Other Visions

What Can We Learn From the Godfather of Soul,
Mister James Brown?
By Iain Dunford

• Solid introduction -- and explanation
• A strong intro with an applause cue
• Building to the first "wow" moment (when the horns kick in)
• Gathering pace at 1.36 (a fifth of the way through)
• A massive wonderful surprise moment (the 360 spin) applause cue
• Thanking them/acknowledging them
• Getting into the groove
• Commitment to the moment
• Doing someone else's material your own way! (see what i did there?)
• Riding that wave of excitement
• Giving all that you can to the experience
• Believing in what you are doing 100%
• Entertainment
• Theatre
• Emotional release
  

I probably could go on, folks: natty threads, having Bootsy Collins as your side man, having the JBs at your back...

Now, if we can put his bad stuff to one side -- and let's face it, just about every hero in entertainment had a flaw -- let's see what we can learn from our recently departed super heavy, heavy funk godfather of soul.

Or rather, why we should. Well, it seems to me that we miss out an awful lot just by studying our favorite mentalists; I've learned just as much from reading biographies about Richard Burton and watching his films as I have certain magic books (sometimes a lot more). The portrayal of emotions, stage presence, believability...

But I digress. This is about Mr. Brown. As entertainers, I feel we should watch and absorb all we can, from all we can. I always felt that Mr. Brown had this serenity and coolness about him yet would deliver these emotionally soaked songs of heartache, love and all the fun bits in between. He would be slightly better dressed (for the time) than everyone else or at least more noticeable.

He would connect with the audience straight away: he would tell them what he was about to do... and then damn well do it. And do it good.

Through that connection, by laying down his emotions, you could almost hear the tears sobbing through some songs, reaching out and touching each and every person in that audience. Inspiration through perspiration, I suppose.

Working hard too! The covers he did -- other's material -- would sound pretty much nothing like the original. Something we should definitely be aware of. And he worked hard creating his own, taking his inspiration from anyone and anything. Above all, he tried to inspire others, set a good example, and move things forward.

Again, the similarities strike me round the face like hail stones or maybe an angry hawk. There's so much out there for us to absorb, to listen, watch and enjoy on many levels -- and also to provide inspiration for us. Whether it be through a lyric, an emotional hook, or a presentational ploy. "Grab it", "get on the good foot", "stay on the scene", and many other bad Brown puns.

I really do urge you to look around, study your favorite actors, musicians and so forth. Work out why, presentationally, you love them so much. And maybe let them inspire you in your work.

I shall leave you with one more James Brown-related quote, and I mean this one:

"Sayin' it and doin' it are two different things."

Iain Dunford