Revolution Funk: The Music of James Brown & Show # 760

James Brown’s “Funky Drummer” was originally recorded at a jam session in 1969. The song was released as a two-part single via King Records in 1970 and eventually released on the compilation album In The Jungle Groove in 1986. The song however, is one of the most sampled songs in hip hop and popular music. The break in the song around the five minute twenty second mark features a drum break played by Clyde Stubblefield that has been sampled over one thousand times and is weaved among so many songs its often hard to keep track. This is just one of the songs that has been sampled by music created by James Brown. It is also an example of the vast influence he has had on music. James Brown, often known as “The Godfather of Soul” helped to secularize gospel music and in turn had a role in the creation of soul music. He would combine these elements of soul and R&B music to lay the foundations and to help create funk music. With his emphasis on the first note of every measure (known as “the one”), Brown and his band developed the downbeat, which created a groove that would become his signature.

In 1962, James Brown recorded his first live album. James Brown's record company was initially opposed to releasing a live album because it already contained versions of songs that had been previously released. However, when the album was finally released in 1963, it became a fast seller. Funded by James Brown himself, the album spent 66 weeks on the Billboard Top Pop Albums charts peaking at the #2 position. The recording showed James Brown with The Famous Flames channelling their energies into eight songs that lasted about 30 sweaty, soulful minutes. The record became so popular that many record stores in the US had trouble keeping it in stock for the public demand. R&B DJ’s would often also play the entire record on air, pausing only to air commercials and flip the record over to its second side. Live At The Apollo launched James Brown onto a new path towards success. It was followed by several other volumes, including Live At The Apollo Volume II in 1968, Revolution of the Mind: Live At The Apollo Volume III in 1970 and Live At The Apollo 1995.

In addition to this this, Brown addressed many social and political issues through his music with songs such as “Don’t Be A Dropout”, “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)”, “Funky President (People It’s Bad)”, and “Talkin’ Loud and Sayin’ Nothing” to name a few. By the early 70’s James Brown and his band, The J.B.’s established a funk sound that can be heard on songs such as “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine”, “Soul Power”, “Hot Pants”, “Make It Funky”, and “The Payback”. James Brown became a major figure in music in the 20th century that earned him many nicknames such as "Soul Brother Number One”, “The Hardest Working Man In Show Business” and “Mr. Dynamite” and also provided captivating live shows that often involved his unique dance moves. With dance moves such as the mashed potato, the funky chicken, the robot and his tour de force move, the split, Brown had a combination of factors that made him influential in numerous ways, but all of this earned him the nickname “The Godfather of Soul”.

Revolution Soul: The Music of James Brown Playlist (Originally Aired February 2nd, 2019):

1. James Brown - Introduction To James Brown (Live At The Apollo - King Records - 1963)
2. James Brown - Lost Someone (Live At The Apollo - King Records - 1963)
3. James Brown - Prisoner of Love (Prisoner of Love - King Records - 1963)
4. James Brown - Mother Popcorn (It's A Mother - King Records - 1969)
5. James Brown - Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Grits & Soul - Smash Records - 1964)
6. James Brown - Don't Be A Dropout (James Brown Sings Raw Soul - King Records - 1967)
7. James Brown - Funky President (People It's Bad) (Reality - Polydor Records - 1974)
8. James Brown - Hey America (Hey America - King Records - 1970)
9. James Brown - Intro - Payback (Live In Zaire 1974)(The Godfather Goes To Africa - Big Fro Discs - 2003)
10. James Brown - Soul Power (Live In Zaire 1974)(The Godfather Goes To Africa - Big Fro Discs - 2003)
11. James Brown - The Boss (Live In Zaire 1974)(The Godfather Goes To Africa - Big Fro Discs - 2003)
12. James Brown - Make It Funky (Live In Zaire 1974)(The Godfather Goes To Africa - Big Fro Discs - 2003)
13. James Brown - Funky Drummer (Bonus Beat Reprise) (In The Jungle Groove - Polydor - 1976)
14. James Brown - I've Got Money (I Got You (I Feel Good) - King Records - 1966)
15. James Brown - She's The One (Motherlode - Polydor Records - 1988)
16. James Brown - You've Got To Change Your Mind (I Can't Stand Myself When You Touch Me - King Records - 1968)
17. James Brown - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Soul On Top - King Records - 1970)
18. James Brown - Funky Men (Soul Syndrome - TK Records - 1980)
19. James Brown - Unity Part 1 (w/ Afrika Bambaataa) (Revolution of the Mind: Live At The Apollo III - Polydor Records - 1971)

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for February 2.

BONUS James Brown Playlist From the Sylvio & Soul Program (Originally Aired On February 6th, 2019):

1. James Brown - Intro/It’s A New Day So Let A Man Come in and Do The Popcorn (Revolution of the Mind: Live At The Apollo III - Polydor Records - 1971)
2. James Brown - Give It Up or Turnit Loose (Revolution of the Mind: Live At The Apollo III - Polydor Records - 1971)
3. Martha High - Things To Get Better (Get Together) (Tribute To My Soul Sisters - Record Kicks - 2017)
4. Martha High - Answer To Mother Popcorn (Tribute To My Soul Sisters - Record Kicks - 2017)
5. Jackie Shane - Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag (Any Other Way - Numero Group - 2017)
6. The Mighty Imperials - Cold Sweat (Thunder Chicken - Daptone Records - 2001)
7. The Soul Motivators - Hang On IN There (Free To Believe - Do Right! Music - 2015)
8. Five Alarm Funk - Power of Funk (Sweat - Five Alarm Funk - 2017)
9. Slim Moore and The Mar-Kays - Is It Because I’m Black (Introducing Slim Moore and The Mar-Kays - Marlow Records - 2011)
10. James Brown - It’s A Man’s World (Alternate Stereo Mix) (Star Time - Polydor Records - 1991)
11. James Brown - Don’t Be A Dropout (James Brown Sings Raw Soul - King Records - 1967)
12. James Brown - Money Won’t Change You (James Brown Sings Raw Soul - King Records - 1967)
13. James Brown - Introduction To Say It Loud (Say It Live and Loud : Live In Dallas 08-26-68- PolyGram - 1968)
14. James Brown - I Don’t Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door I’ll Get It Myself) (Say It Live and Loud : Live In Dallas 08-26-68- PolyGram - 1968)
15. James Brown - Get Up, Get Into It & Get Involved (In The Jungle Groove - Polydor - 1986)
16. James Brown - There It Is (There It Is - Polydor - 1972)
17. James Brown - Get On The Good Foot (Get On The Good Foot - Polydor - 1972)
18. James Brown - Automatic (The Next Step - Fome Records - 2002)
19. James Brown - Funky Men (Soul Syndrome - TK Records - 1980)

Download this episode here!

Coming Up On Revolution Rock in 2019!

February is theme month once again for Revolution Rock. I will be doing a different themed program for each of the four weeks in February 2019. This year’s programming will begin with a program devoted to the music of James Brown. Each program will air on a Saturday from 7-9 PM and can be streamed/listened to online via www.cjam.ca or on the FM dial at 99.1 FM in the Windsor/Detroit area.

Revolution Funk: The Music of James Brown
Saturday February, 2nd
7-9 PM
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

James Brown’s “Funky Drummer” was originally recorded at a jam session in 1969. The song was released as a two-part single via King Records in 1970 and eventually released on the compilation album In The Jungle Groove in 1986. The song however, is one of the most sampled songs in hip hop and popular music. The break in the song around the five minute twenty second mark features a drum break played by Clyde Stubblefield has been sampled over one thousand times and is weaved among so many songs its often hard to keep track. This is just one of the songs that has been sampled by music created by James Brown. It is also an example of the vast influence he has had on music. James Brown, often known as “The Godfather of Soul” helped to secularize gospel music and in turn had a role in the creation of soul music. He would combine these elements of soul and R&B music to lay the foundations and to help create funk music. With his emphasis on the first note of every measure (known as “the one”), Brown and his band developed the downbeat, which created a groove that would become his signature.

In addition to this this, Brown addressed many social and political issues through his music with songs such as “Don’t Be A Dropout”, “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)”, “Funky President (People It’s Bad)”, and “Talkin’ Loud and Sayin’ Nothing” to name a few. By the early 70’s James Brown and his band, The J.B.’s established a funk sound that can be heard on songs such as “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine”, “Soul Power”, “Hot Pants”, “Make It Funky”, and “The Payback”. James Brown became a major figure in music in the 20th century and also provided captivating live shows that often involved his unique dance moves. With dance moves such as the mashed potato, the funky chicken, the robot and his tour de force move, the split, Brown had a combination of factors that made him influential in numerous ways. All of this earned him the nick name “The Godfather of Soul”. Revolution Rock celebrates Black History Month by playing music from James Brown’s catalogue, along with deep cuts, live recordings and a variety of other selections. Also joining the program will be guest host Graeme Sylvio of CJAM’s Sylvio & Soul radio program.

