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The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our time
Playing 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty Billboard hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and until now no biographer has delivered a complete profile. The One draws on interviews with more than 100 people who knew Brown personally or played with him professionally. Using these sources, award-winning writer RJ Smith draws a portrait of a man whose twisted and amazing life helps us to understand the music he made.
The One delves deeply into the story of a man who was raised in abject-almost medieval-poverty in the segregated South but grew up to earn (and lose) several fortunes. Covering everything from Brown's unconventional childhood (his aunt ran a bordello), to his role in the Black Power movement, which used "Say It Loud (I'm Black and Proud)" as its anthem, to his high-profile friendships, to his complicated family life, Smith's meticulous research and sparkling prose blend biography with a cultural history of a pivotal era.
At the heart of The One is Brown's musical genius. He had crucial influence as an artist during at least three decades; he inspires pity, awe, and revulsion. As Smith traces the legend's reinvention of funk, soul, R&B, and pop, he gives this history a melody all its own.
"Unh! Good God! RJ Smith has written a sex machine of a book and it''s called The One: The Life and Music of James Brown. Get up-get on up!"
Introduction: Give The Drummer Some 1
Chapter 1 A Certain Elemental Wildness 7
Chapter 2 The Terry 18
Chapter 3 The Black Satchel 33
Chapter 4 Toccoa 44
Chapter 5 A New Orleans Choo-Cuoo 62
Chapter 6 Top Banana 77
Chapter 7 The Traveler 97
Chapter 8 Star Time 108
Chapter 9 Keep On Fighting 122
Chapter 10 The Cape Act 140
Chapter 11 Man's World 153
Chapter 12 Guost Notes 167
Chapter 13 America 185
Chapter 14 How You Gonna Get Respect? 202
Chapter 15 Color TVS and Dasuikis 217
Chapter 16 The Other Further 229
Chapter 17 Master of Time 245
Chapter 18 Soul Power 261
Chapter 19 Follow the Money 274
Chapter 20 Emulsified 292
Chapter 21 The Hustle 308
Chapter 22 I Can See the Light! 324
Chapter 23 An Uproar All the Time 340
Chapter 24 The Dancer 355
Chapter 25 Hit It and Quit It 362
Afterword 381
List of Interviewees 389
Other Interviews Used 391
Notes 393
Acknowledgments 441
Index 445
-fosterfunk-
Posted January 25, 2013
Just as James Brown himself..........this book is Superbad!!!!!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.mshoni
Posted July 1, 2012
I don't think that I can categorize myself as a James Brown "fan". His music has just always been there as a part of my life. From my parents albums to the samples used in the hip-hop music I later gravitated towards as a young adult.
While the subtitle says "Life And Music", this book is more of a memoir of Brown as a musician and businessman, covering his entrepreneurial spirit from boyhood on. His personal and family life is not covered with as much scrutiny. That's probably for the better, because, although he was know to be gracious to children (his own and strangers), he was not that kind to the women in his life.
The stories of him as a strict bandleader are legendary and those are included. Hearing about his creating and recording process was enlightening, especially since his career spanned so many decades and he had to reinvent himself several times. What I found really interesting was the political and socially conscious James Brown. I wasn't aware of his close ties with President Nixon and Vice President Hubert Humphrey and it was difficult reconciling this James Brown with the one who wrote "Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud).
Exhaustive interviews provide a comprehensive look at how he became one of the hardest working men ever in entertainment. This is a must-read for anyone who loves contemporary music. The author is obviously a big fan of music, because sometimes his descriptions border on the poetic.
The One: The Life and Music of James Brown by RJ Smith is a biographyof the Godfather of Soul. The title “The One” refers mainly to the artist’s emphasis on playing the right beat.
An integrated biography of James Brown with fascinating insights into the artist’s life, showmanship, business ventures and activism. With more than forty hits on the Billboard charts and playing 350 shows a year at his peak it is no wonder James Brown became an icon of American music and changed the industry.
Covering a life of a man whose eccentric childhood included taking soldiers to his aunt that ran a house of ill repute, to an adulthood which he managed to lose several fortunes, this biography is complicated, sincere and will make you feel a range of emotions.
The One: The Life and Music of James Brown by RJ Smith is a true testament that the nickname of “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business” is not an empty gesture. While I don’t think I’d like to have worked with Mr. Brown or even would have liked him personally, I can certainly appreciate and even admire his work ethic.
In this new biography, which digresses often but always stays on message, James Brown comes across as a demanding, violent, abusing and demanding man. However, this giant of music grew up in violent times; shaped by a segregated South in a rural community riddled with crime and poverty, which he never forgot and had had a hold on him.
When you’re a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
And James Brown was a hammer.
You cannot have a biography of James Brown without mentioning the Civil Rights movement. Mr. Brown saw “equality” his way and according to his philosophy, he always maintained that once he’d be looked upon as a man, instead of a black man, he’d never be equal.
Most of all, James Brown understood showmanship and control. In the video below one could tell how he plays with the crowd – and he does it all like he did everything in life, under his own terms.
“"I never thought they’d have a statue of you in Augusta– and facing a confederate marker!”
He touched [Al] Sharpton on the arm, saying, “And don’t forget what I told you– I did it on my own terms. I never conformed to Augusta; they had to conform to me”
The complex personality of this musical titan comes across through the pages. From brandishing a gun to resolve disputes to picking up young fans with his limousine or from profiling those who worked for and/or against Mr. Brown (yes… and) to a fabulous story of Mr. Brown coming home to the town he loved, Augusta, GA only to be stopped by a fan and then hoisting a sign to welcome the young man’s mother who was on the same flight (I think).
Race relations and civil rights are really the strong point in this book. Through the life of James Brown the reader gets a his
Anonymous
Posted April 25, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted May 8, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
The definitive biography of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, with fascinating findings on his life as a Civil Rights activist, an entrepreneur, and the most innovative musician of our time
Playing 350 shows a year at his peak, with more than forty Billboard hits, James Brown was a dazzling showman who transformed American music. His life offstage was just as vibrant, and until now no biographer has delivered a complete profile. The One draws on interviews with more than 100 ...