Bootsy Collins & friends take James Brown Tribute Concert global, choose EV wired and wireless mics
July 2, 2008, Minneapolis, MN: Although only the second stop on the James Brown Tribute summer world tour, Bootsy Collins’ well-oiled and in-the-pocket funk cavalcade  played to a packed house at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater. The concert featured a host of artists, all of whom Bootsy has nurtured and promoted via his A&R firm, Bootzilla Productions. From the speed rapping of the young Cincinnati kid D-Jizzle to the smooth choreography of hip-hop family singers i-Candi to veteran Public Enemy alums Escapism, the show was heavy on talent, all acts paying unique tribute to the Godfather of Soul. Tony Wilson handled the formidable task of singing James Brown’s parts throughout the night with humility and authenticity. Bootsy’s band also comprised members of James Brown’s original J.B.’s, including Bootsy’s brother Phelps “Catfish” Collins and vocalist Vicki Anderson. Highlights included smoking versions of “Mr. Please, Please, Please”, “Get Up”, and a house-rousing welcome for longtime James Brown MC Danny Ray, who bestowed Wilson with James Brown’s legendary cape during the show’s encore.
Given the number of changeovers required to accommodate a roster of some twenty-five vocalists and musicians, Bootzilla Productions sought out the most versatile and best sounding live performance microphones available. From the EV N/D868 microphone on Bootsy’s 8 x 10” speaker cabinet to the wireless REV N/D767a and N/D967 microphones used on all vocals, the tour is a distinctively EV affair:
Bass cabinets: EV N/D868
Bass guitar: REV Wireless
Guitar cabinets: EV Raven
Congas: N/D468
Kick drum: N/D868
Toms: N/D468
Snare: N/D478
Overheads: EV Cardinal
All vocals: EV wired or wireless N/D767a or N/D967 handhelds
Emcee microphone: EV N/D967 REV wireless
Tribute to James Brown FOH engineer Martin Greaves comments: “Everything sounded wonderful. The EV REV wireless is fantastic. Great frequency response, very musical. While most wireless systems have the tendency to break up, the EV REV systems are crystal clear. And no problems whatsoever with coordinating good frequencies.”
Greaves continues: “I love the sound of the EV N/D868 on Bootsy’s bass rig. Basically, Bootsy’s rig is pretty stripped down because this is a James Brown Tribute. Not a lot of processing or pedal board effects. He runs two cabs, two heads, and a splitter. We mic the subharmonic cab with the EV N/D868 and the other goes through the DI. It really sounds great. The N/D868 does a great job of capturing that legendary Motown low end.”
Greaves continues: “The sound of the EV mics has been really amazing. And the performers, especially the vocalists, have commented about it after each show. That also helps make my job easier, when not only does it sound good, but the performers are happy! I love working with these performers. There’s not one ego amongst them; they’re the most gracious and amazing people. They deserve to sound as good as they perform. EV has helped make that possible.”
Electro-Voice would like to thank Bootsy Collins, Bootzilla Productions, and the entire James Brown Tribute family for their endorsement of EV wired and wireless microphones—and for keeping the James Brown legacy alive. God bless Soul Brother Number One.
