Thursday, July 31, 2003

Aw Yeah

As I sit here researching websites for departments of Parks & Recreation from across the country (mind-numbing doesn’t begin to describe it) I had to do something.

Right now I’m grooving to a collection of Stax/Volt singles from 1968 – 1971. And damn I feel cool. It’s like Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn are sitting right next to me egging me on. Isaac Hayes is right here with me and each time I find a good site Isaac says, “Now THAT’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!”

You’re looking at me funny. I can tell.

Okay, Stax/Volt was THE best soul label on Earth. Was and always will be.

But what about Motown, you say? Screw Motown. Sure, they could produce some killer singles and the Holland/Dozier/Holland songs are a wonderful contribution to the world of music and rank right up there with the Brill Building days of pop, but much of the music is so . . . bland. (You thought I was going to say white, didn’t you?)

Stax/Volt music was sexy, hot and energetic. And Rare Earth didn’t record for them.

I’m sitting here listening to the likes of Eddie Floyd, The Bar-Kays, Rufus Thomas, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Booker T and the MGs, The Mar-Keys, Delaney and Bonnie, Dino and Doc, The Mad Lads and so much more.

Sweet. Between the groove of Booker T and the MGs’ rhythm track and the balls of The Memphis Horns’ . . . um . . . horns, I am just cookin’.

But it just makes me want my own horn section.

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