CD-Charts Position 161
Average Rating:

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Melting Pot

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Booker T & The MG's

Release Date September 28, 1992
This was the last album by the classic lineup of Booker T and the MG's: Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn and Al Jackson. The merely curious might be expecting that the band chiefly famous for 'Green Onions' and for the music to the BBC's cricket coverage would be one-hit wonders, who can't sustain interest over the course of a whole album. After all, what we are talking about here are instrumental tracks by the Stax Records house band, a combo that specialised in backing singers like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. In fact, the band is a lot better than merely listenable. Walk down the street with this on your earphones and you can feel like the star of your own personal blaxploitation movie.

There isn't ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 162
Average Rating:

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Soul Lucky

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Solomon Burke

Release Date June 14, 2004
This was the last album by the classic lineup of Booker T and the MG's: Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn and Al Jackson. The merely curious might be expecting that the band chiefly famous for 'Green Onions' and for the music to the BBC's cricket coverage would be one-hit wonders, who can't sustain interest over the course of a whole album. After all, what we are talking about here are instrumental tracks by the Stax Records house band, a combo that specialised in backing singers like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. In fact, the band is a lot better than merely listenable. Walk down the street with this on your earphones and you can feel like the star of your own personal blaxploitation movie.

There isn't ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 163
Average Rating:

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Overcome Vol.1: Preaching in Rhythm and Funk

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Various Artists

Release Date March 26, 2001
This was the last album by the classic lineup of Booker T and the MG's: Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald "Duck" Dunn and Al Jackson. The merely curious might be expecting that the band chiefly famous for 'Green Onions' and for the music to the BBC's cricket coverage would be one-hit wonders, who can't sustain interest over the course of a whole album. After all, what we are talking about here are instrumental tracks by the Stax Records house band, a combo that specialised in backing singers like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. In fact, the band is a lot better than merely listenable. Walk down the street with this on your earphones and you can feel like the star of your own personal blaxploitation movie.

There isn't ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 164
Average Rating:

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The Platinum Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Aretha Franklin

Release Date July 30, 2007
Lets face it, trying to compile an album of Aretha's best is a nightmare, she produced so many memorable songs. Not only that there's probably an Aretha track for every mood. Having said that, this collection is well worthwhile, especially at the price.

I'd give credit for choosing lesser known tracks like "Border Song", and "Something He Can Feel", the latter the only track from her brief collaboration with Curtis Mayfield, rather than the classic Jerry Wexler/Tom Dowd produced material which dominates this set. Other than that, there's uptempo funk on "Rock Steady" as well as acknowledged classics like "Do Right Woman" and "I Never Loved A Man".

If you are starting out with Aretha, then get this album, you'll find much to love. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 165
Average Rating:

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Chronicle: Their Greatest Stax Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Rufus & Carla Thomas

Release Date
Lets face it, trying to compile an album of Aretha's best is a nightmare, she produced so many memorable songs. Not only that there's probably an Aretha track for every mood. Having said that, this collection is well worthwhile, especially at the price.

I'd give credit for choosing lesser known tracks like "Border Song", and "Something He Can Feel", the latter the only track from her brief collaboration with Curtis Mayfield, rather than the classic Jerry Wexler/Tom Dowd produced material which dominates this set. Other than that, there's uptempo funk on "Rock Steady" as well as acknowledged classics like "Do Right Woman" and "I Never Loved A Man".

If you are starting out with Aretha, then get this album, you'll find much to love. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 166
Average Rating:

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Caught Up: Remastered

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Millie Jackson

Release Date July 10, 2006
Millie Jackson's finest achievement was this 1974 release of cuts covering the tale of a woman's existence as a mistress, told mostly from her point of view. As another reviewer has said, the "poor old me, the "other Woman"" role begins to grate at times, but only very slightly. This is peerless soul music, especially the wonderful "If Loving You Is Wrong" with its segue into the "rap" bit, spoken over a big "phat" bass line. All through the backing music is excellent and Jackson's vocals are always right up there. Unlike many "concept albums", the theme continues all the way to the end, when an inspired choice of cover version in Bobby Goldsboro's "Summer (The First Time)" sees the album's protagonist mournfully looking back on the good times and realising ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 167
Average Rating:

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Blues and Soul Masters

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Various Artists

Release Date May 06, 2002
This double cd is without a doubt one of the finest examples of the blues and soul era.
Track after track just oozes with passion, and real musical talent.Anyone who enjoys blues and/or soul music has to have this as part of their collection.
From the classic Otis Redding's Sitting on the Dock of the Bay to Tommy Tucker's High Heel Sneakers, there is a memory in everyone.
A must buy.

CD-Charts Position 168
Average Rating:

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Stax Profiles

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Booker T & The MG's

Release Date June 05, 2006
I've been looking for a Booker T & The MG's compilation but couldn't decide which as they seemed to focus on either early or later recordings. This one compiled by Elvis Costello is a blinder. Even the best Hammond organ players can sometimes sound a little "end of the pier" but these selections are great and the live "Green Onions" is well worth choosing over the studio version. The other live track "Bootleg" also steams along but there is a good mix of tempo across all tracks. Great sound and highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 169
Average Rating:

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The Bullet and Sur: the Speed Records Story

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Various Artists

Release Date March 12, 2007
I've been looking for a Booker T & The MG's compilation but couldn't decide which as they seemed to focus on either early or later recordings. This one compiled by Elvis Costello is a blinder. Even the best Hammond organ players can sometimes sound a little "end of the pier" but these selections are great and the live "Green Onions" is well worth choosing over the studio version. The other live track "Bootleg" also steams along but there is a good mix of tempo across all tracks. Great sound and highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 170
Average Rating:

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Aretha in Paris

CD-Charts > Music > Southern Soul
by: Aretha Franklin

Release Date December 19, 1994
I love all of Aretha's music, yet I am particular to her more energetic tunes, which is why I bought this live album. Well, my expectations were most certainly fulfilled: Aretha In Paris is chock-full of songs that'll make me jump up from wherever I am and start dancing whenever I play them. My favourites are the opening track, "Baby, I love you", "Since you've been gone" and, of course, "Respect". The best of the lot, however, is the orgiastic "Come Back Baby", which just has to heard to be believed. Another one of my favourites is the beautiful rendition of Willie Nelson's "Night Life", a lacerating yet unapologetic account of a life gone astray. Aretha's unmatched ability to act out her songs is well displayed in "Dr. Feelgood" (a song which she co-wrote), ... Read More: