A new king of pop? New hardest workin’ man in show business? Bruno Mars might be that person.
Mr. Mars hails from Hawaii and in his earlier years spent some time doing Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Little Richard impersonations. You’ll see it in the way he moves today.
He’s been an extremely successful behind-the-scenes writer and producer of hits for others, such as Cee-Lo Green’s well-known song of the year, “F*ck You”, which some know as “Forget You.”
He’s performed at the Super Bowl and on SNL, and it’s time for us to see what makes him tick in a slightly more expanded set. This is his performance live at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend on May 26, 2013 at Ebrington Square, Londonderry, in Northern Ireland.
http://youtu.be/kbKZzmnB-UA
My two favorite Bruno Mars
My two favorite Bruno Mars clips:
scroll to 3:00 on this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxjXp7cPBok
and then there’s this one just a few years later
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoez1v9hOZ4
mo' music...
I saw Bruno Mars on SNL a few weeks back with Mark Ronson performing “Uptown Funk.” Maceo and the JB’s meet Morris Day,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbGX1Sx0gvo
You want to hear a REAL JB imitator? This is what I’m listening to these days, Charles Bradley and the Extraordinaires. Mr Bradley has an incredible back story, it’s worth checking it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lknXxTwQRwg
Saint Paul and his Broken Bones. Holy cow, this guy sounds just like Otis Redding but they just put out therir first CD of original music that is just dynamite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glmetrqvHIc
I don't think Bruno Mars is
I don’t think Bruno Mars is shooting for a JB impersonation, just some funk with what is undoubtedly the same work ethic that Brown had.
One problem with both Bradley and Saint Paul are the bands, I find them weak, they’re just not funky enough to come close to James Brown. Having seen James Brown live a couple of times, it just stands out to me that something is missing. Actually Bradley’s band is a little closer but not enough pop to the sound for me.
As for Saint Paul, I know he’s getting a lot of airplay and internet play and attention but to my mind he’s just imitative. If you’d ever seen Otis Redding or Johnny Guitar Watson or others of that era and quality you’d find him pretty lackluster. It’s sort of like saying a cheap chuck steak, actually no make that chuck hamburger, tastes just like the finest filet mignon. Not even close in my book, low level bar band is what I’m hearing, with a fake-y accent to boot. But then that’s my opinion, I see that a lot of people think he’s great. However I just don’t see how if you listen to this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGlKJDEI1Nk
anyone could say there’s any comparison.
Or you could try this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfBUmVoqouw
Or we could go back to topic and watch Bruno do this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJH6QtzBZnQ
Okay maybe I was being a bit too harsh, I’ll take away the fake-y accent comment since some further listening reveals that Paul is from the south and not Chicago area as I thought, but still upon further listening it still doesn’t grab me. Ah well, to each their own and I’ll take Bruno, Paul is all yours.
its all good Rosa
St Paul could certainly use an additional saxophone in their mix, and a Hammond B3 organ, but it should be noted their band has not been together that long and it is only their debut album. They have a promising future.
As for Charles Bradley’s band, they have been around for a while and have some serious chops along the same lines as Soulive and Lettuce. They are hooked in with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Daptone records.
But to characterize St Paul as “chuck hamburger” and a low level bar band….please. You are right, you too harsh.
Thank gosh it’s not some retreaded shag/beach music or another version of “Vehicle.” The band pays homage to their heroes and while Paul Janeway sounds remarkably like Otis Redding and could sing “Try a Little Tenderness” for the rest of his life (nothing wrong with that!), he plays original music. I am delighted his Mom threw out his copy of Nirvana’s “Nevermind!”
The Alabama Shakes and Lake Street Dive are also worth checking out.
Like I saidYou can have
Like I said
You can have Paul, I’ll take Bruno but I really don’t think he sounds remarkably like Otis at all, not even close. Just listen back to back to the Otis clip I gave you and then Paul singing the same song. That’s all I’ll say about that although I have even more thoughts about it but I think we’re getting off topic anyway.
I’ve seen Lake Street Dive, live, a few times, like them.
The Cusp
Bruno seems to be on the cusp. Much of what he does is derivative – throwbacks to an earlier era – and sounds that are much missing from today’s radio lineup so it sounds fresh to younger ears. I’m guessing the next five years or so will really show us who Bruno Mars, himself, is.
He has the skills and talent.
I think his recent SNL performance was a bit more of him and less of those he’s do good at impersonating. Really great, especially that first tune they all did. Wow.
We’ll have to bring out some more funk and soul for future concerts here… : )