Swish
12-31-2006, 04:56 PM
How ironic that this great selection would come up at this time and is also the last selection of 2006 and takes us to the mid-point of the list. James Brown - Live at the Apollo (1963)
This remains the live album by which all others are measured, and is still the best delineation of the raw power of primal soul music. It propelled James Brown into the mainstream, and paved the way for a string of propulsive hits like "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (1965) and 'Cold Sweat' (1967). The catalyst for many great soul stylists, from Sly Stone to Otis Redding, it also provided an early lesson in dynamics for the young Michael Jackson. Without this...great chunks of hip hop - which has sampled Brown more than almost any other - would be missing.
I don't think there will be anyone who will disagree with this one (finally) and, as I said, how ironic that it would come up the week after his death. I didn't change the order one iota. Really. It is the 25th selection and was the one that was set to be posted this week.
Happy New Year!
Swish
This remains the live album by which all others are measured, and is still the best delineation of the raw power of primal soul music. It propelled James Brown into the mainstream, and paved the way for a string of propulsive hits like "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (1965) and 'Cold Sweat' (1967). The catalyst for many great soul stylists, from Sly Stone to Otis Redding, it also provided an early lesson in dynamics for the young Michael Jackson. Without this...great chunks of hip hop - which has sampled Brown more than almost any other - would be missing.
I don't think there will be anyone who will disagree with this one (finally) and, as I said, how ironic that it would come up the week after his death. I didn't change the order one iota. Really. It is the 25th selection and was the one that was set to be posted this week.
Happy New Year!
Swish