Part 86 kicks your ass.  It’s soul week at williesimpson.com, and I got the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, in two incredible clips.  The first is a dancing lesson not meant for beginners.  It’s James in full 70s flair, just announcing steps and performing them with utter mastery.  I don’t know who this tape is supposed to help, outside his own potential backup dancers who were never in his league anyway.  It’s both really funny and truly spellbinding to see the master of dance just strut his magic.  Clip two is another rare clip of James performing his classic “Get Up Offa That Thing.”  This is a hard stomping dance funk explosion of a song.  I really believe James was the Mozart of funk and soul.  An artist without peer, a true genius plugged directly into God’s inspiration.  There is just no other explanation for his dazzling gifts.  So get up offa that thing folks, and dance till you feel better, and happy Friday.

I want you to “Get on the Good Foot” for part 54 of my youtube countdown with me and James Brown.  This is a rare clip of James in the 1970s absolutely ripping up the stage with his smoother than smooth smash, “Get on the Good Foot.”  His band is tight, his moves are unmatchable, and the energy is downright serious, almost as serious as his mustache.  Gotta love the moment at 1:50 when he gives a Black Power salute and everyone just shuts up until he starts jamming again.  Also, I’m mesmerized by the opening 3 seconds when you see James in the studio looking completely unsatisfied with whatever is going on.  You can tell what an insane perfectionist the man was, possessed with an all consuming desire to be the greatest ever.  My God, this is not to be missed.  Watch!

Part 39 of my youtube countdown is loaded with star power.  In it, you’ll see a Prince, a King, and a Godfather, the Holy Trinity of R&B, dance, funk, and soul.  In 1983, at a James Brown concert, we have the Godfather calling to stage the King of Pop in all his pre-insane person glory.  Michael Jackson gets up, sings a bit, then busts out some dance moves that just flatten the world with their perfection.  The first video presents James and Michael in crystal clear beauty.  Michael does some spins, some incredible James Brown-esque footwork, and throws in his moonwalk.  Just amazing.  Clip 2, sadly of lesser quality, covers the Michael performance again, but also includes the introduction of Prince to the stage.  Now, this was bizarre.  Prince, who seems high as hell, is carried to the stage by a bodyguard in full out foppish dandy boy mode, straps on a guitar, and plays a pretty terrible solo.  But, no matter, this moment is too amazing to ignore, or to criticize really.  It’s doubtful that this much talent, funk, and soul will ever grace a stage ever again.  Enjoy this eternal moment.

Welcome to part 16 of my youtube favorites countdown.  In this edition we’ll be bringing down the house with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.  Helped out by his Famous Flames, this performance of Please Please Please, is from the TAMI rock show, a 1964 concert movie.  This performance, considered by Prince to be the greatest in rock and roll history, was the second to last act of the evening.  According to legend, the Rolling Stones had the option to appear before or after James, and they chose to close it out.  Keith Richards said it was the worst decision they ever made as Brown blew the roof off the joint, and the Stones, while playing well, couldn’t hope to match the energy JB created.  This video is worth watching from beginning to end.  James is in full control of his voice and body.  Every grimace, yelp, and shake is one of utter perfection, the true work of a master.  So, here you go, bow down to James Brown.