I Feel Good: 6a Memoir of a Life of Soul

I have read several memoirs of famous people and this one has been the best! Marc Eliot provides an awesome 37 page introduction that covers Mr. Brown's life and career. It is obvious that Marc Eliot has much admiration and respect for this complex, yet extra talented "Man's Man" (a term that Mr. Brown uses in the book that was meant to be a compliment). I have always been a fan of James Brown, but had never known much about his personal life. Once the disconsolate news of his death hit the media on December 25, 2006, the television and papers were chock-full of positive and negative things about Mr. Brown. His fourth wife or companion rushed pell-mell to the media upon his death and caused an embarrassing blitz which has happened to him before and in this book, Mr. Brown provides a logical and probably factual explanation for the previous incidents. Mr. Brown was the first singer to own his personal private jet and record a live album with no separation of tracks. Life's lessons taught him that the one in power is the one who makes the money and that is usually one who works for himself. The lesson learned is "power" not "rich". James Brown states in the book that Elvis got 75% of his style from him (p. 50). Little Richard discovered James Brown and his Famous Flames and is also responsible for his success. This memoir contains so much personal and professional information. Mr. Brown gives the reader an inside look into "the good, bad, and ugly" of the music business. The indept overview of the music business that kept most artist broke, the payola scandal, and his radio station ownership experience. Things that he discussed in this book was probably quotidian for his inner circle. However, he did not have to reveal as much about his thoughts, feelings, and life to the public. That is why this is a memoir told as only he could tell it and I appreciate him leaving this book behind for generations to come. He discussed his affiliations with the United States President and the struggles that ensued to get approved to perform in Vietnam. Not only does the reader get political and business info from The Godfather of Soul, but then he flips to the lighter side of loving cowboys and the western movie channel. Mr. Brown has Apache American Indian in his bloodline (p. 54). The details about his relationship with his birth mother was another sad chapter in his life, but he rose above it all. Reading this book gave me the feeling that Mr. Brown was actually talking to me, sharing his wisdom, philosophy on life. My dad and James Brown both said, "At threescore and ten and counting, I have lived all the years that God allotted me" (p. 259). Mr. Brown lived his life to the fullest, he kept his pride and integrity no matter what adversity he encountered on his life's journey. The only thing this book left me hanging on was expecting his comments on the singer Lynn Collins and more details on the black movie soundtrack from the 1970s.

The story of soul star James Brown has been covered elsewhere before - but nowhere else does it have the authority of Brown's own words. I Feel Good : A Memoir Of A Life Of Soul tells of his childhood growing up black in the segregated South, of his involvements in the music world, and his success at creating a new funk style within the soul world. Brown's later struggles with the law and his own psyche are all detailed in this hard-hitting memoir exposing the 'real' James Brown at last.

JB. The Godfather of Funk. Mr. Brown by any measure is one of the most forthright and successful individuals in a biz known for liars, cheats, cons, and downright nastiness. His story is both inspirational and an amazing accomplishment given the odds stacked against him rom the start. He proves that talent and America can combine in ways that all-but defy possibility, taking someone to the highest levels of society, then dropping them into the depths of prison. Regardless of Mr. Brown's situation, safe to say it ain't no drag. . . JB doesn't flinch. He takes his bows and his lumps with equal honesty, and this is where his story really validates his longtime standing in entertainment. How good is this book? Well, I've been listening to nothing else bu Mr. Brown on my iPod for almost three weeks now in the joy of re-discovering the foundations of contemporary music.

and this Book comes more direct than His previous Book. when I saw this book i had to get it.James Brown is Arguably the Most Influential Artist over the past 50 years.I Mean He is probably the only cat from head to Toe that other People have emulated.be it His Moves,His Mannerisms on stage, the way He presented himself. there is Only one James Brown & this Book does a Great job of balancing His incredible Journey.He is One of the Mount Rushmore's of Modern Music & culture as we know it.

being a j.b. fan for some three decades now i have all the books about the godfather so his lifestory is not new to me. BUT in this book mr. brown is very open about the downside's. his drug- and alcohol abuse, relationproblems. the 1988 incident, the incident last year etc. he always denied a lot of stuff and in this book he is honest about those things and that's very positive. if you don't know much about the life of the godfather it's a very informative book and for anyone who loves funk and soul it's a must have !! GET IT !!! ron roelofsen j.b. collector no.1 (www.greatest-jamesbrown-videotradinglist.com)