Love Bites: The Music of Pete Shelley
Saturday February, 9th
7-9 PM
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

Pete Shelley formed the early punk band Buzzcocks in the UK with Howard Devoto in 1976 after seeing a Sex Pistols gig in Manchester in 1975. Along with Steve Diggle and John Maher, Buzzcocks recorded and released their Spiral Scratch EP in 1977 on their independent label, New Hormones. It was one of the first independent releases during the UK punk era of the late 70s, put out without the help of major record labels. Adhering to the DIY punk ethos, the success of this release inspired other bands to DIY labels to put out music on their own. Shortly after this release, Howard Devoto left the group, with Shelley taking the lead vocal/lead guitar role in the group. Steve Diggle switched to rhythm guitar from bass and bassist Steve Garvey would eventually join the group that when combined with drummer John Maher, formed the classic Buzzcocks band lineup.

Signing to United Artists, Buzzcocks mastered the art of the short pop song. The song “Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve), was inspired by a line from the movie Guys and Dolls and has been called a pop masterpiece by many. The music he created often combined elements of punk, pop and power pop, to create catchy, memorable songs, often dealing with love gone wrong. Lyrically, his songs were often witty and open to interpretation and challenged the conventions of song writing. In addition to playing in Buzzcocks, Shelley’s also had a solo career, beginning with 1980’s Sky Yen. This album ventured into electronic and drone music. 1981’s Homosapien explored electronic pop and synthesizer based music, in its early pioneering days. For this episode, Revolution Rock will devote an entire program to music that has been created by Pete Shelley, featuring music from Buzzcocks, his solo career and other projects that he has been a part of.

The King Khan & BBQ Show Radio Special
Saturday February, 16th
7-9 PM
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

The King Khan & BBQ Show are a Canadian garage duo from Montreal. The band is comprised of King Khan and BBQ (which is an alias for Mark Sultan). The duo formed in 2002 after a series of bands that both Khan and Sultan were playing with disbanded. Prior to this, Sultan and Khan collaborated in an earlier band called The Spaceshits, who disbanded in 1999. When King Khan, then going by the name Blacksnake, decided to live in Berlin, that group ended. He would go on to form King Khan & The Shrines following this. Around this time Mark Sultan formed the garage rock band Les Sexereenos. In 2002, Sultan began performing and recording as a one-man band under the name BBQ. It was not too long after this that Khan and Sultan began collaborating and recording together. The first self-titled King Khan & BBQ Show was released in 2005 on Goner Records in the US and on Hazelwood Records in Europe.

With Mark Sultan (aka BBQ) on drums (bass and snare drum), guitar, vocals and King Khan on vocals and lead guitar, the band mixed elements of punk rock and doo wop, combined with their garage rock mentality to create a sound all their own. Following the release of the band’s first album, they embarked on a world tour playing in the US, Europe and South America. The band gained a reputation for their wild, energetic and controversial live shows. More albums followed with 2008’s What’s For Dinner? and 2009’s Invisible Girl. During the tour for Invisible Girl, Leo Chip (of the band Deadly Snakes), joined The King Khan & BBQ Show for some live dates as a drummer/organist. However, in 2010 the band split. In 2015, The King Khan & BBQ Show returned with the album Bad News Boys. They have continued to tour off and on since 2011/2012. Throughout this band, after their initial split and even currently, King Khan and Mark Sultan have continually collaborated and recorded with other musicians and recorded music. Most recently Mark Sultan has released a full-length album called Let Me Out and King Khan released his solo album Murderburgers in 2017. This episode of Revolution Rock will feature selections from The King Khan & BBQ Show catalogue, along with a selection of other songs that both King Khan and Mark Sultan have recorded solo or with other groups.

Revolution Surf: The 13th Edition: Horror Themed Surf Rock
Saturday February, 23rd
7-9 PM
CJAM 99.1 FM (www.cjam.ca)

On Saturday February 23rd, the 13th annual edition of Revolution Surf will air on CJAM FM. To commemorate this episode, the program will be made up entirely of horror themed tracks. Horror themed surf songs have been something that has been present in surf music for quite some time. Many horror-based themes have surfaced in surf/instrumental rock songs going back to the beginnings of surf music. Most likely due to the influx of the many monster movies of the time period, this type of surf music has been combined with film and TV on countless occasions adding a different mood and dimension to whatever it is associated with. Horror themed surf music is often creepy and spooky sounding, although some of it has often been seen as kitschy or cheesy. This type of surf music has operated parallel to the sunnier themed surf songs that have been created in the genre. On this episode expect to hear spooky tracks from artists such as The Deadly Ones, The Ghastly Ones, Messer Chups and many others. This year’s Revolution Surf program will once again feature a guest segment from Surf Rock Radio’s Derk Brigante and more surprises!

