The funk was in full force at the Charleston Music Hall earlier this week, as the James Brown Band reunited in celebration of the Godfather himself, James Brown. The 12-piece band ran through an incredible set of music for fans, treating them to hits like “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag,” “It’s A New Day,” “Pass The Peas” and so many more.
After a number of songs to get the crowd rocking, legendary NOLA funkers George Porter Jr. and Ivan Neville appeared, inciting the crowd’s cheers. With Porter Jr. and Neville, the band let loose on a Meters’ big hit, “Cissy Strut.” Of course, Porter Jr. was a member of the classic funk quartet, and Ivan Neville is the nephew of founding member Art Neville.
The band then went into a marathon of James Brown hits, like “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” “Payback,” “Cold Sweat,” “Body Heat,” “Super Bad,” “I Feel Good,” “Soul Power,” “Sex Machine” and “Gimme Some More.” Wow! Vocalist Elise Testone joined in on “Man’s World” and “Payback” too, only adding to the magic of the night.
Fortunately, photographer Ellison White was on hand to provide pictures from the performance. Check out the setlist and the full gallery, below.
Setlist: James Brown Band at Charleston Music Hall, Charleston, SC – 9/14/16
Intro/Jam, Hot Pants Road, Ain’t It Funky, Make It Funky, Get Up Offa That Thing, Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag, Papa Don’t Take No Mess, Get On The Good Foot, It’s A New Day, Give It Up Turn It Loose, I Got The Feeling, I Know You Got Soul, Pass The Peas, Doing It To Death, Cissy Strut*, I’ll Go Crazy*, It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World*, Payback*, Cold Sweat*, Body Heat*, Super Bad*, I Feel Good*, Soul Power*, Sex Machine*, Gimme Some More*
* = w/ George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville