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"...Ain't That A Groove... "
*****
When Harry
Weinger and Alan Leeds started
their eleven-volume 2CD series for James Brown and his mighty Singles output (covering
March 1956 on Federal up to May 1981 on Polydor) – they finally finished the
Herculean task with twofer number eleven in October 2011 having started as far back as September 2006 for Vol. One. Put out on the hugely
collectable Hip-O Select Label (initially
the mail-order wing of Universal) – all eleven are genuinely things of digital reissue beauty
- and have become big-time collectables ever since. I diligently bought the lot
as they came out and have reviewed (in detail) all but the first three volumes (see
my Sounds Good, Looks Good Blog) and I intend to get to those Tres Hombres some time in the future too.
I mention Weinger and Leeds because these two JB-champions were also two of daring-do crew behind the now legendary Star Time 4CD Box Set that debuted all the way back in May of 1991. Alan Leeds was his Tour Manager between 1970 and 1974 and co-edited The James Brown Reader - while Harry Weinger (as Vice President of A&R at Universal) has been heavily involved down through the decades in Soul and Funk CD Reissues for Motown, James Brown and the superb Funk Essentials series. Their two names are synonymous with JB and their handling of his legacy has been done with diligence, joy and respect (shipmates good and true names like Cliff White and Bill Levenson also had a large part in it).
Back to this release... taking its names from what the announcer used to prep the crowds with before JB and the Band hit the stage (are you ready for...) and subtitled '71 Songs Including Many Rare Or Previous Unreleased Tracks' – "Star Time" has been a Box Set backbone of any self-respecting music fan collection for over 4 decades now. However, here in June 2023, the 4CD Career Anthology "Star Time" by JAMES BROWN has been issued a total of three times and the details for each are worth chronicling because there are subtle differences.
First up came the original chunky long box of Red and Gold colour issued 7 May 1991 in the UK on Polydor 849 108-2 (Barcode 042284910828). That variant had a 64-page booklet. However, it was reissued 7 June 2004 in the UK using the same catalogue number and Barcode as Universal/Polydor 849 108 2 (Barcode 042284910828) - but this time with an upgraded booklet to 96-Pages, different artwork front ad rear and a more easy-to-manage 4CD Digibook Presentation. When Brown passed in December 2006 (aged 73), Polydor reissued that Digibook Presentation (with the 96-page booklet) yet again - 29 October 2007 as Universal/Polydor 0600753022498 (Barcode 600753022498). You could argue that it was a bit sloppy of Universal to use the 2004 booklet text in the 2007 reissue because it does not mention Brown’s passing in late 2006 (in fact it awkwardly states he’s alive). But it is a minor quibble in what was and still is a feast of goodies you need in your life (you could argue CD3 alone is damn near Funky Nirvana perfection). Here is the breakdown (all tracks US 45s unless otherwise stated)...
CD1 "Mr Dynamite" (71:38 minutes):
1. Please Please Please
2. Why Do You Love Me - Tracks 1 & 2 are the A&B-sides of his March 1956 Debut US 45-single on Federal 45-12258, Mono
3. Try Me
4. Tell Me What I Did - Tracks 3 & 4 are the A&B-sides of October 1958 US 45-single on Federal 45-12337, Mono
5. Bewildered - From the US LP "Think!", October 1960 on King 683 in Mono
6. Good Good Lovin' - July 1959 US 45 on Federal 45-12361, A-side, Stereo
7. I'll Go Crazy
8. I Know It's True - Tracks 7 & 8 are the A&B-sides, January 1960, Federal 12369, Stereo
9. (Do The) Mashed Potatoes Pt.1 - February 1960, Dade Records 1804, A-side, Mono, credited to Nat Kendrick and The Swans
10. Think - May 1960, Federal 45-12370, A-side, Mono
11. Baby, You're Right - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take
12. Lost Someone - November 1961, King 45-5524, A-side, Stereo
13. Night Train - November 1961 US LP "Night Train" on King 771
14. I've Got Money - B-side to "Three Hearts In A Tangle", November 1962, King 45-5701, Mono
15. I Don't Mind (Live) - From the May 1963 US LP "James Brown Live At The Apollo" on King 826
