Soulsville, U.S.A. : the story of Stax Records / Rob Bowman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bowman, Rob (Robert Maxwell James)

Contributor:

Stax Records

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Rhythm and blues music--History and criticism.

Rhythm and blues music.

Memphis (Tenn.)--History.

Memphis (Tenn.).

Physical Description:

xiii, 402 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Schirmer Books ; London : Prentice Hall International, 1997.

Summary:

Soulsville, U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records tells the inside story of the landmark Stax label, its many famous acts, and the men and women behind its sound. Along with Motown, Stax Records was the premiere R&B label of the '60s and early '70s. Artists such as Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Isaac Hayes, the Staple Singers, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, Albert King, and Booker T. and the MG's all recorded at the label's legendary Memphis-based studio, creating what became known as the "Stax sound." The label produced dozens of hits identified with the '60s and '70s, including Sam and Dave's "Hold On! I'm Comin'" and "Soul Man" (revived by Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi as the Blues Brothers, who toured and recorded with some of the original Stax session players), Rufus Thomas's "Walking the Dog," Booker T. and the MG's "Green Onions," Isaac Hayes's "Theme from Shaft," the Staple Singers' "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There," Eddie Floyd's "Knock on Wood," and Otis Redding's posthumous chart-tooper "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay."

The Stax story is more than just the story of a successful record label. Stax was one of the first truly integrated studios, with black and white musicians, songwriters, and executives working together to create a unique sound. Most amazingly, this integration was carried out almost unintentionally, as the natural result of the location of the studio -- in a black neighborhood -- the presence of key staff members, and the interplay between the musicians themselves.

Contents:

Cause I Love You: 1957-1960 1

Gee Whiz: 1960-1961 14

You Don't Miss Your Water: 1961-1963 30

Respect: 1964-1965 49

Don't Have to Shop Around: 1965 70

Knock on Wood: 1966 88

Soul Man: 1967 108

Wrap It Up: 1968 (Part 1) 136

Soul Limbo: 1968 (Part 2) 146

Time Is Tight: 1969 170

Do the Funky Chicken: 1970 193

Shaft: 1971 216

I'll Take You There: 1972 (Part 1) 247

(If You're Ready) Come Go with Me: 1972 (Part 2) 272

Rolling Down a Mountainside: 1973 290

I'll Play the Blues for You: 1974 317

Walking the Back Streets and Crying: 1975 345

Epilogue: Angel of Mercy 372.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 389-391) and index.

ISBN:

0028602684

OCLC:

36824884