 |  | One of the best soul album titles released by Stax Records!!! |  |
This album, Wattstax: The Living Word was released by the Stax label in 1972 (or early '73) and has soul titles by various artists. You name the artists, and they were there at this wonderful and historic event on August 20, 1972 (this was also known as the "Black Woodstock"). Of course, the only difference is that Wattstax was a 7 hour concert, and not a weekend long event, there was no drug use and absolutely no nudity during this show. The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, Rufus and Carla Thomas, The Bar-Kays, The Soul Children, and a few others were all there on the 7th anniversary of the infamous Watts riots from 1965. I love all of the songs on this title, and it is a joy to listen to. The Staple Singers were great on the four songs of theirs on this album (even though "Oh La De Da" was done in the studio and had fake audience sounds mixed in to make it sound like it was from the concert. Eddie Floyd's "Lay Your Loving On Me" is a studio recording as well, also with the fake audience sounds.) "I Like the Things About Me" is a great one too, with Pops Staples taking over the lead vocals and spending a few minutes talking to the audience. The group also sang their two most memorable songs at this event as well, Respect Yourself and I'll Take You There. Their live versions of these two songs are as wonderful as the regular versions that were released earlier. Other titles that I like are The Bar-Kays' "Son of Shaft/Feel It", which starts out nice and quiet and kicks in loud almost two minutes after the song's beginning. The Soul Children's "I Don't Know What This World is Coming To" and "Hearsay" are pleasant to listen to as well. "Hearsay" is a funny one, talking about the "he said, she said" thing; that part will make you laugh. Even though this was a truly wonderful concert with more than 100,000 black Los Angeles residents attending the show and filling nearly every seat in the LA Memorial Coliseum, Stax Records was starting to unravel and fall apart due to their messy financial situations, which is sad to say, as the label's business ended several years later. It is really odd that the follow-up album, Wattstax 2 is not out on CD and that this first album is standing alone. I can assume that the reason why the second album is not out on CD is probably due to Richard Pryor's sequences being rated R. If it's not because of that, then the real reason remains a mystery. I also have this album (and the follow-up) on LP. Great music; none of these song titles will disappoint you!! If you want some great 70s soul, pick this title up. I am hoping to get the movie on DVD sometime soon!!
May 20, 2006| | | wattstax;i wish i was there | |
GREAT, is all I have to say. Must buy DVD also. I have both.
October 31, 2004This wonderful music has been lost to me for several years. I had it on vinyl and recently picked it up used on CD. I had forgotten just how good it is. As I am writing this, I am listening to Issac Hayes 'Ain't No Sunshine'. WOW!!!!
August 4, 2004 | | Very cool, soulful, gritty funk/R&B | |
This is some of the best music of the '70's. Some of it's pretty raw, but Albert King's performance alone is worth the price of admission. There's a phenomenal appearance by Isaac Hayes at the height of his powers. This is pretty intense, emotional music. These were great musicians of their day. Not to be missed.
October 23, 2001Every little thing the did gonh be funky. Memphis forever. RnB dynamite that shoots your head clean off. Again and again. This live stuff kind of makes the studio stuff a little... lifeless maybe. And there shure is some ass kicking life in the studio material. This album will kill any party floor anywhere at any time. This is fatter than Gilbert Grapes mom.
February 21, 2001More reviews at Amazon.com ...
