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Best of Friends (CD + DVD)
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Jools Holland;
Warner/Rhino;
2007-10-15;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £3.39
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 Customer Reviews
play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.
Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.
Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.
The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.
That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!
Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.
what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.
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The Very Best of Otis Redding
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Otis Redding;
Atco;
2000-10-30;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £5.30
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Customer Reviews
play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.
Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.
Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.
The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.
That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!
Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.
what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.
Young at heart, 02 Oct 2008
Im only 18 and i think that teenagers get a bad rep,yes i love hip hop and yes sometimes i might were a hoody,but i aint gonna hert anyone,and i can apreciate good deep music like this,classic music for any mood.
Fantastic!, 21 Jul 2007
This cd deserves more than 5 stars. Forty great tracks from one of the greatest singers of all time. Otis Redding was a great influence on the likes of Paul Rodgers. What a tragedy he died so young.
Why Otis was unique and will never be forgotten, 17 Jun 2007
If you want to understand why Otis 40 years since he died is still unmatched as a great soul singer, then this excellent compilation of his lifetime recordings (several released after his untimely death in 1967) will provide the evidence.
The collection is well compiled plus transcribed and the running order over both CDs reflects the man's live shows where the changing of pace from outright rockers (Respect, Security, I can't turn you loose, Satisfaction etc.) to emotionally sung tender ballads where every nuance and pitch is perfect (Try a little tenderness, I've been loving you too long etc) kept the levels high. Steve Cropper's quote that recording with Otis was like going to Church in that he inspired you is well evidenced here.
While there are no live tracks here, the 40 tracks are an effective cross section of all his different styles and so provide an otstanding introduction and deserve the tile "The very best of" - I could not think of a studio track I would wish had been included. In addition the set has an excellent set of liner notes covering Otis's recording history.
If suitably aroused by listening to what is contained here, consider looking for the solo albums (especially "Otis Blue") and the DVD "Otis Remembered" which captures him live in performance at Moneterey and in the UK during the Stax/Volt Revue Tour.
The best Otis collection, 01 Jun 2006
This album is the best introduction to Otis you'll find. He sings with such soul it is almost painful at times, yet when he pulls out all the stops and brings the tempo up, you can't help but smile. Songs like 'I've Been Loving You' and 'Change Gonna Come' are sung with such emotion that you fully understand where the phrase soul music came from. This is a great collection showcasing that voice and his amazing song writing. Unsurpassed and essential for any music collection.
wow., 04 Jul 2005
I have always been quite a hard core Indie fan. I cam across my first Otis Redding song 'Try a Little Tenderness' when I was watching the 80s Teen Flick, Pretty In Pink. Even as a cover version, Otis' voice, improvisation and musical feel struck me to hear one of the most emotional, moving and captivating songs I had heard in a long time. It caught my emotions exactly at that moment and now remains a song that is very precious to me.
I would like to say thank you to Otis Redding for opening my eyes to different varieties of amazing music, and for creating this incredible album. As someone said before, it is a shame we lost him at such a young age as he had such a unique talent, but i am thankful his music remains to keep his memory forever
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Customer Reviews
play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.
Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.
Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.
The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.
That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!
Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.
what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.
Young at heart, 02 Oct 2008
Im only 18 and i think that teenagers get a bad rep,yes i love hip hop and yes sometimes i might were a hoody,but i aint gonna hert anyone,and i can apreciate good deep music like this,classic music for any mood.
Fantastic!, 21 Jul 2007
This cd deserves more than 5 stars. Forty great tracks from one of the greatest singers of all time. Otis Redding was a great influence on the likes of Paul Rodgers. What a tragedy he died so young.
Why Otis was unique and will never be forgotten, 17 Jun 2007
If you want to understand why Otis 40 years since he died is still unmatched as a great soul singer, then this excellent compilation of his lifetime recordings (several released after his untimely death in 1967) will provide the evidence.
The collection is well compiled plus transcribed and the running order over both CDs reflects the man's live shows where the changing of pace from outright rockers (Respect, Security, I can't turn you loose, Satisfaction etc.) to emotionally sung tender ballads where every nuance and pitch is perfect (Try a little tenderness, I've been loving you too long etc) kept the levels high. Steve Cropper's quote that recording with Otis was like going to Church in that he inspired you is well evidenced here.
While there are no live tracks here, the 40 tracks are an effective cross section of all his different styles and so provide an otstanding introduction and deserve the tile "The very best of" - I could not think of a studio track I would wish had been included. In addition the set has an excellent set of liner notes covering Otis's recording history.
If suitably aroused by listening to what is contained here, consider looking for the solo albums (especially "Otis Blue") and the DVD "Otis Remembered" which captures him live in performance at Moneterey and in the UK during the Stax/Volt Revue Tour.
The best Otis collection, 01 Jun 2006
This album is the best introduction to Otis you'll find. He sings with such soul it is almost painful at times, yet when he pulls out all the stops and brings the tempo up, you can't help but smile. Songs like 'I've Been Loving You' and 'Change Gonna Come' are sung with such emotion that you fully understand where the phrase soul music came from. This is a great collection showcasing that voice and his amazing song writing. Unsurpassed and essential for any music collection.
wow., 04 Jul 2005
I have always been quite a hard core Indie fan. I cam across my first Otis Redding song 'Try a Little Tenderness' when I was watching the 80s Teen Flick, Pretty In Pink. Even as a cover version, Otis' voice, improvisation and musical feel struck me to hear one of the most emotional, moving and captivating songs I had heard in a long time. It caught my emotions exactly at that moment and now remains a song that is very precious to me.
I would like to say thank you to Otis Redding for opening my eyes to different varieties of amazing music, and for creating this incredible album. As someone said before, it is a shame we lost him at such a young age as he had such a unique talent, but i am thankful his music remains to keep his memory forever
ESSENTIAL COLLECTION - 10 STARS RATING, 30 Oct 2008
Just suppose a Martian arrived at your doorstep and wanted to know about "Soul Music" - this is what you would play. Aretha was at the very height of her powers, and all this stuff - demos amd out takes for me are even more enjoyable than what was released at the time. You will hear Aretha with sparce backing and mimimal production, going places only she could - she grabs hold of a song amd makes it her own - and only Joe Cocker rivals that special talemt. It is amazing these wonderful sounds have been kept in the vaults for so long - but I am so grateful this stuff has appeared. By a mile the greatest ever Aretha collection - worth easily 10x the typical reail price. This is an essential purchase - but be warned this is the real thing - it'll make you cry. Sadly after the 70's Aretha' recorded and live performances plummeted from these dizzy heights and bear no resemblance to what she was doing then. This is an essential purchase for any lover of the soul genre - you play it and think no, no, no, music cannot be this good - I must have died and gone to heaven. I cannot believe there will ever be a better CD.
Nuff said!!!, 17 Feb 2008
Soul nectar, from the Queen.
This is jaw-dropping astonishing stuff. There is so much heart and soul in 'I'm Trying to Overcome' that I wonder why other singers actually bother...
Even if you don't know much of her work, this double CD set is essential. Her cover versions, again, give old songs new meaning.
Listen. Listen again. Enjoy.
Essential for Aretha fans, 29 Dec 2007
Aretha Franklin needs no introduction as the Queen of Soul and the number of Aretha collections available bears testimony to the longevity and the quality of her work. The period 1967 to 1974, when she recorded 10 studio albums and 3 live albums for Atlantic, is the Golden Reign referred to in the title of this set, and the tracks were all recorded during sessions for those albums. During those 7 years, her life had many ups and downs, and the music she made clearly reflected those highs and lows.
Kicking off with the demo which started it all, Aretha does "Never Loved a Man" with just a piano, bass and drum for company, and then we're off and running into the bluesy "Dr Feelgood". From 2 well known tracks, "Sweet Bitter Love" has just the vocal and Aretha on piano. These 3 stripped down demos show the essence of Aretha's Golden Reign - her voice and her piano playing.
What is surprising is that so many of these gems did not find release, either as singles or on album, and the sheer breadth of material Aretha attempted. So there's the Gospel infused Soul that is familiar, but also she interprets Blues from Little Willie John, Pop from the Beatles and songs made famous by a host of Soul artists, always adding her own style. She even does "My Way" and finds something new in the song.
As well as the music, there are superb notes from Jerry Wexler and David Ritz. In fact they are worth the price of the album on their own, as no one could know more about working with Aretha than Jerry Wexler, the producer of most of the Atlantic albums. His insights are both informative and moving.
If you have only ever heard Aretha on compilation albums, then this album may not be for you. Get some of those Atlantic albums first, get behind the hits and discover the full magic that Aretha had during that 7 year period. If you do then you will begin to appreciate just how significant this set is for Aretha aficionados. For us it is essential. Put simply, if you regard yourself as a fan of Aretha you MUST own this collection.
