Stax hits: celebrating 50 years of soul

Music lovers, rejoice! Memphis is celebrating 50 years of soul in 2007 with a year of events that celebrate the city's enduring musical legacy. And a huge part of that legacy is the 50th anniversary of Stax Records, "the little label that could," and the "Stax Sound."

Many major events are planned in Memphis and specifically at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. For more information, please visit: www.memphissoul50.com. Concord Records, which purchased the Stax label in 2005, plans a large concert in Memphis featuring contemporary and legendary Stax artists, including Isaac Hayes and Booker T. & the MGs. Concord also plans to release a variety of box sets and single CDs to commemorate Stax's 50thanniversary. Visit www.stax50.com and www.concordmusicgroup.com.

For those who want to experience the "Stax Sound," here's the iPod Stax essentials hit list culled from music historians, Concord Records, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music staff. Many, but not all, of these hits are available on the recently released Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration, the first-ever two-CD compilation of major Stax hits.

playlist

The Bar-Kays: Son of Shaft, Soul Finger

William Bell: You Don't Miss Your Water. I Forgot To Be Your Lover

Shirley Brown: Woman To Woman

Booker T. & The MGs: Green Onions, Hang 'Em High. Time Is Tight. Soul Limbo

The Dramatics: In The Rain, Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get. Hey You! (Get Off My Mountain)

The Emotions: So I Can Love You

Eddie Floyd: Knock On Wood I've Never Found a Girt (To Love Me Like You Do)

Isaac Hayes: Theme from Shaft. Never Can Say Goodbye, By The Time I Get To Phoenix. Walk On By

Luther Ingram: If Lovin' You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right)

Mable John: Your Good Thing (Is About To End)

Ruby Johnson: Weak Spot

Albert King: Born Under A Bad Sign

Jean Knight: Mr Big Stuff

Linda Lyndell: What A Man

The Mar-Keys: Last Night

Mel & Tim: Starting All Over Again

Otis Redding: Try A Little Tenderness. (Sittin" On) The Dock of the Bay. Respect, I've Been Loving You Too Lone (To Stop Now)

Sam & Dave: Hold On, I'm Comin.' Soul Man. You Don't Know Like I Know

Soul Children: I'll Be The Other Woman

The Staple Singers: I'll Take You There, Respect Yourself, If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)

Johnnie Taylor: Who's Making Love. Take Care of Your Homework, Jody "s Got Your Girl and Gone, Cheaper To Keep Her, I Believe In You

Carla Thomas: B-A-B-Y. Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes). Let Me Be Good To You. Like What You're Doing (To Me)

Rufus Thomas: Do The Funky Chicken, Walkin' The Dog

COPYRIGHT 2007 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning