With a grand stage adorned with flowers and backed by a large band, this was a performance space truly fit for a legend. But the crowd that day was about to witness not one but two of the most iconic voices in music history sharing the stage. In a pairing no one could have expected, soul icon James Brown and operatic legend Luciano Pavarotti came together to perform James’ classic ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World’ in a collaboration that will leave music fans absolutely breathless.
If there’s one thing these two singers share, it’s the sheer power of their voices. Despite coming from entirely different traditions, this performance makes it clear where the two overlap, with Pavarotti’s grand tenor being matched by James Brown’s unmistakable raspy screams. Over 120 million fans watched the performance online and were amazed by the combination of their talents, with one commenting, “To whomever had the idea of putting these two distinct icons together, I applaud you.”
I was astonished to see this unique and unexpected collaboration. As a soul fan who is not quite as well-versed in the world of opera, it was fascinating to see how Pavarotti transformed the song with his own singing style. By translating it into Italian and performing in his recognizable operatic style, I felt as though Pavarotti made his section of the song entirely his own. It is collaborations like this that remind me that great music is great music, no matter the style or genre.
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The video of the collaboration was released as part of the promotional efforts for a film celebrating the life and talents of Luciano Pavarotti, coinciding with the 90th anniversary of Decca Records. The soundtrack to the film also featured other stunning collaborations from throughout Pavarotti’s career, including duets with stars like Elton John and Bryan Adams. A fan favorite was his duet of ‘Hero’ with Mariah Carey, another unforgettable meeting of two powerhouse voices.
While there are many of our Music Man fans who are undoubtedly massive fans of opera, there are bound to be many others who, like me, appreciate the art form but don’t venture out to listen to it very often. With collaborations like these, Pavarotti was able to reach an entirely new audience of people who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to hear his magnificent voice. And let’s face it, the more people who get to experience the gift of Pavarotti’s talent, the richer the world becomes for it.
James Brown and Luciano Pavarotti’s unforgettable collaboration is a testament to the transcendent power of music, uniting genres and creating magic. Their electrifying performance of ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World’ is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who hear it. If you wish to delve deeper into this extraordinary event, explore the links provided below.