Love is a Serious Business, 18 Dec 2007
This is 140 minutes of almost all unreleased demos, outtakes, and alternate versions recorded by Aretha Franklin at her artistic and commercial prime at Atlantic.
The demos are truly amazing. It took me half an hour to get past the first three tracks the first time I listened. Just Aretha's voice, her instinctive and organic piano playing, and a little percussion, it is just stunning. It has a different effect to the 'deep pocket' Memphis style grooves that we are used to (much as I love those grooves!). It leaves me believing that she would have been a star in any era in any genre.
With fuller lyrics, I now understand the bracketed sub-title to Doctor Feelgood, hence my review title. This version of Van McCoy's 'Sweet Bitter Love' really does it for me. Her emotional connection with the lyrics really comes through. This release makes it the only song, as far as I know, that she releaesd on Columbia, Arista and now Atlantic.
The alternate versions of tracks like 'Rock Steady' and 'I'm In Love' show her artistry, as she does exciting, different things with her voice, than we know on the hit versions.
Disc 2 contains no less than seven outtakes and an alternate version from 'Hey Now Hey, The Other Side Of The Sky'. It is not an album that I know well, beyond its big hit single, but if these are the outtakes, I must get a copy. of it.
I was a couple of months late getting this album. If there is any more stuff in the vaults that they release, I will put my name down on the pre-order list!
Agree totally.., 16 Dec 2007
I agree totally with the other reviewers. My only beef is that there are still several Aretha albums never released on cd which really should have taken priority over this albeit stunning trawl through the vaults of her golden years.
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Product Description
Shortly after his breakthrough appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival, Otis Redding began talking of making a record that would be to soul music what Sgt. Pepper's was to rock. Sadly, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" was the only song he recorded for this project before his untimely death, and so The Dock of the Bay wound up being a mixed bag of non-LP singles and previously unreleased material. Of course, Redding was such an amazing singer that even a ragtag collection of his stuff is worth checking out, and this album certainly has its fair share of high points, including "Tramp", a sassy duet with Carla Thomas; the funky "Don't Mess with Cupid"; and the unbelievably poignant "Ole Man Trouble". --Dan Epstein
Customer Reviews
play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.
Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.
Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.
The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.
That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!
Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.
what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.
Young at heart, 02 Oct 2008
Im only 18 and i think that teenagers get a bad rep,yes i love hip hop and yes sometimes i might were a hoody,but i aint gonna hert anyone,and i can apreciate good deep music like this,classic music for any mood.
Fantastic!, 21 Jul 2007
This cd deserves more than 5 stars. Forty great tracks from one of the greatest singers of all time. Otis Redding was a great influence on the likes of Paul Rodgers. What a tragedy he died so young.
Why Otis was unique and will never be forgotten, 17 Jun 2007
If you want to understand why Otis 40 years since he died is still unmatched as a great soul singer, then this excellent compilation of his lifetime recordings (several released after his untimely death in 1967) will provide the evidence.
The collection is well compiled plus transcribed and the running order over both CDs reflects the man's live shows where the changing of pace from outright rockers (Respect, Security, I can't turn you loose, Satisfaction etc.) to emotionally sung tender ballads where every nuance and pitch is perfect (Try a little tenderness, I've been loving you too long etc) kept the levels high. Steve Cropper's quote that recording with Otis was like going to Church in that he inspired you is well evidenced here.
While there are no live tracks here, the 40 tracks are an effective cross section of all his different styles and so provide an otstanding introduction and deserve the tile "The very best of" - I could not think of a studio track I would wish had been included. In addition the set has an excellent set of liner notes covering Otis's recording history.
If suitably aroused by listening to what is contained here, consider looking for the solo albums (especially "Otis Blue") and the DVD "Otis Remembered" which captures him live in performance at Moneterey and in the UK during the Stax/Volt Revue Tour.
The best Otis collection, 01 Jun 2006
This album is the best introduction to Otis you'll find. He sings with such soul it is almost painful at times, yet when he pulls out all the stops and brings the tempo up, you can't help but smile. Songs like 'I've Been Loving You' and 'Change Gonna Come' are sung with such emotion that you fully understand where the phrase soul music came from. This is a great collection showcasing that voice and his amazing song writing. Unsurpassed and essential for any music collection.
wow., 04 Jul 2005
I have always been quite a hard core Indie fan. I cam across my first Otis Redding song 'Try a Little Tenderness' when I was watching the 80s Teen Flick, Pretty In Pink. Even as a cover version, Otis' voice, improvisation and musical feel struck me to hear one of the most emotional, moving and captivating songs I had heard in a long time. It caught my emotions exactly at that moment and now remains a song that is very precious to me.
I would like to say thank you to Otis Redding for opening my eyes to different varieties of amazing music, and for creating this incredible album. As someone said before, it is a shame we lost him at such a young age as he had such a unique talent, but i am thankful his music remains to keep his memory forever
ESSENTIAL COLLECTION - 10 STARS RATING, 30 Oct 2008
Just suppose a Martian arrived at your doorstep and wanted to know about "Soul Music" - this is what you would play. Aretha was at the very height of her powers, and all this stuff - demos amd out takes for me are even more enjoyable than what was released at the time. You will hear Aretha with sparce backing and mimimal production, going places only she could - she grabs hold of a song amd makes it her own - and only Joe Cocker rivals that special talemt. It is amazing these wonderful sounds have been kept in the vaults for so long - but I am so grateful this stuff has appeared. By a mile the greatest ever Aretha collection - worth easily 10x the typical reail price. This is an essential purchase - but be warned this is the real thing - it'll make you cry. Sadly after the 70's Aretha' recorded and live performances plummeted from these dizzy heights and bear no resemblance to what she was doing then. This is an essential purchase for any lover of the soul genre - you play it and think no, no, no, music cannot be this good - I must have died and gone to heaven. I cannot believe there will ever be a better CD.
Nuff said!!!, 17 Feb 2008
Soul nectar, from the Queen.
This is jaw-dropping astonishing stuff. There is so much heart and soul in 'I'm Trying to Overcome' that I wonder why other singers actually bother...
Even if you don't know much of her work, this double CD set is essential. Her cover versions, again, give old songs new meaning.
Listen. Listen again. Enjoy.
Essential for Aretha fans, 29 Dec 2007
Aretha Franklin needs no introduction as the Queen of Soul and the number of Aretha collections available bears testimony to the longevity and the quality of her work. The period 1967 to 1974, when she recorded 10 studio albums and 3 live albums for Atlantic, is the Golden Reign referred to in the title of this set, and the tracks were all recorded during sessions for those albums. During those 7 years, her life had many ups and downs, and the music she made clearly reflected those highs and lows.
Kicking off with the demo which started it all, Aretha does "Never Loved a Man" with just a piano, bass and drum for company, and then we're off and running into the bluesy "Dr Feelgood". From 2 well known tracks, "Sweet Bitter Love" has just the vocal and Aretha on piano. These 3 stripped down demos show the essence of Aretha's Golden Reign - her voice and her piano playing.
What is surprising is that so many of these gems did not find release, either as singles or on album, and the sheer breadth of material Aretha attempted. So there's the Gospel infused Soul that is familiar, but also she interprets Blues from Little Willie John, Pop from the Beatles and songs made famous by a host of Soul artists, always adding her own style. She even does "My Way" and finds something new in the song.
As well as the music, there are superb notes from Jerry Wexler and David Ritz. In fact they are worth the price of the album on their own, as no one could know more about working with Aretha than Jerry Wexler, the producer of most of the Atlantic albums. His insights are both informative and moving.
If you have only ever heard Aretha on compilation albums, then this album may not be for you. Get some of those Atlantic albums first, get behind the hits and discover the full magic that Aretha had during that 7 year period. If you do then you will begin to appreciate just how significant this set is for Aretha aficionados. For us it is essential. Put simply, if you regard yourself as a fan of Aretha you MUST own this collection.
Love is a Serious Business, 18 Dec 2007
This is 140 minutes of almost all unreleased demos, outtakes, and alternate versions recorded by Aretha Franklin at her artistic and commercial prime at Atlantic.
The demos are truly amazing. It took me half an hour to get past the first three tracks the first time I listened. Just Aretha's voice, her instinctive and organic piano playing, and a little percussion, it is just stunning. It has a different effect to the 'deep pocket' Memphis style grooves that we are used to (much as I love those grooves!). It leaves me believing that she would have been a star in any era in any genre.
With fuller lyrics, I now understand the bracketed sub-title to Doctor Feelgood, hence my review title. This version of Van McCoy's 'Sweet Bitter Love' really does it for me. Her emotional connection with the lyrics really comes through. This release makes it the only song, as far as I know, that she releaesd on Columbia, Arista and now Atlantic.
The alternate versions of tracks like 'Rock Steady' and 'I'm In Love' show her artistry, as she does exciting, different things with her voice, than we know on the hit versions.
Disc 2 contains no less than seven outtakes and an alternate version from 'Hey Now Hey, The Other Side Of The Sky'. It is not an album that I know well, beyond its big hit single, but if these are the outtakes, I must get a copy. of it.
I was a couple of months late getting this album. If there is any more stuff in the vaults that they release, I will put my name down on the pre-order list!
Agree totally.., 16 Dec 2007
I agree totally with the other reviewers. My only beef is that there are still several Aretha albums never released on cd which really should have taken priority over this albeit stunning trawl through the vaults of her golden years.
So Much More to Otis Than 'Dock of The Bay', 28 Sep 2008
Everybody knows 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay'. It still gets lots of airplay. There is so much more to Otis than that, and this cheapie is the perfect introduction to a great talent.
The style is southern soul, with intentionally slow strong rhythms and plaintive Memphis horns topped off with Otis' dramatic impassioned soulful vocals.
My fave is his first R&B hit 'These Arms Of Mine', but I love them all. Then of course there is 'Try A Little Tenderness' which could make you a better person, the feeling is so strong.
Chance a few quid and enjoy. I bet you won't regret it.
Not the definitive Dock of the Bay mix..., 17 Aug 2008
I don't have a lot to add to the other reviews of this excellent CD. However; Buyers and listeners should be aware that the mix of "Dock of the Bay" which appears on this collection is - as on so many other compilations - the rather gutless stereo mix that was created in the 1970s and which unfortunately gets most airplay. I have a 1968 mono single and although the "Dock..." track on this CD is undoubtedly the same performance, it's definitely not the same mix - it's an inferior one!
The original mix, which is far more powerful musically is available still on CD, and if you buy (from Amazon of course!) an album called "The Definitive Sound of Atlantic Soul" you will get the original mix, which has a heavier beat and makes much more of Steve Croppers great guitar backing. You'll also get a great many other excellent Atlantic cuts.
I just wish that the copyright owner would stop peddling the gutless mix and get back to the original.
The rest of this album is definitely classic and original stuff though - so do buy this one too.
Very good, 12 Jul 2008
I bought this album recently, having only heard "sitting on the dock of a bay", and i must say he has many better songs. This is a great collection. I especially love "ciggaretes and coffee" "thats how strong my love is" and "a change has got to come".
fab cd !, 09 Mar 2008
this is a fantastic cd. Fantastic voice, from a great soulful gorgeous man ! can listen to this all day ! His voice is second to none, you must buy it !!! He sings with feeling and experience - it shows in his voice.
Soul Legend, 26 Dec 2007
Ironically, the tune for which Otis is best known is untypical of his work. He had made his reputation as the No 1 Soul man with gritty Southern Soul, and had begun to appeal to Rock audiences after his appearance at Monterey. That meant that he was looking to vary his style to make it more acceptable to white audiences, hence "Sittin' on...", a much more mellow tune than he had ever before recorded.
Unfortunately he never saw it's release, he died in the plane accident thta killed him, his manager and all but one of his band The Markeys. Otis would have been a huge star, he died just as the Soul bandwagon was becoming unstoppable. His death in 1968 robbed the world of a finding out just what he could have become. What a shame it is that his work has become best known because of a film where people make pale (literally) versions of his classics.
This collection covers most of his best known songs, although not in chronological order, showing the vast vocal talent that Otis possessed. His ability to take a song and make it his own is clear on both the uptempo ("Respect") and ballads ("Try A Little Tenderness"). It is likely that you will have most of these in your collection if you are a Soul fan, but for the more casual listener, this is a very good place to start - and it includes the sublime "That's How Strong...", on it's own worth the price. Recommended.
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The Best Of Booker T. & The MG's
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Booker T. & The MG's;
Atlantic;
1992-06-22;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £2.86
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Customer Reviews
play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.
Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.
Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.
The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.
That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!
Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.
what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.
Young at heart, 02 Oct 2008
Im only 18 and i think that teenagers get a bad rep,yes i love hip hop and yes sometimes i might were a hoody,but i aint gonna hert anyone,and i can apreciate good deep music like this,classic music for any mood.
Fantastic!, 21 Jul 2007
This cd deserves more than 5 stars. Forty great tracks from one of the greatest singers of all time. Otis Redding was a great influence on the likes of Paul Rodgers. What a tragedy he died so young.
Why Otis was unique and will never be forgotten, 17 Jun 2007
If you want to understand why Otis 40 years since he died is still unmatched as a great soul singer, then this excellent compilation of his lifetime recordings (several released after his untimely death in 1967) will provide the evidence.
The collection is well compiled plus transcribed and the running order over both CDs reflects the man's live shows where the changing of pace from outright rockers (Respect, Security, I can't turn you loose, Satisfaction etc.) to emotionally sung tender ballads where every nuance and pitch is perfect (Try a little tenderness, I've been loving you too long etc) kept the levels high. Steve Cropper's quote that recording with Otis was like going to Church in that he inspired you is well evidenced here.
While there are no live tracks here, the 40 tracks are an effective cross section of all his different styles and so provide an otstanding introduction and deserve the tile "The very best of" - I could not think of a studio track I would wish had been included. In addition the set has an excellent set of liner notes covering Otis's recording history.
If suitably aroused by listening to what is contained here, consider looking for the solo albums (especially "Otis Blue") and the DVD "Otis Remembered" which captures him live in performance at Moneterey and in the UK during the Stax/Volt Revue Tour.
The best Otis collection, 01 Jun 2006
This album is the best introduction to Otis you'll find. He sings with such soul it is almost painful at times, yet when he pulls out all the stops and brings the tempo up, you can't help but smile. Songs like 'I've Been Loving You' and 'Change Gonna Come' are sung with such emotion that you fully understand where the phrase soul music came from. This is a great collection showcasing that voice and his amazing song writing. Unsurpassed and essential for any music collection.
wow., 04 Jul 2005
I have always been quite a hard core Indie fan. I cam across my first Otis Redding song 'Try a Little Tenderness' when I was watching the 80s Teen Flick, Pretty In Pink. Even as a cover version, Otis' voice, improvisation and musical feel struck me to hear one of the most emotional, moving and captivating songs I had heard in a long time. It caught my emotions exactly at that moment and now remains a song that is very precious to me.
I would like to say thank you to Otis Redding for opening my eyes to different varieties of amazing music, and for creating this incredible album. As someone said before, it is a shame we lost him at such a young age as he had such a unique talent, but i am thankful his music remains to keep his memory forever
ESSENTIAL COLLECTION - 10 STARS RATING, 30 Oct 2008
Just suppose a Martian arrived at your doorstep and wanted to know about "Soul Music" - this is what you would play. Aretha was at the very height of her powers, and all this stuff - demos amd out takes for me are even more enjoyable than what was released at the time. You will hear Aretha with sparce backing and mimimal production, going places only she could - she grabs hold of a song amd makes it her own - and only Joe Cocker rivals that special talemt. It is amazing these wonderful sounds have been kept in the vaults for so long - but I am so grateful this stuff has appeared. By a mile the greatest ever Aretha collection - worth easily 10x the typical reail price. This is an essential purchase - but be warned this is the real thing - it'll make you cry. Sadly after the 70's Aretha' recorded and live performances plummeted from these dizzy heights and bear no resemblance to what she was doing then. This is an essential purchase for any lover of the soul genre - you play it and think no, no, no, music cannot be this good - I must have died and gone to heaven. I cannot believe there will ever be a better CD.
Nuff said!!!, 17 Feb 2008
Soul nectar, from the Queen.
This is jaw-dropping astonishing stuff. There is so much heart and soul in 'I'm Trying to Overcome' that I wonder why other singers actually bother...
Even if you don't know much of her work, this double CD set is essential. Her cover versions, again, give old songs new meaning.
Listen. Listen again. Enjoy.
Essential for Aretha fans, 29 Dec 2007
Aretha Franklin needs no introduction as the Queen of Soul and the number of Aretha collections available bears testimony to the longevity and the quality of her work. The period 1967 to 1974, when she recorded 10 studio albums and 3 live albums for Atlantic, is the Golden Reign referred to in the title of this set, and the tracks were all recorded during sessions for those albums. During those 7 years, her life had many ups and downs, and the music she made clearly reflected those highs and lows.
Kicking off with the demo which started it all, Aretha does "Never Loved a Man" with just a piano, bass and drum for company, and then we're off and running into the bluesy "Dr Feelgood". From 2 well known tracks, "Sweet Bitter Love" has just the vocal and Aretha on piano. These 3 stripped down demos show the essence of Aretha's Golden Reign - her voice and her piano playing.
What is surprising is that so many of these gems did not find release, either as singles or on album, and the sheer breadth of material Aretha attempted. So there's the Gospel infused Soul that is familiar, but also she interprets Blues from Little Willie John, Pop from the Beatles and songs made famous by a host of Soul artists, always adding her own style. She even does "My Way" and finds something new in the song.
As well as the music, there are superb notes from Jerry Wexler and David Ritz. In fact they are worth the price of the album on their own, as no one could know more about working with Aretha than Jerry Wexler, the producer of most of the Atlantic albums. His insights are both informative and moving.
If you have only ever heard Aretha on compilation albums, then this album may not be for you. Get some of those Atlantic albums first, get behind the hits and discover the full magic that Aretha had during that 7 year period. If you do then you will begin to appreciate just how significant this set is for Aretha aficionados. For us it is essential. Put simply, if you regard yourself as a fan of Aretha you MUST own this collection.
Love is a Serious Business, 18 Dec 2007
This is 140 minutes of almost all unreleased demos, outtakes, and alternate versions recorded by Aretha Franklin at her artistic and commercial prime at Atlantic.
The demos are truly amazing. It took me half an hour to get past the first three tracks the first time I listened. Just Aretha's voice, her instinctive and organic piano playing, and a little percussion, it is just stunning. It has a different effect to the 'deep pocket' Memphis style grooves that we are used to (much as I love those grooves!). It leaves me believing that she would have been a star in any era in any genre.
With fuller lyrics, I now understand the bracketed sub-title to Doctor Feelgood, hence my review title. This version of Van McCoy's 'Sweet Bitter Love' really does it for me. Her emotional connection with the lyrics really comes through. This release makes it the only song, as far as I know, that she releaesd on Columbia, Arista and now Atlantic.
The alternate versions of tracks like 'Rock Steady' and 'I'm In Love' show her artistry, as she does exciting, different things with her voice, than we know on the hit versions.
Disc 2 contains no less than seven outtakes and an alternate version from 'Hey Now Hey, The Other Side Of The Sky'. It is not an album that I know well, beyond its big hit single, but if these are the outtakes, I must get a copy. of it.
I was a couple of months late getting this album. If there is any more stuff in the vaults that they release, I will put my name down on the pre-order list!
Agree totally.., 16 Dec 2007
I agree totally with the other reviewers. My only beef is that there are still several Aretha albums never released on cd which really should have taken priority over this albeit stunning trawl through the vaults of her golden years.
So Much More to Otis Than 'Dock of The Bay', 28 Sep 2008
Everybody knows 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay'. It still gets lots of airplay. There is so much more to Otis than that, and this cheapie is the perfect introduction to a great talent.
The style is southern soul, with intentionally slow strong rhythms and plaintive Memphis horns topped off with Otis' dramatic impassioned soulful vocals.
My fave is his first R&B hit 'These Arms Of Mine', but I love them all. Then of course there is 'Try A Little Tenderness' which could make you a better person, the feeling is so strong.
Chance a few quid and enjoy. I bet you won't regret it.
Not the definitive Dock of the Bay mix..., 17 Aug 2008
I don't have a lot to add to the other reviews of this excellent CD. However; Buyers and listeners should be aware that the mix of "Dock of the Bay" which appears on this collection is - as on so many other compilations - the rather gutless stereo mix that was created in the 1970s and which unfortunately gets most airplay. I have a 1968 mono single and although the "Dock..." track on this CD is undoubtedly the same performance, it's definitely not the same mix - it's an inferior one!
The original mix, which is far more powerful musically is available still on CD, and if you buy (from Amazon of course!) an album called "The Definitive Sound of Atlantic Soul" you will get the original mix, which has a heavier beat and makes much more of Steve Croppers great guitar backing. You'll also get a great many other excellent Atlantic cuts.
I just wish that the copyright owner would stop peddling the gutless mix and get back to the original.
The rest of this album is definitely classic and original stuff though - so do buy this one too.
Very good, 12 Jul 2008
I bought this album recently, having only heard "sitting on the dock of a bay", and i must say he has many better songs. This is a great collection. I especially love "ciggaretes and coffee" "thats how strong my love is" and "a change has got to come".
fab cd !, 09 Mar 2008
this is a fantastic cd. Fantastic voice, from a great soulful gorgeous man ! can listen to this all day ! His voice is second to none, you must buy it !!! He sings with feeling and experience - it shows in his voice.
Soul Legend, 26 Dec 2007
Ironically, the tune for which Otis is best known is untypical of his work. He had made his reputation as the No 1 Soul man with gritty Southern Soul, and had begun to appeal to Rock audiences after his appearance at Monterey. That meant that he was looking to vary his style to make it more acceptable to white audiences, hence "Sittin' on...", a much more mellow tune than he had ever before recorded.
Unfortunately he never saw it's release, he died in the plane accident thta killed him, his manager and all but one of his band The Markeys. Otis would have been a huge star, he died just as the Soul bandwagon was becoming unstoppable. His death in 1968 robbed the world of a finding out just what he could have become. What a shame it is that his work has become best known because of a film where people make pale (literally) versions of his classics.
This collection covers most of his best known songs, although not in chronological order, showing the vast vocal talent that Otis possessed. His ability to take a song and make it his own is clear on both the uptempo ("Respect") and ballads ("Try A Little Tenderness"). It is likely that you will have most of these in your collection if you are a Soul fan, but for the more casual listener, this is a very good place to start - and it includes the sublime "That's How Strong...", on it's own worth the price. Recommended.
Best of post-Atlantic period, 22 Oct 2007
These are the best of the Booker T & MGs recording from 1968 to 1972, after their succesful Atlantic career. Time is tight, Soul limbo and Melting pot were the huge hits with a more funky and outspoken sound. The other instrumentals vary from good to excellent (great versions of Born under a bad sign, Something, Mrs. Robinson) except for the weak vocals on Johnny I love you. This is the one to buy after the Atlantic Best Ofs.
In the groove, 27 Feb 2007
Released during the LP age, weighing in at only forty minutes and missing the later hits, 'Time Is Tight' and 'Soul Limbo', this collection nevertheless works like a an original album in its own right. This is the early Booker T and the Mgs, the era that contains their finest performances. The later hits are OK, but wouldn't really fit in here. Their classic groove, 'Green Onions', kicks off the album and is followed by a couple of tracks with a similar style, but thereafter the band explore a diverse range of soul, r&b and latin rhythms, without straying too far from their basic strengths. While the organ provides the colour, the rest of the band form the tightest rhythm section of the 1960s. These instrumentals will move any part of you that can move (with a couple of honourable exceptions), with only their magnificent, brooding cover of 'Summertime' to slow things down.
One of the great house bands, 07 Feb 2007
You will probably know several of these (if you like cricket for instance) but there is much to recommend from this collection of instrumentals from the STAX house band. As well as playing on virtually all that labels greatest hits, they found time to record some hugely entertaining stuff. So you get "Time is Tight", "Soul Limbo" and "Green Onions" rubbing shoulders with lesser known, but still excellent tracks like "Bootleg", "Soul Dressing" and "Hip Hug Her".
Each member of the band can claim fame in their own right, Booker T, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson and "Duck" Dunn set the standard for Soul instrumentals and were probably rivalled only by the Funk brothers at Motown, and the bands James Brown put together for their influence.
For those interested in Soul, well worth your attention and you might find something you haven't heard before too.
The Band Who Define The Word 'Tight', 02 Oct 2003
This is great compilation from the best Soul 'instrumentalists...ever! My only criticism is that the 'Red Beans & Rice' version on here, is a live one from the European Stax Tour in 1967. This is a real shame, as the studio version is a real cracker. It is available on a Cd called 'Great R&B Instrumentals' by various bands, on the 'Ace' label. Apart from that its superb. This is the band that, along with the Mar-Keys, were present on almost every Stax classic.
Cool and easy listening, 21 Jan 2002
I have been a fan of BT & MG,s since i was a teenager, my all time favorite being time is tight. I usually don,t like organ music, you know the sort you get in the local social club! But this is absolutely brill it also has some good memories for me, i find you can chill out or step it up abit depending on your mood
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Stax - 50th Anniversary Celebration
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Various Artists;
Stax;
2007-05-21;
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Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £8.45
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Customer Reviews
play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.
Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.
Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.
The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.
That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!
Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.
what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.
Young at heart, 02 Oct 2008
Im only 18 and i think that teenagers get a bad rep,yes i love hip hop and yes sometimes i might were a hoody,but i aint gonna hert anyone,and i can apreciate good deep music like this,classic music for any mood.
Fantastic!, 21 Jul 2007
This cd deserves more than 5 stars. Forty great tracks from one of the greatest singers of all time. Otis Redding was a great influence on the likes of Paul Rodgers. What a tragedy he died so young.
Why Otis was unique and will never be forgotten, 17 Jun 2007
If you want to understand why Otis 40 years since he died is still unmatched as a great soul singer, then this excellent compilation of his lifetime recordings (several released after his untimely death in 1967) will provide the evidence.
