Essential James Brown Songs Recorded Live at the Apollo

The live album is a strange beast. On one hand, they capture the untempered urgency of a band playing to a crowd. On the other, it’s easy to feel like the recorded version is somehow the way it was “meant” to be heard. But when a live recording goes right—and it doesn’t happen particularly often—it has the chance to meet, or even surpass, an artist’s best studio work. Examples include The Band’s Last Waltz, Nirvana’s Unplugged, The Who’s Live at Leeds, and Johnny Cash’s At Folsom Prison. Perhaps the greatest-ever tracks recorded in a live setting, though, are the three volumes that James Brown recorded at the Apollo Theater in the '60s and early '70s.

With the Apollo back in the news thanks to an upcoming James Brown biopic and the venue’s 80th anniversary, it's the perfect time to revisit some of the best songs the Godfather of Soul recorded on the storied stage. From his classic hits like “Sex Machine” to ballads like "Bewildered," there's an unbridled swagger throughout those records that remain unrivaled in the history of funk and soul. Here are ten personal favorites culled from Live at the Apollo, Live at the Apollo, Volume II, and—arguably the greatest of the trio—Revolution of the Mind. Like the best concert albums in history, these records make you feel like you're right up front, singing along with the band. 

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Album: Live at the Apollo
Year: 1962 
Standout lyric: "You've got to live for yourself / Yourself and nobody else"

Early James Brown doesn't get any better than "I'll Go Crazy." From the backup harmonies to the perfectly punctuating horns, its sound defined soul in the early '60s. To get an idea of the song's impact, just listen to the women in the audience scream as Brown belts the first lyrics. 

Album: Live at the Apollo, Volume II
Year: 1967
Standout lyric: "When I hold you in my arms / I know that I can do no wrong"

Sometimes you have to mix it up, and this ultra-fast version of James Brown's super-hit is one of those times. Clocking in at just about thirty seconds, it's a breezy reminder of how efficient Brown's hooks could be when he wanted. 

Album: Live at the Apollo, Volume II
Year: 1967
Standout lyric: "Before you leave me, you'll realize that I'm the one who loves you"

A standout from Volume II, "Think" features the fantastic Marva Whitney trading vocal barbs with Brown. Whitney was a legend in herself with a voice more-than-capable of matching Brown's—It could even be said she stole the show on this one. 

Album: Revolution of the Mind
Year: 1971
Standout lyric: "Bad brother, rap to me a little bit"

Featuring some of the best of James Brown's electrifying call-and-response tactics, "Escape-ism" is a great example of the vibe only live funk can deliver. Studio recordings just don't quite do it justice. 

Album: Revolution of the Mind
Year: 1971
Standout lyric: "I love to do my thing / I don't need no one else" 

A high-energy classic made even better by the crowd at the Apollo. Play this in your car and you're suddenly in a '70s cop movie; blast it in your room and you feel like the coolest kid in town. This version also happens to have an absolutely choice brass solo. 

Album: Live at the Apollo, Volume II
Year: 1967
Standout lyric: "I don't care about your faults / I just want to satisfy your pulse" 

"Cold Sweat" is all about accepting someone for who they are, because they make you feel good. It's a nice sentiment and a streamlined soul classic. Before the bridge Brown asks us to "back up and do the James Brown," which is advice that should be taken as often as possible.

Album: Revolution of the Mind
Year: 1971
Standout lyric: "Love me tender, love me slow / If that don't get it, jump back for more"

Soul power's audience participation is one of the high-points of Revolution of the Mind. You can feel the heat in the room as Brown repeats his mantras: "Soul power!" "Power to the people!" and the audience screams back at him. 

Album: Revolution of the Mind
Year: 1971
Standout lyric: "Fellas, can I get into it?"

There's nothing more that really needs to be said about "Sex Machine." It's the quintessential James Brown hit, and this just might be its best-ever recording. 

Album: Live at the Apollo
Year: 1962
Standout lyric: "I'm comin' on home now"

"Night Train" has a simple concept, executed absolutely flawlessly. Over the course of the song, Brown lists cities where the night train is headed. That's sort of it. Taken with the effortless flow of Brown's delivery, you can't help but hop on for the ride. 

Album: Revolution of the Mind
Year: 1971
Standout lyric: "There's only one answer to why I love hot pants / I love hot pants simply because what you see is what you get!"

A slow-burner to end all slow-burners, the live version of "Bewildered" has a vocal depth that the studio version can't match. There's also an interesting time-signature shift early on that has a way of reeling in the listener. It's songs like this that gave Brown his "Godfather of Soul" nickname.  

For your listening enjoyment, here's a handy playlist with all ten tracks. If you think it's missing some classics (and how could it not be?), let us know your own favorites in the comments.