THE COMPLETE STAX-VOLT SOUL SINGLES (II)

THE COMPLETE STAX-VOLT SOUL SINGLES
VOLUME 2, 1968-1971 (1993)
320 KBPS

In May of 1968, Stax was in a dilemma. The distribution deal with Atlantic Records ceased to be since Stax opted out of the Atlantic/Warner merger. Thus, they lost the lion's share of their back catalogue to Atlantic plus Sam & Dave, who were merely loaned to Stax and were initially Atlantic artists, not to mention Otis Redding from the December '67 plane crash that took his life. A prominent figure in the Civil Rights movement had also been brought down: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and it was in the Memphis area. With so much on their plate, it could have been the end of the line for Stax.

However, with the mighty audacity and go-power of Al Bell, Stax was going to start from scratch and rebuild their catalogue under their new distributors, Gulf+Western. Their first record on the new label with the finger-snap logo (replacing the stack-of-records) was provided by none other than Booker T. and the MG's; it was a Caribbean-influenced number called "Soul Limbo." It was a hit right off the bat. With more hit singles following, Stax was off to a promising rebirth.

Much of the earlier part of this 9-disc set that chronicles 1968-1971 sounds like a direct continuation of the first set. Though, it isn't long when the Stax sound begins to change gradually with the influences of Stax's new order of business and mass production including more outside production from the North and in places like Muscle Shoals. The changing times also affect the tone of the music as it becomes more funkier but somehow loses its down-home grit that was omnipresent in the first set. With new producers at hand and the aim for assembly-line production, the sound on this set begins to become permeated with polish and gloss. The new artists that came during this period like the Emotions and the Dramatics were saddled with this ordeal and lyrics to many songs were gravitating more towards social and domestic awareness.

Nonetheless, the Stax veterans, namely Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Albert King, William Bell, Johnnie Taylor and Booker T. & the MG's still managed to keep Stax's primal grittiness intact. The Bar-Kays were reformed by the two surviving members and as a result they increased their level of funkiness. Isaac Hayes goes from Stax session musician and principal song writer and rises to stardom as one of Stax's most successful artists ("I Stand Accused" is his best work, period. The sound clip provided here on this page is awesome). The Staple Singers provide moments of inspiration and renewed hope. With the absence of Otis Redding and Sam & Dave, that initial high-power energy is sorely missing and it wasn't long when Booker T. & the MG's were drifting away from Stax. That's the gap that these swarms of new artists like the Soul Children, Margie Joseph and Ernie Hines were aiming to fill, and do great jobs in their own respect, but you'll know something is still noticably missing.

At 216 tracks among 9 CD's, each containing more than 70 minutes of music and showcased in crisp, meaty stereo sound, Vol. 2 is definitely worth the listen. Though, I found that on the first box I could categorize all the songs into those that I loved/really liked and those that I could at least appreciate. On the second box, it's about the same, however there were about six tracks that I just didn't care for such as The Nightingales "I Don't Want to Be Like My Daddy", and Jeanne & the Darlings' "It's Time to Pay for the Fun", and Calvin Scott's "Shame on the Family Name." So, 6 out of 216 isn't bad, now is it?

Still, being an avid Stax fan, there was much to enjoy on this second set. It's R&B; it isn't afraid to express itself and the lyrics are still down-to-earth and didn't have to be created from hard, exasperating efforts. Everything from Booker T. & the MG's, the Staple Singers, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Albert King, the Bar-Kays, Isaac Hayes and Johnnie Taylor and many of the Soul Children's material were my favorite tracks and obviously there are too many to mention. I also enjoyed songs from renowned artists who had brief stints with Stax like John Lee Hooker, Barbara Lewis, The TSU Toronadoes, Darrell Banke, Jimmy Hughes and even Delaney & Bonnie of "Never Ending Song of Love" fame. On disc three, you'll hear MG guitarist Steve Cropper sing(!) on "Water" as he plays guitar alongside Pops Staples and Albert King. The first three discs and the last one on their own were the strongest in the set; everything spread out in between those mentioned still contained a lot of great songs and rare gems but in the midst were some weaker and uninspired numbers.

