Stax vs. Motown (part two)
The second of three installments in my conversation about the golden era of Stax and Motown with soul music fan and Stax afficiando Brad. Don’t forget to check out part one. Brad S.: I have to admit,...
View Article“Stax Does the Beatles”
By Joel Francis The ultimate Stax tribute to the Beatles was Booker T and the MGs 1970 album “McLemore Avenue.” None of those tracks appear on the 2007 compilation “Stax Does the Beatles,” but strong...
View ArticleReview Roundup – Rakim, Dodos, Naomi Shelton, Blakroc and Daptone Gold
(Above: The title song from Naomi Shelton’s debut album.) By Joel Francis The Daily Record The first month of 2010 is almost in the history books. Fortunately, there’s still time to take one last look...
View ArticleSolomon Burke’s Sweet Soul Music
(Above: Solomon Burke takes a mid-day festival crowd to church with “If You Need Me.”) By Joel Francis The Daily Record Soul legend Solomon Burke died Sunday at an airport in Amsterdam. The 70-year old...
View ArticleA Christmas conversation
(Above: Jimmy Smith’s “Christmas Cooking,” released in 1964, is a classic, overlooked holiday album.) By Joel Francis The Daily Record The other day I was in a retail bookstore when I noticed the...
View ArticleSocial Distancing Spins – Day 59
By Joel Francis Charles Mingus – The Clown (1957) Jazz bass legend Charles Mingus’ second album for the Atlantic label was also his second masterpiece in a row. There are only four songs on The Clown,...
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