Reviews (page 11 of 13)
Not really a James Brown fan, but you can't deny the legacy of the man and the energy of this album. Some performers thrive with live performances and clearly with this and other Apollo live recordings, he is at the top of his game in front of a live audience. He truly is the hardest working man in show biz!
1/17/22
Good live album 3 stars
I really like James Brown, but for some reason this album just didn’t resonate with me. My favorite song was actually “Down and Out in New York City”, which came up as a spotify radio recommendation after I finished the live show. Album highlight: Emily walked in from her run and asked why i was listening to someone screaming 😂
14th January 2022 Listened in the shower and while shaving. Went out with coopy and ebbs in the evening. Lovely little half hour with the hardest working man in show business. Great to hear the reaction of him playing to a live audience.
Fun! But would prefer a studio album.
I Have confession, I found this album a bit of a slog to get into. Maybe it was my mood but I just didn't find this as good as Live at the Apollo Vol II which I used to play to death as a teen. Something about it just misses the mark for me. Maybe the mix or production doesn't do it justice on Spotify - I feel like I am listening to the gig for the foyer rather than being up front in the thick of the action
Die Band ist einfach nur geil. Finde die Songs nicht so wahnsinnig gut, aber die Arrangements und die Performance sind der Hammer.
Not the best live album I’ve heard, but enjoyable enough
Quality soul from the hardest working man in music.
Another live album? 🥴 🥴 🥴 Palpable energy and soul here, but that crowd is so jarring and distracting.
SHACK
I saw James brown live at Glastonbury when he was allegedly 80 odd, but in reality he was probably 100. Was underwhelming as he didn't do much other than shout James brown while everyone else did the work. This album surprised me because he actually sings on it.
A cyclops on cocaine tugging himself off to the memory of the surrogate mother of his first born.
It was okay. Not my type of vibe, but I liked Night Train. I can imagine watching this live must have ben fun, not the same experience when you're just sitting at home
The smoke man live was better
Solid piece of live music. However, I sorta dislike music in general, I don't have the headphones to make it sound "Real." So all I get is some sort of subpar recording with overblown screaming and shouting in the background. It's cool, but I also kind of hate it is a format.
I'm noticing a pattern with a lot of these albums where I can recognize that, yes, this is Good Music, and it's fairly enjoyable to listen to, but it doesn't really do very much for me. Will I put this on again? Most likely, no. But it was an enjoyable experience nevertheless. Bonus points for the girls going absolutely hogwild during Lost Someone, haha.
6/10
Very funky, very disco, much shouting
Good album despite being live.
Some songs are bit to short and poppy. A good energy throughout with a good funky soul sound.
I början visade albumet på höga strukturella kvaliteter. Genom att hålla låtarna koncisa och utvecklande lyckades musiken. Detta gjorde de inledande låtarna minnesvärda men efter albumets gång tappades den kärnfulla egenskapen men också den medryckande känslan. De senare låtarna var inte alls lika sammanhållande och gav en känsla av ett obearbetat resultat. Samtidigt är sångarens vackra raspiga röst perfekt för den svängiga stil som albumet konstruerar.
Soul med masser af energi, live
Quite nice little album. Not sure if I'd listen again though
Very energetic, must have been amazing to be there. I'm not a big fan of live recordings in general, but I can see how this one might be an exception (were it not for all the screaming).
Good
I can feel the funk. Fart och fläkt hela halvtimmen i detta livealbum! Gillart. Love Someone är albumets egentliga höjdpunkt, en 10 minuter lång, briljant sånguppvisning. Men jag kan ändå inte bortse från den lite lugnare, nedtonade I Don't Mind, som är otroligt vacker i sin enkelhet. Bästa låt: I Don't Mind. Även om alla bör lyssna på Lost Someone minst en handfull gånger i livet.
Just what it says.. ya need to see him tho
Too fast...
The hardest working man in show business shows exactly why he is that. Old school soul and R&B doing it right. The crowd is as much as an instrument in this as well. Best Tracks: I'll Go Crazy; Medley; Night Train
It's hard to pick against James Brown, but the mix was awful and so was all the screaming. This was not the experience I was hoping it would be. Best track: the medley
Decent early more blue-sy. 3.5/5
There's some balancing issues. None of my favourite tracks were on it. And at 30 minutes, it felt like it should have packed more of a punch than it did... But it's still James Brown. Performance and presence out the hole
I like James Brown, but never a fan of live albums
September 30, 2021 This was fine but kind of long and rambly. Not bad, just not for me.
To much crowd noises.
Pretty good stuff. 0RS
Great voice, good songs I guess my problem is that they all sound like standards, and like I've heard them 100 times before, even when I haven't.
it was okay, i like his voice but it wasn’t that fun to listen to 🤷♀️🤷♀️
Uncomplicated fun. James Brown is great to listen to, although this particular selection of songs isn't necessarily my favourite - being recorded in 1962 it has a huge 50s flair/sound to it and I'm not a big fan of that era (e.g. doowop) but nevertheless it's a highly enjoyable collection especially (mostly?) because it's live. And that intro is fantastic :) 6/10 3 stars - will never be a keeper for me but would reach for this again in the right setting.
