I Feel Good: A Memoir of a Life of Soul

Book Description

James Brown has always been a fascinating, controversial figure. From his humble childhood in Georgia, he went on to change the face of American music with hit after hit on the R&B charts. And while he was a courageous public figure in a time of national strife and adversity, his personal life took many destructive turns, leaving a long and difficult path of redemption ahead of him. For the first time in well over a decade, he speaks candidly and at length about his tumultuous, incredible journey.

James Brown moves beyond his music and his much-publicized legal troubles to delve deeply into the highs and lows of his life.

Customer Reviews:

A Memoir Told by Mr. Brown As Only He Could Tell It..........2007-03-10

I have read several memoirs of famous people and this one has been the best! Marc Eliot provides an awesome 37 page introduction that covers Mr. Brown's life and career. It is obvious that Marc Eliot has much admiration and respect for this complex, yet extra talented "Man's Man" (a term that Mr. Brown uses in the book that was meant to be a compliment).

I have always been a fan of James Brown, but had never known much about his personal life. Once the disconsolate news of his death hit the media on December 25, 2006, the television and papers were chock-full of positive and negative things about Mr. Brown. His fourth wife or companion rushed pell-mell to the media upon his death and caused an embarrassing blitz which has happened to him before and in this book, Mr. Brown provides a logical and probably factual explanation for the previous incidents.

Mr. Brown was the first singer to own his personal private jet and record a live album with no separation of tracks. Life's lessons taught him that the one in power is the one who makes the money and that is usually one who works for himself. The lesson learned is "power" not "rich". James Brown states in the book that Elvis got 75% of his style from him (p. 50). Little Richard discovered James Brown and his Famous Flames and is also responsible for his success.

This memoir contains so much personal and professional information. Mr. Brown gives the reader an inside look into "the good, bad, and ugly" of the music business. The indept overview of the music business that kept most artist broke, the payola scandal, and his radio station ownership experience. Things that he discussed in this book was probably quotidian for his inner circle. However, he did not have to reveal as much about his thoughts, feelings, and life to the public. That is why this is a memoir told as only he could tell it and I appreciate him leaving this book behind for generations to come.

He discussed his affiliations with the United States President and the struggles that ensued to get approved to perform in Vietnam. Not only does the reader get political and business info from The Godfather of Soul, but then he flips to the lighter side of loving cowboys and the western movie channel. Mr. Brown has Apache American Indian in his bloodline (p. 54). The details about his relationship with his birth mother was another sad chapter in his life, but he rose above it all.

Reading this book gave me the feeling that Mr. Brown was actually talking to me, sharing his wisdom, philosophy on life. My dad and James Brown both said, "At threescore and ten and counting, I have lived all the years that God allotted me" (p. 259). Mr. Brown lived his life to the fullest, he kept his pride and integrity no matter what adversity he encountered on his life's journey. The only thing this book left me hanging on was expecting his comments on the singer Lynn Collins and more details on the black movie soundtrack from the 1970s.

In summary, if you are looking for a book about James Brown that is apropos... this is it.

By:
Pam Jarmon-Wade

A Well-Deserved Honor Long Delayed........2006-08-24

It's about time James Brown "feels good." In his hometown, he has been forgiven and made icon status which he should have had all the time. Born in Augusta, Georgia, he achieved fame with his style of music and his talent; however, his strict discipline at home (a Southern thing, all men in the South acted that way) got him bad press and as a result he had to do some jail time. Many people turned their backs on him and the right people did not come to his defense.

We had a James Brown in a small town where I lived in lower Middle Tennessee. He told me how he could get into the echelons of the music world when he made the appointment using his own name. He was a music producer, he said, but they were expecting the larger-than-life singer. When a young genius moved to the country near that town, he wrote a letter to the editor asking why we don't even acknowledge the birthplace of the "Godfather of Soul." Those of us who knew the local James Brown had a good laugh, so I called the young fellow and told him that our James Brown was never a criminal, had actually run for Mayor two or three times; he said that the singer's hometown was listed in the Guiness Book of Records as being where we lived. I checked and he was right! So I wrote to that publication to let them know they were using the address of the wrong person. They replied to me that every year they sent out mail asking if he still lived at that address. He did! He was James Brown, but he was not THE James Brown. I wonder how many others have done the same.

