1000 Volts of Stax

by N/A

Overview

Leave it to an English record company, in this case Ace is the place, to begin exploring long-lost nuggets from the definitive American Stax and Volt R&B catalogs. 1000 Volts of Stax (1991) is the first in a series of single-CD sets gathering "rare & unreleased tracks from the golden era of soul." The dozen-and-a-half tunes on this inaugural volume skim the surface of the hours upon hours of alternate takes and sensational cutting-room floor remnants from some of the most revered musicians in the genre. This further punctuates the prolific nature of many of those who emerged from the Memphis soul scene. One initial observation reveals that a majority of the platters included in this (and each subsequent) package often equal their "released" counterparts. Examples abound, with practically every side revealing new sonic twists on instantly recognizable and otherwise established themes. The alternate versions of Rufus Thomas' "Walking the Dog" or the pair of Otis Redding classics, "I've Got Dreams to Remember" and "Cupid," capture these late legends in their absolute prime. Although some songs vary only slightly, there is an overwhelming energy that remains as both vocalists familiarize themselves with the nuances of the melodies as well as their own interactions with the labels' respective and collective house bands, Booker T. & the MG's and the Mar-Keys. Some of the lesser-known sides are easily equal to the vibe on their more common counterparts. The Mad Lads' "Cloudburst," Ruby Johnson's "When My Love Comes Down," and Bobby Marchan's "Don't Worry About Tomorrow" may not have made any hit parades or seen much action on the respective pop or R&B charts; however, they bear the same driving rhythms and undeniable catchiness that propelled so much of the music emanating from the Stax and Volt empires. The annotations from series producer Roger Armstrong are insightful as well as thoroughly entertaining. 1000 Volts of Stax and its companion volumes are essential for the collector as well as highly recommended for the more casual listener. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	09/30/1991
Label:	Stax
UPC:	0029667064224
Rank:	77060

Tracks

1. Hide Away  -  Booker T. & the MG's  - Freddie King  - Sonny Thompson
2. Don't You Lie to Me  - Albert King  - Hudson Whittaker
3. Cupid  - Sam Cooke  - Otis Redding
4. Don't Worry About Tomorrow  - Bobby Marchan
5. Walking the Dog  - Rufus Thomas
6. Run Around  - Mariam Brittenum  - Steve Cropper  - Isaac Hayes  - Carla Thomas
7. Floyd's Beat  - Floyd Newman
8. When My Love Comes Down  - Isaac Hayes  - Ruby Johnson  - David Porter
9. She Won't Be Like You  - William Bell
10. Sweet Devil  - Isaac Hayes  - Mable John  - David Porter
11. Cloudburst  -  Mad Lads
12. Hippy Dippy  -  Mar-Keys
13. Don't Mess Up a Good Thing  - Oliver Sain  - Carla Thomas  - Rufus Thomas
14. Never Let Me Go  - William Bell  - Joseph Scott
15. Just Enough to Hurt Me  -  Astors  - Larry Lee
16. I've Got Dreams to Remember  - Otis Redding  - Zelma Redding  - Joe Rock
17. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay  -  Booker T. & the MG's  - Steve Cropper  - Otis Redding
18. Knock on Wood  - Steve Cropper  - Eddie Floyd

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Eddie Floyd   Primary Artist
Booker T. & the MG's   Primary Artist
Ruby Johnson   Primary Artist
The Mad Lads   Primary Artist
The Mar-Keys   Primary Artist
Rufus Thomas   Primary Artist
Otis Redding   Primary Artist
The Astors   Primary Artist
Albert King   Primary Artist
Mable John   Primary Artist
William Bell   Primary Artist
Carla Thomas   Primary Artist
Bobby Marchan   Primary Artist
Floyd Newman   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Sam Cooke   Composer
Mable John   Composer,Performer
Hudson Whittaker   Composer
Roger Armstrong   Liner Notes,Compilation Producer
Rufus Thomas   Composer,Performer
Oliver Sain   Composer
Otis Redding   Composer,Performer
Duncan Cowell   Post Production
William Bell   Performer
Albert King   Performer
Zelma Redding   Composer
Steve Cropper   Composer
Sonny Thompson   Composer
The Mad Lads   Performer
Booker T. & the MG's   Performer
David Porter   Composer
Joe Rock   Composer
Floyd Newman   Performer
Freddie King   Composer
Carla Thomas   Performer
Eddie Floyd   Performer,Composer
Larry Lee   Composer
Isaac Hayes   Composer
Bobby Marchan   Performer
The Astors   Performer
Martin Brown   Design
Mariam Brittenum   Composer
Ruby Johnson   Performer
Joseph Scott   Composer