Aired on PBS' Great Performances series, the Samuel L. Jackson-narrated Respect Yourself tells the story of Memphis' Stax Records—a tale of “innocence,” “good and evil,” “light and dark,” “white and black,” but most importantly “funk,” played by musicians such as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, and Rufus and Carla Thomas. Ironically, Stax founders Jim Stewart and sister Estelle Axton started out recording country music, but it didn't take them long to recognize the quality, not to mention the commercial potential, of some of these R&B artists, and the hits soon started coming. Stax also had Booker T. & the MGs, a mixed-race band that not only had their own successes (“Green Onions,” “Time is Tight,” and so on) but became one of the best house bands in pop music history. Grittier than Phil Spector's Wrecking Crew and maybe even funkier than Motown's renowned Funk Brothers, the MGs were the rhythm section on some of the best soul records ever made, including those by Redding, Stax's greatest artist. Amazingly, even in segregated Memphis during the racially-charged 1960s, as far as Stax and its artists were concerned, race was a non-issue (“‘Race' was what you did on the way to the bank,” as one interviewee puts it). A triumphant 1967 European tour culminated in Redding's celebrated gig at the Monterey Pop Festival but was soon followed by his tragic death and the near demise of the label. A ‘70s comeback was driven largely by Isaac Hayes' “Theme from Shaft,” but Stax eventually went under. Fortunately, we still have the music, including a 17-song Norwegian concert on the second disc featuring sets by the MGs, Arthur Conley, Sam & Dave, and others, culminating in a five-song romp by Redding that fully justifies the legend. DVD extras include audio commentary, a look back on the tour with various artists, and an alternate version of “Green Onions.” Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)
Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story/Stax Volt Revue: Live in Norway 1967
(2007) 2 discs. 114 min. DVD: $24.98. Infinity Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Volume 24, Issue 2
Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story/Stax Volt Revue: Live in Norway 1967
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