The collection is well compiled plus transcribed and the running order over both CDs reflects the man's live shows where the changing of pace from outright rockers (Respect, Security, I can't turn you loose, Satisfaction etc.) to emotionally sung tender ballads where every nuance and pitch is perfect (Try a little tenderness, I've been loving you too long etc) kept the levels high. Steve Cropper's quote that recording with Otis was like going to Church in that he inspired you is well evidenced here.
While there are no live tracks here, the 40 tracks are an effective cross section of all his different styles and so provide an otstanding introduction and deserve the tile "The very best of" - I could not think of a studio track I would wish had been included. In addition the set has an excellent set of liner notes covering Otis's recording history.
If suitably aroused by listening to what is contained here, consider looking for the solo albums (especially "Otis Blue") and the DVD "Otis Remembered" which captures him live in performance at Moneterey and in the UK during the Stax/Volt Revue Tour.
The best Otis collection, 01 Jun 2006
This album is the best introduction to Otis you'll find. He sings with such soul it is almost painful at times, yet when he pulls out all the stops and brings the tempo up, you can't help but smile. Songs like 'I've Been Loving You' and 'Change Gonna Come' are sung with such emotion that you fully understand where the phrase soul music came from. This is a great collection showcasing that voice and his amazing song writing. Unsurpassed and essential for any music collection.
wow., 04 Jul 2005
I have always been quite a hard core Indie fan. I cam across my first Otis Redding song 'Try a Little Tenderness' when I was watching the 80s Teen Flick, Pretty In Pink. Even as a cover version, Otis' voice, improvisation and musical feel struck me to hear one of the most emotional, moving and captivating songs I had heard in a long time. It caught my emotions exactly at that moment and now remains a song that is very precious to me.
I would like to say thank you to Otis Redding for opening my eyes to different varieties of amazing music, and for creating this incredible album. As someone said before, it is a shame we lost him at such a young age as he had such a unique talent, but i am thankful his music remains to keep his memory forever
ESSENTIAL COLLECTION - 10 STARS RATING, 30 Oct 2008
Just suppose a Martian arrived at your doorstep and wanted to know about "Soul Music" - this is what you would play. Aretha was at the very height of her powers, and all this stuff - demos amd out takes for me are even more enjoyable than what was released at the time. You will hear Aretha with sparce backing and mimimal production, going places only she could - she grabs hold of a song amd makes it her own - and only Joe Cocker rivals that special talemt. It is amazing these wonderful sounds have been kept in the vaults for so long - but I am so grateful this stuff has appeared. By a mile the greatest ever Aretha collection - worth easily 10x the typical reail price. This is an essential purchase - but be warned this is the real thing - it'll make you cry. Sadly after the 70's Aretha' recorded and live performances plummeted from these dizzy heights and bear no resemblance to what she was doing then. This is an essential purchase for any lover of the soul genre - you play it and think no, no, no, music cannot be this good - I must have died and gone to heaven. I cannot believe there will ever be a better CD.
Nuff said!!!, 17 Feb 2008
Soul nectar, from the Queen.
This is jaw-dropping astonishing stuff. There is so much heart and soul in 'I'm Trying to Overcome' that I wonder why other singers actually bother...
Even if you don't know much of her work, this double CD set is essential. Her cover versions, again, give old songs new meaning.
Listen. Listen again. Enjoy.
Essential for Aretha fans, 29 Dec 2007
Aretha Franklin needs no introduction as the Queen of Soul and the number of Aretha collections available bears testimony to the longevity and the quality of her work. The period 1967 to 1974, when she recorded 10 studio albums and 3 live albums for Atlantic, is the Golden Reign referred to in the title of this set, and the tracks were all recorded during sessions for those albums. During those 7 years, her life had many ups and downs, and the music she made clearly reflected those highs and lows.
Kicking off with the demo which started it all, Aretha does "Never Loved a Man" with just a piano, bass and drum for company, and then we're off and running into the bluesy "Dr Feelgood". From 2 well known tracks, "Sweet Bitter Love" has just the vocal and Aretha on piano. These 3 stripped down demos show the essence of Aretha's Golden Reign - her voice and her piano playing.
What is surprising is that so many of these gems did not find release, either as singles or on album, and the sheer breadth of material Aretha attempted. So there's the Gospel infused Soul that is familiar, but also she interprets Blues from Little Willie John, Pop from the Beatles and songs made famous by a host of Soul artists, always adding her own style. She even does "My Way" and finds something new in the song.
As well as the music, there are superb notes from Jerry Wexler and David Ritz. In fact they are worth the price of the album on their own, as no one could know more about working with Aretha than Jerry Wexler, the producer of most of the Atlantic albums. His insights are both informative and moving.
If you have only ever heard Aretha on compilation albums, then this album may not be for you. Get some of those Atlantic albums first, get behind the hits and discover the full magic that Aretha had during that 7 year period. If you do then you will begin to appreciate just how significant this set is for Aretha aficionados. For us it is essential. Put simply, if you regard yourself as a fan of Aretha you MUST own this collection.
Love is a Serious Business, 18 Dec 2007
This is 140 minutes of almost all unreleased demos, outtakes, and alternate versions recorded by Aretha Franklin at her artistic and commercial prime at Atlantic.
The demos are truly amazing. It took me half an hour to get past the first three tracks the first time I listened. Just Aretha's voice, her instinctive and organic piano playing, and a little percussion, it is just stunning. It has a different effect to the 'deep pocket' Memphis style grooves that we are used to (much as I love those grooves!). It leaves me believing that she would have been a star in any era in any genre.
With fuller lyrics, I now understand the bracketed sub-title to Doctor Feelgood, hence my review title. This version of Van McCoy's 'Sweet Bitter Love' really does it for me. Her emotional connection with the lyrics really comes through. This release makes it the only song, as far as I know, that she releaesd on Columbia, Arista and now Atlantic.
The alternate versions of tracks like 'Rock Steady' and 'I'm In Love' show her artistry, as she does exciting, different things with her voice, than we know on the hit versions.
Disc 2 contains no less than seven outtakes and an alternate version from 'Hey Now Hey, The Other Side Of The Sky'. It is not an album that I know well, beyond its big hit single, but if these are the outtakes, I must get a copy. of it.
I was a couple of months late getting this album. If there is any more stuff in the vaults that they release, I will put my name down on the pre-order list!
Agree totally.., 16 Dec 2007
I agree totally with the other reviewers. My only beef is that there are still several Aretha albums never released on cd which really should have taken priority over this albeit stunning trawl through the vaults of her golden years.
So Much More to Otis Than 'Dock of The Bay', 28 Sep 2008
Everybody knows 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay'. It still gets lots of airplay. There is so much more to Otis than that, and this cheapie is the perfect introduction to a great talent.
The style is southern soul, with intentionally slow strong rhythms and plaintive Memphis horns topped off with Otis' dramatic impassioned soulful vocals.
My fave is his first R&B hit 'These Arms Of Mine', but I love them all. Then of course there is 'Try A Little Tenderness' which could make you a better person, the feeling is so strong.
Chance a few quid and enjoy. I bet you won't regret it.
Not the definitive Dock of the Bay mix..., 17 Aug 2008
I don't have a lot to add to the other reviews of this excellent CD. However; Buyers and listeners should be aware that the mix of "Dock of the Bay" which appears on this collection is - as on so many other compilations - the rather gutless stereo mix that was created in the 1970s and which unfortunately gets most airplay. I have a 1968 mono single and although the "Dock..." track on this CD is undoubtedly the same performance, it's definitely not the same mix - it's an inferior one!
The original mix, which is far more powerful musically is available still on CD, and if you buy (from Amazon of course!) an album called "The Definitive Sound of Atlantic Soul" you will get the original mix, which has a heavier beat and makes much more of Steve Croppers great guitar backing. You'll also get a great many other excellent Atlantic cuts.
I just wish that the copyright owner would stop peddling the gutless mix and get back to the original.
The rest of this album is definitely classic and original stuff though - so do buy this one too.
Very good, 12 Jul 2008
I bought this album recently, having only heard "sitting on the dock of a bay", and i must say he has many better songs. This is a great collection. I especially love "ciggaretes and coffee" "thats how strong my love is" and "a change has got to come".
fab cd !, 09 Mar 2008
this is a fantastic cd. Fantastic voice, from a great soulful gorgeous man ! can listen to this all day ! His voice is second to none, you must buy it !!! He sings with feeling and experience - it shows in his voice.
Soul Legend, 26 Dec 2007
Ironically, the tune for which Otis is best known is untypical of his work. He had made his reputation as the No 1 Soul man with gritty Southern Soul, and had begun to appeal to Rock audiences after his appearance at Monterey. That meant that he was looking to vary his style to make it more acceptable to white audiences, hence "Sittin' on...", a much more mellow tune than he had ever before recorded.
Unfortunately he never saw it's release, he died in the plane accident thta killed him, his manager and all but one of his band The Markeys. Otis would have been a huge star, he died just as the Soul bandwagon was becoming unstoppable. His death in 1968 robbed the world of a finding out just what he could have become. What a shame it is that his work has become best known because of a film where people make pale (literally) versions of his classics.
