When Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April
4, 1968, it touched off a wave of civil unrest throughout the United States.
Who would have ever thought that a wild man like James Brown could help restore
calm. Well, he did…in Boston, no less. The whole story is told on I
Got The Feelin’: James Brown In The ’60s, a three DVD box set
featuring two monumental performances and a powerful documentary about the night
James Brown saved Boston.
Best known for his sexually charged singing style and ultra funky moves, James
Brown was unquestionably one of the most unique figures in 20th century popular
music. His strong cultural influence as a newsmaker, musician, activist and
peacemaker is unparalleled. Today, a whole new generation is discovering James
Brown through his music and presence in American political affairs in the 1960s.A
great place to learn about and watch the legend is with I Got The Feelin’:
James Brown In The 60s, featuring the director’s cut of The
Night James Brown Saved Boston. This fascinating documentary focuses on
the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, alternating with the frantic paced images
of James Brown and a panel of commentators — from Brown’s personal
manager and back-up musicians to distinguished professors, critics, Al Sharpton
and Kevin White, the mayor of Boston in 1968.
The story intensifies on the day after King was assassinated. City officials
feared a James Brown concert would stir the city up. But at the last moment,
the mayor and his advisors realized canceling the concert could be even more
dangerous. So they allowed the concert to proceed and even televised the evening
for prosperity, much to Brown’s dismay. In the end, however, the singer
took control of the situation and was able to soothe the live and television-viewing
audience alike. After Boston, Brown’s political profile was significantly
elevated, and he was asked to travel to other cities around the country to speak
out against rioting and acknowledge Dr. King’s views on passive resistance.
The full-length April 5, 1968 concert performance from the Boston Garden is
featured on a separate DVD, along with a second concert on the third DVD called
Man to Man – James Brown Live at The Apollo Theater 1968. A special
deluxe booklet, cool extras like Brown’s legendary performance of “Out
of Sight” from The T.A.M.I. Show, interviews with Brown’s band members,
friends and colleagues, audio from the radio simulcast of his Boston Garden
Live performance, rare performance footage from the archives — it’s
all here. I Got The Feelin’: James Brown In The 60s is
a fitting tribute to the man and his legacy, an enormous contribution to American
music often overshadows his impact on American race relations. He was truly
a self-made man and an American treasure who should never be forgotten.
~ Shawn Perry
