Various Artists – Stax Revue: Live in ’65! (Stax/Craft Recordings)

A pair of long-forgotten live performances from the Stax archives are unearthed

Craft Recordings has just issued Stax Revue: Live in ’65, a 2-CD, or 2-LP set showcasing live performances by the best of the Memphis label’s roster in 1965, including Booker T & the MG’s, William Bell, Rufus & Carla Thomas, and a guest appearance by Wilson Pickett (who was not on Stax, but did record at the label’s studio).  The tracks come from two different venues – the 5/4 Club in Los Angeles and the Club Paradise in Memphis.

Both of these concerts are rare – some of the songs from the 5/4 Club came out in 1991, but the Club Paradise show has never seen the light of day.  There’s an interesting dynamic here between the two shows: the Los Angeles concert marked the first time many of the artists on the bill had ever performed that far west, so there’s a “go for broke” feel to many of these tracks, while the Memphis show was recorded in familiar territory, and it feels more loose.

The Club Paradise set is first, on disc one.  The Stax artists were very familiar with this venue, and would often unwind here after a long day of recording, so there’s a relaxed vibe here.  Steve Cropper’s guitar is really loud on “Green Onions,” and all of Booker T & MG’s settle into a fantastic groove. The track seems to fade out, but then comes back for a final note – possibly studio trickery?  “Boot-Leg” adds a surprising sax to the mix (and no one seems to know who it was). “You Can’t Sit Down” certainly got everyone moving.  “Summertime” takes the mood down a little, and shows off the supple chops of Booker T, while you can hear the crowd talking in the background.  

The quality of the Club Paradise show is shaky at times – like how the vocals are down in the mix of “What Can It Be” from the Astors, but the harmonies are great.  

Probably the biggest treat here is to hear songwriter David Porter have an extended solo set.  The co-writer of many of the big hits by Sam & Dave, whips the crowd into a frenzy on the tender ballad, “Just Be True” and then James Brown’s “Out of Sight.”  The Paradise show ends with Wendy Rene’s greasy, “Bar-B-Q.”  

The Stax artists seem wound tighter on the 5/4 Club show, on disc two.  After a rousing rendition of “Last Night” by the Mar Keys, the Mad Lads throw it back to the doo wop days for “I Don’t Have to Shop Around” – I love this version, with loud cracking snare and a pulsing organ – there’s so much more muscle than the original studio track.  And, that’s the case for all these recordings. 

I love the gritty guitar on “Candy” from the Astors.  William Bell was such an underrated singer – I love how he stops the song and starts preachin’ in the middle of his signature, “You Don’t Miss Your Water.”  

Carla Thomas is electrifying on “Every Ounce of Strength” – I wish there was more than just one track of her.  The Magnificent Montague, a local DJ, provides both the emceeing and hype between the artists.  In fact, there are times when he definitely blurs the line here, as he even calls out the songs for the bands to play.  And, when Wilson Pickett comes on – he and Montague go back and forth, sparring with each other, before Pickett busts into an absolute scorching rendition of “In the Midnight Hour.” 

You think no one would want to follow Mr. Pickett, but Rufus Thomas was always up for a challenge, and he leads the crowd through an extended version of “The Dog” clocking in at 19 minutes, where he stops and starts throughout, giving dance lessons along the way.

The extensive liner notes give background into these recordings, and the mystery behind why they lay dormant for so long.  

Memphis’ Stax Records was the antithesis of the much slicker Motown Records in Detroit.  These live versions actually give us more of that grit that we’ve come to love over the years.  A fantastic find for any fan of classic soul music.   —Tony Peters