16. Prisoner Of Love - April 1963, King 45-5739, A-side, Stereo
17. Devil's Den - April 1963, Try Me Records 45-28006, A&B-sides combined, credited as The Poets
18. Out Of The Blue - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take
19. Out Of Sight
20. Grits – From the 1964 US LP "Grits & Soul" on Smash Records SRS 67057 in Stereo
21. Maybe The Last Time – Tracks 19 and 21, A&B-sides, July 1964, Smash Records S 1919, A-side Mono, B-side Stereo
22. It's A Man's World - Previously Unreleased Stereo Mix from June 1964
23. I Got You – A Fall of 1964 Single originally to be on a 45 and LP, withdrawn
24. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, Pts. 1, 2 & 3 – Previously Unreleased Complete Take in three-parts; this version was later sped up and released as a 2-part King Single Master
NOTES:
Tracks 11, 18, 22 and 24 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
CD2 "The Hardest Working Man In Show Business" (74:33 minutes):
1. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, Pt. 1 – July 1965, King 45-599,A-side, Mono
2. I Got You (I Feel Good) – November 1965, King 45-6015, A-side, Mono
3. Ain't That A Groove – Previously Unreleased Unedited Version – James Brown with The Jewels
4. It's A Man's Man's Man's World – April 1966, King 45-6035, A-side, Mono
5. Money Won't Change You – Previously Unreleased Complete Version – Edited and Released July 1966 as a two-part US 45-single, King 45-6048
6. Don't Be A Dropout – Previously Unreleased Unedited Version – Edited and Released October 1966 as a two-part US 45-single, King 45-6056
7. Bring It Up (Hipster's Avenue) – Previously Unreleased Unedited Version – Edited and Released January 1967 as a two-part US 45-single, King 45-6071
8. Let Yourself Go - Previously Unreleased Unedited Version – Edited and Released April 1967 as a two-part US 45-single, King 45-6100
9. Cold Sweat – Complete Version from the 1967 US LP "Cold Sweat" on King Records 1020. Edited and Released July 1967 as a two-part US 45-single on King 45-6110
10. Get It Together – October 1967 A&B-sides combined, King 45-6122
11. I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me), Pt. 1 – Original Recorded Tempo – US 45-single release A-side was slowed down for December 1967 released on King 45-6144
12. I Got The Feelin' – April 1968, King 45-6155, A-side, Stereo
13. Licking Stick – Licking Stick – May 1968 A&B-sides combined, King 45-6166, Stereo
14. Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud, Pt. 1 – August 1968, King 45-6187, A-side, Stereo
15. There Was A Time (Live) – Previously Unreleased
16. Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose – January 1969, King 45-6213, A-side, Stereo
17. I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door I'll Get It Myself) – March 1969 A&B-sides combined, King 45-6224, Stereo
NOTES:
Tracks 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 15 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
CD3 "Soul Brother No.1" (72:54 minutes):
1. Mother Popcorn – Combined A&B-sides of US 45-single, June 1969, King 45-6245, Stereo
2. Funky Drummer – Original Mix Combined A&B-sides of US 45-single, March 1970, King 45-6290, Stereo
3. Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine - Combined A&B-sides of US 45-single, July 1970, King 45-6318, Stereo
4. Super Bad, Pts. 1 & 2 – Previously Unreleased Stereo Mix – Original US 45-Single two-parter released in Mono, October 1970, King 45-6329
5. Talkin' Loud & Sayin' Nothing – Previously Unreleased Extended Version of the Original Mix – Portion originally released February 1972 as a two-part US 45-single, Polydor PD 14109
6. Get Up, Get Into It And Get Involved – Previously Unreleased Stereo Mix – Originally a Mono US 45-single, December 1970, King 45-6347
7. Soul Power, Pts. 1 & 2 – Previously Unreleased Unedited Stereo Mix – Originally Edited and released as a three-part US 45-single, March 1971, King 45-6368
8. Brother Rapp / Ain't It Funky Now (Live) – Previously Unreleased, Recorded 8 March 1971 at Olympia Theater in Paris
9. Hot Pants, Pt. 1 – July 1971, People 45-2501, A-side, Mono
10. I'm Greedy Man, Pt. 1 – November 1971, Polydor PD-14100, A-side, Stereo
