By Felicia Pride
This past weekend, on May 3rd, the Godfather of Soul, James Brown would have turned 75. The celebrated musician passed away in 2006, but his legacy continues to live on.
A new book, The James Brown Reader: 50 Years of Writing about the Godfather of Soul (Plume, May 2008) edited by groundbreaking writer Nelson George and famed music insider Alan Leeds, explores the amazing rollercoaster career of the hardest working man in show business.Brown was not only one of the most celebrated black musicians, but also, he was one of the most-written about.
The James Brown Reader is a wide-ranging collection of newspaper and magazine articles from a stellar cast of more than forty journalists who attempt to capture the larger-than-life essence of the man and the music. The book features stories and images rarely or never-before seen and explores Brown's influence, his professional and personal triumphs, and his work as a musical fusionist.
The James Brown Reader is an ambitious text that celebrates an icon with an immeasurable impact on music. R&B. Soul. Funk. Disco. Hip Hop. Will there ever be another musician like James Brown?
Felicia Pride is an author, speaker and welcomed voice of her generation. She's the founder of The BackList (www.thebacklist.net), an organization dedicated to using the power of words to uplift individuals and their communities. Felicia facilitates writing, publishing, and other creative workshops, curates events, and develops community initiatives. Shes a featured speaker at schools, universities, and events around the country, and has written for an array of publications . Her most recent book is The Message: 100 Life Lessons from Hip-Hop's Greatest Songs. Visit her online at www.feliciapride.com.
1. I just brought this book but haven't read it, but just looking through it I love it. Anything on James Brown I love. I hope they reissues all of his albums as cd and albums it's a collectors dream to have James Brown music. I do have about 80% of his albums and cd's but I would like to have new collection to complete my collection.
andre alexander at 8:29PM on May 6th 2008