Revolution Rock Holiday Special 2012 & Show # 437

This week's episode aired on December 25th, the first time that has ever happened in the entire time I have been on the air at CJAM FM. I played a collection of over twenty four not so average holiday songs. Check out the play list/download it below. I will be back in the New Year with a best of 2012 program and regularly scheduled programming.



Christmas play list:

1. Clyde Lasley & The Cadillac Baby Specials – Santa Came Home Drunk
2. Donovan – New Years Resolution
3. Wild Billy Childish & The Musicians of the British Empire – Mistletoe
4. The Pygmies – Santa Claus
5. Baby Eagle – Fearfully and Wonderfully
6. Eels – Christmas Is Going To The Dogs
7. Boxer The Horse – Material Xmas
8. Andrew Bird – Auld Lang Syne
9. Surfaris – A Surfer’s Christmas List
10. Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet – Faster Santa Claus Ho, Ho, Ho
11. The Bayview Village People – Merry Xmas Everyone
12. Mother Mother – Hit Er Miss Christmas
13. The Shins – Wonderful Christmas Time
14. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – All I Want For Christmas
15. REM – Christmas Griping
16. James Brown – Go Power At Christmas
17. James Brown – Hey America
18. Diamond Rugs – Christmas In Chinese Restaurant
19. Deja Voodoo – Bugs For Christmas
20. The Wailers – Please Come Home For Christmas
21. Reind Deers – White Xmas
22. The Nefidovs – Feliz Nefidov
23. The Sonics – Don’t Believe In Christmas
24. Keith Richards – Run Rudolph Run

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for December 25. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Back To The Archives!

Anyone who has visited this website or CJAM's official website in hopes to download an archive of one of their shows will have come up short. CJAM's archives were down for a few weeks, but I am happy to say they are now back and available for your mass consumption!

Here's a look at what you may have missed on some recent episodes of Revolution Rock:

Lost and Found - The Saints Radio Special & Show # 339

This show aired on February 15th and it focused on the Australian Punk legends The Saints. They have since gone onto cult like status, the show focused on the bands first three albums ((I'm) Stranded, Eternally Yours, Prehistoric Sounds) and a variety of outtakes and live recordings.

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The Godfather of Soul...Mr. James Brown & Show # 338

On February 8th, Revolution Rock celebrated Black History Month, by playing a selection of songs within the genres of Soul, Funk, Jazz, R&B, Reggae, and Blues.  Two songs were featured on the show from the James Brown album James Brown Sings Raw Soul. 

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Revolution Derk ... Show # 337

On February 1st, Derk Brigante of CJAM's Surphony of Derstruction filled in for Revolution Rock mixing in Surf, with Punk, New Wave and Garage Rock.  The show can be seen as a taste of my annual Surf special which will air on CJAM February 22nd, 2011 from 10L30 AM - 12 PM. 

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Citzen Freak...The Story of 49th Parallel Show # 336

January 25th, featured a spotlight on the Canadian Garage Rock band 49th Parallel.  Also in the same broadcast there was music from U2, The Diodes, Rah Rah, The Micronite Filters, The Black Angels, Wavves, Modern Superstitions, The Misfits, The D4 and more!

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The Godfather of Soul....Mr.James Brown & Show # 338

James Brown is known as The Godfather of Soul. He released single after successful single taking over the R & B Charts with his style and groove, but his songs didn't just have the music the also had a message. Known for being prolific and releasing numerous songs that affected not only the music buying public, but also future musical artists, two songs in particular will be discussed here. They are both from his mid 60s period, which reflected an R & B/Soul sound. The first being a track entitled "Don't Be A Drop-Out". This song promoted education and stressed to young African American students to stay in school. At the time of the songs release in 1966, it spoke to a generation of young Americans during the Civil Rights movement, something that Brown would address on more than just this occasion.

The song “Money Won’t Change You Pt.1” was released as a single in 1966, but it did not chart and was not as well received as “Don’t Be A Drop-Out”. With lyrics like “Money Won’t Change You, But Time Will Take You On”, Brown weaves a story with a message in between this Soul stomper of a track. Part two of “Money Won’t Change You” was the B-Side to this single and both versions of the song with “Don’t Be A Drop-Out” can be found on the 1967 album James Brown Sings Raw Soul. The backing R & B vocal group for these songs and for a good part of James Browns’ early music career (from 1958-1968) were The Famous Flames. The band were usually not listed on album covers, which prevented them from being more well known at the time (they are more well known now). The band was founded by Bobby Byrd and lasted with Brown for the early part of his career. The band were on songs such as “Please, Please, Please”, “Think”, “I’ll Go Crazy”, and “Shout and Shimmy”. While the band stopped playing live with Brown in 1968, Bobby Bryd would rejoin James Brown in the 70s in a vocal based role as Brown gravitated from his early R & B sound to a Funk direction.

