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Playlist: Funk Music

Compiled By: wilson seaborn

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James Brown Saves Boston

From Michael May | 09:16

On April 5, 1968, the country was reeling from the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the night before. Riots had broken out in several cities. In Boston, James Brown was scheduled to play to a sold-out crowd at the 14,000-seat Boston Gardens. It had the potential to be a flash point for rioting right in the heart of downtown Boston.

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On April 5, 1968, the country was reeling from the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the night before. Riots had broken out in several cities, and many more were teetering on the edge of chaos.

In Boston, James Brown was scheduled to play to a sold-out crowd at the 14,000-seat Boston Gardens. It had the potential to be a flash point for rioting right in the heart of downtown Boston.

Music journalist Tom Vickers, 18-years-old at the time, was one of the few white people with a ticket to the concert that night. He grew up in Boston, and was a huge fan of R&B music. He was well aware how much tension there was between whites and blacks in the city.

For the most part, whites stayed in south Boston and blacks stayed in a neighborhood called Roxbury. "If you were black and found on the streets of Southie," he remembers, "you were lucky to make it home alive. And frankly, the inverse was true in Roxbury. If you were white and walking the streets there, you could feel the danger. It was palpable."

The tension had been escalating in the mid-60s as the city began to desegregate its public schools. The mayoral race in 1967 pitted a liberal reformer, Kevin White, against Louise Day Hicks, an opponent of desegregation. Hicks ran under the evasive slogan "You know where I stand." White won the race by less than 12,000 votes.

So Boston's race relations where already on a short fuse when the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., was shot and killed on April 4. John "Jabo" Starks, the drummer in James Brown's band, was headed to Boston when he heard the news. "That was such a tragedy," says Starks. "It was sad, and it was shameful. It was like I was drained. You try to better yourself, and then this happens."

Riots broke out across the country, and some feared Boston would be next. Vickers remembers there was some rioting in Roxbury Friday night, but it was quickly stopped -- "yet there was ongoing fear that there would be massive rioting," he says. "Whites were worried that the African American community would spread to other neighborhoods in Boston and just tear up the place."

In fact, city leaders were terrified that the James Brown concert could bring the violence right into the heart of downtown. Mayor Kevin White and Boston's first black city council member, Thomas Atkins, debated whether to cancel the concert. In a forthcoming VH1 documentary about that night, White says: "His concert -- we thought it could bring as many as 20,000 black people, young people, into the city. It just had too much emotion in it. That would be a problem."

Council member Atkins had worse fears. "I said, 'Kevin, you are doing exactly the wrong thing,'" Atkins remembers. "If the black community hears that the city stopped James Brown from performing, all hell will break loose."

The city had only a few hours to find a compromise.

Meanwhile, Vickers went to a somber memorial for King that afternoon. After, he went to the Boston Gardens and asked a policeman if the show was still going to happen. "He said, 'Yeah, it's going to happen, but if I were you, I would turn in your tickets and get a refund,'" says Vickers. "And I said, 'Why would I want to do that?' And he said, 'It's going to be edgy here. You should return your tickets. Here's the good news, they are going to broadcast the entire show on WGBH.'"

The mayor held a press conference to encourage people to stay home and watch the concert. Vickers cashed in his tickets at the box office, as did thousands of others.

That night, around 9 p.m., Brown walked on stage at the Boston Gardens -- and the mayor was by his side. White addressed the crowd of around 2,000 and a row of television cameras. "I'm here tonight, like all of you, to listen to James," White told the crowd. "But I'm also here to ask for your all help. I'm here to ask you to stay with me as your mayor, and make Dr. King's dreams a reality in Boston.

"This is our city, and our future is in our hands -- today, tomorrow and the days that follow. So all I ask you tonight is this: is look each at other, and pledge that no matter what any other community might do, here in Boston, we will honor Dr. King's legacy in peace."

And with that, Brown, dressed in all black, grabs the microphone and takes over. Starks was on the drums. He said that as soon as he dug into the groove the intense sadness he was feeling lifted. "I love to play," he says, "because any problems are vented. I don't hear, see, think of anything, because I'm playing that music. It's a relief for me."

Vickers and his family crowded around the TV and watched in amazement. "James Brown always gave his all," he says. "But that night, there was an emotional edge to it. He seemed totally present, in the moment, and giving 110 percent."

Then, just as James Brown donned his golden cape, a young man jumped on stage. And in an instant, a white police officer rushed in and threw the man back into the audience. It looked like the beginning of a riot -- a riot that the entire city of Boston would witness on live television. The band stopped playing.

"They were just venting anger," says Jabo Starks. "They just wanted to be close to him, but I know when police started to throw them off stage, it became touchy."

Brown told the police officers to leave and shook hands with another teenager who had jumped on stage. Suddenly fans swarmed the singer. "It was almost at a point where something bad was going to happen," says Starks. "And he said 'Let me talk to them.' He had that power."

Within minutes, the Godfather of Soul cleared the stage with these words: "You're making me look bad... You're not being fair to yourself or your own race. I asked the police to step back, because I figured I could get some respect from my own people. It doesn't make sense. Now, are we together or we ain't? Hit the thing, man... one-two-three." And the band kicked back in.

That night, there was rioting in more than 100 U.S. cities. Dozens of people were killed. Huge areas of Newark, N.J., Detroit and Washington, D.C., went up in flames. But Boston remained quiet.

James Brown:The Godfather of Soul

From Howard Burchette | Part of the Soul Roots series | 57:47

This is the best of JAMES BROWN from the 1970s and the FUNK!

James Brown (Born: May 3, 1933, Barnwell, SC Died: December 25, 2006, Atlanta, GA)

This one hour music show on the music of James Brown is offered in three segments leaving room for radio announcements and breaks.

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James Brown was known as the man who could deliver the funk during the 1970s. Not only did he lay out new funk rhythms, but his backup band called The JBs did so as well. During this period he was known as the Godfather of Soul . This title was given to him in honor of his compositions for the gangster movie “Black Caesar.”

This show will highlight music from his funk play-list like Sex Machine, Soul Power, Body Heat, The Payback and others.      

Enjoy James Brown: The Godfather of Soul!

 



 










James Brown: Soul Brother #1 (the 1960s)

From Howard Burchette | Part of the Soul Roots series | 58:30

During the 1960s James Brown was known as Soul Brother #1. This was a title that no one else in Soul music, R& or Pop would or could claim. This program will follow his musical style of the 1960s from ballads to the funk. Now, here is James Brown & His Famous Flames: Soul Brother #1 with Please Please Please.

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The title " Soul Brother #1 " was reserved for James Brown and no one else dared to claim it. This is what he was called during the 1960’s. There was no one else like him. This one hour program will explore his hits during the 1960s.

On this show you will hear Soul Brother #1 sing: Please, Please, Please, Out Of Sight, Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, Prisoner of Love, I Got You (I Feel Good), Cold Sweat, I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door, I'll Get It Myself), Licking Stick, I Got The Feelin', Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud (Part 1), Mother Popcorn (You Got to Have a Mother for Me),   Ain't It Funky Now (Part 1 & 2) and much more.

Now, it time for Soul Brother #1

 

Blues File: James Brown's Blues Recordings

From WXPN | Part of the Blues File series | 03:14

James Brown's blues recordings

Brownjblues_small The Godfather Of Soul, James Brown, will always be remembered more as the Founder Of Funk than a blues artist, but he made some great blues recordings-- some of which were hidden away as "deep" tracks on albums, some unissued for many years after being cut. This Blues File is a look at some of James Brown's blues.

James Brown on Conviction, Respect & Reagan

From Blank on Blank | Part of the Blank on Blank series | 05:38

"Black is not a color; it's an attitude. It's the attitude of independence, respect and dignity."
- James Brown

Interview by Rocci Fisch
1984. Washington, D.C. Convention Center
Originally recorded for ABC News Radio

James_brown_square_small "Black is not a color; it's an attitude. It's the attitude of independence, respect and dignity." - James Brown Interview by Rocci Fisch 1984. Washington, D.C. Convention Center Originally recorded for ABC News Radio

The Big Payback-A Tribute to James Brown

From Peter Bochan | Part of the Shortcuts series | 25:25

Tribute to The Godfather of Soul!

James_brown_small A tribute mix to the Godfather of Soul, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business and Soul Brother #1---James Brown. Featuring interviews with Don Cornelius, Dave March, Sammy Davis Jr, Harry Weinger, Mike Douglas and of course with James Brown himself. Montages of all his hits and much more...

The R&B Chronicles-James Brown

From WHRV | Part of the The R&B Chronicles series | 59:41

Exploration of the history of R&B music

Knjames_brown_narrowweb__300x407_0_small Perhaps more than any other genre of popular American music culture, soul music is the result of the combination and merging of previous styles and sub-styles in the 50's and 60's. At it's inception soul music combined the African American concepts of gospel and blues sensibilities in creating a passionate, soulful and musical presentation of the African American spirit. Rhythm and Blues is itself a combination of blues and jazz and developed in the 40's as small groups of predominately African American musicians built upon the blues tradition which morphed itself into soul music coming into the 50's. "The R&B Chronicles" is a weekly musical biography that will focus on classic R&B and soul music and feature many of the great artists and groups.... such as Otis Redding, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Earth, Wind and Fire and many more. "The R&B Chronicles" airs Friday evenings at 7pm on 89.5 WHRV-FM. Hosted and produced by Jae Sinnett.