Fun
A preview of his later glory, but doesn’t stand alone as something I’d play again and again.
Short and sweet. Nice one.
R&B, soul
Not bad. Probably wouldn’t put it on, but wouldn’t necessarily turn it off either.
Fun little piece of history but not something I'd go back and listen to
Big James Brown fan but this album really isn't that good. "Lost Someone" was pretty cool though.
First time listening to a full James Brown album. Leaning a little more on the doo-wop era than I would have hoped. Not a bad thing, just not my choice of genre in the grand scheme of things. Still so much talent on display here.
Here's the thing. I like James Brown typically, but I really don't like live albums. They tend to be worse quality musically than studio, as you'd expect. As a result, this is not the best album, even though it has alright music.
Well that was fun. That show must have been hott! Good album I will listen again soon. 3 🌟
Pretty good, but not quite as great as some of his later stuff.
Good stuff, makes me want to listen to more James brown, but not this album
Sounds great but very samey
Likes: I’ll Go Crazy Lost Someone Medley:Please Please Please/You’ve Got the Power/... Night Train Dislikes: Try Me I Don’t Mind
1962 GOT DAMN. Our boy JB improved throughout the 60s, but his rise to fame wasn't a fluke.
Meh, pretty boring. Nothing special for now, but I get the significance it had
Flows seamlessly. You can hear what a consummate entertainer your man was. I was of course privileged enough to see him live, supporting the Chilli Peppers(!) And oh! Could he get a crowd on up. This really rolls by, and I feel bad giving it the same grade as Black Sabbath, but hopefully by now we’re all aware I made an error in that grade that I'm paying for now.
I get why this is such an important record but honestly the live recording makes it a little hard for me to fully get into.
Es James Brown, pero odio los discos en directo.
Live albums are always a bit weird for me. But a vibe. Good for a studying.
Like the Fela album, I love JB but this isn't great. It's fine though, and the band is super tight. I just think his later stuff is so much better.
good performance, a bit before what I think of as James Brown primetime
Didn’t really hold my attention
I wasn't as mad about it as the women in the crowd, still good though. Loads of energy from James Brown as expected.
It was a strange inclusion on this list in my opinion. Maybe if I listen to more James Brown music then revisit it I will appreciate it more but it didn’t do a whole lot for me. Light 6/10
Classic and identifiable James Brown. Alright but all the tracks start to sound the same after a while. ***
‘Twas a fine album, but I probably won’t listen again too much. Low 3 from moi
Definitely thought (and hoped) this would be more rowdy. Voice is incredible though. I don't Mind is the highlight for me. Too much screaming.
I know TGFOS’s main hits and a little of his lesser known stuff, but this was a good intro to his soul years, and live nonetheless. Enjoyed this one, but wasn’t a massive fan. Might revisit. Might not.
My dad loves James Brown so I listened to him quite a bit growing up. This album is good not great especially compared to what I know it could be
Always enjoy the godfather of soul, but the recording made it hard to hear him. Though listening to the audience at the Apollo Theater was fun. I would have had to be there.
Powerful and fun
I like James Brown but I listened to this in the morning and I think I just wasn't in the right mood
Was good but nothing special, was expecting more. The fact it was live added to it, I miss gigs.
For live albums to work they have to be great performances. Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, Elvis comeback special no.1440, something like that. This is decent without me really ever paying close attention. I also for some reason felt like James Brown had a bit of Jimmy Saville about him. Everything about this album is good without being great. The Voice, The tunes, the music. All good. The crowd noise sounds like they put it on afterwards. I'm not having it people screamed and clapped like that. Maybe this gets a 3 as i feel bad about calling him a nonce and "I Don't Mind" is a magnificent song!
Nice, quick entertaining listen. It's James Brown innit?
Great but so short :(
Good but not something id nornally listen to
Although this sounds good on speakers, maaan it must have been something to see JB's energy live on stage. I bet this concert was legendary
It is not a bad concert, although it is not my style
I love the opening fanfare. I want an opening fanfare at all times please. I’m not usually a huge fan of live albums, too much screaming from the audience and it doesn’t always flow as well as it would in person. James Brown is clearly playing to the audience and they are eating it up. This is fun, but I’d rather listen to a studio album from James Brown.
Great primal funk, still with lots of R&B roots and an emphasis on the "B(lues)" part of it.
Short, fun, soul & blues. Lots of screaming women.
Jazzy feeling and love a good live album. Full of soul and energy. Props to the double bassist, really fills the band out Vocals drop in and out a couple of times but not too noticeable. 3/5
It’s powerful and clearly showing his potential but I’m too far from that era to experience it properly.
