Stax Revue – Live in ’65 – Double Album
While this live set is heavy on the bass & recorded crudely compared to an official live release, it does capture the groove with excitement. The classic Booker T. & the MGs (Alan Jackson – drums/Lewis Steinberg-bass) instrumental “Green Onions” with the expected electricity of Steve Cropper’s lead guitar & the steamy Booker T organ percolates with energy — if not long enough. The entire Booker T showcase is one of the best & “You Can’t Sit Down,” the old Dovells hit, was one of the best.
The sets were captured at the Memphis Club Paradise (June/July 1969) & on in L.A. at the 5-4 Ballroom in Watts (August 1969). 11 tracks are on CD # 1 (44:47) & 10 on CD#2 (56:24) of the double album Stax Revue – Live in ’65 (Drops Aug 8/Craft Recordings/Concord) produced for release by Alec Paleo.
The show’s live banter is hard to understand at times & the audience noise does intrude on some performances. But hey, it was 1969. Some fine doo-wop didn’t escape the late ‘60s audience when The Astors harmonized on “What Can It Be.” It wasn’t as exciting as The Students’ ”Every Day of the Week,” but the voices on this live track have clarity & the tonality blends street corner perfection.
There are 4 good performances by the powerful vocalist David Porter, who’s backed up by solid brass & sounds like he works up the audience pretty good. The closing of the first CD has the late Wendy Rene (aka Mary Frierson/later Mary Cross), who sounds like a nuclear-powered cross between Dee Dee Sharp & Little Eva. She delivers on “Bar-B-Que” with energy to spare.
CD # 2 finds The Mar-Keys cooking up a typical hot soul-rock instrumental “Last Night.” This is one of the better live takes – every instrument is clear. Wilson Pickett’s 9-minute“In the Midnight Hour” certainly asserts itself live as a Stax classic that was released on a major label – Atlantic.
Anyone who enjoyed the work of Stax – a label that charted many songs through the ‘60s — will find these songs enjoyable documents of the era. Despite some rawness, the atmosphere is mainstream soulful. The artist’s efforts embody the spirit. Some tunes may sound dated today to younger ears, but this was roots music for soul aficionados. Different from Motown & Philly.
Highlights – CD #1 – “Green Onions,” “You Can’t Sit Down,” “Soul Twist,” “What Can It Be,” “Bar-B-Que.” CD #2 – “Last Night,” “In the Midnight Hour,” & “Walking the Dog.”
Artists – Booker T. & The MGs, William Bell, Wilson Pickett, The Mad Lads, Wendy Rene, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, David Porter, The Astors & The Mar-Keys.
A 16pp stitched insert is included. Booker T.’s image courtesy of their Wikipedia site. Wilson Pickett image courtesy of Dezo Hofman/REX. Carla Thomas’ image courtesy of Stax Museum of American Soul Music. CD @ Amazon & https://craftrecordings.com/products/stax-revue-live-in-65-2-cd