Of course, the end of 2007 was spent by many celebrating the coming of the new year. But in another light, it was the one year anniversary of James Brown’s passing. While many are familiar with his hits, there was plenty more beyond "I Feel Good."
Not everyone has had the opportunity to experience his presence and understand why he has always been heralded as the funkiest and most entertaining man in show business. I know I certainly regret missing his show in Bloomington several months before his death. So, in an effort to better help Hoosiers understand the legend, I’ve catalogued some of his funkiest moments. Enjoy.
Night Train Dance! – The early 60s were considered Brown’s golden years, and this video explains it all. Eat your heart out Michael Jackson. The Moonwalk is wimpy compared to these moves.
A Man’s World (Live) — My mom still despises this one only because of its title, but the song transcends its blunt title in meaning and Brown’s performance is both timeless and haunting.
Dance Lessons – Today’s youngsters can YouTube the Soulja Boy dance and learn it in minutes. Children of the 70s were blessed to have Brown take them through his catalogue. But from “The Boogaloo” to “The Soul Train,” it takes more than a few minutes to develop his soul.
Future Shock Clip – Remember when Brown had that TV show for awhile in the 70s? Of course not, so here’s a short clip that will take you on a trip down his own version of Soul Train. Keep your eyes posted for the kid with the Nike bag at the end—now that’s a beautiful thing.
A Man’s World (Duet with Pavarotti) – It’s assumed that as performers age, the quality of their performance slowly diminishes. This video certainly indicates the opposite for Brown. The idea of a duet with Pavarotti is perfect, as it blends the sonic tastes of the two most soulful men in the business. Pavarotti also passed away shortly after Brown in September of 2007.
Remembering: Godfather of Soul
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