Luciano Pavarotti and James Brown remain iconic figures in the world of music, celebrated for their grand performances and unique styles. Though it may feel like a distant memory, these two legends once shared the stage. In the memorable video above, recorded in 2002, the King of the High Cs and the Godfather of Soul collaborate on an unforgettable rendition of “It’s a Man’s World”. This magical moment took place during the penultimate Pavarotti & Friends concert, a series of benefit shows that spanned from 1992 to 2003, featuring musical greats like Andrea Bocelli, Grace Jones, Sting, and Lou Reed.
The performance is exceptional on multiple fronts, as highlighted by Tom Teicholz in his Forbes article. “James Brown delivers a stunning performance, with a voice that is as powerful as ever,” writes Teicholz. “He commands the stage and matches Pavarotti, who sings in Italian with elegance and deep emotion. The video captures beautiful instances, like when Brown graciously steps aside for Pavarotti to take his solo, or when he humorously claims ‘my Bible says Noah made the Ark.'”
This duet with Pavarotti showcases another dimension of James Brown, not seen in his famously exaggerated portrayals, such as in the Saturday Night Live hot tub sketches of previous years. Teicholz notes that Brown’s performance isn’t about his usual theatrical flair, dance moves, or signature vocal sounds. Instead, it’s all about the song and the brilliant orchestral accompaniment. “It’s a Man’s World,” despite its seemingly outdated title, sets a standard for vocal performances that many contemporary artists would find daunting to match.
Related Content to Explore:
- Pavarotti Teams Up with Lou Reed, Sting, James Brown, and Friends
- Aretha Franklin Steps In for Luciano Pavarotti, Performing Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” at the 1998 Grammy Awards
- Discover a Rare Video of a 29-Year-Old Luciano Pavarotti in One of His Early Performances (1964)
- Two Icons: A Quirky “Interview” between Weird Al Yankovic and James Brown (1986)
- James Brown’s Catchy Commercial for Miso Soup (1992)
- Is Opera a Part of Pop Culture? Dive into Pretty Much Pop #15 with Sean Spyres
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on city life, language, and culture. His work includes the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: A Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Stay connected with him on Twitter @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