Now, finally, he is getting the treatment from Augusta he deserved forty years ago, a statue, a music festival, and a street named after him. To top it off, the arena there will be named after their favorite local resident. It's time to give him back his pride. What he did is what most Southern men did and got away with. Being a celebrity, he had to pay the price for being born in the South.

I'm a big JB fan....but............2006-07-22

I am a GIGANTIC James Brown fan, I have 100 albums, 130 singles, I've met him 5 times, seen him live over 100 times since 1971, had lunch with him in NYC, and I am the 'Paul' in the JB section of Gerri Hirshey's nice history of soul music NOWHERE TO RUN, but if this book was written by James Brown or if he even had much to tell the writer, I'll eat my refrigerator. It is so full of errors that it is laughable. One of the most glaring errors was when Mr. Brown 'supposedly' said, "SAY IT LOUD was where funk started" or something to that effect. That is so ridiculous. James Brown would NEVER say such a thing! Any student of funk knows that COLD SWEAT was the quintessentional funk piece and it is not even mentioned in the book!!! The style of Mr. Brown's sentences that are attributed to him sound NOTHING like him. I have no idea why this was put out. The other 'autobiography' written over a decade ago was more relevent and much better written, THE GODFATHER OF SOUL by JB and Bruce Tucker. Someone, (Alan Leeds?) needs to write a 600 page comprehensive biography of Mr. Brown with much more detail.

Literate, valuable work.......2005-07-02

This book still does not address many areas I find interesting in James Brown's career but I find it a natural companion to the three other JB books in my collection: Cynthia Rose's "Living In America: The Soul Saga Of James Brown"; Geoff Brown's biography "James Brown"; and ofcourse, the Brown/Tucker "The Godfather Of Soul - James Brown". All three dig deep into this metaphysical musician's mind but this one has a stronger narrative, a bit less guarded: his late '80s fall is described in a more contrite way, for example. His scientific study of his audience is perhaps something new in his dialogue - but he broaches the subject of how music motivates women in a different way than it does men, then immediately moves on to the next thought. This subject should have been expanded upon (especially for those studious fans who remark that even by 2005 standards his live albums contain some of the most overt sexuality, obviously directed at the female fans, ever recorded), but he drops it like he does "Mother Popcorn" on stage these days - the audience sits forward to enjoy something very unusual, one of his most engaging opuses rarely revisited, then falls back after about 45 seconds. Similarly, his admonitions to contemporary rap/hip-hop artists are eloquent but must be deemed a bit self-righteous: there is alot of rough, "adult" content in his catalogue which can't be explained away as "art". However, fans can trace his development into more "cerebral" music, with more and more sensitive ballads and socially-conscious tunes being produced from the late '60s on.
I was happy to read his description of Little Richard's assistance in his early career, but a bit disheartened when he suggested that Penniman was basically a Rock and Roll raver - I find it hard to believe that this publication brought out his true feelings about his Georgia neighbor - the influence is quite obvious and not just on "Chonnie On Chon". Another depressing ommission is with Marva Whitney, his popular lead female vocalist from c.'67 to '70. A recent documentary reveals that Marva traveled To Vietnam with the star but here he simply says that he was only allowed to travel with a small part of his musical backup.
Despite the above concerns, with this book James Brown has shown the literary world that he is a writer. Ofcourse this was obvious to the musical world - just listen to "Don't Be A Drop Out", "I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing", "The Man In The Glass", "I'm Not Demanding", "It's Christmas Time", and "Peace In The World".

A hard-hitting memoir exposing the 'real' James Brown.......2005-04-10

The story of soul star James Brown has been covered elsewhere before - but nowhere else does it have the authority of Brown's own words. I Feel Good : A Memoir Of A Life Of Soul tells of his childhood growing up black in the segregated South, of his involvements in the music world, and his success at creating a new funk style within the soul world. Brown's later struggles with the law and his own psyche are all detailed in this hard-hitting memoir exposing the 'real' James Brown at last.

How Do I Feel?/¿Cómo me siento? (Good Beginnings)

Average customer rating:

Decent Book
Not what I expected
Great addition to any Spanish lesson
Great!!
Help children learn feeling words

How Do I Feel?/¿Cómo me siento? (Good Beginnings)

Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0618169318

Book Description

This series of full-color board books, with both English and Spanish on each page, will intrigue youngsters while helping them build vocabulary and an awareness of the world around them.

