"A product of the complicated history of the American South, James Brown was a cultural shape-shifter who arguably had the greatest influence of any artist on American popular music. Brown was long a figure of fascination for James McBride, a noted professional musician as well as a writer. When he received a tip that promised to uncover the man behind the myth, McBride set off to follow a trail to better understand the personal, musical, and societal influences that created this immensely troubled, misunderstood, and complicated soul genius."--Flyleaf.
Foreword: The buzz -- Countin' off. Mystery house ; Cussin' and fussin' ; American jive -- Hit it! The vapors ; Six Gaines ; Leaving the land ; Bro ; To live standing ; The last flame ; The Rev ; The money man ; The earth beneath his feet ; More money ; The hundred-dollar man ; The rag that nobody reads ; Sis -- Quit it! Say goodbye to the king ; The dream -- Epilogue: Sister Lee.