[kj] R.I.P. James Brown

[Alex Smith]

"The only music he influenced was crap..."

Sorry, Mik, but this is just a patently ridiculous statement. Again, I'm not saying you have to like James Brown, but the man's influence extends far and wide beyond simply funk and hip hop (neither of which would've existed without his contributions). James Brown practically *INVENTED* stage presence -- Iggy Pop, Robert Plant, Ian McCulloch, Jaz Coleman, Joe Stummer -- none of them can top, let alone touch what James Brown was. He was as crucial a performer/innovator/artist as anyone you can name. 

This just reminds me of the Beatles conversation we had a couple of weeks ago. I know it seems like a really, punky, iconoclastic thing to say that you don't like James Brown (who was inarguably "punker" than any band you can name -- listen to "Say It Loud, I"m Black & I"m Proud" and consider the context of the times), but to not recognize his influence and contribution just makes you seem a bit narrow, misinformed and, frankly, dim.

And judging James Brown via his cameos in "The Blues Brothers" or "Rocky IV" or whatever is like judging Killing Joke solely by OUTSIDE THE GATE.

Alex in NYC




 and he was just a criminal who some people thought

>> could sing.





-----Original Message-----

>From: Mik Raven <mik at corvids.eclipse.co.uk>

>Sent: Dec 26, 2006 11:55 AM

>To: "'A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)'" <gathering at misera.net>

>Subject: Re: [kj] R.I.P. James Brown

>

>No I can't hear anything I like whatsoever in his music. Does that make me

>myopic? Guess I'll go find my reading glasses then! :-) Actually, never been

>a big fan of change either. IMHO not one of the Joke's better ditties.

>

>Mik

>

>-----Original Message-----

>From: gathering-bounces at misera.net [mailto:gathering-bounces at misera.net] On

>Behalf Of Stephen Robinson

>Sent: 26 December 2006 10:39

>To: A list about all things Killing Joke (t

>Subject: Re: [kj] R.I.P. James Brown

>

>You can't hear the power, excitment and simple funk power in his beats? 

>

>If the only music he influenced was crap, do that mean you think Change was

>crap?

>

>> James Brown was shit but the Blues Brothers was quite an entertaining

>> film. I will not shed a tear for James Brown but dread the endless

>> tributes that are bound to follow his death. The only music he

>> influenced was crap and he was just a criminal who some people thought

>> could sing.

>>

>> Mik

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