James Brown:The Hardest Working Man in Show Businessl (Live Recordings)

From Howard Burchette | Part of the Soul Roots series | 59:09

James Brown is one of the most recognizance and important figures in modern music during our lifetime. During this program we will explore some of his greatest LIVE recordings of all time. He was and always will be the "Hardest Working Man in Show Business."

James Brown (Born: May 3, 1933, Barnwell, SC Died: December 25, 2006, Atlanta, GA)

This is one part of a three part series.

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James Brown is one of the most recognizance and important figures in modern music during our lifetime. During this program we will explore some of his greatest LIVE recordings of all time. He was and always will be the Hardest Working Man in Show Business!

The program begins with an album that most music critics consider to be one of the great live recordings of all time. That famous album is James Brown and the Famous Flames Live at the Apollo in 1962.

Other noted live recordings are from the second volume of the Live at the Apollo series as well as Volume III known as Revolution of the Mind which contains the new JBs with Fred Wesley and Bobby Byrd . The other records are taken from the 1968 live recording of James Brown and the James Brown Orchestra in Dallas Texas as well as the 1971 live recording in Paris France with the original JBs with Bootsy Collins .

Some of the best MCs are also included here MC Frankie Crocker and MC Danny Rae . This is James Brown as he was in the 1960s and the 1970s with the worlds must exciting show ever. He was the Hardest Working Man in Show Business!


In Search of James Brown: An Appreciation (58:00 / 53:00 / 29:00 or 6:30 Feature)

From Paul Ingles | 57:57

In 1999, radio producers Paul Ingles and Joe Warnes went in pursuit of an interview with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown at a tour stop in Albuquerque. As they pursued a private audience with Brown, they managed to capture his essence by talking to fans and handlers and by taking listeners inside the arena for a taste of a James Brown show. Offered here in a 29 minute doc and a 6:30 excerpt. A Bonus Music Sweep is added for Stations Needing 53:00 or 58:00 Hours.

Jamesbrown2_small To mark the legendary career of James Brown, give your listeners this special treat. In 1999, radio producers Paul Ingles and Joe Warnes went in pursuit of an interview with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown at a tour stop in Albuquerque. As they pursued a private audience with Brown, they managed to capture his essence by talking to fans and handlers and by taking listeners inside the arena for a taste of a James Brown show. Offered here in a 29 minute program and a 6:30 featurette. The featurette would require the following hard lead that would include your own copy on Brown's death. Featurette Suggested lead detail: Independent Producer Paul Ingles (ING-guhls) saw James Brown concerts in the mid-1970's and then again in 1999 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ingles and co-producer Joe Warnes (WAR-nez) covered the concert then, talking with fans and recording a bit inside the arena, trying to capture what it was like to be in the presence of the Godfather of Soul. Add the bonus hosted all-music sweep to create a 53:00 version. Add the single bonus track at end to make a 58:00 version. We make no claim to innovation in the music sweep. Just offering it for stations that can't find their own JB hits disc to do this themselves and create an hour from the half-hour doc. Download what you need. 30 Second Promo, which needs a tag, is included.

National Book Award winner James McBride looks at the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.

From National Endowment for the Arts | Part of the Art Works series | 28:29

McBride’s latest book looks to understand what shaped James Brown-- one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

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The enormously talented James Brown and James McBride is close to a perfect match of subject and author. McBride might be celebrated for his writing, winning the 2013 National Book Award for fiction for his novel The Good Lord Bird, but he’s also a musician--a fine saxophonist who’s toured with Jazz legend Jimmy Scott and now fronts his own band. So McBride brings a musical sensibility and a knowledge of the entertainment business to his new book Kill ‘em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul.

James Brown was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, who often remembered for his non-stop performances and just so hair. What can be forgotten or ignored is what an icon he was for black self-realization and pride. And that’s where James McBride puts his focus. He closely examines Brown’s roots in the South…looking at where he came from and how that informed who Brown became. This is no easy task since James Brown was a proper evasive man who always aimed to present his best face to the world. McBride weaves his own observations with individual encounters with Brown’s family, close friends, business associates, protégés and fellow musicians,  to try to understand what shaped the complex, troubled, proud and exuberantly talented James Brown…searching for the man behind the legend and the America that produced him.

