James Brown: Soul Survivor spans more than four decades of the one and only Godfather of Soul, documenting the rise and fall of the "hardest working man in show business." Through archival footage, excerpts read from his biography, and interviews with the people closest to the man, you get an inside look at the music and political times which helped shape Brown's career through the ages. Various friends lending thoughts in the program include the Rev. Al Sharpton, rapper Chuck D, Little Richard, and former long-time musical director Fred Wesley. Performances include segments from a House of Blues gig along with rare, behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of the maestro at work. Originally aired as part of the American Masters television documentary series, this 90-minute special was later released on DVD under the Polydor label.
by Jeremy Wheeler
synopsis
poverty
musician
R&B-music
soul-music
rise-to-fame
life-story
interview
childhood
career-retrospective
concert-footage
funk-music
imprisonment
icon

