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1968 was a tragic time for Memphis. Just before Christmas '67, Otis Redding, the biggest star of local soul music label Stax Records, was killed in a plane crash. In April 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. Also that spring, Stax lost control of its catalog of recordings to Warner. Undeterred and unwilling to fail, new label co-owner Al Bell decided to build a roster of acts that included The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, and Johnnie Taylor.
Four years later, Bell and his Los Angeles-based colleague Forrest Hamilton conceived the idea of a benefit concert event in the predominantly Black neighborhood of Watts to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the riots that devastated the area. Bell knew that Wattstax would not only expose the label's artists to a larger national audience but would also bring unity to the Black community and "… make them feel valued as human beings and to feel a sense of pride as Black people living through tumultuous times."
The massive festival held August 20, 1972 (coincidentally, Hayes' 30th birthday) in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a crowd of 112,000 was documented in an award-winning film and a pair of double albums most of whose material has been reissued several times since. (Performers who could not make the stadium show because of illness or scheduling conflicts played three shows later that fall at the Summit Club in Los Angeles that were also recorded.) Most artists, all of whom played for free, tapped into the spirit of the event and took their artistry to a higher level. Though fans had to be exhorted to stay off the field several times, the show ran relatively smoothly and the consistency is impressive.
Old guard Stax artists led the way. Carla Thomas, most famous for her duets with Redding, bops her way through "I Like What You're Doing (To Me)," the kind of upbeat soul number that brought out her best. Her father Rufus Thomas follows a high energy take of his biggest hit "Do the Funky Chicken," with another hilarious ornithological gyration, the even jumpier "Do the Funky Penguin." Eddie Floyd revs up a version of his biggest hit from the pre-1967 Stax catalog, "Knock On Wood." The Staple Singers, the stars of the new Stax, perform spirited versions of two of their biggest hits, "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There," while fellow label newcomer, blues guitarist Albert King, rips through "Killing Floor" and "Angel of Mercy." Some of the lesser-knowns also get their licks in as Rance Allen leads his hot electric guitar through a gospel/soul/funk rave up of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's "Up Above My Head." Although the Bar-Kays played their own wah-wah guitar anthem "Son Of Shaft / Feel It" earlier in the program, Isaac Hayes, in his iconic shades-and-chains outfit, closes Wattstax with a set that includes two versions of his biggest hit "Theme from Shaft."
The additional Summit Club sets are superb, with each performer upping their game, all of it captured in better sound than the outdoor concert. The Sons of Slum (once known as the Supersonics), who back The Emotions, sustain comically fast tempos on a medley that begins with "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," a big hit for Stax competitor Motown, and closes with a cover of Sly Stone's "Dance to The Music." Little Milton opens his set with a ferocious "Open the Door to Your Heart" before finding another huge groove later in "Grits Ain't Groceries (All Around The World)." Billed as containing everything recorded under the Wattstax banner, including all previously unreleased stadium and club tracks, this supersize reissue should be the final word on the celebration. © Robert Baird/Qobuz
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Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dale Warren, Composer, MainArtist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Wattstax '72 Orchestra, MainArtist
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kim Weston, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Francis Scott Key, ComposerLyricist - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jesse Jackson, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Jacquette, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Weldon Johnson, Composer - Kim Weston, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Melvin Van Peebles, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Roebuck Staples, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Barry, ComposerLyricist - Mavis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bobby Bloom, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Staple Singers, MainArtist - Pervis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Cleotha Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Yvonne Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Raymond Jackson, ComposerLyricist - Roebuck Staples, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mavis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Homer Banks, ComposerLyricist - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Staple Singers, MainArtist - Pervis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Cleotha Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Yvonne Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Roebuck Staples, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mavis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Roebuck "Pops" Staples, Author - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Staple Singers, MainArtist - Pervis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Martha Stubbs, Author - Cleotha Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Yvonne Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Roebuck Staples, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer, ComposerLyricist - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Luther Ingram, ComposerLyricist - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mavis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Staple Singers, MainArtist - Pervis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Cleotha Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Yvonne Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Alvertis Isbell, ComposerLyricist - Roebuck Staples, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mavis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Staple Singers, MainArtist - Pervis Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Cleotha Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Yvonne Staples, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Roundtree, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tommy Jacquette, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Jimmy Jones, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Hy Heath, ComposerLyricist - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - SONNY BURKE, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Lange, ComposerLyricist - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Composer, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Louise McCord, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - THOMAS A. DORSEY, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Deborah Manning, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Traditional, Composer - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eric Mercury, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Freddie Robinson, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leon Moore, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Lee Sain, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leon Moore, Composer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ernie Hines, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Traditional, ComposerLyricist - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Little Sonny, Harmonica, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Booker T. Jones, ComposerLyricist - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Bell, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Marvell Thomas, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer, ComposerLyricist - The Newcomers, MainArtist - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Steve Cropper, ComposerLyricist - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eddie Floyd, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leon Moore, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - The Temprees, MainArtist - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cleophas Fultz, ComposerLyricist - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Deljuan Calvin, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Harold "Scotty" Scott, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Jasper "Jabbo" Phillips, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Frederick Knight, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Jerry Weaver, ComposerLyricist - Posie Knight, ComposerLyricist - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Traditional, Composer - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Golden 13, MainArtist - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Bell, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Marshall Jones, ComposerLyricist - Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Thomas Allen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Allen, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rance Allen, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - The Rance Allen Group, MainArtist - Carl William Smith, ComposerLyricist - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Thomas Allen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Steve Allen, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sister Rosetta Tharpe, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rance Allen, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - The Rance Allen Group, MainArtist - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Bell, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Porter, Composer, Vocals, Speaker, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ronnie Williams, Composer, Speaker, AssociatedPerformer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The David Porter Show, MainArtist
