I’m in the middle of writing last-minute papers on the Politics and Culture of Ireland that happen to be due in two days, but I still had to stop writing them to write down my thoughts on the album I’m currently listening to: James Brown – Live at the Apollo.
This has to be the greatest live album ever made. Maybe Live at Leeds, maybe some Velvets bootlegs, maybe a few Mountain Goats shows, maybe a lone few greats can stand up to this recording, but even that is doubtful. This is nothing short of a recording of a man in complete and total control of his audience, moving them to the point of hysterics with the sound of his voice, sending men, women, and children screaming at the top of their lungs with a single note or a single unseen movement. Even without visual aid, you cannot help find yourself mesmerized right along with them, focused intently on the insane energy rifling through every word, every cry, every sound coming out of his mouth.
It is nothing short of awe-inspiring. There are no modern comparisons to this kind of act. Kiddie groups like the Jonas Brothers have achieved similar levels of insanity with their music, but even that is more a result of corporate dynamics and TV ratings than anything else. This man used his actual ART to control the masses to this incredible degree, something unheard of in this day and time. No other artist could bring an audience deathly silent, only to cause spontaneous screams and cries of ecstasy with a single gasp. This is true magic on record, and absolutely must be heard by anybody with any interest in the unbelievable power of live music.
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