James Brown: Body Heat

Rating:
Summary: Great Performance, Amateurish Production Values
Review: Firstly, it should be made clear that this "Body Heat" DVD is the exact same thing as the VHS tape entitled "The Lost James Brown Tapes." In fact, the company that released this DVD didn't even bother to re-do the titles sequence--it still reads "Lost James Brown Tapes." The good news is that, even though the picture quality is only marginally improved from the VHS version, the sound quality is markedly better. This is a great JB performance, taken from his middle period (late 70s to early 80s) when he was all but forgotten by the general public. The man is lean and mean, and the band is on fire (see especially the amazing 12 minute improvisation on his classic groove, "Sex Machine"). Unfortunately, the people who taped this performance back in 1979 apparantly didn't really know what they were doing. The picture quality is muddy and seems to have been shot with inadequate light. The sound, though adequate, is nowhere near CD quality. If it weren't for the various camera angles, it would almost seem as though this had been an on-the-fly bootleg taping (and this would explain why the tapes weren't released for almost 10 years). Even so, this is a rare document of a great artist hitting his second career wind and giving a fantastic performance. If only his explosive stage shows had been filmed throughout his career. As it is, we have the TAMI Show and this. That's why it's worth having, for Godfather fans, and anyone else interested in American Music.

Rating:
Summary: Good thing that I didn't rush out and buy the DVD version...
Review: Thinking that I was missing out on a new release of vintage James Brown,I am so glad that I didn't buy the DVD-Body Heat because I already have the VHS, "James Brown, the Lost Tapes". I would have been upset to learn that the DVD is the same as the tape. I am constantly looking for new unseen performance material from Mr. Brown while he was in his hey-days, the 60'and 70's.