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Porter, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Homer Banks, ComposerLyricist - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Allen Jones, ComposerLyricist - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Porter, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ed Lee, ComposerLyricist - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - NICKOLAS ASHFORD, ComposerLyricist - Valerie Simpson, ComposerLyricist - David Porter, MainArtist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Bell, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Alexander, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Bar-Kays, MainArtist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHARLES ALLEN, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Homer Banks, ComposerLyricist - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Harvey Henderson, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Larry Dodson, Vibraphone, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Winston Stewart, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Allen Jones, ComposerLyricist - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William C. Brown III, ComposerLyricist - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Wilkins, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alvin Hunter, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Alexander, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Bar-Kays, MainArtist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHARLES ALLEN, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Harvey Henderson, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Larry Dodson, Vibraphone, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Winston Stewart, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Allen Jones, ComposerLyricist - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Roger Armstrong, Producer, Recording Producer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Wilkins, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alvin Hunter, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Otis Redding, ComposerLyricist - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Alexander, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Bar-Kays, MainArtist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - CHARLES ALLEN, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Harvey Henderson, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Larry Dodson, Vibraphone, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Winston Stewart, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Barry Wilkins, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Alvin Hunter, Drums, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Bell, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Bell, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Bell, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Lieuwen, Composer - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Kasandra, Author, MainArtist - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Edgar Guest, Composer
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Fred Briggs, ComposerLyricist - Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carla Thomas, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Donald Davis, ComposerLyricist - Kent Barker, ComposerLyricist - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Raymond Jackson, ComposerLyricist - Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carla Thomas, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Homer Banks, ComposerLyricist - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer, ComposerLyricist - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Isaac Hayes, ComposerLyricist - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carla Thomas, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Porter, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carla Thomas, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Larry Nix, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Carla Thomas, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Kasandra, Author, Speaker, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Mack Rice, Producer, Assistant Producer - Terry Manning, Producer, Assistant Producer - Tom Nixon, Producer, Assistant Producer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Tom Scott, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Thompson, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Albert King, Guitar, Vocals, Spoken Word, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - William Brown, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Al Bell, Producer, Recording Producer - Bettye Crutcher, Producer, Assistant Producer - Brian Kehew, Producer, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Bishop, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Luke, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dave Purple, Recording Engineer, Recording Supervisor, StudioPersonnel - Joe Tarantino, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
Album review
1968 was a tragic time for Memphis. Just before Christmas '67, Otis Redding, the biggest star of local soul music label Stax Records, was killed in a plane crash. In April 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. Also that spring, Stax lost control of its catalog of recordings to Warner. Undeterred and unwilling to fail, new label co-owner Al Bell decided to build a roster of acts that included The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, and Johnnie Taylor.
Four years later, Bell and his Los Angeles-based colleague Forrest Hamilton conceived the idea of a benefit concert event in the predominantly Black neighborhood of Watts to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the riots that devastated the area. Bell knew that Wattstax would not only expose the label's artists to a larger national audience but would also bring unity to the Black community and "… make them feel valued as human beings and to feel a sense of pride as Black people living through tumultuous times."
The massive festival held August 20, 1972 (coincidentally, Hayes' 30th birthday) in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a crowd of 112,000 was documented in an award-winning film and a pair of double albums most of whose material has been reissued several times since. (Performers who could not make the stadium show because of illness or scheduling conflicts played three shows later that fall at the Summit Club in Los Angeles that were also recorded.) Most artists, all of whom played for free, tapped into the spirit of the event and took their artistry to a higher level. Though fans had to be exhorted to stay off the field several times, the show ran relatively smoothly and the consistency is impressive.
Old guard Stax artists led the way. Carla Thomas, most famous for her duets with Redding, bops her way through "I Like What You're Doing (To Me)," the kind of upbeat soul number that brought out her best. Her father Rufus Thomas follows a high energy take of his biggest hit "Do the Funky Chicken," with another hilarious ornithological gyration, the even jumpier "Do the Funky Penguin." Eddie Floyd revs up a version of his biggest hit from the pre-1967 Stax catalog, "Knock On Wood." The Staple Singers, the stars of the new Stax, perform spirited versions of two of their biggest hits, "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There," while fellow label newcomer, blues guitarist Albert King, rips through "Killing Floor" and "Angel of Mercy." Some of the lesser-knowns also get their licks in as Rance Allen leads his hot electric guitar through a gospel/soul/funk rave up of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's "Up Above My Head." Although the Bar-Kays played their own wah-wah guitar anthem "Son Of Shaft / Feel It" earlier in the program, Isaac Hayes, in his iconic shades-and-chains outfit, closes Wattstax with a set that includes two versions of his biggest hit "Theme from Shaft."
The additional Summit Club sets are superb, with each performer upping their game, all of it captured in better sound than the outdoor concert. The Sons of Slum (once known as the Supersonics), who back The Emotions, sustain comically fast tempos on a medley that begins with "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," a big hit for Stax competitor Motown, and closes with a cover of Sly Stone's "Dance to The Music." Little Milton opens his set with a ferocious "Open the Door to Your Heart" before finding another huge groove later in "Grits Ain't Groceries (All Around The World)." Billed as containing everything recorded under the Wattstax banner, including all previously unreleased stadium and club tracks, this supersize reissue should be the final word on the celebration. © Robert Baird/Qobuz
About the album
- 7 disc(s) - 130 track(s)
- Total length: 12:19:18
- Main artist: Various Artists
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Craft Recordings
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B Soul
© 2022 Craft Recordings. ℗ 2022 Craft Recordings.
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