We mark the passing of one James Brown with a measured dosage of sorrow. I'm not one of the legions of die-hard James Brown fans, but I will acknowledge his enormous impact on the field of my expertise (American Music, 1880-1990, esp. jazz through early rock), and note that "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" is just plain cool and funky. Mr. Brown was, from my POV, a old-fashioned, hard-working Joe who earned his place in entertainment history through guts, determination, a ton of hard work and some imagination.

And through it all, he tried to maintain a POSITIVE message in his work.

Heh! uh-get-UP! Hmm. Just thinking about it is making me a bigger fan of his already.

I gotta check out that "I'm Black and I'm Proud" cut one more time, or "Living in America," nevermind "I Got You."

JAMES BROWN is a concept, a vibration, a dance ...  It's not me, the man. JAMES BROWN is a freedom I created for humanity.

Anyone who works in public knows what he's talking about.

"I would like to pass on the want to do something. The need is there. Good lyrics are good things, but I would like to pass on that drive, that invigorous undying determination."

Check out a great anecdote over at Treppenwitz' place.

R.I.P. to the "Hardest Working Man in Show Business." I'd trade that old guy for a fistful of today's "performers" (knock on wood).