James Brown - Live at the Apollo 1962 (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

Comes close to capturing Brown's onstage energy

TimothyFarrell22 | Massachusetts | 06/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Let me just start out by saying this isn't the greatest live album. It is influential, and proved that people would pay money to own a live recording, which is the main reason why it's often considored the best. However, there are many subsequent live recordings that are much better than this. However, it's still pretty damn good, and is a fun listen that warrents repeated plays. James Brown's stage show was legendary for his gyrations and refusal to stand still, and you can picture what a good night was like for him with the help of this. It is certainly better than any of his studio albums. The songs themselves are performed greatly, both due to Brown's incredible soul voice and the magnificent back-up band themselves. Worth a purchase, due to it's importance in American popular music."

Intensity Of Soul...One Of The Greatest Live Albums Laid Dow

Original Mixed Up-Kid | New York United States | 12/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whenever I pass by the Apollo,my mind goes back and recalls this recording and as the liner notes make clear this CD released in 1963 is a tidal wave of raw emotion that sold millions without a hit single, JB's 1st hit album and was voted internationally by critics as one of the Top 20 albums of all time..with reason.

This CD is the meat and potatoes of JB, a representation of his live show that brought him into the spotlight on this cold night with a hot band.

All his accolades, The Hardest Working Man In Show Business, Godfather Of Soul,Soul Brother # 1 are all here on this 30 minute live CD.

The CD itself was remastered in 1990, prepared from the original,undubbed stereo master tape.

"

Superb Performance - Not Great Sound Quality

David B. Lowe | Atlanta, GA | 08/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a given that this JB performance is a must-have, but the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's 1993 gold disc (http://amzn.com/B000000ISP) has much better sound quality even though it has sound on the left and right but none in the middle. This mainstream release tried to shift the left and right into the middle, but in doing so the sound became irritating and JB's voice lost depth. The bonus tracks sound bad and add nothing. Get the MFSL version if you can find it."

You've GOT to envy me!!

C S M | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 06/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Can you imagine hearing this music again for the first time? That's what I did about 6 months ago when I listened to this CD for the very first time, even though I've been a music junkie for years! This has been one of those CDs that has simply grown on me since that first time that I listened to it. There is such a raw, emotional sense of urgency to this CD, which alone makes it an essential purchase, and the songs themselves are great, too. I've known of this CD for years, and I'm kicking myself for taking so long to buy it -- better late than never, I suppose."

Are you ready for Star Time?

Greg Brady | Capital City | 05/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If there's a single document that proves James Brown deserves to be known as the "Hardest Working Man in Show Business", this is it. After Fats Gonder announces Brown's string of hits and an instrumental that sounds like a collision of the Ventures and Sly and the Family Stone's brass section, Brown takes control and rushes you through a roller-coaster ride that rockets straight up. It's 31 minutes of sheer aural ecstasy and you can tell the audience is eating out of Brown's hands for the duration, right up through the moment they ride the "Night Train" home.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Choosing the best bits is difficult because this is really high quality, but the horn riff in "Think" is one of the best here. "Try Me" is beautiful in its desperation. The moment in the epic "Lost Someone" when James tells the audience that "And when I tell you something that make you feel good inside, And when I say that little thing, I say that little part that might sting you in your heart,now, I wanna hear you scream.." (now you know where the rappers stole the idea from). The 7 song medley, bookended by "Please Please Please", is also choice.

LOWS:

If there's any drawback to the disc, it's that you wish it would go on longer. The half hour flies by....

BOTTOM LINE:

The 1,500 that were in the audience at the Apollo October 24,1962 were lucky @&$?!#!%$@!#&!*^#! Thankfully, we can experience it secondhand at least. This is ESSENTIAL soul music."

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