BuzzFlash Reviews
James Brown at the Apollo (Live and Remastered CD)
By "The Godfather of Soul"
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And you can hear it clearly in this vintage, remastered live performance at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem. Originally recorded before a boisterous group of adoring fans in 1962, this album has been re-released as a CD that seems to come out of a time capsule.
When Brown recently passed away, many in the media forgot his early years as a straight-shot-to-your-heart soul singer.
"Live at the Apollo" returns you to Brown's roots, swooning fans and all.
All Music Guide:
The 2004 Deluxe Edition of James Brown's Live at the Apollo (recorded in October of 1962 and issued in 1963) really is a deluxe issue. For starters, it was taken from the same undubbed stereo master as the 1990s version, keeping it separate from previously issued versions with overdubbed applause and "fixed" sequences. Because the technology of transferring analog tape to digital has improved greatly in the last decade and a half, the amount of information that can be moved from one source to another is far greater, translating into higher fidelity. The way this evidences itself here is in the feel of the room on this set.
One can actually feel the Apollo as a room. It's as if the listener is on the stage rather than in the audience, soaking up the same atmosphere as the band. It's almost beyond live. Secondly, the crispness of the guitars and horns on this version has to be heard to be believed. It's not harsh, not shrill, just immediate and crystal clear. And on headphones, Brown's vocals and those of his backing band are literally in your face.
The rest of the tunes, "I Found Someone," "Why Do You Do Me," and "I Want You So Bad," come off as the rawest single ever issued. In addition, the 45s of "Lost Someone" and "I'll Go Crazy" are included. These were issued after the album took off like a rocket to the complete surprise of everyone but Brown. If you can only own one James Brown disc, forget the greatest hits; this one has all the magic and makes the most compelling argument yet for rebuying something already purchased on CD.
-- Thom Jurek
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