There have been a lot of popular and influential “sounds” in pop music--such as the Motown Sound and Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, to name just two. But none is more distinctive than the Southern soul of Stax Records, home to such great artists as Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and Booker T & the M.G.'s. Stax's unique, R&B-based sound was due in part to the fact that many of their records featured the same musicians, including the M.G.'s and the Memphis Horns. In this 1990 Cannes concert, those two units back the likes of singers Carla Thomas, Sam Moore (who long ago stopped working with partner Dave Prater), and Eddie Floyd, as well as guitarist Phil Upchurch. To be sure, these performances lack some of the fire and immediacy of the originals--for one thing, a large concert hall isn't the ideal setting for this music--but it sure is great to relive such bona fide classics as “Green Onions” and “Time is Tight” (the M.G.'s, with former Pat Metheny Group drummer Dan Gottlieb replacing the late Al Jackson, Jr.), “Knock On Wood” (Floyd), “Baby” (Thomas), “Soul Man” and “Hold On I'm Coming” (Moore), and many more. Redding is missing, of course, but the others do a pretty good job of memorializing him with a rousing version of “(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay.” All in all, a most worthy effort. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)
Back to Stax: Memphis Soul
(1990) 154 min. DVD: $19.95. Music Video Distributors (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 17, Issue 5
Back to Stax: Memphis Soul
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