Great Horns. Favorite Tracks: Night Train
This was great. Never listened to this album before. Incredible live performance.
I didn’t do this cause I’d already seen this one, it was pretty good. Micheal McIntyre introduced him and I think Jack Dee did a set after!
Fun, quick, easy
it wasnt exactly my favorite style of music. but the guy can definitely play music well
The girls screaming throughout are incredibly annoying but otherwise an awesome live album (which I normally dislike).
Lovely to hear James sing.
Some bangers but too much breaking it down, taking it to the bridge and shouting. Maybe cause it was a live album.
3.4
kann man machen... bisschen kurz
Great voice live, lots of energy. Not really my scene for the whole album.
Great album even if not my gendre
Funky 3,5
Sounds like a fun concert. James leans a little more towards Sam Cooke than I expected him to. He really knows how to work a crowd. The medleys are great. Favorite tracks: "I'll Go Crazy", "Please Please Please"
He's got better
het geschreeuw en gejuich op de achtergrond is ZO zo afleidend
There are a couple very brief interludes of interesting instrumentation - the vocals are horrific.
two stars for the song tears also come on a twenty minute song is way to much
Not my vibe
There are a lot of reasons I don’t like live albums. This one invoked all of them. Thank God James Brown just has a really good sound. Anything lesssr and this would’ve been a one.
2 Wow, the crowd sure was happy to be there
This is one of those records that garnered lots of accolades, but it doesn't resonate with me. The band is tight, but the songs are lacking from this era.
This could be good, I like James Brown's music. But the live aspect of the album makes it unbearable to listen to. Can people shut the fuck up and enjoy the music?
im sorry but honestly if i payed to hear this live, after the first song i would genuinely ask for my money back. tiene algunos elementos btw, pero no me gusto
I'm sure this was an awesome show to see in person. As with most live recording, this does nothing for me.
Ahhhhhh
I'm sure it was great if you were there - but not sure this recording does it justice. Does James Brown not have any good studio albums?
There’s a connection between the audience and the performer that must’ve been thrilling at the time. There certainly was an excitement to it and it’s an influential album, but it bored me to death. The consistent hyperdrive of the music wears on me. I prefer more restraint. Also his screams don’t charm me as they do for other people.
Not hitting like you'd think
No es mi tipo de música, supongo que es algo de su epoca
Selkeesti naisilla kostuu pikkarit, mutta omat Danish Guyt pysyy vielä jalassa.
not excited about live albums, James is a classic but this album is not.
i feel like i already heard this?
lovely instrumentals
Was really excited for the idea of this, thinking it would be a 4/5 but found it largely uninspiring in the end.
Had high hopes but was v disappointed:( Some nice moments but the soul did not touch my soul. And far too much screeching from both James and the audience which made for an unpleasant listening experience.
Enjoyed but also sad James brown makes me sad
Never had i listened to a James Brown album (or even song appart from i feel good i guess), and yeah i can see where people are coming from when saying that he's one of the most influencial artist ever. Pretty boring tho. Got hyped during the first song when the brasses came on during the anouncement, but that's pretty much it. I know its a recording from the early 60s, but damn, all i heard was the bassist, and sometime JB's voice coming from the left. Not my shit, -1 for being an asshole, +1 for basically being the first musician ever
His voice is so finely controlled but loose and expressive it’s insane. Vocal performance aside though, I wasn’t feeling this one. It’s probably a symptom of it being another live album but some tracks were quick & abrupt, while others ambled slowly to the finish. It never felt like the album found its footing to me, but I can totally see the appeal. A personal very strong two. STAND-OUT SONG: “Try Me” HONORABLE MENTION: “I’ll Go Crazy”
2 stars
I respect his talent, but this kind of music just doesn't suit me
I don't know why I listen to this, it is boring as per usually, all the screaming and improv are really not my cup of tea... 😐
Not really my thing
Troppo chiasso
2 stars?? Idk this isnt really my vibe but I enjoyed it❤️
It was an alright listen. I do love this type of music, but wasn't overall a fan of this. I didn't hate it, but also didn't enjoy it as much as I do this type of music on average. It was fine, but I wouldn't come back to it. Probably 2.5-2.75?
Would be higher if it wasn't a live album
I like James Brown, but not this album.
Given the songs I know by James Brown, I didn't expect to be this bored. Especially the 11 minute one. Yowza. I also don't usually get anything out of a live album unless i'm a huge fan.
Meh There was too much faffing about on this for a 30 minute album The small upbeat sections of music would raise my hopes, only to be dashed as being an intro to another slow song I was disappointed by this
this one didn't really age well... not getting it
It's fine, it's short at least
Pretty cool, but not my tempo. I’m not a big live album person.
not my jam
Far too much screaming
I hope the tickets weren't expensive. At no point during this half-hour concert did I feel like I'd missed out because I wasn't there. At least the recording quality isn't dogshit.
