Stax Profiles The Staple Singers Artist

Throughout the distinct phases of their recording career, from straight rhythmic {|gospel|} to Civil Rights protest anthems, to what might be called {|soul|} {|folk|} to the funky grit of their {|Stax|} years, {|the Staple Singers|} always delivered ... Read more

Throughout the distinct phases of their recording career, from straight rhythmic {|gospel|} to Civil Rights protest anthems, to what might be called {|soul|} {|folk|} to the funky grit of their {|Stax|} years, {|the Staple Singers|} always delivered songs that said something, and even when the grooves of songs like 1971's {|Respect Yourself|} or 1972's {|reggae|}-tinged {|I'll Take You There|} were sending people to the dancefloors, the lyrics were hopeful, message-driven missives of support for a better self, a better community, and a better world. {|Stax Profiles|} is a fine anthology which collects tracks recorded between 1968 and 1975 during {|the Staple Singers|} productive stay at {|Stax Records|}, and includes both {|Respect Yourself|} and {|I'll Take You There,|} as well as the powerful {|City in the Sky,|} {|Touch a Hand, Make a Friend,|} {|Are You Sure,|} with its brilliantly staggered vocals, and the {|Steve Cropper|} produced {|Long Walk to D.C.|} There isn't a single lame track here, and while there are lengthier collections of {|the Staple Singers|}' {|Stax|} years on the market, this one has a wonderful flow. ~ Steve Leggett Less