There Was a Time

James Brown, the Chitlin' Circuit, and Me

De: Alan Leeds, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson - foreword

Narrado por: Peter Berkrot

A behind-the-scenes look at the Chitlin' Circuit during America's most vital period of soul music - from the eyes and ears of a young Jewish kid from Queens who joined the team of the hardest working man in show business and learned the art of the music business at the hand of the performer who mastered it.

In the mid-'60s, Alan Leeds was a young DJ looking for his way into the music business. An interview with James Brown to promote a local show in Virginia led to an opportunity to promote one of Brown's concerts, which then led to Brown hiring him to help run his tours. Soon Leeds was wearing many hats and traveling around the country as Brown battled a complicated web of local promoters and managers, all too willing to try to rip him off.

In this riveting book - part memoir, part history - Leeds weaves a wholly new and remarkable portrait of Brown as an idiosyncratic iconoclast, determined artist, and forceful businessman. It is a rare look into a world little known to White America immediately following the Civil Rights Movement. Leeds discovers that Brown is a fascinatingly complex man, and their experiences, both business and personal, range from emotional to humorous. All the while, they navigate the complicated world of popular Black music in America, told by someone who actually lived it.

©2020 Alan Leeds (P)2020 Tantor

Best JB book I've ever read (out of 5)

The best thing about this book, to me, is that Alan never tries to paint James with his own brush. It seems like a straightforward account of the Godfather that centers all the other myths, exaggerations and disparities that surround Browns legacy. Of equal note is that, while few are as qualified to include themselves in books they write about others, Alan Leads takes a backseat in his own story. Great book and the stories about James Browns phobia of bad teeth are hilarious!

Great book!

A great first person account of someone who personally witnessed James Brown’s history. The audiobook was awesome!

Fantastic

Thank you for the incredible journey. This was written and deliver so well. I highly recommend it for any music lover.

Bodyguard

This is officially the best audiobook that I’ve listen to! Alan is a master storyteller, and this audiobook is a must purchase, you won’t be disappointed!

Very Interesting and Witty

Very entertaining. Nice style of writing. Lyrical and Musical in its own way. Great storytelling.

Close up portrait

I can enjoy any title on any topic read by this narrator.

This is a nice little memoir of working for James Brown who was a unique performer and talent.

Not a deep biography of Brown, insights into his colorful personality emerge nonetheless.

Recommended.

Excellent book!

Would have been perfect if not for the mispronounced name of a prominent band member.

Excellent

his professionalism in a crazy worldhis professionalism in a crazy world. He's earned his Grammy and success.

good book except...

it was a good book but the way the the narrator mispronounced Maceo Parker's name is unforgivable. It irritated me to no end. They really need to fix that, if possible.

Learn How Formal Names are Promounced

For the narrator, repeat after me: Maceo Parker is pronounced MAY-see-oh Parker. NOT Muh-SEE-o. Don’t you have fact checkers?? Come ON.