Granted, Stax was in the swing of things during this time and the sound became funkier and yet still glossy making the first set (particularly the earlier parts of it) sound primitive. The new beginning was an opportunity to use the new recording equipment acquired and here that is quite relevant. Chart success, in comparison, was about the same with less than half the singles presented being able to make the charts with everything else failing to even make a dent despite the arrival of subsidiary labels like Enterprise (mainly a jazz division), Respect and We Produce.

The next chapter in Stax's golden history awaits you; R&B music was in its last golden years before disco took over. The end of those magic times came with the close of Stax records. Meanwhile, all involved in R&B and particularly southern soul was riding high at this point. So, if the first Stax set left you starving for more, this second set should satisfy you plenty if not overwhelm you.

Disc 1
1. I Was Born to Love You - Shirley Walton
2. Precious, Precious - Isaac Hayes
3. Send Peace and Harmony Home - Shirley Walton
4. Soul Limbo - Booker T. & the MG's
5. I've Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do) - Eddie Floyd
6. It's Been a Long Time Coming - Delaney & Bonnie
7. What a Man - Linda Lyndell
8. I Like Everything About You - Jimmy Hughes
9. Stay Baby Stay - Johnny Daye
10. Private Number - William Bell, Judy Clay
11. So Nice - The Mad Lads, Madlib
12. Long Walk to D.C. - The Staple Singers
13. Give 'Em Love - The Soul Children
14. Funky Mississippi - Rufus Thomas
15. Lovin' Feeling - The Charmels
16. Where Do I Go? - Carla Thomas
17. Bed of Roses - Judy Clay
18. Bring It on Home to Me - Eddie Floyd
19. It's Unbelievable (How Do You Control My Soul) - Jeanne & the Darlings
20. Who's Making Love? - Johnnie Taylor
21. Mighty Cold Winter - Dino & Doc,
22. Hang 'Em High - Booker T. & the MG's
23. You're Leaving Me - Ollie & the Nightingales
24. Copycat - The Bar-Kays
25. I Forgot to Be Your Lover - William Bell
26. Running Out - Mable John
27. My Baby Specializes - William Bell, Judy Clay
28. I'll Understand - The Soul Children

Disc 2
1. Ghetto - The Staple Singers
2. Blues Power - Albert King
3. Echo - The Epsilons
4. Funky Way - Rufus Thomas
5. Take Care of Your Homework - Johnnie Taylor
6. I Like What You're Doing (To Me) - Carla Thomas
7. I've Got to Have Your Love - Eddie Floyd
8. Let 'Em Down Baby - Jimmy Hughes
9. Love Is Here Today and Gone Tomorrow - The Mad Lads, Madlib
10. It Ain't Long Enough - Judy Clay
11. Mellow Way You Treat Your Man - Ollie & the Nightingales
12. Private Number - Sonny Stitt
13. Time Is Tight - Booker T. & the MG's
14. Double or Nothing - The Mar-Keys
15. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay - The Staple Singers
16. So I Can Love You - The Emotions
17. Don't Stop Dancing (To the Music) - The Bar-Kays
18. One More Chance - Margie Joseph
19. I Wanna Be Good (To You) - Jimmy Dotson
20. Finger Lickin' Good - Art Jerry Miller
21. Tighten up My Thang - The Soul Children
22. My Whole World Is Falling Down - William Bell
23. Testify (I Wanna) - Johnnie Taylor
24. Drownin' on Dry Land - Albert King
25. Do the Cissy - The Stingers
26. Don't Tell Your Mama (Where You've Been) - Eddie Floyd

