James Brown shoutout to Wes Montgomery

[grahambop]

Hey this is cool - James Brown giving respect to Wes Montgomery at 2 mins 10 secs!

[MarkRhodes]

Big James Brown fan here. And since this is a guitar forum, a Jimmy Nolen fan too. Here's some pre-James Brown Jimmy Nolen:

And here's some seminal work with James Brown, a live version of "Tighten Up"

[PMB]

Surprised that Fred Wesley didn't jump in with some trombone fills! Nice find. Catfish Collins plays some cool Wes-style octaves grooves around the same time on "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothin'".

[MarkRhodes]

Surprised that Fred Wesley didn't jump in with some trombone fills! Nice find. Catfish Collins plays some cool Wes-style octaves grooves around the same time on "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothin'".

I wore out several James Brown records 'back in the day.' Loved how his band worked at its best. And though this is not a guitar-heavy track, it is magnificent:

[PMB]

Love that track, Mark and it's about as lean guitar-wise as you can get. A great book that covers the history and grooves of JB's early groups is "The Funkmasters: The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections". Lots of anecdotes plus authentic-sounding recreations and transcriptions of all the rhythm section parts. It's by Alan Slutsky, the same guy who wrote the book about James Jamerson, "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" that was later expanded into a documentary:

http://www.amazon.com/Funkmasters-Gr.../dp/1576234436

[MarkRhodes]

Love that track, Mark and it's about as lean guitar-wise as you can get. A great book that covers the history and grooves of JB's early groups is "The Funkmasters: The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections". Lots of anecdotes plus authentic-sounding recreations and transcriptions of all the rhythm section parts. It's by Alan Slutsky, the same guy who wrote the book about James Jamerson, "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" that was later expanded into a documentary:

http://www.amazon.com/Funkmasters-Gr.../dp/1576234436

I used to have that! I'm afraid I did not do the material justice, though. My right hand was just not together back then. I'd live to take another run at that some time, though my copy is long, long gone. Have you worked with that material?

[Stevebol]

I wore out several James Brown records 'back in the day.' Loved how his band worked at its best. And though this is not a guitar-heavy track, it is magnificent:

I always got a kick out of this one. We used to jam on this;

[PMB]

I used to have that! I'm afraid I did not do the material justice, though. My right hand was just not together back then. I'd live to take another run at that some time, though my copy is long, long gone. Have you worked with that material?

I have. Besides the book being an entertaining read, I think a lot of jazz guitarists would do well to investigate the grooves that lie within. Rhythm and time feel have been traditionally the most overlooked aspects in jazz education, partly because it's more difficult to teach those concepts. Incidentally, Jesse van Ruller has an incredible rhythmic command and he believes a lot of that stems from practicing the guitar parts from James Brown's tunes when he was younger.

[MarkRhodes]

I have. Besides the book being an entertaining read, I think a lot of jazz guitarists would do well to investigate the grooves that lie within. Rhythm and time feel have been traditionally the most overlooked aspects in jazz education, partly because it's more difficult to teach those concepts. Incidentally, Jesse van Ruller has an incredible rhythmic command and he believes a lot of that stems from practicing the guitar parts from James Brown's tunes when he was younger.

I agree. The ability to "project time" is crucial. I picked up that phrase from a drummer. He said you know you've got it when you---and the band you're with---can get quieter and quieter, then stop playing altogether, but the crowd still feels the beat. Then you come back and they go crazy. He said if the rhythm is solid, the simplest lines work but if the rhythm's not solid, nothing works.

[Stuart Elliott]

Before working for James Brown, Nolen was part of the Johnny Otis show and played on "Willie and the Hand Jive."

[MarkRhodes]

Before working for James Brown, Nolen was part of the Johnny Otis show and played on "Willie and the Hand Jive".

That was fun. Thanks.

[gtrplrfla]

That was fun. Thanks.

Apparently, Jimmy Nolen recorded a few singles as a vocalist and guitarist, This one , called "After Hours" was found on You tube and contains many familiar blues phrases and its sound echoes the early '50's to my old ears !

[MarkRhodes]

Apparently, Jimmy Nolen recorded a few singles as a vocalist and guitarist, This one , called "After Hours" was found on You tube and contains many familiar blues phrases and its sound echoes the early '50's to my old ears !

That's a great tune. My favorite version of "After Hours" is by Diz, Sonny Rollins, and Sonny Stitt. But this one has guitar! ;o) I should cop some of those licks, too.....

[Jazz_175]

Hey this is cool - James Brown giving respect to Wes Montgomery at 2 mins 10 secs!

What does he say exactly?

[grahambop]

What does he say exactly?

I haven't got access to the clip at the moment, but from memory I think he said something like: 'a bit of Wes, a bit of Wes, a little bit of Wes Montgomery!'

Then the guitarist played some octaves, similar to Wes.

[mrcee]

Jimmy Nolen, another Oklahoma native I believe.

[joe2758]

that trumpet spin is tight...

[Doctor Jeff]

Cool stuff. Love James Brown--the documentary Get on Up is a fine look at his work and personality, financed and produced by Mick Jagger.

Also don't forget the excellent guitar and bass work by his next backup band, the JB's, with Bootsy Collins on bass and his brother Catfish on guitar.

There is no doubt in my mind he was the best showman of the 60's and 70's. Look at the video from Live at the Apollo and the TAMI concert--he blows the place away. Those kids did not know what hit them. He has a lot of imitators, but no one can match him for showmanship.