Masters of soulmusic from the 60's!
I'm so glad these fantastic performances are available to all of us who loves the Stax/Volt artists from the sixties. Seeing and hearing the late Otis Redding in his prime, is an experience I wouldn't want to be without. In spite of the fact that these picture and sound recordings were made 41 years ago, the quality of the dvd material is remarkably good. An overeager cameraperson goes on a bit with his zoom during one of Sam and Dave's numbers, and the sound is a little uneven at places. but this does not diminish the enjoyment over these great hardworking singers and musicians. Considering this happened in norwegian televisions childhood, 7 years after the start of TV in Norway, I'm fairly impressed with the restored end product.
I have had this dvd constantly in my player for over a week now, and Booker T. and the MG's, The Mar-Keys, Arthur Conley (doin' a bit of Otis, with him on the same bill!!), Sam and Dave, (pulling all stops on their fabulous foot routines), not forgetting Eddie Floyd and Otis Redding at their best, gives me so much pleasure and takes me back to the "real" music. I am especially happy that Otis version of My Girl is included here. I know that this was a big hit for The Temptations, but this was issued as a single with Otis in Europe, and a hit for him here. This dvd also contains some very nice shots of the great drummer Al Jackson. He made it all look so easy, while being in full control and on top of every nuance in tempo and changes from the performers. It's great fun watching Cropper and Dunn putting down some fine licks within their ability to lay down steady rhythm with Jackson. To fullfill the procedings the horn section put some spice in the stew while Booker T. Jones floats over the lot. Magnificent!
When you watch the norwegian audience in this indoor sports arena in Oslo getting their groove together, you can imagine the mixed emotions and feelings towards this energic but somewhat strange and relativly new music in Norway. You will see everthing from disbelievs to total amazement. Some are swept away by the infectious music, while others sit with open mouth not believing what to make out of this strange musical stuff happening before their very eyes. All in all, I guess everybody had a good time. I wish I was there!
It's regretable that Carla Thomas left the tour in Britain, and wasn't on the bill when this historical music event took place in our little country. It's also a bit sad that they couldn't fit in Rufus Thomas on the tour of Europe, I think he would have enjoyed that very much.
I recommends this superb dvd to all you people out there, who still find exitement in the "sweet soul music" from Memphis, and the talents behind the Stax/Volt labels that gave us so many hours of enjoyment.
By the way - be sure to listen to the commentary track - very amuzing and entertaining.
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I go for Live!
I read the reviews by Stax fans where they say the records are better. Maybe they are so used to the sound of the records that these versions don't sound like the 'real thing' to them. Personally I knew some of the songs and some I did not. I would buy this DVD if only these 2 songs were on it: the swaying and swamping version of Raise your hand by Eddie Floyd (aaahhhhhh....those guitars) and the extended version of Hold on (I'm coming). Fans, turn off your records-ears and listen again. I LOOOOved it (Go Eddie Go)!.
Also it's a lot of fun. Fans standing, director tells them to sit. Fans standing on chairs, army soldiers (!) tell them to sit. Crowd rushes in, bodyguards and solders rush after them. Eddie Floyd shakes his head and tells the soldiers to daaaaannnnnce! And even stirs it all up a little bit extra. Don't worry, it has a happy ending and nobody gets hurt. Also, watch what happens to the guitar and microphone electric chords in the course of the show.
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Track Listing ...
Here's the track listing, from all music, for those seriously considering purchasing this set.
1 Red Beans and Rice Booker T. & the MG's
2 Green Onions Booker T. & the MG's
3 Philly Dog Mar Keys
4 Grab This Thing Mar Keys
5 Last Night Mar Keys
6 In the Midnight Hour Arthur Conley
7 Sweet Soul Music Arthur Conley
8 Raise Your Hand Eddie Floyd
9 You Don't Know Like I Know Sam & Dave
10 Soothe Me Sam & Dave
11 When Something Is Wrong with My Baby Sam & Dave
12 Hold On! I'm Comin' Sam & Dave
13 Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) Otis Redding
14 My Girl Otis Redding
15 Shake Otis Redding
16 Satisfaction Otis Redding
17 Try a Little Tenderness Otis Redding
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