Meg
Semmosta, kait ollut huippuhupia tuohon aikaan. Innokkaita ihmisiä ainakin yleisössä. Mutta ei tämä minua pistänyt himotuttaan.
Too screetchy
Seems like a transition period between crooner Brown and frenetic Brown. I say this based on no evidence.
I think the only live album I need to hear before I die is NOFX's I've Heard They Suck Live. This was fine, but it's a live album, I'm generally only a fan if I love the band
Nice album with rather thin feeling without being at the venue. I expected more just based on presumptions.
Cover federe end musikken.
Kind of interested to listen to this...I thought it would be funky. Maybe the funk phase came later. This just felt like a not very interesting live recording of some soul-type music. Didn't love it.
1. intro - 0 2. crazy - 2 3. try - 3 4. bridge - 0 5. think - 1 6. bridge - 0 7. mind - 2 8. bridge - 0 9. lozt - 2 10. pleaze - 1 11. night - 1
Quite ni e but didnt add any wasnt feling th emoment
not for me but not bad
Had this album before on my own list. Was decent. I liked Think. 2.5
No me gustó
Best Track - "I'll Go Crazy"
did not care for this at all. it was mostly just background music. the screaming fans were SO annoying. 4/10
Album 163. James Brown Live At The Apollo (https://open.spotify.com/album/0B6BbyElOe4bwziJrunOTe?si=sfV8FwgRTEu5woyGoe74MA) — James Brown (1963) Not bad, it has energy 2/5 Liked: — Try Me
Listened in the car. Man Dimery must love live albums as this is the 5th one I've had since starting in January. It's a shame because I really don't like live albums at all for the most part. Live shows have a big visual aspect which is lost in an audio only format. They can never truly capture the crowd energy and they end up leaving a "well, you had to be there" feeling with me. This one is no exception. It sounds like an amazing show, but I just found myself zoning out while he interacted with a crowd I'm not in and can't see and barely hear. Hope there aren't many more live records on this list.
Look I fell asleep while first listening to this but my impressions were it was pretty piss weak in terms of blues music, I mean you’re going up against Elvis, Nina Simone and I guess the start of the Beatles and the best you can do is a little screaming, the same filler ostinatos heard when they first put pianos in the logging camps and a brass section blaring over everything? Mostly I just feel like the lyrics are both repetitive and derivative. Also his mic keeps cutting out. That being said he is a compelling singer. These are just not very interesting songs. They just kinda read like a disconnected collection of things to say to ones love. This album has merit but it’s not concentrated enough to listen to. 2/5
Not very exciting, 4/10
eeeeeeeemm. Curioso.
me encanta que está re cortico, el flow es suave pero igual me ha parecido como bien, al final estuvo aburrido pero no fue como supper maluco de escuchar
live album
Звучить добре, але я не буду це переслуховувати, це 2,5
Me gustó bastante
I liked "I'll go crazy"
The (far too) frequent additions of live albums to this list had me invent the concept of "dead" albums. How has a black metal band not done this?? Put a field recording mic in a grave and release that shit. The atmosphere would probably be less grating. Unless you could hear stuff wiggling around or whatnot. Not good. Anyway, we get an obnoxious crowd for another full-length release rather than the thankfully silent corpses. I'm telling you, Euronymous is punching air right now that this wasn't Mayhem's follow-up to Dead's suicide. Introductions are done by Fats Gonder. Where has the nickname "Fats" gone? It would seem that it is no longer "en vogue" and has gone the way of the 10 cent trolley ticket. Even our most corpulent celebrities are too cowardly to rock the name Fats these days. Just own the girth. Wear a Mumu and one of those plushy hats. Life becomes an easier slog once you do. Just another sign society has crumbled to where it is no longer recognizable as a positive structure. Surprisingly, the old days understood short attention spans when it came to music. We only had to endure 31 minutes of shrieking women alongside what was a energetically performed, albeit sort of boring set from Mr. Way More Popular Than I Thought He Was, James Brown. A fun game I like to play when I'm bored (see above) is to go back and try to figure out which famous people had undiagnosed ADHD in the 60's/70's. 2.5 HIGHLIGHTS: This had to be one of the sweatier shows that year.
Unfortunately this was everything I hate about Live albums. Sure, James Brown does a great job of working the crowd, but... listening to a load of people just screaming in a call-and-response style is not particularly pleasant. The music was great, and James' voice is fantastic and extremely soulful (if a little shouty). Would have been a 4 if it weren't a Live version. 2 because my ears hurt from the excessive screaming.
I generally enjoyed the music but the amount of screaming from the crowd completely ruined it. 3 lowered to a 2 because of the screaming
The main focus of this live album seems to be James Brown's vocal vamping, which for a lesser singer would just be screaming. Brown manages to stay on pitch and keep his emotional focus, even though he really is screaming. It's impressive. Beyond that though... I just wasn't impressed. Nothing else memorable. I'm glad some of the rest of y'all enjoyed it so much. Not for me.