Disc 3
1. Mrs. Robinson - Booker T. & the MG's
2. Love's Sweet Sensation - William Bell, Mavis Staples
3. Just Because Your Love Is Gone - Darrell Banks
4. Chains of Love - Jimmy Hughes
5. Happy - William Bell
6. Challenge - The Staple Singers
7. Soul-A-Lujah - William Bell, Eddie Floyd, Andy Staples, Mavis Staples, Pervis Staples, Johnnie Taylor, Carla Thomas
8. Never, Never Let You Go - Eddie Floyd, Mavis Staples
9. Just Keep on Loving Me - Johnnie Taylor, Carla Thomas
10. I Need You Woman - William Bell, Carla Thomas
11. I've Got a Feeling - Ollie & the Nightingales
12. It's Time to Pay for the Fun (We've Had) - Jeanne & the Darlings
13. I Could Never Be President - Johnnie Taylor
14. By the Time I Get to Phoenix - The Mad Lads
15. Long and Lonely World - Colette Kelly
16. Midnight Cowboy - The Bar-Kays
17. I've Fallen in Love With You - Carla Thomas
18. Slum Baby - Booker T. & the MG's
19. Best Part of a Love Affair - The Emotions
20. By the Time I Get to Phoenix - Isaac Hayes
21. Walk on By - Isaac Hayes
22. Tupelo - Steve Cropper, Albert King, Roebuck "Pops" Staples
23. Water - Steve Cropper, Albert King, The Staples
24. Sweeter He Is, Pt. 1 - The Soul Children
25. You're Driving Me (To the Arms of a Stranger) - Mavis Staples

Disc 4
1. Open up Your Heart (Let Me In) - The Newcomers
2. Why Is the Wine Sweeter (On the Other Side) - Eddie Floyd
3. When Will We Be Paid - The Staple Singers
4. Grinder Man - John Lee Hooker
5. Born Under a Bad Sign - William Bell
6. What You Gonna Do (When Your Love Is Gone) - Margie Joseph
7. I'm So Glad - Jimmy Hughes
8. Beautiful Feelings - Barrell Banks
9. Your Love Was Strange - The Dramatics
10. Love Bones - Johnnie Taylor
11. Hard to Say Goodbye - Delaney & Bonnie
12. Got to Get Rid of You - J.J. Barnes
13. Habit Forming Love - Reggie Milner
14. My Thing Is a Moving Thing - T.S.U. Toronados
15. Stealing Love - The Emotions
16. When Tomorrow Comes - The Emotions
17. Wrapped up in Love Again - Albert King
18. Do the Funky Chicken - Rufus Thomas
19. California Girl - Eddie Floyd
20. Tribute to a Black Woman - Bernice Hayes
21. Sang and Dance - The Bar-Kays
22. Hold On! I'm Comin' - The Soul Children
23. Love's Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down, Part1 - Chuck Brooks
24. Help Me Put Out the Flame (In My Heart) - Ernie Hines
25. Black Boy - Roebuck "Pops" Staples

Disc 5
1. Bracing Myself for the Fall - Ollie & the Nightingales
2. All I Have to Do Is Dream - William Bell, Carla Thomas
3. Singing About Love - Jeanne & the Darlings
4. Goodies - Chris & Shack,
5. Just the Way You Are Today - Barbara Lewis
6. Creeper Returns - Little Sonny
7. Guide Me Well - Carla Thomas
8. Give a Damn - The Staple Singers
9. Steal Away - Johnnie Taylor
10. Your Sweet Lovin' - Margie Joseph
11. I Forgot to Remember - Jones & Blumenberg
12. Can't See You When I Want To - David Porter
13. Never Be True - Carla Thomas
14. Can't You See What You're Doing to Me - Albert King
15. Sixty Minute Man, Pt. 2 - Rufus Thomas
16. Preacher and the Bear - Rufus Thomas
17. Something - Booker T. & the MG's
18. Seeing Is Believing - The Mad Lads, Madlib
19. You're My Only Temptation - Roz Ryan
20. What I Don't Know Won't Hurt Me - Paul Thompson
21. Right, Tight and Out of Sight - Branding Iron
22. (What's Under) The Natural Do - John Ka Sandra

Disc 6
1. My Girl - Eddie Floyd
2. I Have Learned to Do Without You - Mavis Staples
3. Play the Music Toronadoes - T.S.U. Toronados
4. Lonely Soldier - William Bell
5. Heart Association - The Emotions
6. I Stand Accused - Isaac Hayes
7. Brand New Day - The Staple Singers
8. Sweeter Tomorrow - Margie Joseph
9. Cool Strut - Bernice Hayes
10. You Put the Sunshine Back in My World - The Newcomers
11. Montego Bay - The Bar-Kays
12. Got It Together, Pts. 1 & 2 - Rudy Robinson & the Hungry Five
13. Wade in the Water - Little Sonny
14. You're Movin' Much Too Fast - The Nightingales
15. Best Years of My Life - Eddie Floyd
16. I Am Somebody, Pt. 2 - Johnnie Taylor
17. I Loved You Like I Love My Very Life - Carla Thomas
18. Soul Machine - Reggie Milner
19. (Follow Her) Rules and Regulations - The Temprees
20. (Do the) Push and Pull, Pt. 1 - Rufus Thomas
21. Love Changes - Charlene & the Soul Serenaders
22. Put Your World in My World (Best of Two Worlds) - The Soul Children
23. Love Is Plentiful - The Staple Singers

