Legends of Soul #7
James Brown > Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag, Part 1
So, finally, this is it, the motherlode, the very start of the Minister of The New New Super Heavy Funk. Sped up, cut down, gittar’d up, it’s the one you know. Superbad!
Check out the rest of the PGABNB Marathon here:
Aug 3 Lester Bowie
Aug 4 Quincy Jones
Aug 5 Otis Redding
Aug 6 James Brown (#1)
Aug 7 James Brown (#2)
Legends of Soul #7
Covers #7
James Brown > Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag
I’m not exactly sure an artist can actually “cover” their own records, but that’s sure what JB has done here. The mark of class for black artists born between the world wars was the big band. And by 1970 James was certain he had the class, now all he needed was the record to prove it. The Soul On Top band, led by Louis Belson and arranged by Oliver Nelson, funked out as hard as any of the Famous Flames, so watch out.
James Brown > Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag (Parts 1, 2, &3)
If you’re into the funk, stop! right now, because you’re in the right place. And if you think you already know PGABNB, stop! again because this definitely isn’t what you think it is. Seriously. There’s a JB CD comp called “Roots of a Revolution” but this actually starts the revolution. Because everything we know as funk can be found here.
James recorded this 6+ minute version of the song, but something wasn’t right. Being first at everything he remixed, mashed up, overdubbed. (More to come.)
Legends of Soul #5
Covers #6
Otis Redding > Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag
Number 3 in our PGABRB August marathon. As big a star as Otis was he wasn’t shy about showing his love even for his competition. He covered Sam Cooke, The Tempts, the Stones and many more during his short career. And really, how could he avoid JB?
Legends of Producing #1
Covers #5
Quincy Jones > Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag
Lester Bowie covered JB almost 25 years after the fact, but Quincy was right on the tip in 1965, recording a whole set of big band hip hits of the day. Most famous as MJ’s producer, Q was making hits before Michael was born.
Legends of the Trumpet #1
Covers #4
Lester Bowie’s Brass Fantasy > Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag
Composed by James Brown
I paid a lot of attention to Lester Bowie in the early 70s because he was part of the Art Ensemble of Chicago and then completely lost track. I’m sorry I did, because he led an incredible, parallel solo career. I first heard this track in 1999 on NPR the day he died, and was stupidly surprised how funky, contemporary, inventive, and funny he remained throughout his life.
