Puneet Varma (Editor)

Papa Don't Take No Mess

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Released
  
August 1974 (1974-08)

Genre
  
Funk

Format
  
7" (stereo)

B-side
  
"Papa Don't Take No Mess Part II"

Recorded
  
August 23, 1973, International Studios, Augusta, GA

Length
  
4:30 (Part I) 5:00 (Part II)

"Papa Don't Take No Mess" is a funk song performed by James Brown. An edited version of the song released as a two-part single in 1974 was Brown's final number one R&B hit and peaked at number thirty-one on the Hot 100. The full-length version, nearly 14 minutes long, appeared on the double album Hell.

Contents

Like "The Payback," "Papa Don't Take No Mess" was originally recorded for a rejected soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Hell Up in Harlem.

Personnel

  • James Brown - lead vocal
  • with Fred Wesley and The J.B.'s:

  • Fred Wesley - trombone
  • Ike Oakley - trumpet
  • Maceo Parker - alto saxophone
  • St. Clair Pinckney - tenor saxophone
  • Jimmy Nolen - guitar
  • Hearlon "Cheese" Martin - guitar
  • Fred Thomas - bass
  • John "Jabo" Starks - drums
  • John Morgan or Johnny Griggs - percussion
  • A piano solo, performed by Brown, is included in the longer edit that appears on the Hell album.

    Covers

    Steely Dan covered this song in the band introduction segment of their "Rarities night" concerts in September 2011.

    References

    Papa Don't Take No Mess Wikipedia