Album Review: Various Artists — Stax Does the Beatles
Before succumbing to the vicissitudes of the record biz, Stax Records was one of the coolest labels in the 60s and 70s. Rawer and earthier than Motown, the black-oriented label out of Memphis turned out classic albums from Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the MGs and many others. Many of these artists wrote their own material, but covers often figured into the mix as well. With the recent reactivation of the Stax label under the Concord umbrella, the time was ripe for some interesting compilations of this material. Two new releases — Stax Does the Beatles and a lesser volume of Motown covers called Soulsville Sings Hitsville — fill that gap.
On the Beatles disc, Otis Redding tears into “Day Tripper,” Isaac Hayes reinterprets “Something” as only he can, and Carla Thomas turns in a fine live rendition of “Yesterday.” Both The Bar-Kays and Steve Cropper turn in covers of “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Cropper sticks to an arrangement quite similar to Joe Cocker’s 1969 desecration of that song, managing to find the good in it (specifically, as it turns out, everything but Cocker’s vocal). The Bar-Kays recast the song in a funkified gospel-fired version that proves the adage that a great song is a great song, and can stand up to reinterpretation in various genres.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.