Stax Records was, without exaggeration, one of the most important record labels in the development of soul music in the United States. Established in 1959 in Memphis, the label made its mark by producing outstanding music and by flouting the racial segregation of the times - Stax was concerned about the quality of the music, not about the skin colour of the musicians. Over its initial 16-year run, Stax produced records by Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, the Staples Singers, Wilson Pickett and Eddie Floyd, among many others. Here's a brief history of Stax:
Similar to Motown Records - who had the Funk Brothers - Stax featured an incredible house band, Booker T and the MGs, which established itself both inside and outside of the studio. It is two of the founding members of the MGs - bassist Duck Dunn and guitarist Steve Cropper - who will take the stage at the 2011 TD Toronto Jazz Festival, along with singer/songwriter extraordinaire Eddie Floyd.
If you read my entry about the Average White Band, you'll remember the "oh THAT'S who recorded that tune" moment I had with "Pick up the Pieces". When it comes to Stax Records, Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn and Eddie Floyd are responsible for the creation, recording and production of some of the biggest hits in the history of soul: "634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)", "Knock on Wood", "Respect", "Dock of the Bay", "In the Midnight Hour" and "Green Onions", to name a few. Here's Steve Cropper talking about writing "Knock on Wood":
Listening to these musicians play is like taking a trip back to the golden age of soul music. They've maintained the gritty, soulful combination of blues, soul, gospel and funk that made Stax such a success, and they'll bring that energy with them on their visit to Toronto. Here are a couple of videos that show off what's in store when they hit the stage. First, Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn in action with Wilson Pickett:
And now here's Eddie Floyd, sounding, as far as I'm concerned, just as good as he did forty years ago:
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