The books feature charming illustrations and thoughtfully chosen words, offering an enchanting introduction to vocabulary.

Customer Reviews:

Decent Book.......2006-07-31

I was looking for a spanish book that talked about something other than just objects. I also like the drawings and that the book is very simple. My 1 year old can really enjoy it.

Not what I expected.......2005-10-26

We're trying to teach our daughter Spanish from an early age (she's 8 months), and reading stories to her each night. This book is pretty simplistic with two - four words per page ("sad, con triste") so it's over pretty fast. Perhaps for an older toddler who can interact a bit more and understand the meaning it would be suitable but it's not helpful right now.

Great addition to any Spanish lesson.......2005-10-14

I use this book in my classes for students ages 4 all the way to 18. It's a great, and SIMPLE way to help them express themselves in Spanish! The older teens crack up as they use the phrases, but it's great because they're communicating in their target language, and the younger students all identify with the bright pictures and sturdy pages. They LOVE using the phrases from Como me siento!

If you want something to listen to and write in- a complete curriculum, try Flip Flop Spanish, which comes with a CD!

Great!!.......2005-08-04

I loved this book. It teaches little ones about feelings in English and Spanish. Is hard to find books in spanish to teach my little girl. We both loved it. It was a great buy.

Help children learn feeling words.......2001-08-02

This simple book is a neat way to teach young children how to express themselves using feeling words. The pictures are bright and engaging. There is no story line, but that allows you to make up stories as you look at the pictures with your young children...

When I Feel Good About Myself (The Way I Feel)

Average customer rating:

When I feel good about myself
Good book for a child perfectionist

When I Feel Good About Myself (The Way I Feel)
Cornelia Maude Spelman
Manufacturer: Albert Whitman & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0807588873

Book Description

"I feel good about myself. Somebody loves me just as I am. I don't have to look like anyone else, be the same size, or do the same things. It's fine to be me."

Cornelia Spelman's newest title in "The Way I Feel" series offers children positive and upbeat examples about being themselves. The author portrays a very young guinea pig and friends feeling good about themselves through common situations readers will relate to. Together, the text and art will foster self-esteem and independence.

Customer Reviews:

When I feel good about myself.......2006-11-13

It is a wonderfull book for the kids. My two daughters loved it.

Good book for a child perfectionist.......2005-02-15

My five year old daughter was having a problem with trying to be a perfectionist. It was making her extremely anxious. This book sends the right message that nobody has to be perfect. As soon as I read this book to her, she loved it and has wanted to take it to bed with her every night. Whenever she wants to read to herself, I see her grab this book. It's hard to find a book for a preschooler that sends this message so that kids can understand it. I think this book would also be good for preschool aged child that does not have a good self-image.

If Things Are So Good, Why Do I Feel So Bad?

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If Things Are So Good, Why Do I Feel So Bad?
George Barna
Manufacturer: Moody Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0802492444

Elvis Is Dead and I Don't Feel So Good Myself

Average customer rating:

A Southerner Grows up
My favorite Grizzard book
You must understand the south
WHINING OUT LOUD

Elvis Is Dead and I Don't Feel So Good Myself
Lewis Grizzard
Manufacturer: Peachtree Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0931948665

Book Description

The 1950s were simple times to grow up. For Lewis Grizzard, gallivanting meant hanging out at the store eating Zagnut bars -- the worst thing a kid ever did was slick back his hair in a ducktail and try gyrating like Elvis.

But the '60s exploded with assassinations, terrorism, free love, Vietnam and drugs. In place of Elvis, the Pied Piper of his generation, scuzzy Liverpudlians performed half-naked or in costumes straight from Zasu Pitts.

ELVIS IS DEAD AND I DON'T FEEL SO GOOD MYSELF is Grizzard's account of coping with a changing world. We may not feel so good ourselves, but Grizzard's commentary and humor help make us feel better." (Publishers Source)

Customer Reviews:

A Southerner Grows up.......2004-05-07

For some reason this book's subtitle isn't included here at Amazon: "Elvis is Dead, and I don't Feel So Good Myself". Like many southerners of his generation, Lewis Grizzard grew up as a democrat, surrounded by democrats. Why? Well because Abraham Lincoln had been a Republican, of course, and there are still Southerners who are sore about the Civil War, but they're generally the kind of people who are sore about most things. Grizzard's fellow southerners were mostly bible-thumping conservatives and this book examines changes that began to occur in Grizzard's thinking - such as the realization that his political ideology was REALLY more in concert with the Republicans. Similarly, he had grown up in the 50s and 60s thinking that he was a rock and roll rebel and relishing the rhythms of Elvis and Carl Perkins - but as he grew up he recognized that his musical tastes were now more along the lines of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard than what was passing for "rock and roll" 15 years ago.