No le di mucha atención, no me cerro 5/10
Quel dommage que le seul album de JB soit Live... Tout est gâché par les hurlements stridents, insupportables et incessants du public. Les titres en eux-mêmes mériteraient 4 ou 5 étoiles.
Was okay. Mostly covers of things i think? idk, i wasn't the biggest fan.
This album is not bad exactly, but it isn't interesting either.
11 songs in 31 minutes? James Brown really is the hardest working man in show business. Fats Gonder is going to be my new alter ego. I like James Brown in general, but this is not my favorite album. I picture him doing James Brown stuff during the bridges and feel like this album is missing a visual medium. Five two minute songs, a 3 minute song and a six minute song crowded around an 11 minute song. The audience participation is hilarious.
Just not my thing for some reason
1.5 stars Maybe this was something worth listening to at the time. But I would never listen to this again. Live music with low sound quality, songs that have not stood the test of time, and screams from the audience for every wail he makes that don’t translate in the modern era. It’s a historical document that does not provide for an interesting listen.
James Brown has such a recognizable voice, not a huge fan but I can appreciate his music 2.5
2/5
Artiste connu uniquement par le tube 'Get on up', moyennement apprécié. Cet album est plus vieux, plutôt blues. Les parties rapides sont assez entrainantes (+1), et les morceaux sont en général plutôt courts, ce qui permet d'éviter de lasser. Malheureusement les 2 exceptions sont à 6 et 10 mn, et là l'ennui vient vite : "Lost Someone" est interminable et musicalement sans intérêt (terriblement répétitif et lent) ... mais le public semble apprécier. Pas de seconde écoute pour moi. =>2/5
no me gusta cuando son grabaciones de concierto tampoco me llamo la atención
Dobar lajv, ali sam možda očekivala malo više. Nisam prije slušala. 2/5, 3/10
Bit too much audience noise for my taste, but I can see that being a draw for some people.
To be honest, I never really got into James brown because his vocal style never really appealed to me. That said, I thought this was a decent live album. The musical instrumentation stood out the most for me.
In terms of importance and historical interest, this album is amazing. It's very rare to see interaction with audiences feel so real, where the push and oull of stage presence to an audience is palpable, and this record really shows it. As Robert Christgau noted in his review of the album, it estaished "Brown as an r&b superstar and a sales force to be reckoned with, it's a time capsule, living testament of a chitlin circuit now defunct." In this way, the album is important to listen to, and should be listened to for years to come. In regards to the music though? I'm not a fan. The soul and funk that came to define James Brown's work isn't fully developed yet, and while his stage presence and mannerism are immaculate, there are only so many times I can hear him scream, get excited, only for him to switch into crooning mode. It's not terrible, but the songs are not for me, and despite it being a live album there still feels like control is needed, like Brown isn't fully committing style wise (unlike a similar album released around the same period). Overall, it's an historically important album, but not a good album.
I didn’t care for this live show. Not sure how it made this list. Surely there are better James Brown albums than this?
Not his best work
Somehow, this record makes James Brown seem kind of "generic and boring"! What in the world!
James Bram, no doubt, is a talented musician and entertainer, and the musicians on this album are all great. That said I just don't see myself ever putting this album on again. I didn't mind listening to it but it's not something I would probably go back to. Two stars.
Rhythm section merchant. I understand why people would like this but I overdosed
A live album isn’t a best of album, it a best of live performance. Another case of not wanting to put a best of compilation so you give em a live album since they don’t actually have a BEST album.
I had a hard time getting into this one. Couldn’t keep my attention.
Big fan of James Brown and understand the historical relevance of the album. Huge detractors to rate it higher is the length and song selection for the album version; it’s just a sampler of the impact of his live show.
Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
-live sounds are kinda cool -feels more about the collective album rather than any individual tracks -not something I like very much but I appreciate the experience of it
Slightly aged. And his screaming/vocals are not always my favour. And - as always - I rate it down just because it is a live album. But I like the cover artwork. 1,5
Meh…too much screaming
Not my vibe
Live album noooo
Das Geschrei im Hintergrund hat genervt
Ужасно тяжело слушать это в 2026 году. Разве что только для академического интереса
too much screaming for me
I didnt like it live, his oww's really started to irritate. I suspect I might have quite enjoyed it if it had been an ordinary album
I'm not sure why this live album was included. James Brown has many quality albums that could be on this list instead.
The music is fine, and if this was a studio album it might have been better, it takes something special to make a good live album & this wasn't it
Didn't quite feel what the audience seemed to be experiencing.
like James Brown but this is meh 2.5/5
Eh not my fav
Zeker niet slecht, zou het niet snel nog eens luisteren.
James Brown has two sides: his early career delivered timeless R&B/soul classics full of raw energy, while his later years, marred by drug addiction, often felt like a diminished, self-parodying version of his former self. In the early 1960s he was best known for explosive hit singles. This is the only James Brown album I’ve really listened to, and it didn’t impress me much.
