The one : the life and music of James Brown / RJ Smith.
2012
ML420.B818 S65 2012 (Mapit)
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Details
Title
The one : the life and music of James Brown / RJ Smith.
Author
Smith, R. J., 1959-
Edition
1st ed.
ISBN
9781592406579
1592406572
9781592407422
1592407420
1592406572
9781592407422
1592407420
Publication Details
New York : Gotham Books, c2012.
Language
English
Description
455 p., [8] p. of plates : ill. ; 24 cm.
Call Number
ML420.B818 S65 2012
Dewey Decimal Classification
782.421644092 B
Summary
A tribute to the life and achievements of the "Godfather of Soul" covers his unconventional youth in a segregated South, his complicated family life, and his work as a civil rights advocate and entrepreneur.
The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our time. Playing 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty Billboard hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and until now no biographer has delivered a complete profile. This book on interviews with more than 100 people who knew Brown personally or played with him professionally. Using these sources, award-winning writer RJ Smith draws a portrait of a man whose twisted and amazing life helps us to understand the music he made. This book delves deeply into the story of a man who was raised in abject-almost medieval-poverty in the segregated South but grew up to earn (and lose) several fortunes. Covering everything from Brown's unconventional childhood (his aunt ran a bordello), to his role in the Black Power movement, which used 'Say It Loud (I'm Black and Proud)' as its anthem, to his high-profile friendships, to his complicated family life, Smith's meticulous research and sparkling prose blend biography with a cultural history of a pivotal era. At the heart is Brown's musical genius. He had crucial influence as an artist during at least three decades; he inspires pity, awe, and revulsion. As Smith traces the legend's reinvention of funk, soul, R&B, and pop, he gives this history a melody all its own. -- Publisher description
The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our time. Playing 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty Billboard hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and until now no biographer has delivered a complete profile. This book on interviews with more than 100 people who knew Brown personally or played with him professionally. Using these sources, award-winning writer RJ Smith draws a portrait of a man whose twisted and amazing life helps us to understand the music he made. This book delves deeply into the story of a man who was raised in abject-almost medieval-poverty in the segregated South but grew up to earn (and lose) several fortunes. Covering everything from Brown's unconventional childhood (his aunt ran a bordello), to his role in the Black Power movement, which used 'Say It Loud (I'm Black and Proud)' as its anthem, to his high-profile friendships, to his complicated family life, Smith's meticulous research and sparkling prose blend biography with a cultural history of a pivotal era. At the heart is Brown's musical genius. He had crucial influence as an artist during at least three decades; he inspires pity, awe, and revulsion. As Smith traces the legend's reinvention of funk, soul, R&B, and pop, he gives this history a melody all its own. -- Publisher description
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
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Table of Contents
Give the drummer some
A certain elemental wildness
The Terry
The Black Satchel
Toccoa
A New Orleans choo-choo
Top banana
The traveler
Star time
Keep on fighting
The cape act
Man's world
Ghost notes
America
How you gonna get respect?
Color TVs and dashikis
The other further
Master of time
Soul power
Follow the money
Emulsified
The hustle
I can see the light!
An uproar all the time
The dancer
Hit it and quit it.
A certain elemental wildness
The Terry
The Black Satchel
Toccoa
A New Orleans choo-choo
Top banana
The traveler
Star time
Keep on fighting
The cape act
Man's world
Ghost notes
America
How you gonna get respect?
Color TVs and dashikis
The other further
Master of time
Soul power
Follow the money
Emulsified
The hustle
I can see the light!
An uproar all the time
The dancer
Hit it and quit it.