11. Make It Funky, Pt. 1 – August 1971, Polydor PD-14088, A-side, Mono
12. It's A New Day (Live) – From the December 1971 2LP Live Set "Revolution Of The Mind –Recorded Live At The Apollo Vol.III" on Polydor PD 3003
13. I Got Ants In My Pants, Pt. 1 And I Want TO Dance – January 1973, Polydor PD-14162, A-side, Stereo
14. King Heroin – February 1972, Polydor PD 14116, A-side, Stereo
NOTES:
Tracks 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
CD4 "The Godfather Of Soul" (75:35 minutes):
1. There It Is, Pt.1 – April 1972, Polydor PD 14125, A-side, Stereo
2. Public Enemy ♯ 1, Pt.1 – From the 1972 US Stereo LP "There It Is" on Polydor PD 5028
3. Get On The Good Foot – July 1972, Polydor PD-14139, A-side, Mono
4. I Got A Bag Of My Own – October 1972, Polydor PD 14153, A-side, Stereo
5. Doing It To Death by FRED WESLEY And THE J.B.s – April 1973, People PE 621, A-side, Mono
6. The Payback - From the 2LP Studio Set "The Payback", December 1973 USA on Polydor PD 2-3007 and April 1974 in the UK on Polydor 2659 030 (using US copies)
7. Papa Don't Take No Mess, Pt.1 – From the June 1974 US 2LP Studio Set "Hell" on Polydor PD 2-9001
8. Stoned To The Bone, Pt.1 – October 1973, Polydor PD 14210, A-side, Mono
9. My Thang – Previously Unreleased Mix – Originally Issued as a US 45-single, June 1974, Polydor PD 14244, Stereo
10. Funky President (People It's Bad) – October 1974, Polydor PD 14258, A-side, Stereo
11. Hot (I Need To Be Loved, Loved, Loved) –November 1975, Polydor PD14301, A-side, Stereo
12. Get Up Offa That Thing (Release The Pressure) – New 6:14 Minute Edit in Stereo created for "Star Time"
13. Bodyheat (Part 1) – December 1976, Polydor PD 14360, A-side, Stereo
14. It's Too Funky In Here – From the July 1979 LP "The Original Disco Man" on Polydor PD-1-6212
15. Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses) – October 1980, T.K. Records TKX-1039, A-side
16. Unity, Part 1 by Afrika Bambaataa And The Godfather Of Soul James Brown – September 1984, Tommy Records TB-847-7, A-side
NOTES:
Tracks 9 and 12 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
"Star Time" – Subtitled '71 Songs Including Many Rare Or Previous Unreleased Tracks' – legendarily took one and half years to complete – compiled by Harry Weinger, Cliff White, Oscar A. Yong and Bill Levenson. Compiler and JB pal Harry Weinger (in interview) has stated, it was just as well too. While compiling the anthology, Brown was in State Prison doing a suspended sentence of just over 2 years for aggravated assault, but was out on its May 1991 release. Timing-wise, that handily also happened to coincide with the 35th Anniversary of his debut single - "Please Please Please" on Federal. Another thing you notice about the quality of the listen is that across 4CDs and 71-songs – how few are album cuts (only 10). Weinger admitted that in the early years and even much of the Sixties decade (outside the much vaunted live sets), Brown had way too much filler on his contractually obliged studio albums. So Weinger became determined to create an across the board listen on all four discs that would cut it – even as stand-alones (never sold as such). The extended playing times of tracks particularly on CD2 and CD3 are largely due to two-parter 45-singles co-joined).
TED JENSEN did the Remasters (from original tapes) at Sterling Sound in New York and you can for the want of a better word – feel this sucker sweat as it Funkifies your listening area with the baddest band that ever laid down a groove. Take the 6:19 minutes of "Mother Popcorn" that opens CD3 and the seven-minutes of "Funky Drummer" that follows it – Stereo Funky Nirvana. MP has Brass Jabs aplenty with JB hollering at Maceo to give it some – while FD combines JB on Organ, Jimmy Nolen on Guitar and the boys just goofing off on the Horns. Can I count it off – the still thrilling "Sex Machine" starts – presented here in its full 5:15 minutes of Stereo glory (Catfish Collins playing that fabulous guitar groove). Staying on the scene (they way he likes it) – we then get a sensation as far as I’m concerned – the normally Mono two Parts of "Super Bad" presented to us in Stereo for the first time with Catfish Collins on Guitar and Bootsy Collins slapping that Bass. And all of it in Fantastic Sound.
