James Brown

The 2004 Deluxe Edition of James Brown's Live at the Apollo (recorded in October of 1962 and issued in 1963) really is a deluxe issue. For starters, it was taken from the same undubbed stereo master as the 1990s version, keeping it separate from previously issued versions with overdubbed applause and "fixed" sequences. Because the technology of transferring analog tape to digital has improved greatly in the last decade and a half, the amount of information that can be moved from one source to another is far greater, translating into higher fidelity. The way this evidences itself here is in the feel of the room on this set. One can actually feel the Apollo as a room. It's as if the listener is on the stage rather than in the audience, soaking up the same atmosphere as the band. It's almost beyond live. Secondly, the crispness of the guitars and horns on this version has to be heard to be believed. It's not harsh, not shrill, just immediate and crystal clear. And on headphones, Brown's vocals and those of his backing band are literally in your face. As for the bonus material, the producers have included the single mixes of "Think" with the overdubbed crowd noise and an abridged version of the medley at the heart of the set. Here it omits "Please, Please, Please" and "You've Got the Power" (presented in their opening original stereo form on a version of the medley earlier on the disc). The rest of the tunes, "I Found Someone," "Why Do You Do Me," and "I Want You So Bad," come off as the rawest single ever issued. In addition, the 45s of "Lost Someone" and "I'll Go Crazy" are included. These were issued after the album took off like a rocket to the complete surprise of everyone but Brown. If you can only own one James Brown disc, forget the greatest hits; this one has all the magic and makes the most compelling argument yet for rebuying something already purchased on CD. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide