Atlanta

Performing right up to his sudden death in 2006 whilst he was in the midst of a major career revival, The Godfather of Soul’s profile around the world these days has never been higher. James Brown was a true legend in his time and a major figure in the development of both soul and funk music. In his final years Brown was staging a remarkable career comeback by anyone’s standards. In the U.K. alone he performed to huge audiences in a series of high-profile televised concerts which were seen by millions. These included the 2002 Queen’s Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, a TV Special filmed at London’s Union Chapel and his show-stopping appearances at the 2004 Glastonbury Festival and Edinburgh’s 2005 Live 8 concert. Revered for years by generations of rappers, samplers and funksters, all that high profile media exposure served to introduce his work to a whole new generation of listeners. Remarkable as those final live performances were, James Brown was at the height of his considerable powers when this sensational stadium concert was filmed – capturing him on home turf in 1985 when he played Atlanta’s gigantic Chastain Park Stadium. Following the basic formula of a James Brown show, it features impassioned readings of his all-time stage favourites – such as ‘Please, Please, Please’, ‘Papa’s Got A Brand, New Bag’ and ‘It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World’ – with a sprinkling of recent songs thrown in for good measure. This is a fitting testament to Brown’s genius and a must-have for all fans of the Godfather, both old and new alike.