Craft Recordings releases a rollicking live revue album of Stax artists from 1965!
Stax Revue: Live In ’65! – Stax/Volt Records (1991)/Craft Recordings CR00451 [8/8/2025] stereo double vinyl, 78:29 ****1/2:
(Featuring Booker T & The M.G.’S; David Porter; The Astors; Wendy Renee; The Mar-Keys; The Mad Lads; William Bell; Carla Thomas; Rufus Thomas and special guest: Wilson Pickett)
Stax Records was trend-setting in the 1960’s. With integrated staff and bands, the label was instrumental in creating Southern blues and the Memphis sound. Their biggest artist was Otis Redding who died tragically in 1967. Other artists included Rufus Thomas, Booker T & The M.G.’S, Sam And Dave, The Mar-Keys, Carla Thomas and Eddie Floyd. Like Motown, Stax had an identifiable culture and helped to shape the musical and cultural landscape.
Craft Recordings has released a double vinyl (also available on 2-CDs) of Stax Revue: Live In ’65!. Recorded in Memphis (Club Paradise) and Los Angeles (The 5-4 Ballroom), the shows took place as the country was experiencing consequential social and political unrest. There are 18 tracks, including 6 previously unissued ones from the initial 1991 release. All-star revues were integral in the appeal of soul music during this era. Stax had signed a distribution deal with Atlantic Records and was looking to capitalize on this. Side 1 opens with a hometown performance. Up first is the amazing Booker T & The M.G.’S. (who also back up many of the acts) The instrumental group storms through “Green Onions” with Jones (perhaps the most eminent rock B3 player) and Cropper executing brisk soulful runs with high energy band chemistry. “Boot-Leg” (one of the previously unissued cuts) is equally muscular with horns and a relentless hook-driven jam. Their raise-the-roof cover of “You Can’t Sit Down” showcases Steve Cropper’s trademark rock guitar, funky saxophone, drum fills and organ sustain. Jones’ sinewy organ distills the soulful essence of Gershwin’s classic, “Summertime”. Cropper and Jones are incendiary on the blues statement, “Soul Twist” and a nasty saxophone is a nice touch as the band finishes the opening set. They back David Porter (who provides raw gospel-infused vocals) on two songs, “Just Be True” and “Can’t See You When I Want To”. The Astors (“What Can It Be”) inject some doo-wop and Wendy Rene (“Bar-B-Q”) shows off her r& b pedigree.
Sides 3 and 4 are from the transformative L.A. concert. Another Stax studio “house” band, The Mar-Keys perform on their hit, “Last Night” with unbridled energy. The Mad Lads steer the concert back to classic r & b with a slowed-down dance number, “Don’t Have To Shop Around”. The Astors return with an Isaac Hayes/Steve Cropper hard-edged rocker “Candy” William Bell contributes two original songs, the gliding Caribbean-flavored “Any Other Way” and the Sunday-morning crowd-pleasing testimonial, “You Don’t Miss Your Water”. Side 4 finishes up strongly. Carla Thomas demonstrates why she is regarded as the “Queen of Memphis Soul” on “Every Ounce Of Strength”. Her intense vocal approach is compelling. After The M.G.’S reprise “Boot-Leg” (and the organ by Jones is amazing), the “Wicked” Wilson Pickett” arrives. This is a near 9-minute master class on soul music. Pickett’s gruff voice and growling vocals are mesmerizing. This is simply off the charts and he is in full control. It seems fitting that Memphis royalty Rufus Thomas closes the show with the electrifying blues opus, “Walking The Dog”. His feverish singing is unique.
Kudos to Craft Recordings for re-mastering Stax Revue: Live In ’65!. This is a collection of stellar live soul recordings that feel like a historical document. The restored sound maintains a raw grittiness, and the packaging (including protective sleeves) is top-notch.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Stax Revue: Live In ’65!
TrackList:
Side 1: Green Onions; Boot-Leg; You Can’t Sit Down; Summertime
Side 2: Soul Twist; Just Be True; Can’t See You When I Want To; Bar-B-Q
Side 3: Last Night; Don’t Have To Shop Around; Candy; Any Other Way; You Don’t Miss Your Water
Side 4: Every Ounce Of Strength; Boot-Leg; In The Midnight Hour; Walking The Dog