This collection covers most of his best known songs, although not in chronological order, showing the vast vocal talent that Otis possessed. His ability to take a song and make it his own is clear on both the uptempo ("Respect") and ballads ("Try A Little Tenderness"). It is likely that you will have most of these in your collection if you are a Soul fan, but for the more casual listener, this is a very good place to start - and it includes the sublime "That's How Strong...", on it's own worth the price. Recommended.
Best of post-Atlantic period, 22 Oct 2007
These are the best of the Booker T & MGs recording from 1968 to 1972, after their succesful Atlantic career. Time is tight, Soul limbo and Melting pot were the huge hits with a more funky and outspoken sound. The other instrumentals vary from good to excellent (great versions of Born under a bad sign, Something, Mrs. Robinson) except for the weak vocals on Johnny I love you. This is the one to buy after the Atlantic Best Ofs.
In the groove, 27 Feb 2007
Released during the LP age, weighing in at only forty minutes and missing the later hits, 'Time Is Tight' and 'Soul Limbo', this collection nevertheless works like a an original album in its own right. This is the early Booker T and the Mgs, the era that contains their finest performances. The later hits are OK, but wouldn't really fit in here. Their classic groove, 'Green Onions', kicks off the album and is followed by a couple of tracks with a similar style, but thereafter the band explore a diverse range of soul, r&b and latin rhythms, without straying too far from their basic strengths. While the organ provides the colour, the rest of the band form the tightest rhythm section of the 1960s. These instrumentals will move any part of you that can move (with a couple of honourable exceptions), with only their magnificent, brooding cover of 'Summertime' to slow things down.
One of the great house bands, 07 Feb 2007
You will probably know several of these (if you like cricket for instance) but there is much to recommend from this collection of instrumentals from the STAX house band. As well as playing on virtually all that labels greatest hits, they found time to record some hugely entertaining stuff. So you get "Time is Tight", "Soul Limbo" and "Green Onions" rubbing shoulders with lesser known, but still excellent tracks like "Bootleg", "Soul Dressing" and "Hip Hug Her".
Each member of the band can claim fame in their own right, Booker T, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson and "Duck" Dunn set the standard for Soul instrumentals and were probably rivalled only by the Funk brothers at Motown, and the bands James Brown put together for their influence.
For those interested in Soul, well worth your attention and you might find something you haven't heard before too.
The Band Who Define The Word 'Tight', 02 Oct 2003
This is great compilation from the best Soul 'instrumentalists...ever! My only criticism is that the 'Red Beans & Rice' version on here, is a live one from the European Stax Tour in 1967. This is a real shame, as the studio version is a real cracker. It is available on a Cd called 'Great R&B Instrumentals' by various bands, on the 'Ace' label. Apart from that its superb. This is the band that, along with the Mar-Keys, were present on almost every Stax classic.
Cool and easy listening, 21 Jan 2002
I have been a fan of BT & MG,s since i was a teenager, my all time favorite being time is tight. I usually don,t like organ music, you know the sort you get in the local social club! But this is absolutely brill it also has some good memories for me, i find you can chill out or step it up abit depending on your mood
Have I gone & staxed my soul.,, 25 Sep 2008
Clambering out of my bat cave I stumbled into,no not robin,but this box set.It's a blinder.Hay 'mr.big stuff''Time is tight'can I do the'soul limbo."A what am I going on about back there",here's the big stuff it's a great box set from stax.Iv not got that much soul,so most of it was new to me,what a treat. P.S. sorry I have nothing to add as from where Stax came from,but I am a smart arse!
If You Like Music, Soul Music, 25 Jul 2008
If you are a serious Soul fan you will have most of these tracks already.
If you are a Music fan you will be familiar with most of the twenty or so Stax artist featured on this fifty track CD.
This is no Greatest Hits Collection (plenty of them here on Amazon)but a wonderful insight into one of the greatest Record Labels of the sixties and early seventies.
If you like Music, Soul Music, then this is a worthy addition to any CD Collection
In a music store near you, 15 Apr 2008
Not fot the first time we get a Stax retrospective but here it comes with the half century marker.
Like the other famous Memphis label-Sun-the label concentrated on black music after its beginnings as a country music label called Satellite.
The first hit single was by Carla Thomas daugter of Rufus who'd once been on Sun and who made the first Stax single as a duet with Carla.
Gee Whiz strraddled the boundaries between high school pop and R & B and has been much covered.
Sun was actually ready to set as Stax set the pace for what was to follow in the 60s which was even blacker music and the label would eventually be sold out to the corporates in the 70s
The reissue programs would come shortly and it never ends
The Premier Soul label, 09 Jun 2007
Stax was responsible for the sound we have come to call Soul. Curiously for a Black Music institution, it's success was a result of a multi racial mix (Booker T and the MGs were 2 Black, 2 White for example), and there's plenty of evidence of the link between R & B and Country music in Stax output - those being the dominant musical genres in the South and especially Memphis.
If you are a Soul music fan, then you may have many of these tracks in your collection and be familiar with most, but put together like this, these 50 tracks leave no-one in any doubt that here was a musical phenemenon.
This is music from an era where the radio was king and getting a song played was the key to getting a hit record. In the early days, Stax perfected the art of producing songs that not only matched the 3 minute song format, but also had something to say - that was usually about love and loss, although you'll also find instrumentals and dance tunes.
The death of Otis Redding is often cited as a watershed for Stax. There were however, other factors which also forced the label to change. The licensing deal that had existed with Atlantic was discovered to have given the rights to all the Stax songs to Atlantic, which meant effectively, the label had no back catalogue. Add to that the increase in racial tension following the death of Martin Luther King and you had a set of circumstances which pushed Stax into a different direction, albeit one that would take a couple of years to become fully apparent.
So, this compilation journeys from "Gee Whiz" and it's innocence, through the emotion of Otis and his peers and on to the orchestral Soul of Isaac Hayes and the Civil Rights anthems of The Staple Singers, before something of a return to the roots with The Soul Children and Shirley Brown. It is journey you will find worth taking
Stax of timeless brilliance., 28 Apr 2007
Would you believe that Stax started as a country label but through gospel almost inadvertently gained an interest in soul music. Not bad for a label that along with the more commercially popular Motown is the most influential in black music( Though you could throw in reggae labels like Trojan if you were feeling picky )It's initial success rooted from the deep South with it's heavy gospel influence ushered in one revolution in black music but after the death of Otis Redding in 1967 and the disbanding of Sam & Dave, the label marshalled a new brand of soul all over again led by Isaac Hayes. It ,s this ability to adapt and innovate that makes this such an important label , as well as the brilliant music of course.
Jim Stewart along with Estelle Axton founded the label in Memphis as "Satellite " records but it wasn't till 1961 that the label achieved it's first top ten hit with the gospel harmonies of "Gee Whiz( Look At His Eyes)" by Carla Thomas. It was the formation of it's in house rhythm section Booker T & the MG,s that really nailed the Stax sound . The horn section , which later became The Memphis horns , provided brassy backing, funked up and slinky, and their three tracks-"Green Onions " , Soul Limbo" (Or the cricket music as it was known in my formative years) and "Time Is Tight"- on this fifty track compilation are instantly recognisable classics .
The emergence of Otis Redding , a singer of truly outstanding emotive talent , gave the label further credence , not to mention some of the songs he wrote -"Respect" and the ever superb "(Sittin On) The Dock Of The Bay"- a song that still gives me goose bumps bigger than maltesers. Add to that the emollient tones of Sam & Dave , the bluesy Albert King , and the graceful ballads of William Bell and the label had a formidable array of talent .
Even after Booker T & the MG,s influence waned, at least on the playing side( the band did more administrative work than session playing as the sixties merged into the seventies) the label under the guidance of Al Bell continued to prosper and not just that either. Former songwriter, producer and session player Isaac Hayes became an artist in his own right mixing up funk , jazz , soul and mellifluous easy listening to startling and groundbreaking effect . The albums "Shaft" ( Which kick started the blaxploitation movement and meant Stax became central to black America's disenchantment with society and those in power ) and "Hot Buttered Soul" ( A work of genius which should be in any albums to hear before you die list) sold millions of copies . Then there were The Staples Singers commercial gospel sound , the close knit harmonies of Mel & Tim, the more classic Stax Soul Children and oddities like the swinging irreducible "Mr Big Stuff".
Something went badly wrong somewhere however , as the label was declared bankrupt in 1975 amid allegations of financial corruption and mis-management. In 1977 all Stax,s assets , including all contracts and masters were purchased by a group who then licensed "Fantasy" records to handle all Stax product (as they put it) It may be product to some but to most , it's timeless evocative brilliance and it's good to know that their artists and legacy is still being appreciated today and that's why this release is the least this defining label deserves.
