A new public television special captures venerated soul icons, including Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and Booker T. and the MG’s, in concert, in their prime. Filmed April 7, 1967 in Oslo, Norway, Sweet Soul: Stax/Volt Revue – Live in Norway 1967 features live performance footage from the last leg of the Stax/Volt Revue’s European tour – a rare package tour of artists from the legendary record label. Otis Redding delivers jaw-dropping versions of “Shake,” “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” the only known filmed concert performance of “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song),” and a staggering, six-minute version of “Try A Little Tenderness,” during which he comes back for four encores! Sam and Dave live up to their “Double Dynamite” nickname with powerful performances of “Hold On! I’m Comin’,” “Soothe Me,” and a chilling version of “You Don’t Know Like I Know.” Other highlights include Booker T. and the MGs’ scorching rendition of “Green Onions” one of the most popular instrumentals ever, Arthur Conley’s definitive version of the genre classic “Sweet Soul Music,” Eddie Floyd’s soulful “Raise Your Hand,” and “Philly Dog” by original Stax Records house band The Mar-Keys. Re-transferred from the original master tapes that had been resting in the television vaults for 40 years, the special also features reflections from guitarist Steve Cropper, a founding member of Booker T. and the MG’s and The Mar-Keys, and trumpeter Wayne Jackson of The Mar-Keys and The Memphis Horns about the legendary concert. Presented nationally by WLIW21 in association with WNET.ORG, Sweet Soul: Stax/Volt Revue – Live in Norway 1967 premieres nationwide on public television March 2009 (check local listings).
Originally named Satellite Records, Stax Records was,founded in 1957 by white siblings Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton–the name Stax came from combining their surnames–in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, and produced almost exclusively African-American artists. From 1960 through May 1968, Stax Records was the focal point of Southern soul music, featuring the distinctive sound of house band Booker T. and the MG’s, one of the first racially-integrated ensembles in popular music. The sound became known as the “Stax Sound,” manifest on the recordings of soul giants including Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd and Albert King. Distributed by the New York-based Atlantic Records during this time, Stax formed several subsidiaries, including Volt Records in 1962, the label home of Redding.
Sweet Soul: Stax/Volt Revue – Live in Norway 1967 encapsulates an era of soul music and the legacy of the powerhouse American record label that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007.
Song List
“Philly Dog” – The Mar-Keys
“Green Onions” – Booker T. and the MG’s
“Sweet Soul Music” – Arthur Conley
“You Don’t Know Like I Know” – Sam and Dave
“Raise Your Hand” – Eddie Floyd
“Soothe Me” – Sam and Dave
“Hold On! I’m comin’” – Sam and Dave
“Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)” – Otis Redding
“My Girl” – Otis Redding
“Shake” – Otis Redding
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – Otis Redding
“Try A Little Tenderness” – Otis Redding
Presented nationally by WLIW21 in association with WNET.ORG. ST and CC.
