James Brown and The Soul G’s At Chastain Park, Atlanta, Georgia 1985 Directed by Marshall Sehorn, 1985

In his final years Brown had staged a remarkable career comeback by anyone’s standards. In the U.K. alone he performed to huge audiences in a series of high-profile televised concerts that were seen by millions. These included the 2002 Queen’s Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, a TV Special filmed at London’s Union Chapel and his show-stopping appearances at the 2004 Glastonbury Festival and Edinburgh’s 2005 Live 8 concert. Revered for years by generations of rappers, samplers and funksters, all this high profile media exposure introduced his work to a whole new generation of listeners. Remarkable as his latest live performances were, James Brown was at the height of his considerable powers when the two sensational performances featured were filmed. In contrast to the comparatively intimate setting of Studio 54, this second featured show captures him on home turf in 1985 when he played Atlanta’s gigantic Chastain Park Stadium. Following the basic formula of a James Brown show, this show features impassioned readings of all-time stage favourites – such as ‘Please, Please, Please’, ‘Papa’s Got A Brand, New Bag’ and ‘It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World’ – with a sprinkling of recent songs thrown in for good measure.