Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing
Encyclopedia
"Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing" is a funk
song by James Brown
and Bobby Byrd
. Recorded on October 1, 1970, at Bobby Smith Studios in Macon, Georgia, it was first released as an edited two-part single
on King Records
that same year, but was quickly withdrawn. The single received a full release on Polydor in early 1972 and went to number one on the U.S. Hot Soul Singles chart and number twenty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100
during the spring of that year. The song was included on Brown's 1972 album There It Is.
"Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing" was part of a succession of songs Brown recorded with the original J.B.'s in 1970 and 1971 featuring backing vocals
by Bobby Byrd
. In the middle of the song Brown orders all the band members to temporarily stop playing while he and Byrd maintain the song's rhythm using their voices alone, in an early example of a dance music breakdown.
with The J.B.'s:
ed version of "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing" was included on the 1986 James Brown compilation album
In the Jungle Groove
.
A longer version of the song (9:28) is included in the Star Time
box set.
The complete version of the song (14:42) was released in 1996 on the compilation CD Funk Power - 1970: A Brand New Thang.
Living Colour
recorded a cover version
in 1991 for their Biscuits EP.
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
song by James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
and Bobby Byrd
Bobby Byrd
Bobby Byrd born Robert Howard Byrd was an American funk/soul/R&B/gospel musician, songwriter and record producer. He was born in Toccoa, Georgia, and is a 1998 winner of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's prestigious Pioneer Award...
. Recorded on October 1, 1970, at Bobby Smith Studios in Macon, Georgia, it was first released as an edited two-part single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on King Records
King Records (USA)
King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...
that same year, but was quickly withdrawn. The single received a full release on Polydor in early 1972 and went to number one on the U.S. Hot Soul Singles chart and number twenty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
during the spring of that year. The song was included on Brown's 1972 album There It Is.
"Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing" was part of a succession of songs Brown recorded with the original J.B.'s in 1970 and 1971 featuring backing vocals
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
by Bobby Byrd
Bobby Byrd
Bobby Byrd born Robert Howard Byrd was an American funk/soul/R&B/gospel musician, songwriter and record producer. He was born in Toccoa, Georgia, and is a 1998 winner of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's prestigious Pioneer Award...
. In the middle of the song Brown orders all the band members to temporarily stop playing while he and Byrd maintain the song's rhythm using their voices alone, in an early example of a dance music breakdown.
Personnel
- James Brown - lead vocal
with The J.B.'s:
- Clayton "Chicken" Gunnells - trumpet
- Darryl "Hassan" Jamison - trumpet
- Robert McCollough - tenor saxophone
- St. Clair PinckneySt. Clair PinckneySt. Clair Pinckney was a saxophonist who performed with James Brown as a member of the James Brown Orchestra and The J.B.'s. He played tenor and baritone saxophone.-External links:*...
- baritone saxophone - Bobby Byrd - organ, vocal
- Phelps "Catfish" Collins - guitar
- William "Bootsy" Collins - bass
- John "Jabo" Starks - drums
- Johnny Griggs - congas
Chart positions
| Chart (1972) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 27 |
| U.S. Billboard R&B | 1 |
Other versions
A remixRemix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed version of "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing" was included on the 1986 James Brown compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
In the Jungle Groove
In the Jungle Groove
In the Jungle Groove is a compilation album by American funk and soul musician James Brown, released in August 1986 on Polydor Records in the United States...
.
A longer version of the song (9:28) is included in the Star Time
Star Time
Star Time is a 1991 71-track, 4-CD box set by James Brown. Its contents span most of the length of his career up to the time of its release, starting in 1956 with his first hit record, "Please, Please, Please", and ending with "Unity, Pt. 1", his 1984 collaboration with Afrika Bambaataa...
box set.
The complete version of the song (14:42) was released in 1996 on the compilation CD Funk Power - 1970: A Brand New Thang.
Living Colour
Living Colour
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
recorded a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
in 1991 for their Biscuits EP.