Jazz Articles
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Albert King: Born Under A Bad Sign (SACD)
by Doug Collette
Originally released in the psychedelicized year of 1967, the altogether earthy blues recording that is Albert King's Born Under A Bad Sign may have gone over the heads of those succumbing to flower power during the Summer of Love. Nevertheless, it made an impression on those who were learning to dote on the genre, many of whom were musicians who not only acted upon the inspiration they found in the music, but also tendered dutiful homage to the artist. Cream ...
read moreBig Star: The Best of Big Star
by Doug Collette
The Best of Big Star might be the ideal introduction to the greatest 'never was but shoulda been' band of all time. Not nearly so extensive or lavishly packaged as Keep An Eye on the Sky (Rhino, 2009) or Third Complete (Omnivore, 2016), the quick succession of sixteen tracks, a half-dozen of which are rare single edits of album tracks, presents Big Star not only as a great band of players, but ingenious songwriters and recording artists willing to experiment ...
read moreSouthern Avenue: Southern Avenue
by James Nadal
Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the outstanding music cities of America. Southern Avenue runs from East Memphis due west, where it turns into E. McClemore Avenue, home of Soulsville, better known as Stax Records. This young Memphis group named themselves and their self-titled debut release, Southern Avenue, in a deliberate undertaking to continue and expand upon the soul, blues, and gospel tradition associated with this fabled city. Fronted by the vivacious and vigorous vocalist Tierinni Jackson, the band ...
read moreWilliam Bell: This Is Where I Live
by James Nadal
Stax Records was recently revived under the umbrella of the Concord Music Group, in a commendable gesture to acknowledge the southern soul artists on the legendary label. When Stax (formerly Satellite Records) originated in 1961, one of the first artists signed was a young singer/songwriter named William Bell, who hit the charts that same year with You Don't Miss Your Water." But it would be for his monumental song Born Under A Bad Sign" co-written by Booker T Jones, and ...
read moreNathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats: Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats
by C. Michael Bailey
I believe that it is a sworn obligation to introduce one another to new music. It is a sacrament in the enjoyment of the art. That said, All About Jazz's own resident Genius, Jeff Fitzgerald did his part in spades. Directing my attention to the official video of Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats' S.O.B." Thank you, Genius. Missouri-native Nathaniel Rateliff came into the music world on a mission trip to Colorado, a well-meaning and understated folkie known for polite ...
read moreAlbert King: Born Under a Bad Sign
by C. Michael Bailey
First things first. Left-handed blues guitarist Albert King played a right-handed, right-strung guitar turned upside down. Left-handed blues guitarist Jimi Hendrix played a right-handed, left-strung guitar upside-down.That said..When Albert King came to Memphis and signed with Stax records in 1966, no parties knew exactly what effect King's blues sensibilities would have on the Southern soul of house band Booker T. and the MGs nor how the band's well-established southern-fried credentials would inspire King. The result, captured ...
read moreBooker T. and the M.G.s: Green Onions 50th Anniversary Edition
by C. Michael Bailey
The Golden Anniversary of anything is a big deal. But to the Late Baby Boom Generation, any Golden anniversary of important musical events is that much more important for the nostalgic appeal they possess. We have already seen a couple of Golden Anniversaries mentioned: The Beatles' formation in 1960, the release of the first Beach Boys recording, Surfin' Safari (Capitol, 1962), the appearance of the Rolling Stones that same year. Booker T. and the M.G.s (for Memphis Group) released the ...
read moreThe Warren Haynes Band: Live at the Moody Theater
by Doug Collette
Like Warren Haynes' Man in Motion (Stax 2011), Live at the Moody Theatre contains a single performance that transcends virtually all the remaining tracks of its two CDs and one DVD. On Your Wildest Dreams," Haynes' singing is as fiercely restrained as his guitar work and all the more powerful for that discipline.Close to the longest cut on the set at 11-plus minutes, there is nevertheless not a wasted note in the creation of an emotional impact that ...
read moreLeela James: My Soul
by Ernest Barteldes
As she begins a relationship with a new label, Leela James presents a selection of all-original songs, contrasting Let's Do It Again (Shanachie, 2009), where the classic soul singer paid tribute to iconic soul singers and songwriters who informed her career. The collection is refreshing, starting with the powerhouse" I Ain't New To This," which contains a sample of Millie Jackson's Solitary Love Affair" during its intro. James keeps things going with I Want It All," its thumping bass line ...
read moreVarious Artists: Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration
by C. Michael Bailey
Jim Stewart founded Satellite Records in 1957 and was joined by his sister Estelle Axton a year later, changing the label name to Stax (from the morpheme formed by Jim STewart and Estelle AXton) in 1961. Between 1961 and the label's agonizing demise in 1976, Stax released Southern soul classics that included the singles Soul Man by Sam & Dave, Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding, Green Onions by Booker T & the MGs, and an embarrassment of musical ...
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