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.
- Format: Vinyl
- Genre: Pop
- Released: 10/12/2018
