James Brown And That Confounded Bridge

Earlier today (while killing time a Sydney airport) I wrote a little, though very guitarcentric, appreciation of James Brown and his influence on music at R and R D. But for some reason, watching the glorious countryside of the NSW north coast reveal itself from 21,000 feet, I got thinking about the legacy of James Brown that is more than just an overwhelming influence on soul, funk, R&B and rock.

James Brown came from poverty, a difficult childhood and a chequered past to attain undisputed musical greatness. Along the way, as he revolutionised music, he did the same for equal rights in the United States. His 1968 song, I’m Black and I’m Proud was a bold statement of the times. Brown’s commitment to equal rights was a great and positive influence on the consciousness of black America. As this commentary eloquently states:

But even though people like me made light of his car chase episode in the late 1980s via the party chant, “Free James Brown,â€? he didn’t use his music to capitalize on his incarceration, as far too many popular black rap artists do these days. Instead, he continued to live up to his title as the hardest working man in show business by doing what he always did — pouring his life into the perfection of his art.

Maybe that was a reflection of Brown’s genius and his talent; that in spite of all his troubles with the law and bouts with self-destructiveness, he could perform without having to glorify the most negative things about the black existence. His ingenuity is reflected in the fact that he was able to take the entrails of a life that was destined to be a throwaway one and transform it into something positive and priceless.

Add to his legacy that his music transcended racial divisions. The utopian vision of one nation (or many nations) under a groove, everyone finding their way via the skittering, chattering sixteenth note rhythm guitar, the funky and impeccable bass and drums, the always tight and punchy horns and James’ distinctive vocals (though often he was looking for a bridge).

Indeed one of the best exponents James Brown funk guitar I have ever heard was a very shy and unassuming Japanese lass. She had it nailed and questions of authencity were rendered mute as she had given her very being to be able to play the music.

James had found the bridge. He created a world music whose vibrations still shake the nooks and crannies of all musical styles around the world.

Elsewhere Catallaxian Jason Soon has a tribute with video goodness.