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Back To Back (Live In Paris) (Album of the Day)
If today one travels to festivals like Coachella or Glastonbury to see multi-act concerts, in decades past those shows came to the fans in the form of package tours. In 1967, preeminent Southern soul label Stax/Volt sent some of its top artists to Europe for a series of concerts, including the one immortalized on BACK TO BACK (LIVE IN PARIS). Cut at that city's Olympic Theatre, the album presents sets by Booker T. & the M.G.'s and the Mar-Keys, both crack instrumental outfits renowned as backing bands for R&B royalty as well as hitmakers in their own right (“Green Onions,” “Hip Hug-Her” - both heard here). The 10 songs on BACK TO BACK brim with fiery performances, starting with the insistent grooves of M.G.'s bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, who was born on this day in 1941.
KING & QUEEN (Album of the Day)
Otis Redding and Carla Thomas each had numerous hits under their belts when Stax producer Jim Stewart, inspired by Marvin Gaye's duets for Motown, teamed them for an album. Along with the very timely track “New Year’s Resolution,” the 1967 KING & QUEEN features versions of some of the greatest soul songs of the era including “It Takes Two,” “Bring It On Home To Me,” “Knock On Wood” and “Tramp,” the latter two becoming Top 40 hits. Otis and Carla's voices blend beautifully, and the chemistry between the two is strong; these are some of the loosest, most enjoyable recordings either made. Booker T & The MGs and Isaac Hayes supply instrumental support, making KING & QUEEN a true portrait of Memphis soul royalty.
Double Dynamite (Album of the Day)
When it came to '60s soul, Sam Moore and Dave Prater truly were DOUBLE DYNAMITE. Released at the end of 1966, the Atlantic album saw the pair consolidate the success of their “Hold On, I'm A-Comin'” breakthrough; Sam & Dave had perfected their gospel-influenced call-and-response vocals, and with the Stax Studios house band (made up of members of Booker T. and the M.G.'s) behind them, the duo were unstoppable. The third ingredient in the hit-making formula was the material, and songwriters Isaac Hayes and David Porter came up with some greats here, including “When Something is Wrong With My Baby,” “You Got Me Hummin',” “Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody” and “Soothe Me” - all four of which reached the Pop as well as R&B chart. On DOUBLE DYNAMITE, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Sam & Dave are explosive from start to finish.
What is Soul? (Album of the Day)
Ben E. King’s sixth solo studio album was titled WHAT IS SOUL, and few performers better embodied the music than the former Drifters lead vocalist. Bert Burns helmed the 1967 Atco collection, and the producer was himself an R&B legend, penning hits for the likes of The Isley Brothers, Solomon Burke and Garnet Mimms. While Burns contributes a number here, King is writer or co-writer on four of the dozen tracks including such highlights as “She's Gone Again,” “Katherine” and the title song. With tougher vocals and an earthier approach, the set is closer to Stax than the strings of “There Goes My Baby,” underlining King’s ability to reinvent himself (he would find further success with funk and disco in the 1970s). The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was born on this day in 1938, and in his honor we’ll give WHAT IS SOUL another spin.
And Now! (Album of the Day)
Both as backing band for some of the 1960s' biggest stars and as headliners in their own right, Booker T. & The M.G.'s represented the gold standard for instrumental soul. Their third studio album, AND NOW!, marked a new era for the Memphis group as original bassist Lewie Steinberg was replaced by Donald “Duck” Dunn on all 12 tracks. Along with such fine originals as minor R&B hit “My Sweet Potato,” the band leave their funky stamp on songs ranging from the traditional “Jericho” to show tune “Summertime” to 5 Royales/James Brown favorite “Think.” Stax Studio head Jim Stewart helmed the sessions for the 1966 collection, and he gives each player a chance to shine (Booker T. Jones' keyboards and Steve Cropper's guitar work are particularly impressive). We'll give the thoroughly enjoyable AND NOW! another spin to wish Jones a happy birthday.
Soul Men (Album of the Day)
“Coming to you on a dusty road - Good loving, I got a truck load!” Among the most successful R&B duos of all time, Sam Moore and Dave Prater were at the top of their game on SOUL MEN. Recorded at Stax in Memphis, the album boasts strong support from the studio's ace instrumental outfit Booker T. & the MG's and producers Isaac Hayes and David Porter. The Hayes-Porter team also contributed material to the 1967 collection, most notably the Top 10 title track, which earned Sam & Dave a Grammy for Best R&B Group, Vocal or Instrumental. It's the most famous of these 11 songs, but far from the sole highlight; “Hold It Baby,” “Broke Down Piece Of Man” and “I've Seen What Loneliness Can Do” all put the performers' gritty, gospel-infused vocals to excellent use. There's not a dull moment on SOUL MEN.
Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (Album of the Day)
The title of THE GREAT OTIS REDDING SINGS SOUL BALLADS tells you pretty much all you need to know about this superb 1965 collection. The Georgia-born performer's second studio album was cut at Stax and benefits considerably from the presence of house band Booker T. & the M.G.'s and the Memphis Horns. The dozen tracks are split between covers and originals; while Otis holds his own on songs made famous by Chuck Willis, The Impressions and Sam Cooke, his version of opener “That's How Strong My Love Is” can be considered definitive. The self-penned material is also outstanding, and includes R&B Top 10 hit “Mr. Pitiful” (inspired by the nickname a radio DJ had bestowed on Redding). We kick off Black History Month with THE GREAT OTIS REDDING SINGS SOUL BALLADS.
In Philadelphia (Album of the Day)
In The Midnight Hour (Album of the Day)
Wilson Pickett's much-covered soul classic "In The Midnight Hour" debuted on the charts today in 1965; it became the title track of the singer's first album for Atlantic Records. The bulk of that collection was drawn from singles by the performer going back to 1962, and are among the grittiest and most passionate Pickett ever recorded - such as “I Found A Love,” a Top Ten R&B hit from his tenure with The Falcons. A gifted writer as well as a powerhouse vocalist, The Wicked One wrote or co-wrote most of these dozen songs, including several (“Don't Fight It,” “I'm Not Tired”) with guitarist Steve Cropper, whose Booker T. & The M.G.'s bandmates Donald “Duck” Dunn and Al Jackson Jr. can also be heard here on bass and drums. IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR was prime time for '60s soul, and the incendiary set served notice that both Pickett and Memphis' Stax studios were forces to be reckoned with.
Soul Men (Album of the Day)
Among the most successful R&B duos of all time, Sam Moore and Dave Prater were at the top of their game when they cut SOUL MEN in 1967. Recorded at the Stax studio in Memphis, the pair got strong support from ace instrumental outfit Booker T. & the MG's and producers Isaac Hayes and David Porter. The Hayes-Porter team also contributed material to the collection, most notably the Top 10 title track, which earned Sam & Dave a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It's the most famous of these 11 songs, but far from the sole highlight; “Hold It Baby,” “Broke Down Piece Of Man” and “I've Seen What Loneliness Can Do” all put the performers' gritty, gospel-infused style to excellent use. There's not a dull moment on SOUL MEN, making it an ideal tribute to Prater, who passed away 30 years ago today.