Details
Track Listing
DISC 1:
1. Like It Is, Like It Was (The Blues) - (previously unreleased)
2. Don't Cry, Baby
3. Caldonia - (previously unreleased, alternate take)
4. Somebody Done Changed the Lock on My Door
5. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens - (previously unreleased, alternate take)
6. Good Rockin' Tonight
7. I Love You, Yes I Do - (previously unreleased)
8. Messing With the Blues - (mono)
9. Waiting in Vain - (previously unreleased)
10. For You, My Love
11. Blues For My Baby
12. Everyday I Have the Blues - (previously unreleased)
13. Love Don't Love Nobody - (previously unreleased, mono)
14. Love Don't Love Nobody - (mono)
15. Goin' Home - (previously unreleased)
16. Have Mercy Baby
17. Kansas City - (previously unreleased)
18. Bells, The - (previously unreleased, alternate take, mono)
DISC 2:
1. Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go) - (previously unreleased)
2. Things That I Used to Do, The
3. Need Your Love So Bad
4. Like a Baby
5. Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2) - (previously unreleased)
6. Suffering With the Blues
7. Further on up the Road - (previously unreleased, mono)
8. Radio Spot
9. Talk to Me, Talk to Me
10. Kansas City - (1975 version)
11. Wonder When You're Coming Home
12. Like It Is, Like It Was (The Blues, Continued...) - (previously unreleased)
Album Notes
Personnel includes: James Brown (vocal, piano, organ); John R. (spoken vocals); Louis Shelton, Kenny Poole, Carl Lynch, Bobby Roach (guitar); Ernie Watts, Joe Romano (alto saxophone); Maceo Parker (alto & tenor saxophones); J.C. Davis, Pete Christlieb, Les Asch (tenor saxophone); Al "Brisco" Clark (baritone saxophone) Ernie Royal, Johnny Grimes, Al Aarons, Joe Newman (trumpet); Fred Wesley, Nick DiMaio (trombone); Frank Vincent, Sonny Thompson (piano); Bobby Byrd (piano, organ, background vocals); Fats Gonder (piano, organ); Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis (keyboards); Fred Thomas, Al Lucas, Ray Brown, Bernard Odum (bass); David "Panama" Francis, Louie Bellson, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums); Johnny Griggs (congas, percussion).
Producers: James Brown, King Records, Bud Hobgood.
Compilation producer: Cliff White.
Recorded between 1957 & 1975. Includes liner notes by Cliff White and Harry Weinger.
MESSING WITH THE BLUES is a collection of Brown's blues and R&B covers, and includes many previously unreleased recordings; several tracks released for the first time without overdubbed applause; and two tracks in stereo for the first time. The package includes a 16-page booklet with rare photos.
This two-disc set makes an intriguing case for an aspect of James Brown's roots not always considered: blues. Brown is known as an architect of funk, with an R&B ancestry. But straight-ahead blues is often overlooked for the role it played in shaping all that touched its powerful orbit. Brown regularly recorded blues numbers throughout his career--especially in the first couple of decades--and this collection covers nearly thirty years, drawing primarily from the '60s.
These thirty songs don't present what would normally be an expected or well-rounded James Brown album, but they're not meant to; rather this is a compelling reconsideration of his own genesis as an artist. It includes numbers written by a range of Brown's own musical reference points and inspirations (Chuck Willis, Memphis Slim, Little Willie John, Ivory Joe Hunter, and more).
Industry Reviews
8 (out of 10) - ...Although James Brown has been cited by many as the last great blues shouter...[he] has been quoted as saying he didn't even like the blues. For one who didn't like the blues, he was certainly a consummate blues singer....Imagine what he'd have done if he'd have actually liked the blues.
5 Stars - Excellent - ...Explores three decades and three record labels of unique blues interpretations that influenced and inspired the Godfather of Soul.
Down Beat (04/01/1991)
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