Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers: Blow Your Whistle: Original Old School Breaks & Classic Funk Bombs
James Maycock, Vampi Soul Records, March 2007
JANUARY 2003. AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. A documentary crew are filming James Brown outside the house his aunt operated as a brothel in the 1940s. It was here, amidst the gamblers and prostitutes, that she raised him. Today, it's still the black side of town. Young men drive pass, screaming "JAAAAAMESSSSSS BRROWWWWWWN," much to his delight. A small crowd gathers on the sidewalk. A mother encourages her son to approach the famous singer. Cautiously, the youngster walks towards James Brown. His mother whispers, "Tell him your favourite song!" Brown beams at the boy. "What's your favourite?" he coaxes. "'Bustin' Loose'," replies the youngster. James Brown bursts into a gruff fit of laughter. "That ain't James Brown," he roars, "that's Chuck Brown!"
Total word count of piece: 1151
Best Databases: RBP is Runner-up in Best Niche category
Video: Johnny Marr talks about Rock's Backpages
RBP on Spotify: The Very Best of 40-year-old Virgin
RBP Album Club, June 13th: Miki Berenyi and Lucy O'Brien celebrate a Blondie classic
Essential Listening: Green Day grilled by Roy Trakin
RBP Album Club, July 11th: Nick Hornby and Nick Coleman celebrate Southside Johnny's debut
Essential Reading: Bud Scoppa's 1971 Byrds classic