This is an amazing record that showcases James Brown and His Famous Flame at the top of their game in the Apollo theatre in New York City. It was initially released by King records which was well known at the time for working with many black entertainers. However, the story goes that Syd Nathan, the founder of King Records, never wanted this album made. James Brown though, was particularly dedicated to having this record made, as he apparently felt that the live show that he brought rolling into town had never been properly commited to an LP. I myself was lucky enough to see JB live before he passed, and I can certainly tell you, there's nothing like being there. But being there in 1963, when the black population must surely have been feeling that the times were indeed a-changing; well that would have been something else indeed. On this particular record the manic performer hardly pauses between songs (sometimes he doesn't, creating wonderful medleys) and the feverishly fun atmosphere just continues to rise and rise. This is without a doubt one of the finest live albums I have ever heard, but for once it isn't because of the live venue's ability to translate inspiration and improvisation so well...it's because when you listen to the screams and cries of the fans in the audience, you feel like you're there, and damn does it feel good.

It's is against my nature and better judgement to say something like this but, given the caliber of record that is "James Brown Live at the Apollo", I have to say that I feel it is the greatest live album...ever.

Of course we are discussing a pivotal musical figure and a very distinct style of music- but I think anybody that cares about music would be impacted by this amazing album.

More than just an album, it is an incredible document of something very beautiful in the culture of soul music at this time. Listening to this album time and time again over the years has made me fall in love with the audience as much as I have the music.

I can't reccommend this album enough.

James Brown-Live At The Apollo ****

First I just want to say that James Brown has had better albums, and better live albums as well. I can see why Live At The Apollo receives such high acclaim but for me personally I don't enjoy it as much as most. I love live albums, getting to hear what a legend you may have never seen live is amazing.

Live At The Apollo does not live up to what I always imagined James Brown being like. For one sometimes during the album the lyrics are not that audible, like on 'Think' for example. This is one of his all time great tracks and I don't feel that during this performance he did the song justice. Other performances were better and more memorable. Brown also seems to be out of breath a lot during the performance as well which I know he was a machine on stage but still he was very young during this performance and on later live albums he seems to have held up better.

There are some very good things about the album though. For example the medley during the middle of the album is amazing. Easily the best performance on the album, not a weak point in the long jam. Also James' backing band here is breath taking. This may be the very best his bands have ever sounded live, it is too bad I can't say the same about Brown himself. Lastly for an early performance this is a great set of songs.

What is really cool about Live At The Apollo is that it wasn't supposed to happen. His manager told him not to do it and didn't support him so Brown recorded the whole performance himself. While I'm not saying this is a bad live album, because it really isn't, all I am saying is that Brown has released better, much, much better.

THIS IS ONE GREAT LIVE ALBUM. IN FACT, IT IS ONE OF THE FIRST LIVE ALBUMS EVER PRODUCED (BY JAMES BROWN WITH $5000 THAT HE BORROWED) THAT SOLD REALLY WELL. IT REALLY GIVES YOU A FEEL FOR THE LIVE ROAD SHOW OF JAMES BROWN AND THE FAMOUS FLAMES. IF YOU LOVE R&B, SOUL OR BLUES, YOU WILL LOVE THIS ALBUM. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT CLAIMS THAT THIS IS THE GREATEST LIVE ALBUM EVER, THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT ONES I CAN THINK OF, BUT IS ONE GREAT RECORDIING. THIS CD ALSO LINCLUDES FOUR BONUS TRACKS AS WELL.

WHAT MORE CAN BE SAID about such a GREAT ALBUM that has not already been said??