I GOT THE FEELIN' - JAMES BROWN IN THE SIXTIES

James Brown, but I can definitely appreciate his place in the development of rock and R&B music throughout the world. In the popular music pantheon, he stands with very few others as one of the fundamental architects of the sound that has dominated music for sixty years. However, this three disc set manages to illuminate Brown's enduring legacy as a critical element of the burgeoning racial equalization in the sixties. Unlike many of his contemporaries, though, Brown allowed his music and passion inspire others, rather than jump into the fight physically. Up on his stage, Brown was the master of all he surveyed, and what he saw - murder, beatings, and blatant discrimination - wounded him deeply. He turned that pain into a primal scream that awakened a nation out of its racially-divided slumber. The discs contain three concerts from 1968, arguably the cornerstone year in racial politics. LIVE AT THE APPOLO '68 - An amazingly energetic performance. The medley at the end, which includes I FEEL GOOD and PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE, will take your breath away. Watching him work, you're almost amazed that this guy ever managed to die. LIVE AT BOSTON GARDEN - This is the entire concert from April 5, 1968, which is less than 24 hours after Martin Luther King was shot. Despite the fact that several American cities were on fire that day in response to the shooting, Brown took the stage anyway and gave one of the greatest live performances in the history of recorded music. The entire show was shot by Boston television and televised to the entire city in order to send a message to everyone that life must go on. A startling document. THE NIGHT JAMES BROWN SAVED BOSTON - Despite the stupid title, this is my favorite DVD of the package. Essentially a documentary, the film intercuts Brown's legendary Boston performance with illuminating interviews with the people who lived it, as well as those whose lives have been affected in the aftermath. If you have no appreciation for Brown and his legacy, the education starts here. OVERALL A magnificent tribute to the musical and cultural legacy of one of America's greatest artists. Like I said, I am not a huge fan of his, but this remarkable collection is worthy of a place on the shelves of any respectable music fan. A must have.

rating: 5