Stax Story [Box set]

Various Artists - Soul - 1960s | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 24, 2000
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Stax
• ASIN: B00004Z3ZW
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,768 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Gee Whiz! (Look at His Eyes)

2. Last Night

3. Green Onions

4. Walking the Dog

5. Respect

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Cause I Love You

2. You Don't Miss Your Water

3. These Arms Of Mine

4. Can Your Monkey Do the Dog

5. Big Party

See all 29 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Soul Limbo

2. I've Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)

3. What A Man

4. I Like Everything About You

5. I Forgot to Be Your Lover

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Green Onions

2. Raise Your Hand

3. Something Good (Is Going to Happen to You)

4. Grab This Thing, Pt. 1

5. The Dog

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When you hear a Stax record, you know it's a Stax record: the urgent, passionate gospel inflections of the singer; the behind-the-beat horn arrangements; the prominent, pulsating rhythm section. It is the sound of South Memphis in the 1960s. Few labels have such an identifiable sound--or, for that matter, one that's as infectious. This four-disc collection gets right to the heart of the Stax sound, tracing its development from 1960 to 1975 and thus unveiling the development of modern soul music itself. The 98-song selection is wide and deep, with room for both international smashes and obscure curiosities. Disc one covers the best-known hits, but the highlight may be disc four, which is dedicated to incendiary live recordings and is where you can hear Rufus Thomas's "Do the Push and Pull" for more than five glorious minutes and hear Albert King break down his relationship troubles. The middle two discs fill in the gaps with lesser-known gems from famous artists and famous songs by lesser-known artists. Sure, any longtime Stax fan will quibble with a few of the song choices (and omissions), but that just proves how consistently rewarding the Stax output was. With packaging and annotation worthy of such indispensable music, The Stax Story will delight any fan of funk and soul. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description

'The Stax Story' brings together most of the company's biggest selling singles along with a well-chosen sampling of rarities and an entire disc of live recordings made around the world, including a couple of previously unissued gems. The 4 discs trace the evolution of a truly American style from the exquisite simplicity of the firm's early output through the often-lavish innovations of the later years. In addition to its 98 scorching selections, box set includes a richly illustrated booklet featuring the commentary of Rob Bowman, Stax historian & author of the award-winning Soulsville U.S.A.- The Story of Stax Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stax Soul Necessity, February 17, 2001

By 

J. E FELL "boogaloojef" (Carterville, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stax Story (Audio CD)

This set provides a welcome alternative to the pricey Complete Singles Vols. 1-3 box sets. This set is four discs. The first disc contains 26 well known Stax hits. The second disc highlights the Atlantic distribution period 1960-68. It contains lesser known singles and album tracks. Disc 3 highlights the years Mid 1968-1973 with more obscure singles and album tracks. The last disc is a sort of a live "Best of the Stax/Volt Soul Revue". All four discs are filled to capacity which is a good value. The 64 page booklet is well annotated with chart positions and contains rare photos of lp covers and promo literature as well as photos of some of the artists included in the set. The set highlghts not only the tight playing of Booker T. & the MGs but also the excellent songwriting of the Stax writers including; the MGs, Isaac Hayes, David Porter, Eddie Floyd, Mack Rice et al. Highlights abound with Albert King, Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, the Staple Singers and others. The lesser known cuts by the stars are just as good or better in some cases, than their hits. Some of the more obscure artists included such as the Mad Lads and Ollie & the Nightingales are highlighted with excellent cuts. Someone might have a quibble with the track selection but if so think about investing in cds by the individual artists or the much more expensive singles collections. This is an interesting and judiciously chosen sampler of one of the best soul/funk labels of the sixties and early seventies. If you like this set I highly recommend the "Otis: The Definitive Otis Redding" 4 cd box set on Rhino and "Time Is Tight" a 3 cd Booker T. & The MGs box set from Fantasy.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Expert Compilation, November 12, 2000

By 

"duckofsteel" (Grass Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stax Story (Audio CD)

If you want just the very best of Stax/Volt, get this box: you'll be in good hands. About 95% of the very best these labels had to offer is here, and the price is right. If I tell you I wish they had included "The Preacher and the Bear" by Rufus Thomas, you'll know I'm just being picky. But since I am picky, I will say that this box is weighted towards the first years of the labels, but hey, that's when the big hits came. A note to the discerning: what on this site is called "Big Ford" is in fact the magnificent Eddie Floyd non-hit "Big Bird."

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ninety Eight Stars (Count 'Em...98) One For Every Great Hit, July 10, 2001

By 

"marleyscott" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stax Story (Audio CD)

WOW, This is the real thing...The motherlode...Incredible!!! Sure the Complete Stax Volt Singles 6-CD box set gives you every single released up until Atlantic pulled out as their national distributor. The Atlantic Rhythm & Blues collection covers the years 1947-1974 and includes numerous artists of the late forties and fifties like Ruth Brown, Al Hibler, Big Joe Thorton, Lavern Baker and Ray Charles. Then there's the Rhino box set, Thirty Years of Rhythm and Blues, a great retrospective in that it crosses over numerous labels and artists. This is a great place to explore the diversity of styles covering all the great regional styles from Motown to Philly to Memphis.

But if your bent is hard driving, gut wrenching, R&B with a pinch of gospel and soul, then look no further. This collection is the bomb. With 98 (count 'em...98) bonifide super soul hits, this is positively essential for any collector. Five Stars just scratches the surface. This one should get 98 Stars (count 'em...98) one for every great single in this marvelous set.