calm things down. Sonically, James Brown was an artist in transition. Traces of his earliest work can still be heard on "If I Ruled the World" and "I Guess I'll Have to Cry, Cry, Cry," where he wears the mantle of soul crooner. Classics like "Cold Sweat" and "I Got You" represent the swinging proto-funk of Brown's mid-'60s work. The Godfather of Soul was just about to turn the corner into the world of hardcore funk, as foreshadowed by the foreceful rhythms that underlie the jazzy horns and soul guitar picking. Consequently, LIVE AND LOUD provides an excellent live overview of James Brown's repertoire.

CMJ (11/09/98, p.24) - "...This is the live James Brown album - don't miss it..." Mojo (Publisher) (1/00, p.106) - "...this CD captures the atmosphere, drama and impassioned energy of a James Brown concert at its very height..."

The unrelenting intensity of James Brown's music has made him one of the most recognizable and influential performers since the 1950s. Starting out as a gospel singer, Brown soon switched to R&B and started scoring hits. As the '60s progressed, the self-proclaimed Godfather of Soul transformed the sounds of R&B into a tight, driving style that helped lay the foundations of funk. Personal troubles over the following decades threatened to sideline the ever-impassioned Brown, but he repeatedly bounced back. Countless JB samples--credited and uncredited--found on rap and hip-hop records testify to his enduring influence. The Godfather of Soul passed away on Christmas Day in 2006.

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