Lewis doesn't apologize for his views - and in America he shouldn't have to - and if his opinions offend you I'm sorry someone held a gun to your head and made you read his book! But if you can get over any eagerness to be offended I think you'll find Lewis Grizzard an observant and funny chronicler of the human condition.

My favorite Grizzard book.......2000-12-29

This is my favorite. Grizzard is closer to my parents generation than mine, but I can relate to this book. I especially love his commentary on country music. I'm sad to see that this book is out of print, but I would highly recommend it to everyone. Another Grizzard book that every fan should read is "My Papa Was a Pistol and I'm a Son of a Gun." It is a very touching story of Grizzard's father written with great love and understanding. It would probably suprise some people that Grizzard can write with such feeling.

You must understand the south.......2000-12-17

The man who said this was whine'n outloud, never understood Gizzard and never will. This book is one of his best works. The style in which he roles off his stories, each with their own twisted view is unique only to Gizzard. I highly recommend this book.

WHINING OUT LOUD.......2000-06-13

I wouldnt recommend this book to anybody with even the slightest bit of an open mind. This book is definitely not for you. However, if your an ultra-conservitive, narrow-minded, hypocritical, arrogant jackass, then its right up your alley! As for Lewis Grizzard, he should stick to writing letters to the editor of small town insignificant newspapers. Im sure more people will see those than will ever read this book!

Das I-feel-good- Geheimnis. Ihr persönlicher Weg zum Wohlfühlgewicht.

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Das I-feel-good- Geheimnis. Ihr persönlicher Weg zum Wohlfühlgewicht.
Angela Nowak , and Susanne Tröstl
Manufacturer: Orac
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3701504172

Die I feel good Küche. Mediterrane Vollwertrezepte für ihre Wohlfühlfigur.

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Die I feel good Küche. Mediterrane Vollwertrezepte für ihre Wohlfühlfigur.
Angela Nowak , and Susanne Tröstl
Manufacturer: Orac
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3701504253

Elvis is Dead and I Don t Feel So Good Myself [and] Shoot Low, Boys - They re Ridin Shetland Ponies [two books in one vol

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Elvis is Dead and I Don t Feel So Good Myself [and] Shoot Low, Boys - They re Ridin Shetland Ponies [two books in one vol
Lewis Grizzard
Manufacturer: Birmingham, Alabama Sweet Water Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1889372692

God Cares When I Don't Feel Good (Murphy, Elspeth Campbell. God's Word in My Heart, 15.)

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God Cares When I Don't Feel Good (Murphy, Elspeth Campbell. God's Word in My Heart, 15.)
Elspeth Campbell Murphy
Manufacturer: Chariot Family Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1555130577

A Heapin' Helping of True Grizzard: Down Home Again With Lewis Grizzard : Elvis Is Dead and I Don't Feel So Good Myself/Shoot Low Boys--They're Ridi

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A Heapin' Helping of True Grizzard: Down Home Again With Lewis Grizzard : Elvis Is Dead and I Don't Feel So Good Myself/Shoot Low Boys--They're Ridi
Lewis Grizzard
Manufacturer: BBS Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0883657791

Customer Reviews:

Phenomenal read.......2002-11-15

This book is wonderfully written, winding the story of a ruthless Nazi killer with survivors who he victimized. It gives a good amount of background such that this monster doesn't just appear out of the blue. It's truly seamless writing that is frankly a good story, even if it were used as a recreational read. Definitely worth buying for those interested in history, and who like a good story.

He covers the "making" of Schwammberger, his crimes, capture, and fascinatingly, his escape to South America. His years of living openly are so strange to those unfamiliar with the stories of groups like Odessa, or Project Paperclip. When entwined with the suffering of Holocaust victims, coming full circle to testify at Schwammberger's trial, offers a very well told account of some of the darkest times in history.

Average customer rating:
The Last Nazi: Josef Schwammberger and the Nazi Past
Aaron and Martin Mendelsohn Freiwald
Manufacturer: Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PW2RVI

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