Yes, we had scheduled some reposts celebrating the "Best of 2006" for this post-holiday pre-holiday week. But fate has intervened. The Godfather of Soul, James Brown passed away Christmas morning of heart failure. An iconic musician and artist who is responsible for the birth (or at least the popularity) of Soul, R&B, Funk, and to an extent Rap and Hip Hop, James Brown left a legacy that will be remembered for centuries to come.
It was my good fortune only weeks before his death to interview the Godfather of Soul. As a tribute to his memory, and as one last Christmas present for my readers, the Drunken Rogue presents
James Brown: The Interview
The Drunken Rogue: Good morning, James. Thank you so much for joining me. You're one of my personal musical heroes, and this is, for me, the opportunity of a lifetime. How are you doing?
James Brown: Yeah! Believe I'll scream! Can I scream, brother?
DR: Ummm. I'm not sure what you mean.
JB: Gotta scream! Good God, gotta scream, now! I gotta scream, now! I gotta scream, now! I gotta scream, now!
DR: Alright, well let it out James!
JB: (screaming) Good God, ain't it funky now?
DR: Yes, I suppose it is. Now James, you've had one of the most successful careers in music history but recently have fallen on hard times.
JB: Mercy on me. C'mon now, Brother, put it, put it where it's at now! Aww! Let him have it.
DR: Let who have it, James?
JB: Uh! Awww!
DR: (Awkward silence) So, the trouble seems to have really started with your run-ins with the IRS for back-taxes.
JB: You better watch the man. You know, I believe I'll get down right about here.
James leaves his chair and immediately breaks out into a dance number complete with backup singers, Bootsy Collins on guitar and a star-spangled cape. I have no idea where he was hiding Bootsy and the backup singers. The cape came from under his jacket.
DR: (Once the particularly rousing version of "The Payback" is over) James, do you think we could get back to the interview?
JB: Yeah, all right. You're right. Yeah. Yeah. Coming from some funny places. What you say, bruh?
DR: I didn't say anything, James.
JB: Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!
DR: I'm not black, James...I'm proud. I'm proud you're black, should I say that?
JB: We demand a chance to do things for ourserlf!
DR: Alright, you can say it!
JB: Hit me band, one more again!
Bootsy and the singers leap out of their hiding places again, but I shut it down before they can "get on the scene."
DR: James, maybe now is a bad time. Maybe we should reschedule. Is there anything you'd like to tell our listeners before we go?
JB: I want to say, this is better than cushions.
DR: I don't think I could have summed that up better myself, James. Thank you for your time.
**Lawyer's Note** While the Drunken Rogue may find it humorous to poke fun at recently deceased musical legends, we disagree heartily. We at Catchem, Hookem and Skinem would like to point out that the "interview" presented in this blog is nothing more than a (somewhat) skillful pairing of Mr. James Brown's lyrics with questions to make them look silly. We had nothing to do with this, and would like to impart on a personal note (and for the record) that we at the Firm of Catchem, Hookem, and Skinem have been longtime fans of Mr. Brown's. Shame on you, Mr. Drunken Rogue. Shame. **End of Lawyer's Note**
All kidding aside, I'm a huge James Brown fan. While his personal life was one of the biggest messes imaginable, as an influence and artist he is unparalleled. He will be missed. Now, get up with the get down and get on the badfoot.
