James Brown Drops an Organ Cover of A Classic

James Brown (at the organ) “Jimmy Mack” (Smash, 1967)

The sun has set on another Monday here in Western Massachusetts after a beautiful spring weekend.  Got to check out some frogs in the vernal pools, take a walk through the greenhouse and enjoy the moss and orchids and hit up the first flea market of the season; all in all, not bad.

Today’s post doesn’t need a whole lot of talking or background digging.  I think almost every person on the planet knows who James Brown is and what he means to music.  I’ve talked here before about the contract issues between King who sought an injunction against Brown leaving the label in 1964 and Smash who had signed Brown to a deal that lead to Brown releasing non-vocal sides on Smash including today’s featured record.

Jimmy Mack needs little introduction, the Motown mega-hit popularized by Martha & The Vandellas was penned by the Holland-Dozier-Holland team in 1964. The single was shelved due to political concerns (Berry’s conservatism is a whole other post…)  until 1967 when it was let loose on a public that was familiar with criticism of the war in Vietnam and was in fact wondering aloud when their boys were coming back.

Brown’s arrangements were handled by the great Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis who worked horns, writing and arrangements with Brown for almost half of the 60’s.

I know you’re looking at two of the most familiar names in soul music but I truly find this combination sublime and masterfully executed.  It has restraint and a lack of obvious flair- the horns are in the back of the mix and there are no heavy drum breaks- but song pulls the listener in with the perfect combinations of melodic quotes from the vocal version and expressive flourishes to keep it exciting.

I hope you enjoy today’s record!

-George / Snack Attack

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