Brown himself did the introduction (dictated by phone from his prison stay) and famed musicologist and writer Nelson George even won a Grammy for Best Liner Notes – his connecting of Browns hard-hitting Funk Rhythms to the emerging Hip Hop Sound and Culture hitting all the right alliance notes. Alan Leeds has a signed-copy of "Star Time" and treasures it.
The booklet breaks things down into a JB Introduction on one page (January 1991), a 4-page Essay from Nelson George called "Right On!" to "Word Up!", Alan Leeds section is called "From the Inside", Cliff White and Harry Weinger provide "Are You Ready For Star Time?" while the remainder does a song-by-song credits, Discography and general credits at the rear. The text is peppered with period photos (mostly black and white), tour posters, record company and promoter promo shots (great snap of Brown chatting with an admiring Mick Jagger in 1964), some album covers, Godfather Of Soul jacket buttons, live photos of his famous train-routine exiting the stage with a cape over his shoulders and so on. The "Star Time: Song By Song" section does what it says on the tin – it lists musician credits that are hugely detailed – recording dates – catalogue numbers – details on the new stuff whilst referencing the originals and so forth. And the discography that follows of 45s and Albums is cool even if it does forgo actual release dates for just a year date. And you can see that in some years he might have had as many as six LP releases – hammering it all times – a work ethic that was as relentless as his band in the pocket.
As you can glean from the track lists above on CD1 to CD4, right through the Sixties and even the Seventies – his 45-singles seemed to have this Mono vs. Stereo battle – with Mono being the most likely winner. So the listen flits from one sound stage to another – but both are impressive. Take the Stereo 45-cut of "Lost Someone" from as far back as November 1961 to ten years later and "Make It Funky, Pt. 1" in August 1971 which is Mono – the punch of the Remasters is remarkable on both counts. I always prefer Stereo if I am truthful – but real fans will notice the subtle choices made by the compilers – the swapping out of familiar Mono variants for a fresher Stereo touch – or unreleased mixes of giants like "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" here in a near seven-minute three-parter – or the extended cut of "Talkin' Loud & Sayin' Nothing" that stretches this famous beast out to nearly nine-minutes! And I know that all the CDs are chockers full of value, but I do wish they could have swapped out say something lesser like say "Hot (I Need To Be Loved, Loved, Loved) " from 1975 and included instead the incredible flipside to "King Heroin" called "Theme From King Heroin" from February 1972 – what a masterpiece (I have a Hip-O Select Remaster of it and wow!).
I know that his Sixties output had been groundbreaking and probably his most commercially winning period – but musically and culturally – I would openly cough-up to JB in the Seventies as being the dogs for me. JB and his evolving JBs had issued the "Black Caesar" soundtrack in February 1973, the soundtrack to "Slaughter’s Big Rip Off" in July, a compilation called "Soul Classics, Volume II" in October and then "The Payback" in December 1973. And when you think that in November 1972 he had released another double-album gem in the shape of "Get On The Good Foot" – the dude was prolific if not anything else. 1973 was a helluva year for The Godfather Of Soul – once again bringing him well deserved commercial success – all of only marred by the horrible loss of his son Teddy in an automobile accident on the 14th of June. Still JB carried on that punishing schedule for years after. My admiration for him and what he achieved is boundless. He paid the cost to be the real boss for damn sure. For sure the listen tapers off towards the end of CD4 and that album called "The Original Disco Man" seems like blight on his extraordinary legacy. "Star Time" also avoids the Living In America song – his last chart success, but maybe that is a good thing.
James Brown – The Godfather of Soul – The Preacher – the only real comparison is Prince – another giant gone but never forgotten. Soul and Funk owe JB and his Band of Funky Pirates big time (described in the liner notes on Page 56 by Cliff White and Harry Weinger as an unrivaled powerhouse). And how many 4CD Box Sets elicit such genuine affection more than four decades after their issue.
"Star Time" does...and how...
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