James Brown @ The Sage, Friday 24th June The trouble with going to see an entertainer of the calibre of James Brown is having to judge in advance if they are still going to be able to cut it live or not. I guess it’s down to both the ability to hit the notes, and the particular person having the energy to capture the audience. For example, I stayed away from the Velvet Underground reunion, deciding that a night of Lou Reed mumbling his way through the Velvets classics would leave me cold and that the elements that made them such a force in 1967 were long gone. I would have sold my liver in order to see Brian Wilson's recent live shows, or his appearance at Glastonbury over the weekend. I saw the Ramones before they started dying off, and that happened to be one of the most punk rock gigs I’ve been to, but I completely misjudged Blondie’s staying power, and left their recent Newcastle gig disappointed. James Brown is a one off, an enigma, a legend, and probably had more influence on black music than anyone else, but can he still deliver? How do you get James Brown to come to Gateshead? | "It’s during the ballads that we get a glimpse of James Brown the legend, and the chance to appreciate the voice that can still do incredible things." | |
If someone had told me the Foo Fighters were playing in Penshaw I would have probably spilled my drink. If five years ago, you’d told me I’d be seeing James Brown in Gateshead, I’d probably have given you the card of a Doctor friend of mine and urged you give him a call. The fact that he’s in Gateshead is partly down to the reputation the Sage has already built in the international market. Tamsin Austin is responsible for non-classical programming at Sage. “I have a very good relationship with James Brown's agent which I’ve cultivated over the last year.” she tells me on her mobile on the afternoon of he show. She’s in her local Tesco’s buying in fresh goods for that night's back stage rider. “They are one of the biggest agencies in the States, and they said that there was a very small possibility that he may be doing some dates later in the summer.” The Sage as already hosted a live show from the same stable and this feedback helped clinch the James Brown show. “The whole music industry is built on trust, it’s about building a reputation as a promoter, that you’ll treat the artist well, and have a good gig really.” Rider White Swan In the days of divas and attached entourage demanding nothing but white silk drapes, white swans, and their weight in blue smarties, what does the Godfather of Soul demand back stage to help him make the magic happen? There’s already rumours going around about the specifications of the limo he’s ordered to take him to the airport, and what room he’s booked at the new hotel, yelling distance from the Sage. It's Tamsin's job to make sure their talent is happy. “You might not believe this, but he’s travelling in on the tour bus, and not staying at the Hilton with a stretch limo or anything,” she tells me, almost relieved. “He has a separate bus to the rest of the band, but he’s not flying in on charter plane or anything. He’s been on the road for a long time, so he’s used to peddling it on the road like everyone else.” And what does he need to get his mojo working? “He’s really not as demanding as people make out. There’s a lot of hearsay and rumours about how demanding some of these artists are, but I can honestly tell you that really, for James Brown, I haven’t had anything out of the ordinary at all. The most complicated thing I’ve had to arrange is a hooded hair dryer.” They’re Wearing Hot Pants If I’d ever thought I’d be watching a band with dancing girls and a guitarist that goes down onto his knees to play a solo, I’d never expect it to be General Soul – the huge band that James Brown takes on tour with him. The line-up includes his son on guitar, with two rhythm sections, percussion, and full horn section, a trio of lovelies on backing vocals, and a guy at the back playing keyboard. A female singer, who for a second I mistook for Jessica Rabbit makes an appearance too. Hell, there’s even a guy on the payroll with the sole job of shouting “James Brown” and listing his hits before he comes on stage.
