Play it by Ear

Pulling from the past: Stax is a blast

By: Jordan Kerfeld

Posted: 4/16/07

I'm a soul man.

Before I regret writing that opening sentence, allow me to talk about a perfect use of $15.

The two-disc "Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration" is not your average greatest hits package but a moving and powerful piece of music history.

Stax Records formed in Memphis, Tenn., shortly after the commencement and popularity of cross-town label Sun, home of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.

But unlike Sun at the time, Stax supported an integrated lineup that went all the way from the recording studio to the head offices.

They saw that talent does not have a color, and as a result, Southern black music was finally pushed into a solid commercial environment.

Many legendary artists spent time recording for Stax: Otis Redding, Booker T and the MG's, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor. The list is seemingly never-ending.

Thankfully, they are all here.

There is not one dull song during the 50-song odyssey that chronicles the life of Stax.

The life of these recordings comes out during every horn blast and vocal wail. This is credited due to the artists' musical brilliance within and partially because of the unique recording environment of their studios, which was located within a repurposed movie theater.

According to the liner notes, "With a sloping floor and angled walls, there were no directly parallel surfaces. This meant that sound waves would continuously reflect off one surface after another, ping-ponging around the room until their energy was dissipated, in the process creating an exceedingly 'live' reverberant sound."

The first disc highlights the early years of Stax. Every song shines, whether its the cool instrumental "Green Onions" to the visceral immediacy of Otis Redding's "Respect," there is always something that interests and entertains.

The second disc obviously covers the latter half of Stax legacy.

Isaac Hayes stands out as the dominant force on this disc, sharing soulful romantic songs as well as cinematic scores like the theme from "Shaft." The '70s music is funkier than its predecessor, but persists to be gripping and meaningful.

Owe it to yourself to check out The Stax Sound. You will be happy you did.

Grade: A+

jkerfeld@unews.com