Live at the Apollo, Volume II
James Brown · 1968
73 min · 19 tracks · blues
A vibrant showcase of raw energy and soulful expression, capturing the essence of James Brown's electrifying live performances.
Top tracks — play these first
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Think Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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I Feel All Right — This track exemplifies Brown's ability to fuse energetic rhythms with call-and-response vocals, creating an irresistible groove that engages the audience.
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It's a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World — This powerful performance highlights Brown's emotive vocal delivery and lyrical depth, showcasing his ability to convey complex emotions through music.
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Please, Please, Please — As one of his signature songs, this rendition encapsulates raw emotion and vulnerability, drawing listeners into Brown's heartfelt expression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
A high-energy live album that showcases James Brown's dynamic performance style and musical versatility.
What we noticed
- The album features a continuous flow of live performances, with tracks often blending into one another without breaks.
- James Brown frequently engages with the audience, incorporating call-and-response segments that heighten the energy of the performance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic live energy throughout
- cathartic release in performance
- vibrant crowd interaction moments
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- sing-along anthems for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer studio polish over rawness
- seek quick, concise tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified James Brown's status in soul music and popularized live recordings.
- Themes
- Apollo Theater legacy· raw stage energy· 1960s civil rights backdrop
- Career context
- Released in early 1968, Live at the Apollo, Volume II arrived during James Brown's peak as a live performer, following his groundbreaking 1963 album. This album solidified his status in soul music and showcased his evolving sound, blending funk and gospel influences while capturing the fervor of his stage presence.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· Sly and the Family Stone· Parliament-Funkadelic
Tracklist
- 1 Introduction 0:30
- 2 Think Start here 2:53
- 3 I Want to Be Around 3:13
- 4 James Brown (Thanks) 1:05
- 5 That’s Life 4:07
- 6 Kansas City 3:54
- 7 Let Yourself Go 4:00
- 8 There Was a Time 4:18
- 9 I Feel All Right 5:32
- 10 Cold Sweat 4:41
- 11 It May Be the Last Time 3:05
- 12 I Got You (I Feel Good) 0:28
- 13 Prisoner of Love 7:31
- 14 Out of Sight 0:25
- 15 Try Me 2:54
- 16 Bring It Up 4:40
- 17 It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World 7:09
- 18 Lost Someone (medley) 10:17
- 19 Please, Please, Please 2:40
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Live in Europe
Otis Redding
Captures a similar raw energy and emotive vocal delivery in a live setting, echoing soul's power.
Stand!
Sly and the Family Stone
Shares vibrant funk grooves and socially conscious themes, reflecting the spirit of the late '60s.
Amazing Grace
Aretha Franklin
Combines gospel fervor with soul authenticity, highlighting live performance's emotional depth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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