One Rolling Stone music critic said that James Brown may not have captured the zenith as the Beatles or Elvis Presley did nor can he claim to have dominated the charts like Stevie Wonder or the Rolling Stone have done. But by any real measure of originality, breadth of influence and endurance he towers over them all.

Which brings me to this thread honoring the great James Brown aka The Godfather Of Soul aka The Minister Of Funk aka The Hardest Working Man In Show Business. "Papa Got A Brand New Bag" has to be one of the most important and greatest hit singles EVER released. Everytime I hear this song, I'm just so amazed at its' inventiveness and originality. I would have loved to have been around in 1965 when this single was released. I wonder what the R&B community and the music world as a whole was thinking? I can envision them saying "what the ---". I love the way the song begins, it just starts out in a flurry of brass horns- bold and in-yo-face.

One can certainly hear James create a whole new rhythmic vocabulary as he dramatically alters the rhythmic structure of rhythm and blues groove on this landmark track. Ladies and Gentlemen... this song is a true revolution. A true masterpiece and a gem to be treasured forever. Paul McCartney was heard saying that "Papa Got A Brand New Bag" was one of the greatest achievements of music history.

Arguably this song is The Birth Of Funk. Much respect to Sir James for his many contributions to music{truly one of the greatest artists of the 20th century} as well as, his entrepreneurial spirit he displayed in the late 60s. A leader and innovator in every sense of the word.

Brother 9/15

all hail mr. brown!!!

the Man&the 4/4 Groove go hand in hand IMHO.you couldn't create Him if you tried.Arguably the most Influential Artist over the past 50 years&if not Number 1 then no lower than number 3.James Brown back in the Mid-60's was the Most Influential Black Person on the Planet Period.He is one of the Few Cats that you can say truly Changed the Game of Music as we know it.He is one of those Artist that only comes along once every 20 years or so.His Impact looms large over Pop Music as we know it today.with Rap&R&B being the Pop Music of today that is James Brown's Legacy Shinning IMHO.

He is continuously mentioned by artists like Prince & Michael Jackson.

Prince has mentioned the control he has with the band...obviously liked that.

Michael has mentioned the dancing, the shimmying, the spins...obviously liked that.

James Brown's use of horns, beats, vocal style...his production...mmm, mmm, mmm.

God bless the Godfather of Soul.

Brother915 said:

Let's hope thechronic doesn't see this thread. It might confuse him. In another thread elsewhere he asked why Prince always stopped his band "on the one."

The flashpoint of FUNK is the rhythm of "The One"...JB introduced it, other funk groups incorporated it. It was different than anything that came before it. JB had his bandmembers treat every instrument as a percussive instrument. Papa's Bag is responsible for music being on the 1 and 3, instead of 2 and 4.

"It was hard for people to understand that bag meant 'thing,' or 'concept,'" Brown said. "They thought it could only be a negative thing, like 'bagman' or 'nickel bag.'"

And what was this new concept? "I'm tired of two and four! I want one and three to overthrow!"

Supernova has already pointed out correctly what that brillant cut meant for the departure of the Funk. By 1965 Funk hasnt really taken off, in hard bop its did thanks to innovators such as Andrew Hill or Horace silver, who developed simple and repetitive chord progressions on the first and thrird beat on every bar. Jame Brown brought that to R&B music. However, people sometimes tend to forget that the first real Funk song by JB came out a year earlier, it was "Outta Sight". Same pattern as "Papa", but the latter had a stronger drive to it.
I do not agree that James Brown is underrated compared to the Beatles or Elvis. In fact, JB still is the most successful solo artist of all times after Elvis Presley. Not in terms of general record sales, but in terms of chart success.
[This message was edited Thu Sep 5 2:40:52 PDT 2002 by soulpower]

When it comes to good time get-down FUNK music, James is the King - bar none!!! The hardest-working and most influential man in modern show business.Where else can you find Georgia gospel and soul, Las Vegas schmaltz and primal African rhythm, all in one place?!

If only he could make us one last great revolutionary record to remember him by.An album as revolutionary as 'Papa'. Very unlikely, I know, but I'll keep on dreamin'.

But whatever, the Brother will always make me feel good!!!

James is the Man!!!

James Brown is THE MAN!!! i was taken in by him with PAPAS GOT A BRAND NEW BAG, then went BACK and scooped up the ones i missed, and went forward from there! his concerts were always awesome, with the cape drama and all...and his VERY TALENTED foot work when he danced! the music was tight, always on key...dynamite! love u james!