(From syracusenewtinmes,com)
When I saw James Brown listed for the main stage of Woodstock ’99 in Rome, N.Y., I made sure I was as close as possible in my role as music critic for the big daily.
In fact, the promoters made him the opening act.
The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, the Godfather of Soul … I was ready for the funk. So, too, was the flock on the infield of the former Air Force base.
He took a long time coming out, 20 minutes of his band funking it up. He wore a bright blue suit. He danced and sang, in a worn and gritty voice. He was James Brown.
Here’s a link to the piece I wrote for The Post-Standard the day after he died in 2006. It includes the short piece I wrote for the paper after that set in 1999.
I thought of that when I was getting ready to see the biopic “Get on Up,” the story of James Brown’s life, 1933 to 2006.
I loved the movie. It showed Brown as a complicated wise man, a guy who came from America’s backwood’s dirt and used his talent and brains to become very rich and very famous and very infamous, too. It shows the good, the bad, the ugly, warts and all.
Chadwick Boseman is stellar as this man of many sides, playing Brown from teens to 60s, a complicated soul of words, music and physical music. He should hear his name called come award nomination time for this one. There are many fantastic supporting roles, too.
To read my weekly Film Review blog, critiquing the movie on the Syracuse New Times site, click the link below.
http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/get-on-up/
Are you a fan of the biography films of music legends, and do you think they can tell the story behind the songs? With a performer such as James Brown, how much do you want to see about the darker side of the personality and life? Did you ever get to see James Brown in concert, and what is your favorite James Brown song?
Mark Bialczak 
Now this is a movie I wouldn’t mind seeing Mark. 🙂
Diana xo
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Chadwick Boseman is awesome as James Brown, and the story in very well told. Let me know if you like it, Diana.
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I have a friend (Tommy Roe’s manager) whose son did the aging makeup for the actor who played Bobby Byrd. I haven’t gotten to go see it yet, but am looking forward to it. 🙂
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The aging work in this one was great. I think you’ll like the movie, Rachel.
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Cool! I can’t wait! 🙂
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I’m glad it’s getting a good review Mark, I’m looking forward to this one!
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It’s interesting, that’s for sure. The man was complicated, Colleen.
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That’s what interests me. The person. The experiences of his life including but before and beyond the music.
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I am so glad you gave this a positive review, Mark! I imagine that Mick Jagger wouldn’t have wanted to help finance a ‘bad’ movie! His input and his reverence for James Brown, hopefully shine through the movie’s lens! Smiles, Robin
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Yes, MIck’s reverence was evident, Robin!
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I think many of the bands were moved and excited about James Brown’s energy and authenticity. I think there are some men who are just legends, he is one of them! I am so excited to know if it will be at the Strand, our local movie theater soon!
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I look forward to seeing the movie now, Mark, thanks to you.
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It is an interesting take on a complex man, Ann.
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It looked good. As a teenager we use to walk pass James Brown house in St. Albans, NY Never saw him though. His story is amazing.
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Yes, that must have been cool to pass his house, Kim.
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I don’t know about his dark side. Maybe I should stay in the dark about that. People in my generation think of him mostly as the guy who Michael Jackson copied for his moves and the guy that Eddie Murphy parodied on SNL in the hot tub sketch. So it might be good to get the full story.
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It is quite the full story, too, Kerbey. You should get filled in, I think. American history.
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I saw the movie this weekend and loved it, too! I was a little leery at first, when it was jumping back and forth between decades but it was done so superbly that this blonde was able to follow. I never did get to see James Brown live but really want the album he recorded from the Apollo now. And I typically dig biography films of music legends, when done correctly. I think that in order to depict the true life of whomever they are trying to capture, it must be a ‘warts and all’ script. Makes it feel real, authentic. I actually could have used more music in the James Brown movie – but that’s the only ‘complaint’ I have.
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The music was in snippets, I agree, but there was so much story to tell. I thought the music was well done, though. I’m glad we both like it, though, CBXB!
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Oh yes, the music was well done, I’m just greedy and wanted more!
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No harm in that kind of greed, my friend!
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Chadwick Boseman did excellent work in “42.” I bet he turns in another award-winning performance in “Get on Up,” I loved James Brown’s music, I don’t have to see the dark side of him. I remember the headlines. It’s always disturbing when a talented man heads down the wrong road.
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It was dark, that dark side, my friend.
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I know. I remember.
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this looks great and i love biopics. happy jill scott is in it and it sounds like chadwick does a great job playing him. wow, for you to mention oscars, it must be good. my fav jb song is ‘papa’s got a brand new bag’ by the way. you are so lucky to have had those experiences with him )
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I was lucky to have seen JB, I know it, Beth. Good fave song for you, too, I think!
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It’s on my agenda for the weekend Mark – I’m really looking forward to seeing it!
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Let me know what you think, Mimi. He was all over the American cultural map.
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