Fun if formulaic song structures, talented musicians and back up singers and then James and his scrotum squeeze voice. Yeah, I don't think anyone needs to hear this before they die, I certainly didn't.
Groovy, but no. 2
Too much for me
JB had some set of pipes but this lost shouldn't have live albums sorry
Can't deny the talent, just not my thing at all.
3/10 Barely held my attention and that stereo split is terrible.
Nice
Trochu lepšie, ako jeho klasika z 80. rokov, ale nebaví ma...
I enjoyed the listen
Sorry but this genre of music is really not for me.
Don’t really get the fuss on this one versus so many other of his live performances, and points off as usual for a live album anyway
If you're going to beat your wife with a pipe you need to be at least as interesting onstage as Jerry Lee Lewis. I know this was groundbreaking at the time but I'm not sure what this has to offer in 2026.
Traditional jazz vibes, funky, and lively vocals. Not my style but very fun.
2,4/5
21 minutes long. A bad recording that is 90% weighted to one speaker/headphone. Definitely not required listening by any metric. 2/5
I don’t get what makes this a classic, other than it’s James Brown. It’s not even a greatest hits set list.
60s ist auf jeden Fall eine der Musikjahrzehnte in die ich super gern reinhör, nur leider war James Brown nie richtig mein Fall. Durch das Live Album habe ich auf jeden Fall ein bisschen mehr Zugang gefunden, allerdings habe ich ein paar der Tracks als sehr repitativ empfunden während andere die Crowd wieder aufgemischt haben. Ich wär auf jeden Fall gern dabei gewesen, weil der Vibe bestimmt super gewesen wäre. Im Alltag werde ich es glaub ich nicht nochmal hören.
Bin ich leider nicht reingekommen.
I was surprised at how NOT tight the band was!
Me han gustado mas otros albumes de Jazz
I wasn’t a fan of the live version.
sounds fun, but wouldn’t listen to again
..
Not for me. A little James brown goes a long way
All in all, not terrible. However, I wouldn’t have lost any sleep knowing I might not of heard it prior to my demise.
Honestly, disappointing. James Browne is known as this great, energetic coked-up live act. I've seen clips and performances where Brown is electric. So why is this album so moot? So uneventful? So inconsequential? So tame? For such a powerful live performer, this didn't seem to capture it at all. And I like live albums and live audiences, but it was just kinda half an hour of basic James Brown and live audience calling back.
he sure was a thing
This was not as fun as I was hoping. Don't think the audience noises helped
This isn’t good. Live recordings (with rare exceptions) aren’t albums.
My right ear enjoyed listening to the vocals, my left ear thought the instruments were good. I'm not sure what the thought process was choosing this over a studio album. I'm also not sure how to feel about James Brown as a person, but separating the artist I thought the performance was pretty good; the audio quality was not. 2.5 rounded down
I was enjoying this album more than I thought I would until I got to Lost Someone and then it started to lose me. Typically I have a hard time with live albums, especially ones that are these old. I normally just don't think they sound that good. There are exceptions to this, of course, but I typically avoid live albums for this reason and I refuse to listen to anyone tell me to do otherwise. Unless it's br*tish list man I guess. The first half of this was fun. James Brown really is a great singer. I've heard some call him the American Freddie Mercury. But by the end of the album, the live recording limitations really started to be a sore spot for me. Typically with these album of the day reviews, I try not to dig into production so much, especially on albums I know are old (i always know when they're old. the year is right under the artist). It's never a good sign when I'm waiting for the album to end because I'm more excited for what's queued up after. And the tricky thing is, I like the songs on this one. In a better recording environment I probably would've just been jamming along and dancing around. Sorry James.
Didn't like his voice or his screaming.
Schade, aber das war nicht so meins.
kind of boring
It's really not my type but some of the rhythms were good.
not my style of music at all unfortunately
Hurts my soul to give a James Brown record this low of a rating. But it’s not indicative to the fire he was about to set a few years later and change everything. Classic James Brown energy, but the funk isn’t there yet.
Ok, not really a fan.
Standouts Too much screaming, should check out the studio versions
# 599 : Live at the Apollo I want to like it, but it's so hard to enjoy a live album. I could listen to it but it's not real good. Nothing really leapt out at me, but one or two things sounded ok. If you have to listen to this, look out for: I'll Go Crazy
4.5/10
As with most live albums, too much talking to and playing with the crowd, which is interesting while live but not after its recorded. James Brown has a great voice, and the songs are pretty good, just not as fun live. Best song: I'll Go Crazy
mix surpreendentemente boa álbum surpreendentemente chato 4/10
I wanted to enjoy this album. I wanted to like James Brown. But I hate to say it, I really didn't. I hate live albums, especially when you can hear the screaming in the background. Sorry, but not for me. Not an album I enjoyed.
