REQUIRED LISTENING: a musician's personal notes about favorite artists.
VARIOUS ARTISTS (STAX)
Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration Collection.
The legacy of Stax Records is one of consistently stellar rhythm and blues along with quality musicianship. Stax turned Memphis (TN) into a musical hotbed, on par with Motown. They were, however, without peer in regards to their ability to capture the emotional content of a song.
During the 60s, Stax recorded Soul's greatest talent, Otis Redding. Stax produced great song after great song with Otis (represented in this collection with "I've Been Loving You Too Long", "Respect", "Tramp" and "Dock of the Bay"). And, Stax wasn't just a one trick pony either, and Otis wasn't the only talent in their repertoire. Rufus Thomas, Sam and Dave, Albert King, Eddie Floyd and Johnnie Taylor all recorded awesome records with Stax too. In addition to top-notch front row talent, these recordings were catapulted even higher by the fantastic Stax backing band, Booker T and the MGs.
Booker T. Jones (keyboardist), Steve Cropper (guitarist), Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass), and Al Jackson (drummer) were a seamless team after a greater goal and they were one unit. Very interesting and creative horn parts came courtesy of the Memphis Horns of Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love.
The tragic death of Otis Redding, and other artists, in a 1967 plane crash forced a reorganization and move to other markets in order to capitalize on other talent within Stax. Isaac Hayes, The Dramatics, The Staple Singers and Little Milton were some of Stax's best in the early 70s and they are included here.
This 50 song, 2 CD set has few weak spots and that too is another trademark of the Stax tradition of excellence.
posted: March 2007. |