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Customer Reviews
play it - love it, 01 Jan 2008
The mix of music is perfect.Lulu was great and loved Valantine moon. Gave as christmas presents all round.
Great album - but not much for the long time fan, 11 Nov 2007
I can't argue with the sound of this music. It is all of the highest quality.
Tuxedo Junction always makes me smile, as do most of the other tracks. I would suggest people hunt out the three 'And Friends' albums, as I reckon they could pick those up for not much more than this best of, and have three times as much music, without missing much.
The only issue I have with this album (hence missing the fifth star) is that there is not much incentive to buy this album if you already own the three aforementioned 'And Friends' albums. A better idea would have been to do a retrospective of Jools' solo (or non Squeeze) career, which spans the best part of 25 years, thus giving more 'new' material to more people.
That said, the music is all good, and if you want to smile like a loon, and dance like one too, this album is for you!
Jools Holland Best of Friends CD/DVD, 24 Oct 2007
This is also my first Jools Holland album and I agree with the previous review Wow!! excellent music you'll love it.
what a load of excellent tunes, 18 Oct 2007
This is my first Jools Holland album, i only got it today and so far i have not stopped playing it. Excellent music, tuxedo junction is ace. I'm gonna share this with the neighbourhood so loud, i absolutely love it.
i'm going to buy more when i get paid.
Young at heart, 02 Oct 2008
Im only 18 and i think that teenagers get a bad rep,yes i love hip hop and yes sometimes i might were a hoody,but i aint gonna hert anyone,and i can apreciate good deep music like this,classic music for any mood.
Fantastic!, 21 Jul 2007
This cd deserves more than 5 stars. Forty great tracks from one of the greatest singers of all time. Otis Redding was a great influence on the likes of Paul Rodgers. What a tragedy he died so young.
Why Otis was unique and will never be forgotten, 17 Jun 2007
If you want to understand why Otis 40 years since he died is still unmatched as a great soul singer, then this excellent compilation of his lifetime recordings (several released after his untimely death in 1967) will provide the evidence.
The collection is well compiled plus transcribed and the running order over both CDs reflects the man's live shows where the changing of pace from outright rockers (Respect, Security, I can't turn you loose, Satisfaction etc.) to emotionally sung tender ballads where every nuance and pitch is perfect (Try a little tenderness, I've been loving you too long etc) kept the levels high. Steve Cropper's quote that recording with Otis was like going to Church in that he inspired you is well evidenced here.
While there are no live tracks here, the 40 tracks are an effective cross section of all his different styles and so provide an otstanding introduction and deserve the tile "The very best of" - I could not think of a studio track I would wish had been included. In addition the set has an excellent set of liner notes covering Otis's recording history.
If suitably aroused by listening to what is contained here, consider looking for the solo albums (especially "Otis Blue") and the DVD "Otis Remembered" which captures him live in performance at Moneterey and in the UK during the Stax/Volt Revue Tour.
The best Otis collection, 01 Jun 2006
This album is the best introduction to Otis you'll find. He sings with such soul it is almost painful at times, yet when he pulls out all the stops and brings the tempo up, you can't help but smile. Songs like 'I've Been Loving You' and 'Change Gonna Come' are sung with such emotion that you fully understand where the phrase soul music came from. This is a great collection showcasing that voice and his amazing song writing. Unsurpassed and essential for any music collection.
wow., 04 Jul 2005
I have always been quite a hard core Indie fan. I cam across my first Otis Redding song 'Try a Little Tenderness' when I was watching the 80s Teen Flick, Pretty In Pink. Even as a cover version, Otis' voice, improvisation and musical feel struck me to hear one of the most emotional, moving and captivating songs I had heard in a long time. It caught my emotions exactly at that moment and now remains a song that is very precious to me.
I would like to say thank you to Otis Redding for opening my eyes to different varieties of amazing music, and for creating this incredible album. As someone said before, it is a shame we lost him at such a young age as he had such a unique talent, but i am thankful his music remains to keep his memory forever
ESSENTIAL COLLECTION - 10 STARS RATING, 30 Oct 2008
Just suppose a Martian arrived at your doorstep and wanted to know about "Soul Music" - this is what you would play. Aretha was at the very height of her powers, and all this stuff - demos amd out takes for me are even more enjoyable than what was released at the time. You will hear Aretha with sparce backing and mimimal production, going places only she could - she grabs hold of a song amd makes it her own - and only Joe Cocker rivals that special talemt. It is amazing these wonderful sounds have been kept in the vaults for so long - but I am so grateful this stuff has appeared. By a mile the greatest ever Aretha collection - worth easily 10x the typical reail price. This is an essential purchase - but be warned this is the real thing - it'll make you cry. Sadly after the 70's Aretha' recorded and live performances plummeted from these dizzy heights and bear no resemblance to what she was doing then. This is an essential purchase for any lover of the soul genre - you play it and think no, no, no, music cannot be this good - I must have died and gone to heaven. I cannot believe there will ever be a better CD.
Nuff said!!!, 17 Feb 2008
Soul nectar, from the Queen.
This is jaw-dropping astonishing stuff. There is so much heart and soul in 'I'm Trying to Overcome' that I wonder why other singers actually bother...
Even if you don't know much of her work, this double CD set is essential. Her cover versions, again, give old songs new meaning.
Listen. Listen again. Enjoy.
Essential for Aretha fans, 29 Dec 2007
Aretha Franklin needs no introduction as the Queen of Soul and the number of Aretha collections available bears testimony to the longevity and the quality of her work. The period 1967 to 1974, when she recorded 10 studio albums and 3 live albums for Atlantic, is the Golden Reign referred to in the title of this set, and the tracks were all recorded during sessions for those albums. During those 7 years, her life had many ups and downs, and the music she made clearly reflected those highs and lows.
Kicking off with the demo which started it all, Aretha does "Never Loved a Man" with just a piano, bass and drum for company, and then we're off and running into the bluesy "Dr Feelgood". From 2 well known tracks, "Sweet Bitter Love" has just the vocal and Aretha on piano. These 3 stripped down demos show the essence of Aretha's Golden Reign - her voice and her piano playing.
What is surprising is that so many of these gems did not find release, either as singles or on album, and the sheer breadth of material Aretha attempted. So there's the Gospel infused Soul that is familiar, but also she interprets Blues from Little Willie John, Pop from the Beatles and songs made famous by a host of Soul artists, always adding her own style. She even does "My Way" and finds something new in the song.
As well as the music, there are superb notes from Jerry Wexler and David Ritz. In fact they are worth the price of the album on their own, as no one could know more about working with Aretha than Jerry Wexler, the producer of most of the Atlantic albums. His insights are both informative and moving.
If you have only ever heard Aretha on compilation albums, then this album may not be for you. Get some of those Atlantic albums first, get behind the hits and discover the full magic that Aretha had during that 7 year period. If you do then you will begin to appreciate just how significant this set is for Aretha aficionados. For us it is essential. Put simply, if you regard yourself as a fan of Aretha you MUST own this collection.
Love is a Serious Business, 18 Dec 2007
This is 140 minutes of almost all unreleased demos, outtakes, and alternate versions recorded by Aretha Franklin at her artistic and commercial prime at Atlantic.
The demos are truly amazing. It took me half an hour to get past the first three tracks the first time I listened. Just Aretha's voice, her instinctive and organic piano playing, and a little percussion, it is just stunning. It has a different effect to the 'deep pocket' Memphis style grooves that we are used to (much as I love those grooves!). It leaves me believing that she would have been a star in any era in any genre.
With fuller lyrics, I now understand the bracketed sub-title to Doctor Feelgood, hence my review title. This version of Van McCoy's 'Sweet Bitter Love' really does it for me. Her emotional connection with the lyrics really comes through. This release makes it the only song, as far as I know, that she releaesd on Columbia, Arista and now Atlantic.
The alternate versions of tracks like 'Rock Steady' and 'I'm In Love' show her artistry, as she does exciting, different things with her voice, than we know on the hit versions.
Disc 2 contains no less than seven outtakes and an alternate version from 'Hey Now Hey, The Other Side Of The Sky'. It is not an album that I know well, beyond its big hit single, but if these are the outtakes, I must get a copy. of it.
I was a couple of months late getting this album. If there is any more stuff in the vaults that they release, I will put my name down on the pre-order list!
Agree totally.., 16 Dec 2007
I agree totally with the other reviewers. My only beef is that there are still several Aretha albums never released on cd which really should have taken priority over this albeit stunning trawl through the vaults of her golden years.
So Much More to Otis Than 'Dock of The Bay', 28 Sep 2008
Everybody knows 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay'. It still gets lots of airplay. There is so much more to Otis than that, and this cheapie is the perfect introduction to a great talent.
The style is southern soul, with intentionally slow strong rhythms and plaintive Memphis horns topped off with Otis' dramatic impassioned soulful vocals.
