Respect Yourself The Stax Records Story documents the history of soul music s most influential record label alongside the tumultuous events of the U.S. civil rights movement. — Features comprehensive interviews with all the... more » players Stax founder Jim Stewart, Isaac Hayes, Mavis Staples, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, David Porter, Duck Dunn, Wayne Jackson, Sam Moore, Al Bell and Jesse Jackson. Also such contemporary artists as: Elvis Costello, Bono, Chuck D and Jermaine Dupree. Lost performances from: Otis Redding, Booker T. & the MGs, Isaac Hayes and The Staple Singers, as well as footage from the legendary 1967 European Stax/Volt Revue and the landmark 1972 Wattstax concert. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson.
STAX VOLT REVUE, Live in Norway 1967. Stax Volt Revue Live in Norway 1967 marks the first official release of this historic concert, considered by soul music fans to be one of the greatest line ups of artists ever to grace the stage. This DVD captures the 75 minute concert on April 7, 1967 in Oslo Norway, near the end of the three week tour, when all the artists were at their peaks. Includes stunning performances by Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley, The Mar-Keys and the legendary Booker T. and the MGs. Digitally restored from the original masters, including 20 minutes of recently discovered performances lost in the vaults for 40 years.
Include live performances by Booker T. and the MGs (Red Beans and Rice, Green Onions), Mar Keys (Philly Dog, Grab This Thing, Last Night), Arthur Conley (In the Midnight Hour, Sweet Soul Music), Eddie Floyd (Raise Your Hand), Sam & Dave (You Don t Know Like I Know, Soothe Me, When Something is Wrong With My Baby, Hold on I m Coming), Otis Redding (Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song), My Girl, Shake, Satisfaction, Try a Little Tenderness).
Bonus Features Audio commentary from Steve Cropper and Wayne Jackson, a look back on the tour with Sam Moore, Steve Cropper, Wayne Jackson and Jim Stewart, Green Onions (alternate version), and subtitles in English, French, German, Spanish and Portugese.« less
I missed getting the 90-minute documentary "Respect Yourself" on the history of the Memphis-based Stax label when it came out last year - though I did see it air on TV. I really wanted to see the separate 90-minute DVD of the "Stax Volt Revue in Norway 1967" even more, but just never got to it. Now, thanks to Infinity Entertainment Group, BOTH these incredible shows are in one package - simply titled "Stax".
Both of the programs were produced by David Peck and his Reelin' In The Years Production company, which searches Europe for some of the rarest television footage of American pop, blues and jazz performances. (If it says "Reelin' in The Years" on a DVD package you can be sure it's essential viewing!).
While the documentary is one that you'll probably only watch once all the way through, you might return to favorite chapters. The "Stax Volt Revue", however, is one you will turn to again and again. Who can tire of watching Otis Redding turn on a crowd of conservative Norwegian teens? Or count the number of times that Sam & Dave end their number, leave the stage and then return again to finish, and finish, and - finally - finish their song (a la James Brown). Add the Mar-key-s with Steve Cropper as the show's Musical Director, Arthur Conley, Eddie Floyd and Booker T and you have one heck of dynamite show.
Then the producers added an audio commentary and interviews to put the tour in perspective and you have well over three hours of class entertainment (between the two discs in the set). And the 28 page color booklet of notes and photos adds to the "class act".
This is one DVD that will not just sit on your shelf. To my knowledge the Stax Volt tour was never filmed in the US. We can only wait till Peck and his company dig up footage of the tour in other European countries. Till then, grab the DVD, It certainly has "soul"!