James Brown's Funky People

Something I'd like to submit for your consideration — and my initial gut choice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7_PQL0r9Ok

Myra Barnes — "The Message From the Soul Sisters" (1970)

It's probably between this, "I Know You Got Soul", or "Think (About It)" for me. But even that ignores the total badass fuzz drenched version of "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothin'" or any of the other Lyn Collins songs.

Also lol at Haterade James™ and his "Above Average Black Band" response record.

Also these are all on Spotify:

Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Semi-related, but if you like the fuzzier, more rock-oriented sound of late 60s / early 70s JB, check out:

— The 1971 album of instrumental jam sessions from which the "original rock version" of "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothin'" would come to be.

— There's also the weird album by the studio-only band the Grodeck Whipperjenny from 1970 that has a very similar sound. The band was led by at the time JB affiliate David Matthews and that was their only album, which was (inexplicably) released on the People label. It's, uhh . . . an album that got made. I can definitely say that. Otherwise, yeah. James Brown on acid? Not quite. But acid was definitely involved.

Ah, I didn’t know there was a vol 3

Part three has been kind of looked down upon because it was:

A) Released over a decade after part two
B) Specifically intended to be rarities and previously unissued things
C) Also just not quite as consistent?
D) All of the above

I was 19 when it came out and I bought all three at once, so I've never been quite as disappointed by it as many other folks seemed to be at the time. To me, it's worth it for the first two tracks and the last track and it definitely has some great curiosities (Lyn Collins doing "Give it Up or Turnit Loose"? Okay, sure!). It doesn't have any of the tried and true classics on it, because by 2000, everybody had already heard those and they were obviously going for "something different."

I like it, but it's also easily the "worst" / least awesome of the series.

Where was the JBs version of "Tighten Up" released?

The rock version of "Talkin' Loud And Sayin' Nothin'" is fantastic, and barely known. Thank god for these and the other Polydor comps!

Where was the JBs version of "Tighten Up" released?

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Saturday, October 30, 2021 2:35 PM

Hi Gerald! That was a live recording from 1968. It was released as a single many years after the fact.

Ah, A) would be why I missed it.

I also did not know there was a Part 3! I first owned Funky Good Time: The JBs Anthology and practically wore it out so I am partial to the tracks that overlap from that comp. But obv its all awesome. Looking forward to listening to Part 3 to vote

Austin - thank you, that live take is where I know it from. It's godly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XaAXeUACA4

That one never fails to make me happy!

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

THE MESSAGE FROM THE SOUL SISTERS PARTS ONE AND TWO

Great poll idea. For me it's You Can Have Watergate, but tough choice. I Know You Got Soul is such a stone classic. What Do I Have to Do, Think, Pass the Peas, honestly hard to think of a dud on these collections. Major part of my college years soundtrack.

A lot of the material stands up to the best James Brown tracks.

Guitar! Let me hear ya spank it!

actually just realized I also don't think I was aware of part 3, although I have heard a few of those

A lot of the material stands up to the best James Brown tracks.

― longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Sunday, November 28, 2021 8:02 PM

I am ashamedly unfamiliar with many of these. Rectifying that as I type, but I don't think anything's gonna top Think (About It,) longtime favorite.

THE MESSAGE FROM THE SOUL SISTERS PARTS ONE AND TWO

― please don't refer to me as (Austin), Sunday, November 28, 2021 6:34 PM

Yeah it's "Think" for me, just over "I Know You Got Soul"

(Lyn Collins doing "Give it Up or Turnit Loose"? Okay, sure!)

Just getting to this one now, it's groovin'.

I mean "Think" is of towering cultural importance, but these polls did get me to listen to all three volumes, which was just a great old time.

Yeah, same here, excellent collection. I voted "Think" just because when I was young and only knew a handful of James Brown songs, discovering there was a "female JB" was an eye opener for me.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

I hate how the actual “It takes two to make it outta sight” line in Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two” sounds so different from the same line in the Lyn Collins song. Definitely a re-recording.

13 votes in total?

Where is everybody?

Myra Barnes — The Message From The Soul Sisters (Parts 1 & 2) 2

idk who you are, but we should hang out\m/

these polls did get me to listen to all three volumes,

― change display name (Jordan), Monday, November 29, 2021 10:35 AM

in that case, the mission was a complete success!!!

also three votes for "cross the tracks"??? did i miss something??

Why not?

agreed.

but also: hmmph.

Oh it should have had loads more, as should a lot of them.

Can only guess it was too tough to choose...

I voted for Cross the Tracks :)