My fave is his first R&B hit 'These Arms Of Mine', but I love them all. Then of course there is 'Try A Little Tenderness' which could make you a better person, the feeling is so strong.
Chance a few quid and enjoy. I bet you won't regret it.
Not the definitive Dock of the Bay mix..., 17 Aug 2008
I don't have a lot to add to the other reviews of this excellent CD. However; Buyers and listeners should be aware that the mix of "Dock of the Bay" which appears on this collection is - as on so many other compilations - the rather gutless stereo mix that was created in the 1970s and which unfortunately gets most airplay. I have a 1968 mono single and although the "Dock..." track on this CD is undoubtedly the same performance, it's definitely not the same mix - it's an inferior one!
The original mix, which is far more powerful musically is available still on CD, and if you buy (from Amazon of course!) an album called "The Definitive Sound of Atlantic Soul" you will get the original mix, which has a heavier beat and makes much more of Steve Croppers great guitar backing. You'll also get a great many other excellent Atlantic cuts.
I just wish that the copyright owner would stop peddling the gutless mix and get back to the original.
The rest of this album is definitely classic and original stuff though - so do buy this one too.
Very good, 12 Jul 2008
I bought this album recently, having only heard "sitting on the dock of a bay", and i must say he has many better songs. This is a great collection. I especially love "ciggaretes and coffee" "thats how strong my love is" and "a change has got to come".
fab cd !, 09 Mar 2008
this is a fantastic cd. Fantastic voice, from a great soulful gorgeous man ! can listen to this all day ! His voice is second to none, you must buy it !!! He sings with feeling and experience - it shows in his voice.
Soul Legend, 26 Dec 2007
Ironically, the tune for which Otis is best known is untypical of his work. He had made his reputation as the No 1 Soul man with gritty Southern Soul, and had begun to appeal to Rock audiences after his appearance at Monterey. That meant that he was looking to vary his style to make it more acceptable to white audiences, hence "Sittin' on...", a much more mellow tune than he had ever before recorded.
Unfortunately he never saw it's release, he died in the plane accident thta killed him, his manager and all but one of his band The Markeys. Otis would have been a huge star, he died just as the Soul bandwagon was becoming unstoppable. His death in 1968 robbed the world of a finding out just what he could have become. What a shame it is that his work has become best known because of a film where people make pale (literally) versions of his classics.
This collection covers most of his best known songs, although not in chronological order, showing the vast vocal talent that Otis possessed. His ability to take a song and make it his own is clear on both the uptempo ("Respect") and ballads ("Try A Little Tenderness"). It is likely that you will have most of these in your collection if you are a Soul fan, but for the more casual listener, this is a very good place to start - and it includes the sublime "That's How Strong...", on it's own worth the price. Recommended.
Best of post-Atlantic period, 22 Oct 2007
These are the best of the Booker T & MGs recording from 1968 to 1972, after their succesful Atlantic career. Time is tight, Soul limbo and Melting pot were the huge hits with a more funky and outspoken sound. The other instrumentals vary from good to excellent (great versions of Born under a bad sign, Something, Mrs. Robinson) except for the weak vocals on Johnny I love you. This is the one to buy after the Atlantic Best Ofs.
In the groove, 27 Feb 2007
Released during the LP age, weighing in at only forty minutes and missing the later hits, 'Time Is Tight' and 'Soul Limbo', this collection nevertheless works like a an original album in its own right. This is the early Booker T and the Mgs, the era that contains their finest performances. The later hits are OK, but wouldn't really fit in here. Their classic groove, 'Green Onions', kicks off the album and is followed by a couple of tracks with a similar style, but thereafter the band explore a diverse range of soul, r&b and latin rhythms, without straying too far from their basic strengths. While the organ provides the colour, the rest of the band form the tightest rhythm section of the 1960s. These instrumentals will move any part of you that can move (with a couple of honourable exceptions), with only their magnificent, brooding cover of 'Summertime' to slow things down.
One of the great house bands, 07 Feb 2007
You will probably know several of these (if you like cricket for instance) but there is much to recommend from this collection of instrumentals from the STAX house band. As well as playing on virtually all that labels greatest hits, they found time to record some hugely entertaining stuff. So you get "Time is Tight", "Soul Limbo" and "Green Onions" rubbing shoulders with lesser known, but still excellent tracks like "Bootleg", "Soul Dressing" and "Hip Hug Her".
Each member of the band can claim fame in their own right, Booker T, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson and "Duck" Dunn set the standard for Soul instrumentals and were probably rivalled only by the Funk brothers at Motown, and the bands James Brown put together for their influence.
For those interested in Soul, well worth your attention and you might find something you haven't heard before too.
The Band Who Define The Word 'Tight', 02 Oct 2003
This is great compilation from the best Soul 'instrumentalists...ever! My only criticism is that the 'Red Beans & Rice' version on here, is a live one from the European Stax Tour in 1967. This is a real shame, as the studio version is a real cracker. It is available on a Cd called 'Great R&B Instrumentals' by various bands, on the 'Ace' label. Apart from that its superb. This is the band that, along with the Mar-Keys, were present on almost every Stax classic.
Cool and easy listening, 21 Jan 2002
I have been a fan of BT & MG,s since i was a teenager, my all time favorite being time is tight. I usually don,t like organ music, you know the sort you get in the local social club! But this is absolutely brill it also has some good memories for me, i find you can chill out or step it up abit depending on your mood
Have I gone & staxed my soul.,, 25 Sep 2008
Clambering out of my bat cave I stumbled into,no not robin,but this box set.It's a blinder.Hay 'mr.big stuff''Time is tight'can I do the'soul limbo."A what am I going on about back there",here's the big stuff it's a great box set from stax.Iv not got that much soul,so most of it was new to me,what a treat. P.S. sorry I have nothing to add as from where Stax came from,but I am a smart arse!
If You Like Music, Soul Music, 25 Jul 2008
If you are a serious Soul fan you will have most of these tracks already.
If you are a Music fan you will be familiar with most of the twenty or so Stax artist featured on this fifty track CD.
This is no Greatest Hits Collection (plenty of them here on Amazon)but a wonderful insight into one of the greatest Record Labels of the sixties and early seventies.
If you like Music, Soul Music, then this is a worthy addition to any CD Collection
In a music store near you, 15 Apr 2008
Not fot the first time we get a Stax retrospective but here it comes with the half century marker.
Like the other famous Memphis label-Sun-the label concentrated on black music after its beginnings as a country music label called Satellite.
The first hit single was by Carla Thomas daugter of Rufus who'd once been on Sun and who made the first Stax single as a duet with Carla.
Gee Whiz strraddled the boundaries between high school pop and R & B and has been much covered.
Sun was actually ready to set as Stax set the pace for what was to follow in the 60s which was even blacker music and the label would eventually be sold out to the corporates in the 70s
The reissue programs would come shortly and it never ends
The Premier Soul label, 09 Jun 2007
Stax was responsible for the sound we have come to call Soul. Curiously for a Black Music institution, it's success was a result of a multi racial mix (Booker T and the MGs were 2 Black, 2 White for example), and there's plenty of evidence of the link between R & B and Country music in Stax output - those being the dominant musical genres in the South and especially Memphis.
If you are a Soul music fan, then you may have many of these tracks in your collection and be familiar with most, but put together like this, these 50 tracks leave no-one in any doubt that here was a musical phenemenon.
This is music from an era where the radio was king and getting a song played was the key to getting a hit record. In the early days, Stax perfected the art of producing songs that not only matched the 3 minute song format, but also had something to say - that was usually about love and loss, although you'll also find instrumentals and dance tunes.
The death of Otis Redding is often cited as a watershed for Stax. There were however, other factors which also forced the label to change. The licensing deal that had existed with Atlantic was discovered to have given the rights to all the Stax songs to Atlantic, which meant effectively, the label had no back catalogue. Add to that the increase in racial tension following the death of Martin Luther King and you had a set of circumstances which pushed Stax into a different direction, albeit one that would take a couple of years to become fully apparent.
So, this compilation journeys from "Gee Whiz" and it's innocence, through the emotion of Otis and his peers and on to the orchestral Soul of Isaac Hayes and the Civil Rights anthems of The Staple Singers, before something of a return to the roots with The Soul Children and Shirley Brown. It is journey you will find worth taking
Stax of timeless brilliance., 28 Apr 2007
Would you believe that Stax started as a country label but through gospel almost inadvertently gained an interest in soul music. Not bad for a label that along with the more commercially popular Motown is the most influential in black music( Though you could throw in reggae labels like Trojan if you were feeling picky )It's initial success rooted from the deep South with it's heavy gospel influence ushered in one revolution in black music but after the death of Otis Redding in 1967 and the disbanding of Sam & Dave, the label marshalled a new brand of soul all over again led by Isaac Hayes. It ,s this ability to adapt and innovate that makes this s | | |