 | | Godfather of Soul |
In full ‘Soul Review’ style, the band are wearing matching suits, and after the build up, and the “James Brown” guy's introduction, he’s on stage, with glittering red sequinned suit, hair teased to perfection and ready to do his thing. It’s a Fan’s Fan’s Fan’s World One of my initial reservations about this gig was that the James Brown would only be on the stage for a small part of the live show, letting the band do the work, and stepping back into the spotlight at the right moments. The danger of being a fan is that there’s always the risk of being let down. On the night he spent the duration of the show (just under two hours) on stage, but the band plays a full 20 minutes before getting down to the business of playing a song we knew. He had his own ‘MC’ and a band to knock out the odd instrumental interlude when he recorded Live At The Apollo Vol.1, but 40 something years later, and at £36 a shot, I think we all wanted more songs for our money. Things warm up with ‘Get Up Offa That Thing’ – but the songs are arranged way too long, the solos are indulgent and James Brown himself seems to only be singing a fraction of the words, spending more time with his back to the audience, conducting his band. There seem to be another ten minutes of needless improvisation, followed by a hugely extended version of ‘Living in America’ – and again, we’re over half an hour into the set, and we’ve only heard two songs. Please, Please, Please – Give us A Song. It’s during the rare ballads that we get a glimpse of James Brown the legend, and the chance to hear and appreciate the voice that can still do incredible things. ‘Try Me’ is the epitome of soul, tenderly delivered, but still angst ridden, and beautifully backed up by the horn section and singers. During It's A Man's Man's Man's World he goes down on his knees at the front of the stage. It’s a classic image, and he’s every bit the entertainer and showman he was in 1966.
 | | James Brown tour poster |
There’s also a touching tribute to Ray Charles, where he accapellas a few lines. The absolute splendour of The Sage, and this brief show of greatness made this night for me. The band finally hit a high when they end the show with ‘I Got You (I feel Good) followed by ‘Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine’ with the band, James and the lovelies all giving it the energy and the attention we should have been enjoying all night. But it’s too little too late, and the “James Brown – JAMES BROWN” guy earns his crust as the godfather of soul leaves the stage. Correct Me if I’m Wrong. I’ll always love James Brown, and continue to enjoy the back catalogue, whether it’s Live At The Apollo or Black Caesar, but I leave the venue wondering what happened to ‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag’, ‘Say It Loud (I'm Black And I'm Proud)’ or ‘Please, Please, Please’ and that most of the people there would have been far happier with a shorter show, but with more of the hits, and less hot air. Saying that, having the chance to see a legend in a superb venue during the moments when it all came together on stage, probably won’t come round again. Your comments Simon Cooke
I understand where the reviewer is coming from - I had seen the Godfather the previous year at Hammersmith Apollo, where he played a lot more hits, but even so, there is no doubt that James Brown's live show is still one of the greatest ever - he and his band put modern 'live' acts to shame - there are none so tight, so musically able, and so down-right funky as the Soul Generals. As my friends said as they left the concert - it felt like it had only been going for half an hour - and that is the mark of a true legend. My friends and I were grooving all night long, and spent the journey home wondering how just how amazing it would have been to see the man in his prime. He worked the crowd, he had stage presence like I have never seen, and after the first 15 minutes of introductions I didn't see anyone sitting down - you just had to get up and dance to the music. Perhaps the reviwer should ask James Brown to lend him some Soul, because the Godfather still has Soul in abundance! Tigran Harutiunian
Hello Mr. James Brown .I am from Armenia.I am 15,and I like your songs very much.Thanck for your songs and I`ll to checkin with you.Thank you and Good Bye. simon "the funk" winfield
JB carried the whole performance, his "support" singer was barely on stage. For a fella in his 70's he still sings and slides like a man who is still capable of putting on a show. I think the reporter should stick to listening to his back catalogue in the house!. Darren Grainger
JB is the Godfather of Soul. I watched JB with the rest of my Soul Band- Soul Street. He puts us to shame. I think your reviewer fogot he is a pensioner now, but can still get down with his Bad Self! What will Charles be doing at 72 I ask? Brian Hannah
To Charles Yes, the songs were extended,but that was to give the band a chance to shine. Just how long did you want him to be onstage, he is 74 years of age. He has a fairly substantial back catalogue and he was bound to miss out somebody's favourites. It was superb gig from a guy who is to black music the same way Elvis was to rock and roll, and enjoyed by everyone where I was sitting including my 13 year old son. There was a lot more happier people than unhappy, lighten up |Charles! Paul
I wish. The gig had sold out before I'd found out he was coming to town. | 
