Founder of LoveSexyDC, Kathy J. informs us that next month's LoveSexyDC event will include a tribute to James Brown. Now, that is a DJ's Mix I would like to hear! I can think of several ways off the top I'd do that myself! "The James Brown/Prince MixTape CD!" Funky!
Miles Davis once said it was James Brown who inspired the sound of his album "On The Corner". Prince has mentioned James Brown many times as an influence and also much of his Funk is a nod to James Brown no doubt. Check out "Housequake" from Sign O' The Times for starters. Also Prince enlisted the talents of James Brown's saxophonist Maceo Parker for his last album and tour Musicology. And where would Hip-Hop be without James Brown? Most original Old School Rap samples are all James Brown. The list and his influences go on and on.
Speaking of James Brown and Alan Leeds in my last post, The James Brown/Alan Leeds/Eric Leeds (saxophonist and brother of Alan)/Miles Davis/Prince connection is very interesting for all James Brown/Prince/Miles Davis Musicologists.
Check this excerpt out from the book The Last Miles: "The man who introduced Prince to Miles was Alan Leeds. Alan has had a remarkable career in the music industry. He was James Brown's road manager for over four years in the 1970s and was co-writer of the liner notes for the highly acclaimed James Brown anthology Star Time - Alan shared a Grammy award for the notes."
3 comments :
I find myself a little resentful that more people haven't noticed the James Brown influence/connection with Prince. MJ is constantly mentioned along with The Rolling Stones and others, but rarely Prince. I know Michael does the more elaborate dance steps, but Prince at the mic is SO James! And I guess only his followers will note that his organization (band, etc), at least at the start, was set up very much the way James did his.
Just an observation.....
lovesigner, I agree with you. James Brown's influence on Prince is one I think a whole book could be written on. So many songs I have heard and seen him do that were staright James Brown-esque performances. Prince has even talked over the years of his admiration of how tight James Brown ran his bands and how he aspired to run his bands with the same tightness. Also the dancing girls James Brown had Prince said had a big impact on him. Think we may see Prince do a James Brown Tribute Album In 2007? That would be Supabad!
If Prince does a James Brown Tribute album in 2007, "Good Gawd!" I can tell you right now, I would buy 10 of them straight out. I'd even buy some for my family! LOL!
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