Disc 7
1. Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom) - The Staple Singers
2. Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas? - The Staple Singers
3. Too Many Lovers - Shack
4. Black Christmas - The Emotions
5. Mistletoe and Me - Isaac Hayes
6. Ask the Lonely - Barbara Lewis
7. Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone - Johnnie Taylor
8. Finish Me Off - The Soul Children
9. Oh, How It Rained - Eddie Floyd
10. Look of Love - Isaac Hayes
11. Electrified Love - Ernie Hines
12. Melting Pot - Booker T. & the MG's
13. That's the Way I Like It (I Like It That Way) - Barbara Lewis
14. Mr. Big Stuff - Jean Knight
15. You Make Me Want to Love You - The Emotions
16. Stop! In the Name of Love - Margie Joseph
17. I Don't Wanna Lose You - Johnnie Taylor
18. (Girl) I Love You - The Temprees
19. World Is Round - Rufus Thomas
20. Penny for Your Thoughts - William Bell
21. Never Can Say Goodbye - Isaac Hayes
22. I Don't Want to Be Like My Daddy - The Nightingales

Disc 8
1. You've Got to Earn It - The Staple Singers
2. Hold on to It - Limitations
3. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get - The Dramatics
4. Born Too Late - Branding Iron
5. Just Ain't Strong as I Used to Be (You Done Fed Me Sumpin') - Jimmy Hughes
6. That Other Woman Got My Man and Gone - Margie Joseph
7. If You Think It (You May as Well Do It) - The Emotions
8. Shame on the Family Name - Calvin Scott, Calvin Scott
9. Blood Is Thicker Than Water - Eddie Floyd
10. Hijackin' Love - Johnnie Taylor
11. Sweetback's Theme - Melvin Van Peebles
12. Breakdown, Pt. 1 - Rufus Thomas
13. Pin the Tail on the Donkey - The Newcomers
14. Them Hot Pants - Lee Sain
15. If That Ain't a Reason (For Your Woman to Leave You) - Little Milton
16. It's Good to Be Careful (But It's Better to Be Loved) - Shack
17. Where Would You Be Today - Ilana,
18. Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven - Albert King
19. Got to Get Away from It All - The Soul Children
20. Love's Creeping up on Me - United Image
21. Show Me How - The Emotions
22. If I Give It up, I Want It Back - David Porter
23. Woman Named Trouble - Little Sonny

Disc 9
1. Losing Boy - Ed Giles, Eddy "G" Giles
2. Respect Yourself - The Staple Singers
3. I'll Kill a Brick (About My Man) - Hot Sauce
4. You Think You're Hot Stuff - Jean Knight
5. All for the Love of a Woman - William Bell
6. Theme from Shaft - Isaac Hayes
7. Jamaica, This Morning - Booker T. & the MG's
8. Gone! The Promise of Yesterday - The Mad Lads, Madlib
9. Girl, Come on Home - Major Lance
10. (Let Hurt Put You in the) Loser's Seat - Joni Wilson
11. My Baby Love - The Temprees
12. How Do You Move a Mountain - The Leaders, The Leaders
13. Black Nasty Boogie, Pt. 6 - Black Nasty
14. Do the Funky Penguin, Pt. 1 - Rufus Thomas
15. You've Got a Cushion to Fall On - Carla Thomas
16. Get up and Get Down - The Dramatics
17. Son of Shaft - The Bar-Kays
18. Don't Cha Mess With My Money, My Honey, or My Woman - L.V. Johnson
19. I Can Smell That Funky Music - Eric Mercury
20. Sadness for Things - Calvin Scott, Calvin Scott
21. That's What Love Will Make You Do - Little Milton
22. Standing in for Jody - Johnnie Taylor