Listening to this, you can tell what a great performer James Brown was. His energy, charisma, and voice are all off the charts. His band is great too. Somehow though, this album still falls flat, and it's because of the songs. The beginning of the album is full of what feels like snippets of songs, with each one ending before Brown can really get to work on them. Then comes "Lost Someone," which Brown sings the hell out of, but which drags on much too slowly. The medley that follows it is the best part of the album, the energy really comes through on that one. By that point though it just can't save the album. This was probably a great show, but in recorded form it ends up sounding surprisingly thin and slight.
Imagine going to see James Brown live and him not playing papas got a brand new bag. I realise he hadn’t released it yet but still, what’s the point? It’s like going to see Houmous & Chutney and them not playing Len & Ken’s Chickpea Rhythm! 1.9 11/11 Nighttrain
Don’t want to be harsh on a legend, but I can’t get into this collection of ad-libs and screams.
“If he thought you were doing something wrong, he’d throw up five fingers, or ten fingers, and that’s what he would dock your salary.” Clyde Stubblefield There are more important things, James! 2.5 This is interesting, it just isn’t very good. Here is a nice, crisp account of female fans shrieking their hearts out while Brown’s band plays tidily and efficiently. James Brown’s singing is sporadically brilliant but largely sounds like the squawking of an indignant old lady. The main issue though is simply the songs. I understand they’re hits - Fats the hype man explains this at the start - and that they are, here, about as well performed as they could be. The songs just aren’t very good. 2/5
James Brown is solid but live albums are not
Early, too early. JB’s magnetism and control of the crowd is on full display. This is a glimpse of the father of funk he would later become. Lost Someone is a 10 min window into his artistic brilliance. Not much more you can expect from a live recording from 1962. Still, only 2 stars because everything up until Lost Someone is not worth listening to.
It seems that some people, distinguished music writers, value this album to death. I really don't understand. Musically nothing is happening. I'm listening to James Brown shouting in a mic for 31 minutes. Nothing is exciting. Even worse: in the intro we hear painfully false notes. The saxes in 'Try me'... oh boy. Yes, the charm of a live album, but it's a pain to the ears. Low point is 'Lost someone'. It's eleven minutes of call and response, except that nothing's happening. Not my cup of tea.
Felt as though you had to be there and then this would have been a 5. I just didn't get the atmosphere through this live album
I felt this album has more “yaaaoww” from both the audience and Mr Brown than actual music. There was a 10min long rendition of “yaaaoowww”. Now while I am a fan of the occasional “yaaaoww” I would have liked the album to have packed more of a musical “yaaaoww”. The live nature didn’t add to the music. However the occasional songs were enjoyable
Not a fan of live albums, and this just doesn't scratch the itch required when I want to listen to James Brown… Hopefully he has a few better selections on the list. ⭐️⭐️
Boring live album. At least it was short. 2/5
It's alright, he has a really good energy and I enjoyed his voice but it's not my type of music. 2/5 stars.
De muziek was wel oke, maar de hoeveelheid gillende meiden was erg storend.
Completely forgettable - nothing stood out. 31 minutes including a 2 minute intro and almost 11 minutes of Lost Someone which just ambles along with crowd screams in the background. He was a great showman and has an incredible voice but I don't think this album showcases his best songs.
Now this list needs to stop giving me albums from the 50s and 60s because none of them hold up well today. And it sucks that these albums will probably all get given lower rating just because they are so overdone and I’ve heard it all before. Now this isn’t a knock on James brown I think he’s a fantastic singer and there’s nothing I don’t like about his music but it just isn’t anything special. Solid bluesy funk soul music that I’ve heard 1 million times. My favourite song was Medley: Please Please Please which was a good example of his talent. Damn I hate to say that it’s solid 5.7/10 2.6/5
Que sea un directo no me esta dejando disfrutarlo se esucha mas a las fans que otra cosa y me saca de la cancion con los gritos. Como cantante esta guay, los coros estan guays la instrumentacion esta guay, pero le falta algo, lo disfruto mas cuando las canciones son relajaditas. Se nota que al tio le gusta el publico
Not for me
Bored by it.
I'm sure it was great if you were there - but not sure this recording does it justice. Does James Brown not have any good studio albums?
Starts strong and has a lot of energy. The mood swings wildly between songs but they are vowen together nicely. Also the opening is fantastic. I want to like this album but it's hard. The big, big negative is that it gets a loud a little bit to often, both from James and screams from the audience, but I understand that it's a bit of the charm with a live recording. It gets a bit jarring for me when the song has a nice groove and it gets "interrupted" every 10-20 seconds. I guess I feel like there is a disconnect between the energy in the songs and the audience in most parts. Also some songs can feel like they get a little bit repetitive in text and sound. I feel like there is a soundmix/alternate recording of this set that is fantastic. I got annoyed listening to this. Haven't really listened to James Brown before but I'm a fan. Might give it another try at some other time in another setting, but I don't think I would play this again "for fun". I would rather seek out some other live album or one of his studio ones and give them a try. No particular song from this album would go into my playlists though.
