https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4RXZPxQ-98

Concert Critique of James Brown and BB King Live – One Special Night. An outstanding performance by James Brown and BB King with a special one minute appearance by Michael Jackson. The concert was called “One Special Night” the Godfather of Soul meets the King of Blues. The first performer was Riley B. King or better known as BB King started out singing gospel music in church and saved up money to purchase his first guitar which later lead him in the direction of Memphis Tennessee performing on the famous Beale Street. King's first album “Live at the Regal” came about in 1965 and six years later he won a grammy for the release of “The Thrill is Gone” which became King's biggest hit. He won a 1985 Grammy for best traditional blues recording for Blues and Jazz; he appeared on the album “Rattle and Hum” with the Irish Rock Band U2 and he received a lifetime achievement award in 1988. In 1990's King won yet another grammy for “Live at San Quentin” and was introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and later received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from George Bush. In 1995 King received the 18th Annual Kennedy Center honors presented by Bill Clinton. In 2000 King was elected to the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, the same year he received a Heroes Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He won Grammy in the traditional blues album category for “Riding with the King” recorded with Eric Clapton. BB King”s impressive musical career ended on my birthday May 14, 2015. The second performer James Brown was born James Joe Brown Jr. In 1955 Brown joined the first R&B vocal group “The Gospel Starlighters” which was later renamed the Famous Flames playing out of Macon Georgia in 1956 the Famous Flames recorded a demo tape of the song “Please, Please, Please for Ralph Bass a scout for King Records which paved the way for this song to reach #6 on the R&B chart. Brown's group “The Flames” opened up for BB King and Ray Charles, which afterwards didn't score a new hit record therefore King moved to New York in 1958 to form a new group called “The Flames”. Browns newly formed group recorded “Try Me” the song reached #1 on the R&B charts, which cracked the Hot 100 singles chart, which lead to an excessive amount of tour which lead to many labeling Brown as the hardest working man in show business. James Brown's professional singing career ended with his death on December 25, 2006 after 51 years. The third performer Michael Jackson was only on stage for one minute and served as a surprise guess to the audience. This professional american singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actor was called the “King of Pop” and his appearance on this concert really excited the audience. In 1964 He and his brother were the group called Jackson 5 with a wide array of hits, which later lead to his solo career in 1971. In 1982 his “Thriller” album was the best seller of all times. His career ended upon his death on June 25, 2009 after more than 45 years as a professional musician. The music of this concert was played by James Brown's Band, which did an awesome job switching from blues, funk, rhythm and blues to Soul Music. There was an ensemble of instruments; two sets of drums, Bass Guitar, Guitar, Organ and Keyboard, Trumpet, Saxophone. This concert had a mix of Memphis and Chicago Style Blues that featured an explosive distorted electric guitar sound, thunderous drumming and fierce vocals from both Brown and King. James Brown's songs had funk, rhythm and Blues mixed with a combination of all three. Michael Jacksons style added a pop music sound and some clarity to the words of the song along with some funky dance moves. The music of James Brown ranged from 1963 – 1976 and the music of BB King ranged from 1951-1992. James Brown utilizes call and response during his musical performance which is solo voice alternating with the group. Both artist have a homophonic texture within their music that produce the harmony and a falsetto tones which alternate between singing in the normal range of the voice and singing extremely high above their normal voice range. The dynamics fell within a range of forte and mezzo-forte. The first song was without vocals lead by Kings guitar followed by the bass, and percussion, sax, trumpet with a Chicago style blues sound with a mellow sound. The second song “Let the good time roll” was of the Chicago and Rhythm Blues sound, the tempo was a mid range ballad and a mellow sound. The third song was a solo by King with didn't have him playing his guitar only percussion, piano and horns. The forth song “The thrill is gone” was played by the band at a mid range tempo with a rhythm and blues sound. The songs between five and fifteen were of James Brown, which all fell between funk and rhythm and blues sound. The songs heard seventh, eighth and eleventh along with song twelve all have a contemporary tune, slow ballad with a mellow sound. All singers were in tune with a rhythmically played keyboard and organ. The performers communicated the music as if it was meant to be communicated by the composer. The music of James Brown appeals to me mainly its music I grew up around and the fact he's from the same area I'm from in South Carolina. My father and Brown were good friends and often had the opportunity to hang out over the weekends, which now when I go back home to Beech Island, South Carolina we occasionally talk about all the good times they once had together. The opportunity to see BB King in concert before his health deteriorated was the reason I chose this concert. A truly impressive concert with the James Brown Band playing everything from rhythm and blues to funk and soul music from beginning to end of the concert. The surprise guest Michael Jackson's one minute performance was explosive and really added to the show. I would definitely recommend this concert to a rhythm and blues, soul and classic blues listener. Brown and King have proven themselves as the title they've earned “James Brown the God Father of Soul” and BB King the “King of Blues” and even after their deaths they continue to inspire, which without a doubt there are no improvements needed within this concert other than just needing to be longer.