SLY & THE FAMILY STONE with JERRY MARTINI Vol. I

From Howard Burchette | Part of the The Funk Show series | 58:27

Original and founding member of SLY & THE FAMILY STONE'S JERRY MARTINI talks about the history of the group and his new cover band THE FAMILY STONE PROJECT.

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This is Volume I of a three part series. Each part is divided into three segments giving room for PSA’s, station ID’s and announcements.

Jerry Martini is a saxophonist and original member of Sly and the Family Stone. Together they recorded many hits like Family Affair, Higher, Stand, Everybody Is a Star, Hot Fun In The Summer Time, Fun, Dance To The Music, If You Want Me To Stay, Everyday People, Sing A Simple Song, You Can Make It If You Try, Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again, etc.

Jerry joined Howard Burchette as they talked about the history of
Sly & the Family Stone and their music. Today Jerry fronts a Sly & the Family Stone tribute band called The Family Stone Project with founding member of Sly & the Family Stone Cynthia Robinson.

Sly & The Family Stone with Jerry Martini Vol. II

From Howard Burchette | Part of the The Funk Show series | 53:59

Original and founding member of SLY & THE FAMILY STONE, JERRY MARTINI talks about the history of the group plus his new group THE FAMILY STONE PROJECT in this interview.

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This is Volume II of a three part series.

Each part is divided into three segments giving room for PSA’s, station ID’s and announcements.

Jerry Martini is a saxophonist and original member of Sly and the Family Stone. Together they recorded many hits like Family Affair, Higher, Stand, Everybody Is a Star, Hot Fun In The Summer Time, Fun, Dance To The Music, If You Want Me To Stay, Everyday People, Sing A Simple Song, You Can Make It If You Try, Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again, etc.

Jerry joined Howard Burchette as they talked about the history of
Sly & the Family Stone and their music. Today Jerry fronts a Sly & the Family Stone tribute band called The Family Stone Project with founding member of Sly & the Family Stone Cynthia Robinson.

Sly & the Family Stone with Jerry Martini Vol. III

From Howard Burchette | Part of the The Funk Show series | 54:32

Original and founding member of SLY & THE FAMILY STONE'S JERRY MARTINI talks about the history of the group and his new cover band THE FAMILY STONE PROJECT.

Fanily_stone_project_with_jerry_martini_small

This is Volume III of a three part series. Each part is divided into three segments giving room for PSA’s, station ID’s and announcements.

Jerry Martini is a saxophonist and original member of Sly & the Family Stone. Together they recorded many hits like Family Affair, Higher, Stand, Everybody Is a Star, Hot Fun In The Summer Time, Fun, Dance To The Music, If You Want Me To Stay, Everyday People, Sing A Simple Song, You Can Make It If You Try, Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again, etc.

Jerry joined Howard Burchette as they talked about the history of
Sly & the Family Stone and their music. Today Jerry fronts a Sly & the Family Stone tribute band called The Family Stone Project with founding member of Sly & the Family Stone Cynthia Robinson.


Rufusized: Tony Maiden & kevin Murphy of Rufus Vol. III

From Howard Burchette | Part of the The Funk Show series | 58:26

The story of RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN in their own words, by two of the founding members; keyboardist KEVIN MURPHY and guitarist TONY MAIDEN.

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This is Volume III of a three part series. Each part is divided into three segments giving room for PSA’s, station ID’s and announcements.

Rufus featuring Chaka Khan is a familiar name if the world of the Funk and popular music. Their many hits were Once You Get Started, Sweet Thing, Tell Me Something Good, Dance With Me, Midnight, plus many more. One of the original and founding members of Rufus prior to Chaka Khan joining is Kevin Murphy. Tony Maiden joined the band latter replacing the original guitarist. Joining Howard Burchette on this segment of the Funk Show is Kevin Murphy and Tony Maiden who discuss the history of the band Rufus and what they are doing today. The funky sounds of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan on this installment of the Funk Show!


Rufusized: Tony Maiden & kevin Murphy of Rufus Vol. II

From Howard Burchette | Part of the The Funk Show series | 54:21

The story of RUFUS featuring CHAKA KHAN in their own words, by two of the founding members; keyboardist KEVIN MURPHY and guitarist TONY MAIDEN.

Rufus_small This is volume II of a three part series. Each part is divided into three segments giving room for PSA’s, station ID’s and announcements.

Rufus featuring Chaka Khan is a familiar name if the world of the Funk and popular music. Their many hits were Once You Get Started, Sweet Thing, Tell Me Something Good, Dance With Me, Midnight, plus many more. One of the original and founding members of Rufus prior to Chaka Khan joining is Kevin Murphy. Tony Maiden joined the band latter replacing the original guitarist. Joining Howard Burchette on this segment of the Funk Show is Kevin Murphy and Tony Maiden who discuss the history of the band Rufus and what they are doing today. The funky sounds of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan on this installment of the Funk Show!


What is Hip?: Emilio Castillo & the Tower of Power Vol. II

From Howard Burchette | Part of the The Funk Show series | 57:49

The story of the great horn band THE TOWER OF POWER. A special interview with founder Emilio Castillo about the history of this legendary band

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This program is one hour in length and is divided in three parts, leaving room for the news, PSAs and station IDs.

 

What is Hip? The musical history of the Tower of Power!

The
Tower of Power has been entertaining their fans for more than 40 years. The band has its beginnings with Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka after starting to perform in the San Francisco Bay area. Their first album was entitled East Bay Grease released in 1970. The second album was called Bump City, which included the hit "You're Still A Young Man". The third album was self titled which included "What Is Hip?', "So very Hard To Go", "This Time It's Real", and "Soul Vaccination". More albums and more hits followed. The Tower of Power horn section also was very active in performing behind many of the greats in the music business.

Join us for this show as
Emilio Castillo shares with us the history of the great Tower of Power.

What is Hip?: Emilio Castillo & the Tower of Power Vol. I

From Howard Burchette | Part of the The Funk Show series | 58:07

The story of the great horn band THE TOWER OF POWER. A special interview with founder Emilio Castillo about the history of this legendary band.

Top_3_small

This program is one hour in length and is divided in three parts, leaving room for the news, PSAs and station IDs.

 

What is Hip? The musical history of the Tower of Power!

The
Tower of Power has been entertaining their fans for more than 40 years. The band has its beginnings with Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka after starting to perform in the San Francisco Bay area. Their first album was entitled East Bay Grease released in 1970. The second album was called Bump City, which included the hit "You're Still A Young Man". The third album was self titled which included "What Is Hip?', "So very Hard To Go", "This Time It's Real", and "Soul Vaccination". More albums and more hits followed. The Tower of Power horn section also was very active in performing behind many of the greats in the music business.

Join us for this show as
Emilio Castillo shares with us the history of the great Tower of Power


 

WAR Stories: The Music of the Lowrider Band Pt. II

From Howard Burchette | Part of the The Funk Show series | 01:00:09

WAR is a legendary Funk band who scored hits from the late 1960s to the 1980s. HOWARD SCOTT and HAROLD BROWN, who now tour as THE LOWRIDER BAND are two founding members. They both tell their story about their journey in the music and discuss many of their hits like The Cisco Kid, Low Rider, All Day Music, plus more.

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This is a one hour program divided into three segments leaving room for the news, PSAs and station IDs.

The story of WAR as told by two of the original members from LA, guitarist Howard Scott and drummer Harold Brown.

 

Harold tells the story of how the band was discovered in a club after they were approached to tour and record behind Eric Burton.

 

Howard tells the story how percussionist Pappa Dee Allen died on stage while playing his composition Gypsy Man. He said that they had to go on stage the next day and the play the same song again and that it was the hardest thing that he has ever had to do. Howard also tells the story of how he came up with the concept of the composition Slipping Into Darkness.

 

Joining Howard and Harold are two other original WAR members B. B. Dickerson and Lee Oscar. From WAR to THE LOW RIDER BAND in their own words!

WAR Stories: The Music of the Lowrider Band Pt. III

From Howard Burchette | Part of the The Funk Show series | 56:29

WAR is a legendary Funk band who scored hits from the late 1960s to the 1980s. HOWARD SCOTT and HAROLD BROWN, who now tour as THE LOWRIDER BAND are two founding members. They both tell their story about their journey in the music and discuss many of their hits like The Cisco Kid, Low Rider, All Day Music, plus more.

Lowriderband__3__small

This is a one hour program divided into three segments leaving room for the news, PSAs and station IDs.

The story of WAR as told by two of the original members from LA, guitarist Howard Scott and drummer Harold Brown.

 

Harold tells the story of how the band was discovered in a club after they were approached to tour and record behind Eric Burton.

 

Howard tells the story how percussionist Pappa Dee Allen died on stage while playing his composition Gypsy Man. He said that they had to go on stage the next day and the play the same song again and that it was the hardest thing that he has ever had to do. Howard also tells the story of how he came up with the concept of the composition Slipping Into Darkness.

 

Joining Howard and Harold are two other original WAR members B. B. Dickerson and Lee Oscar. From WAR to THE LOW RIDER BAND in their own words!