Customer Reviews

Do You See What I See

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The Bar-Kays were the funksters for the STAX label without any doubt. I picked up on the Bar-Kays during their Mercury years when they began scoring hits alongside other hard core 70 Funk bands like P-Funk, The Ohio Players and Bootsy Rubberband. Their STAX years were very interesting especially tracking their evolution from a Memphis style house band ("Soul Finger" etc..) to a radical Funk/Black Rock band as witnessed in concert,via the film "WattStax". This collection of songs came from their 4th STAX album. Each track stands on their on on this masterpiece "Love Pollution" and "I was made to love her" signify that Funk effort which would produce million sellers for Mercury in years to come while showcasing instrumental material from the late 60's on 2 of the disc 5 bonus tracks. The liner notes said it all concerning the Bar-Kays. STAX did'nt understand how to properly promote this group on a roster that also included a diverse yet Soul/Gospel influenced artist featuring among others The Staple Singers,Albert King and Johnny Taylor etc.. The Bar-Kays "Do you see what I see" should have been a Funk classic when it was originally released in January of 1973, however it came and went. The group got to prove it self again and again when STAX folded and they headed to Mercury creating several million seling albums and numerous top 20 records.It is interesting to note that during The Bar-Kays run at Mercury the Fantasy label who had just purchased the STAX catalog in the late 70's sent out the album "Money Talks" which produced the top ten hit "Holy Ghost"..ultimately they would sell a million from that record.

This is the album that turned me on to the Bar-Kays. I borrowed the album from a friend and recorded it to cassette back in 1974. I still have the cassette, but the CD sounds so much better. A late Friday night with a Miller beer, some fresh out the pan fried chicken, and the Bar-Kays -- couldn't beat it.

These are the Bar-Kays that not to many people remember. Stax just didn't promote them very well or just wasn't quite ready for them or their music. "Six O'Clock New Report" and "Do You See What I See" are still relevant today. The things they sing about are still happening.

The first time I actually saw them was in 1970. In Washington DC @ The Carter Barron. They opened up for the Temptations. I was only 13 and to see these guys in those "hippie" clothes was something to behold. They won my heart and I became a loyal fan. This album "Do You See What I See" has always been of of my favorite albums of all times. I could NEVER understand why the stations would not pump this funk. I got the album and wore it out...so I'm so glad its on CD. Thier musicianship is just so awesome. No wonder Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes used these brothers in the studio and on the road. I recommend this album. I love "Memphis @ Sunrise"....very smooth and jazzy instrumental. The Wattstax section here is worth the buy., IN other words..u won't be disaapointed. Too bad Stax did not know what to do with them....Get "Black Rock" (My fav Bar-Kays album).......

THIS CD CONTAINS AS 2 X BONUS TRACKS SON OF SHAFT & i CANT TURN YOU LOOSE
- THESE 2 LIVE TRACKS ARE THE BAR KAYS COMPLETE SET FROM WATTSTAX
THE CD IS WORTH BUYING JUST FOR THAT ALONE

SON OF SHAFT HAS THE BEST WAH WAH GUITAR RIFF IN MUSIC HISTORY ( IN MY OPINION)& THE LIVE VERSION COOKS EVEN MORE THAN THEIR STUDIO VERSION & THE REST OF THE CD IS VERY WORTHY - SO DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR & GET IT

PS:MR STAX PLEASE REISSUE THE BAR KAYS 1974 STAX LP " COLD BLOODED" ON CD