I prefer the more bluesy numbers on this record because the "tender" songs came off as annoying (Try me, I Don't Mind, Lost someone ). I loved the instrumental bridges, they flowed so well. The guitar took a back seat which was odd, and didn't work. Lost someone dragged on way to long. Overrall this album had some pretty good highs and low lows. https://share.google/images/KXeYC7C6ybqWeeJkN
Made coffee while listening, it was easy listening but couldn't pick up anything. I'll give it a 2 but a very nice two.
It’s fine I think it would be better live but. Yeah not for me
I was really stoked when I drew this album. Love the funky trumpets, and eclectic jazzy feel, songs to clap along with, etc. But the live format didn’t really do it for me. Too much distracting background noise and screaming.
Oh to be a successful artist and be able to throw up a 28 minute, 6-7 song set. Obviously a very talented performer and I like some of his studio work but this did little to nothing for me. Don’t just say ow say OWWW was hilarious.
With very few exceptions, I don't like live albums. This is not one of those exceptions. I don't need to hear ladies screaming high pitched through my headphones. The music itself is good. If this were a normal recording, I'd probably give it a 3/5, but I'm docking it a point for being live.
69/100 pretty fun to listen to, love the instrumental bridges and the intro very much, you can feel the atmosphere in the theatre, one of the most influential live performances of all time but musically isnt anything crazy
Jag tycker det har potential men jag måste lyssna på det mer för att faktiskt tycka om den.
Jag har med några undantag svårt för Live-inspelningar. Dessutom är jag inte ett jättefan av James Brown. Men bandet är tight!
An extraordinary entertainer. Live album, not so much.
Live album 2.5
a ver no es mi estilo supongo que es entretenido pero off no lo voy a volver a escuchar 2/5
1963. Yeah, not for me. It's like an event in history has been recorded for prosperity. I've heard it now, I don't need to again. Couple of tracks were OK. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ nope ★★☆☆☆(3/10)
I originally grabbed this album a while back and got rid of it. I like James Brown but in concert... meh. If you want to hear James Brown, grab Star Time and listen to all of it. You'll thank yourself in the end. 2/5 stars because it's James Brown. Other than that, it's a live album and I hate them for the most part.
*Fun album. *Only 30 mins. *Listened as background music while reading - that worked great. *Amazing music, but probably wouldn’t return to this album. RATING - 6.5/10
This felt meh. I don't love live albums being on here, and this was too quick to really get into. Good at time though 4/10
Screamin' James Brown.
kinda ild that they're just giving the playlist at the top of the show! I guess they didn't have setlist.fm back in 1963 lol. His part in Rocky IV still my favorite James Brown moment. This is fine. I feel like the 70s and 90s were really the good times for amazing live albums, and a 30 minute live show just ain't it for me, boss. Still love the old school feel of soul and r&b but it really isn't my bag, baby, so I'm going to say good listen. Probably one of the 700 or so albums on this list that could charitably be characterized as albums I'll listen to once before I die. Begging for half points here, so this gets a...
More muted than I thought it would be. Somehow the live atmosphere didn’t come through for me.
After listening to Tim Buckley go funk yesterday, today it's time to explore the genre's origins with James Brown's "Live at the Apollo Theater". Admittedly, I haven't listened to James Brown much beyond his hits. But I did see a couple of videos of his coked-up concerts from the 70s, and as energetic and raw as his performance here is, it's still a much tamer version of him than the one I'm familiar with. The crowd losing their minds tells you everything you need to know about how good he was live. The vocals are superb, as you'd expect. It's not only his voice (which is, of course, one of a kind) and control that make it so, it's also how he handles those slower, more restrained sections. However, aside from the vocals and his performance, which I had expected to be good before going into this, I really didn't connect with the album at all. The songs sounded a bit samey, the lyrics aren't particularly compelling, and I was left with the feeling that I've heard something similar countless times before. And all the screaming and noises from the crowd were a bit annoying. 2.5/5
Live music shouldn't be in this list but at least the crowd seemed to like it.
Felt more like a cool historic artifact than a good listening experience to me. Love the cover art. Rating: 2.5
あまりジェームス・ブラウンは聴かないけれど、彼の出世作となったこのニューヨーク・ハーレムでのライブ・アルバムは、やはり重要作なんだろうか？ I don’t really listen to James Brown much, but this live album recorded in Harlem, New York—his breakout work—seems like an important one, doesn’t it?
I didn’t feel it really. Prefer the funkier stuff this was a bit old and not very musical. More a peacock strutting his stuff.
For some reason, apple music doesn’t have the longest track that makes up about a third of the album ,but honestly it’s no great loss because its a slog to get through. I’m not sure what makes this live album worth noting, but I have to say, although i’m sure james brown was a very charismatic performer and the vocals are vocalling here, I didn’t find this album all that engaging. Hadn’t heard any of the tracks before, and they all seem pretty generic. All in all 2/5