MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN, FROM PRODUCER MICK JAGGER AND OSCAR®-WINNING DIRECTOR ALEX GIBNEY, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO Our Coverage Sponsored by Bergen Linen
FEATURED IN IMAGE: James Brown (at the Apollo in the 1960s)
Photo Credit: Emilio Grossi/Courtesy of HBO
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FEATURED IN IMAGE: James Brown (at the Apollo in the 1960s)
Photo Credit: Emilio Grossi/Courtesy of HBO
Are you ready for the night train?
In 2012, we worked with HBO on Crossfire Hurricane, and this time Mick Jagger is back but he's not the star of the show: it's all about the singing, dancing legend James Brown, a self-made man that we meet posthumously through the talents of the brains behind this stellar documentary. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we still strongly feel that no one does documentaries better than HBO. We can't say we even listened to James Brown before seeing this, however, HBO tells a story so well that oftentimes they make us love the subject matter they pick.
Normally we are all about sole, but today we'll be all about soul. You'll learn that Vamp is more than a shade of Chanel lipstick; and the music of the 1960's provides a great lesson in American culture, and crossover artists in particular. What we found incredible was James Brown's commitment to overcoming adversity and setting the bar high for himself and others. We love his perfectionism and belief in pride and punctuality, and clean pressed fashionable suits. James Brown was not only a singer, dancer and entertainer: he was an astute businessman that represented himself, understanding both the show and the business. Clearly, his execution was stellar. James Brown believed in bootstrap economics and lifting yourself up; did you know he endorsed Richard Nixon (much to the dismay of Al Sharpton, who is included in the interviews)? James Brown called himself a countryman and did not commit to a political party.
Did you know that as a kid, James Brown danced for soldiers? He once impersonated Little Richard, filling in for him. Later, he influenced Michael Jackson and Prince, and of course producer of this documentary, Mick Jagger, who tells us he learned from James Brown sitting in the balcony of the Apollo. You'll see stories and the development of props like boxers and capes. The historical footage in this work is truly stunning, and interviews with band members add quite a bit to the flavor of the show, giving a holistic perspective of reality.
James Brown really was like the Energizer Bunny, and HBO has got him going, and going, and going so don't miss it!
FEATURED IN IMAGE: James Brown (at the Apollo in the 1960s)
Photo Credit: Emilio Grossi/Courtesy of HBO
Mr. Dynamite is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know!
You'll feel good.
Photo Credit: Emilio Grossi/Courtesy of HBO
James Brown changed the face of American music forever.
Charting his journey from rhythm and blues to funk, MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN features rare and previously unseen footage, interviews and photographs, chronicling the musical ascension of “the hardest working man in show business,” from his first hit, “Please, Please, Please,” in 1956, to his iconic performances at the Apollo Theater, the T.A.M.I. Show, the Paris Olympia and more. Directed by Oscar® winner Alex Gibney and produced by Mick Jagger, the feature-length documentary was made with the unique cooperation of the Brown Estate, which opened its archives for the first time, exclusively on HBO.
Other HBO playdates: Oct. 27 (3:35 a.m.) and 30 (9:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m.), and Nov. 2 (1:00 p.m.), 4 (noon) and 15 (11:00 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Oct. 29 (11:30 p.m.) and Nov. 6 (9:00 p.m.), 25 (4:00 p.m.) and 29 (4:30 p.m.)
Abandoned by his parents at an early age, James Brown was a self-made man who became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, not just through his music, but also as a social activist. In addition to extensive historical footage, including archival interviews with Brown himself, the film includes modern-day interviews with Mick Jagger, who remembers first seeing Brown perform from the balcony of the Apollo Theater; Rev. Al Sharpton, who met Brown at age 17 and considered him a father figure; band members Maceo Parker, Clyde Stubblefield, Melvin Parker, Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis, Martha High, Bootsy Collins and Fred Wesley; Danny Ray, Brown’s MC, who shrouded the singer with a cape onstage; Questlove, founder of and drummer for The Roots, and a disciple of Brown’s “on the one” rhythm; rapper Chuck D. of Public Enemy; jazz musician Christian McBride; and tour manager Alan Leeds, among others.
MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN covers such key subjects in the life and career of the Godfather of Soul as:
His early friendship with singer Bobby Byrd following a stint in jail for stealing clothes. After joining Byrd’s band, he transformed the group into James Brown and the Famous Flames.
The influence of superstars Louis Jordan and Little Richard. Before his own success, Brown was hired to impersonate Little Richard on tour.
His first hit, “Please, Please, Please,” and the evolution of his signature stage routine, in which MC Danny Ray draped a cape over the seemingly spent Brown, only to see the miraculously revived singer throw it off.
Brown’s appearances at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, where he recorded his breakthrough live album in 1962.
His legendary performance at the T.A.M.I. Show in 1964, when he upstaged the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys.
Brown’s civil rights activism, including a 1966 concert in Jackson, Miss. following The March Against Fear.
His powerful effect on the black community at a 1968 Boston concert, when he calmed the city in the wake of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. The footage, previously thought lost since it was first broadcast in 1968, is shown for the first time since then.
Brown’s endorsement of Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential election, which cost him fans and influence.
His enormous influence on future musical trailblazers, including Prince and Michael Jackson. Brown’s records were often mined for beats by the fledgling rap movement, especially the 1970 single “Funky Drummer.”
Mick Jagger states, “We had full access to amazing never-before-seen photos and video from James Brown’s estate, which Alex Gibney used brilliantly to tell the story of James’ career from its inception through its pinnacle. We spoke with the extraordinary people who knew James well and worked alongside him throughout his career. By hearing their fascinating stories and memories, we were able to paint the full picture of James as both a musical artist and social activist, whose legacy and impact on the music industry is ever-present.”
“When Mick Jagger reached out to me to direct the documentary, we had a common goal in mind, to take the music of James Brown and put it into a larger historical context,” comments Gibney. “As a musician, ‘Mr. Dynamite’ was the essential funk pioneer, a hugely influential figure and one of the greatest live performers – ever. Beyond his music, Brown’s cultural impact extends to the present day. Mick and his producing partner, Victoria Pearman, along with Peter Afterman from Inaudible and Blair Foster from Jigsaw, were wonderfully supportive and creative producers. We couldn’t be in better hands than with our friends at HBO.”
Alex Gibney’s previous HBO documentaries include the Oscar®-winning “Taxi to the Dark Side,” the Emmy®-winning “Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God” and “My Trip to Al-Qaeda.”
MR. DYNAMITE: THE RISE OF JAMES BROWN was directed by Alex Gibney of Jigsaw Productions and produced by Mick Jagger & Victoria Pearman of Jagged Films, Peter Afterman of Inaudible Films and Blair Foster of Jigsaw Productions. Executive producers, Alex Gibney, Dan Brooks, Mike Singer and Eric Weider; co-producer, Trevor Davidoski; directors of photography, Maryse Alberti, Antonio Rossi; editors, Geeta Gandbhir, Maya Mumma.
