If anything can bring back your cheery disposition during this miserable weather New York City has assaulted you with, its James Brown’s Live at the Apollo, which has often been called the greatest live album of all time. Soul music and all her extensive tributaries are perhaps my favorite type of music. She is painful, satisfyingly climactic and oh so American.
Live at the Apollo is a particular standout because it brings back what is magnetic about music: listening together and listening live. Had this record been cut in the studio, I’m not sure it would have the same powerful effects. Syd Nathan, founder of The King Records, tried tirelessly to distribute talent for crossover listening success and had no intention of allowing Brown to record a live album. By funding the venture himself, Brown successfully established his cross-over success when the album was played on the radio in its entirety, when most record producers believed no one would ever buy a live album.
Listening to the sweat-soaked Brown, imagining him dancing on stage in the way only James Brown could, and laughing at the call and response from the screaming girls in the crowd are unmatched to a studio-cut album. Emcee Lucas “Fats” Gonder introduces James Brown in exciting fanfare, which cuts immediately to “I’ll Go Crazy.” The climax of the album, “Lost Someone,” goes on for 11 minutes with a frenzied call and response and declaration of passion from the horn section, which settles into “Medley: Please Please Please” where a man in the crowd yells “Take us home, Jackie!” If you ever plan on taking a girl (or guy) back to your place, pop this soul jam into your stereo and let Jackie take you home.
Review by Eva Bandurowski. Follow her on Twitter @ewabando.
