Get Up Offa That Thing

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This weekend’s Book Review includes RJ Smith’s take on The James Brown Reader: 50 Years of Writing About the Godfather of Soul, an anthology of articles written about the hardest working man in show business. In this 1976 video -- ‘Sex Machine’ with some ‘Get on the Good Foot’ -- a 43-year-old Brown sings, commands the audience and his band with equal vigor, and drops a split.

After the jump, more James Brown video fun. Happy Sunday.

Carolyn Kellogg

1968: It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World medley, live at the Apollo

Nov. 1968: ‘Say It Loud -- I’m Black and I’m Proud’ on Playboy After Dark. Interesting song choice for the very white crowd; also, JB’s let his hair go natural.

Circa 1970? James Brown’s dancing lessons

1971: ‘Ain’t It Funky Now’ live in Paris

1985: ‘Living in America’ from Rocky IV - perhaps the most extravagant production of a James Brown song ever.

1999: ‘Sex Machine’ live at Woodstock. I was at this one. (some audience shots NSFW)

1999: ‘Get Up Offa That Thing’ live at the House of Blues, Las Vegas

Oct. 2006: ‘Get on the Good Foot’ for the BBC