As probably everyone has heard by now, James Brown passed away over the weekend at the age of 73. He was a man of many personas. Revered as the Godfather of Soul, he was worshiped and loved by his fans around the world. What would music be like today without James Brown??? Funk, R&B, disco, hip-hop, rap, pop music in general…his influence is everywhere.

Yet, he also was reviled by many who had to work for him. There are no shortage of stories I’ve heard over the years about how demanding James Brown was and how stingy he was when it came to paying his band members, etc. While a powerful force in the music business, he seemed to piss off a lot of people along the way. He spent a few years behind bars after a multi-state car chase and convictions for drug possession and domestic violence charges. Clearly, not a high point in James Brown’s career. And certainly not as high as he was here during this interview.

Despite his personal troubles, James Brown led the way for music and black culture during the racially and politically turbulent 1960’s and 70’s. He captured so much energy on stage and channeled into his music the pent-up emotion of afro-americans everywhere struggling to find power and identity in a changing society.

Check out this video clips from the mid-1960’s:

and this one from Boston, MA the night of Martin Luther King’s assassination…

I’m pretty certain a young Clyde Stubblefield is playing drums on both. Damn, what a hot band with out of site arrangements (big ups to Mr. Fred Wesley for the arrangments!)!!!

Good night, James Brown. Thank you for everything you brought to this Earth, and thank you everyone who worked and played with James along the way, especially Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis and all the rest!

P.S. The James Brown doll is a collectors item owned by my longtime funk-friend guru and O.G. Bell’s Beer brewer, Rick Dillinger. We caught up at his house over Thanksgiving this year and I had to take some photos with the JB doll, the unofficial patron saint and “Godfather” of Rick’s Blue Ribbon Lounge. Thanks, Rick. Respect!

Last Monday at the King Club, my friend Charlie Brooks mentioned to me that he actually reads groovology.com. I was flattered the hear that since I assume only a few friends and family actually keep up with this site (visitors are always welcome to post comments!).

So I would like to give recognition to one of the hardest working showmen in the entertainment business and a Madison pillar, the one and only Charlie Brooks (pronounced Chaaaaaaarlieeeeeeee Broooooooooooks!).

Charlie goes by many names and titles, but he’s most famous as “Madison’s Soooooul Man!” His voice draws from the sounds of the best R&B crooners, but he particularly reminds me of Lou Rawls (we do a version of “The Love I Lost” that’ll bring tears to your eyes!). Mr. Brooks has been singing and entertaining for at least 40 years, but probably more (he was probably singing ballads to girls on the schoolyard playground, but I can’t confirm those stories).

Clyde Stubblefield and Charlie Brooks have been friends and bandmates for years and really make a great team on stage. Always the professional, Charlie dons the finest threads that put other front men to shame. I mean, how many shows have you gone to in town where the lead singer appears in a sequin outfit, only to later remove his jacket to reveal a second layer of even more astonishing sequins. You just don’t see that anymore! It’s rare and priceless.

But Charlie’s forte is not just his presentation and his smoky voice; he also has what I call “the moves.” He can strut and spin and shimmy to the groove like no other. He makes ladies half his age marvel at his showmanship. My favorite patent Charlie Brooks move is tipping the microphone and stand forward right into the unsuspecting faces of the crowd and then kicking it back up into his hands just as he launches into another chorus. Most of the time, the person he nearly hits doesn’t even see it happen. It’s a marvelous technique that leaves the crowd in awe.

So here’s to you, Charlie Brooks! Thank you, sir, for all the fun and entertainment. May we share many more gigs together in the future!

I’ve been talking about driving to South Bend, Indiana for over a year now to shop for saxophone mouthpieces from one of the largest selections in the nation. I may have waited too long. Reading this article, it’s not clear how much longer the WWBW will be in business. Serious bummer for us instrumentalists looking for a good deal.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4410712.html

Roscoe and I have been quietly challenging each other to practice more and keep honing our basic skills. It’s not easy trying to keep up with him. Beside the obvious fact that he’s a world-renowned saxophone monster and a dedicated, full-time professional musician, he has a hard-to-find quality that sets him apart from others—Roscoe simply gets stronger when the rest of us tire and weaken.

Mr. Mitchell will get up early and have accomplished more practicing and writing before most of us even wake to start the day.

Then he’ll just keep going (like that battery bunny in the commercials).

When I’m beginning to lose focus after a couple hours of steady practicing, Roscoe will actually pick up the pace and his concentration will sharpen. After I’ve called it a day, he’ll go home and keep on his pace like a mad marathoner, practicing even more. When he’s gearing up for some big concerts, he’ll announce, “I’m going for the jugular one more time!”

As part of my effort to keep up, I purchased these exercises books that readers (both?) might find useful:

• Jackie McClean’s Daily Warm-Up Exercises for Saxophone
  This is a great set of short exercises to “get under your fingers”
• Universal Methods for Saxophone by Paul DeVille
  This is a BIG book, supposedly the book that Charlie Parker mastered

I’ve been really digging into the Jackie McLean exercises and am finally starting to get it. It’s a cool feeling. There will be moments when my hands just move without thinking. Nirvana can’t be far off from that experience…

We recently played fun and free concert at the Monona Terrace with the Clyde’s Band. Here are some photo highlights from the gig.

Doesn’t Clyde look like a rock star with his beautiful Yamaha kit all mic’d up and shiny? And how about Carolynn Black and Capt’n Charlie Brooks on the vocals? It’s a beautiful sight, and even better listening! You haven’t heard a holiday tune until you’ve heard Carolynn’s sultry version of “Santa Baby.” Eartha Kitt would want an autograph…

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!