Audio CD review:
Various Artists, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, B.B. King, Mobutu Sese Seko, Spike Lee, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, Thomas Hauser - When We Were Kings (1996 Documentary Film)

Various Artists, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, B.B. King, Mobutu Sese Seko, Spike Lee, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, Thomas Hauser - When We Were Kings (1996 Documentary Film)

Band: Various Artists, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, B.B. King, Mobutu Sese Seko, Spike Lee, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, Thomas Hauser Title: When We Were Kings (1996 Documentary Film) Rating: Release Date: 11 February, 1997 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE - FUGEES Featuring A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, BUSTA RHYMES, FORTE 2: Dialogue - Drew 'Bundini' Brown 3: AIN'T NO SUNSHINE - YOU - Bill Withers 4: SWEET SIXTEEN - B.B. King 5: Dialogue - AFRICAN GIRLS CHANT 6: WHEN I GET TO AFRICA - Muhammed Ali 7: THE PAYBACK - James Brown 8: Dialogue - MOBUTU CHANT 9: I'LL BE AROUND - Spinners 10: PUT IT WHERE YOU WANT IT - Jazz Crusaders 11: WAIT TILL I KICK FOREMAN'S BEHIND - Muhammed Ali 12: I GOT SOME HELP I DON'T NEED - B.B. King 13: GONNA HAVE A FUNKY GOOD TIME - James Brown 14: MR. TOOTH DECAY - Muhammed Ali 15: I'M COMING HOME - Spinners 16: WHEN WE WERE KINGS - BRIAN MCKNIGHT & KING 17: Dialogue - Drew 'Bundini' Brown 18: I'M CALLING (SAY IT LOUD) - Zelma Davis 19: YOU OUT SUCKER - Muhammed Ali 20: Dialogue - Chant

Customer Reviews As inspiring as the documentary... James Brown, B. I'm usually not a fan of movie soundtracks because of the amount of filler they seem to always contain, but this one is an exception. B. King, Bill Withers, The Spinners, and the Jazz Crusaders are all captured live in Africa before an extremely enthusiastic audience. The James Brown performances are really good. The versions of "The Payback" and "Doing It To Death" are noticeably faster than the studio versions and Fred Wesley really cuts loose in his solo on "Doing It To Death". (If you haven't seen the documentary you can also check out the early 70's James Brown band in action at this show, I only wish I could have been there. ) Both Spinners songs are great performances as is Bill Withers' version of his classic "Ain't No Sunshine". My favorite songs here are B. B. King's though. This version of "Sweet Sixteen" gives me chills. B. B. (as always) really brings it home with his voice and his solos. As someone who has had the priviledge of seeing him live twice, both his songs here represent how he delivers live. This disc has comments from Ali and his trainer Drew Bundini Brown in between songs, which are entertaining. A soundtrack this good should be in print. Considering some of the artists that performed at this concert in Zaire that aren't included here (like Wilson Pickett), its too bad that a second disc wasn't put out. Either way, this soundtrack to me is just as inspiring as the documentary "When We Were Kings", and if you are a fan of Muhammad Ali or any of the artists mentioned, this is a great collection to have. . Surprisingly good This one is truly outstanding. Surprising just because soundtracks usually aren't great. I picked it up for the two live Spinners songs "I'll Be Around" and "I'm Coming Home" which are excellent! "I'll Be Around" really stands out to me. The other stuff is great, too, particularly James Brown and some of the other artists I haven't heard of. The movie is as underrated as the soundtrack -- it's a must-see. One of the best live soul albums I have ever heard! The excitment and energy of the event and the performances gets you up and dancing. James Brown is at his peak when he performs "The Big Pay Back" and "Doin it to Death". A rare find. Maybe we can get the sponsors of this event to put some more of the live performances to CD. . You can see a complete list of all Various Artists, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, B.B. King, Mobutu Sese Seko, Spike Lee, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, Thomas Hauser discography, or go back to the Various Artists, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, B.B. King, Mobutu Sese Seko, Spike Lee, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, Thomas Hauser tabs