[.ca] Say It Live And Loud: Live in Dallas 1968

From Amazon.com:
James Brown had just recorded "Say It Loud--I'm Black and I'm Proud," the anthem that would become his last pop-chart top 10 entry for nearly two decades, when he visited Dallas on a summer 1968 leg of his then-ongoing tour. Mixing Soul Brother Number One's more traditional gospel- and jump-blues-influenced early hits with the funk he was still developing ("Cold Sweat," "Licking Stick--Licking Stick"), Say It Loud and Live captures that show in a time-capsule piece that's hardly just a historical document: it brings the full-force power of Brown, Maceo Parker, and the rest of the "James Brown Orchestra" front and center. And the memorabilia-laden CD booklet ("We know the Negro deejay won't play this record ... but every BLACK deejay will play this record!") is as essential as the music. --Rickey Wright

James Brown had just recorded "Say It Loud--I'm Black and I'm Proud" when he visited Dallas in summer 1968. Mixing Soul Brother Number One's more traditional gospel- and jump-blues-influenced early hits with the funk he was still developing ("Cold Sweat," "Licking Stick--Licking Stick"), Say It Live and Loud captures that show in a time-capsule piece that's hardly just a historical document: it brings the full-force power of Brown, Maceo Parker, and the rest of the "James Brown Orchestra" front and center. --Rickey Wright

With His Bad Self:
People who saw James Brown live, or have his live recordings know he had a band that had the chops of the best jazz players. This CD is a great example of them working. A must have CD if you love soul, funk, or just plain good music. Jim Carry was never SMOKIN' like these guys. Not one note of filler on this one. The only thing missing is seeing JB dance.

ON FIRE!:
While the recording, by today's digital standards leaves something to be desired, turn this up as loud as you can stand it, and you might just get goosebumps and feel the hairs standing up on your neck. Whatever the Velvets were up to when they created "White light/White heat", JB & Co. were doing here too. This is a perfect example of the performer(s) whipping the audience into a total frenzy, and the audience reflecting that frenzy right back onto the stage. It's that mystical, fleeting and elusive moment both audience and performer(s) seek again and again. If you have no other James Brown records, get this one.

My Lord, the Soul Never Stops...:
Although I've got my favourites amongst his enviable catalogue, James Brown "Say It Live And Loud" has to be in the top 5 without question; it showcases Maceo, Jimmy, Clyde, St. Clair, etc. at their flashiest, and predates the release of the single 'Say It Loud, I'm Black And I'm Proud'. It was close to the end of JB's classic lineup, and although he'd go on to create equally funky, brilliant music, this album is a must-own for the casual fan or the die-hard.

If you Have "Sex Machine" and "Live At the Apollo Vol. 2"...:
If you already have "Sex Machine" and "Live at the Apollo Vol. 2," then this is pretty redundant. However, it has it's moments. The instrumental "Suds" and Maceo's amazing rendition of Archie Bell and the Drells "Tighten Up" really take you back to the feel of the summer of 68.

GOOD GOD!!:
There is nothing out there in Amazonland or in the entire recorded history of soul music in America that can compare with the funkified phatness of this CD. It sounds incredible, recording-wise. It flows from one song to the next like a Southern-fried soul food buffet. It rages in places and stays eerily quiet, ready to strike, in others. It is a historical artifact like Parlaiment's "Chocolate City" or Funkadelic's "One Nation Under a Groove". It ought to be played at every social event gathering in America from wedding receptions to high-school graduations to openings of zoos. It should be placed in the space shuttle to awaken astronauts every morning, and then jettisonned out with a portable CD player for interstellar orbit just in case some alien life form passes through and wants to know what Earth is like. They ought to force the leaders of the PLO and Israel to listen to it in a summit meeting, because after it was over, they'd never fight again. Make it the centerpiece of your CD collection no matter if you like funk or Waylon Jennings. (Come to think of it, I could see ol' Waylon strutting along to "I Got the Feeling" in his bathrobe). As JB would say, GOOD GOD. This CD is incredible.

• Show Introduction
• If I Ruled the World
• James Brown Thanks
• Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud) (Introduction)
• Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)
• I Guess I'll Have to Cry, Cry, Cry
• Kansas City
• Suds
• Soul Pride
• Tighten Up
• Introduction to Star Time!
• Licking Stick-Licking Stick
• Cold Sweat
• There Was a Time
• Medley: Try Me/Lost Someone/Bewildered
• Papa's Got a Brand New Bag
• I Got the Feelin'
• Maybe the Last Time
• I Got You (I Feel Good)
• Please, Please, Please
• I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)
• Cold Sweat (Reprise)
• I Got the Feelin' (Reprise)
• Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud) (Reprise)