Brown’s hit singles coupled with his live performances which were beyond energetic, the hardest working man in show business was like no other. The songs mentioned here are just a small sample of the many great songs that James Brown has released throughout his decade spanning career and that have solidified him as the iconic Godfather of Soul.



This Week's Play List:

1. John Legend & The Roots - Compared to What
2. Booker T - Hey Ya
3. Otis Redding - Look At The Girl
4. The Supremes - Uptight (Everything's Alright) (Alternate Vocal)
5. Etta James - Street of Tears
6. Grant Green - Innercity 
7. Fats Waller - Louisianna Fairytale 1935
8. Jimmy Cliff - You Can Get It If You Really Want
9. Scotty - Draw Your Brakes
10. Mikey Dread - Break Down The Walls
11. Bob Marley - Trenchtown Rock (Live at the Roxy 1976)

12. Chuck Berry - I Want To Be Your Driver

13. John Lee Hooker - It Serves You Right To Suffer

14. Solomon Burke - Detroit City

15. The Meters - The Hand Clapping Song 

16. Sam & Dave - Don't Make It So Hard On Me

17. Bo Diddley - Gun Slinger 

18. James Brown - Don't Be A Drop-Out

19. James Brown - Money Won't Change You

20. Bad Brains - Don't Bother Me

21. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Gunpowder

22. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for February 8. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

Show #126 Best of 2006

For my last show of 2006, I decided to do a best releases of 2006 show. I played new albums, reissues/remasters, and box sets. The order of the songs somewhat constitutes a list of the order of my favourite releases from 2006. There were some that didn't make the list, as far as overall releases which includes remasters, box sets, and new albums, this is what I thought of the music of 2006.



I just wanted to mention my favourite release of 2006 is the doors of perception box set. This set includes all of The Doors albums, as well as bonus tracks and videos. I played "Twentieth Century Fox" which is a song originally from The Doors first self titled album. According to the box sets linear notes, the first Doors album is not the correct speed. It is down a few steps, as a result of something that happened during the mastering process when copying from the master tapes. The box set includes a mix of the album at the correct speed (as well as the other way it has always been), and I played from the corrected speed version. It may be hard to notice, but if you were to listen to both versions of the album you can tell the difference, one is a little bit slower, and one is a little bit faster.

My second favourite release was the singles box set from The Clash. Since I've already posted about this box set, I will not discuss it any further. "I Fought The Law" was played from it though. My third favourite releases was the self titled Pearl Jam album. Pearl Jam was released in May of 2006. The album shows that Pearl Jam still can rock, even though they've made so many albums, and that they show no signs of stopping. "Unemployable" was played, it is a track that was written by drummer Matt Cameron and sounds very much like Pearl Jam doing a Black Sabbath song, in my opinion. If I were to choose albums that are composed of completely new material, this would be my top pick of 2006.

Unfortunately the Godfather of Soul, James Brown passed away on December 25th, 2006. James Brown has left behind a legacy of music that has influenced millions. A good majority of his songs have been sampled in various rap songs, he has also influenced bands such as The Clash, who have cited him as an influence for their funky songs. James Brown was a great musician, and his music will forever stand the test of time. I played "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" from the album Soul On Top. It is one of my favourite James Brown tracks, the version from Soul On Top, is a live version.

Here's: what was played:

1. Mudhoney – empty shells
2. Pointed Sticks – somebody’s mom
3. Albert Hammond Jr. – call me an ambulance
4. Neil Young – after the garden
5. Sublime – paddle out
6. Sex Pistols – Liar (spunk version)
7. Wire – three girl rhumba
8. The Jam – the place I love
9. Red Hot Chili Peppers – make you feel better
10. Talking Heads – stay hungry
11. Johnny Cash – further on up the road
12. Bob Dylan – someday baby
13. Incubus – rogues
14. Arctic Monkeys – red light indicates the doors are secure
15. Rapture – pieces of the people that we love
16. Radio 4 – enemies like this
17. Audioslave – nothing left to say but goodbye
18. Dirty Pretty Things – enemy
19. Sloan – something’s wrong
20. Sloan – another way I could do it
21. Raconteurs – level
22. The Strokes – red light
23. Pearl Jam – unemployable
24. The Clash – I fought the law
25. The Doors – twentieth century fox
26. James Brown - papa's got a brand new bag