Stax Profiles

by The Staple Singers

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	04/25/2006
Label:	Fantasy / Stax
UPC:	0025218862424
Rank:	100759

Tracks

1. I'll Take You There
2. Respect Yourself
3. If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)
4. Be What You Are
5. Are You Sure
6. Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom)
7. Oh La de Da
8. Touch a Hand, Make a Friend
9. You've Got to Earn It
10. Everyday People
11. My Main Man
12. City in the Sky
13. Long Walk to D.C.
14. The Weight

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Staple Singers   Primary Artist
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra   Primary Artist
Donald "Duck" Dunn   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Yvonne Staples   Vocals
Cleotha Staples   Vocals
Mavis Staples   Vocals
Roebuck "Pops" Staples   Vocals,Guitar
Steve Cropper   Guitar
Barry Beckett   Keyboards
Eddie Hinton   Guitar
Marvell Thomas   Keyboards
Jimmy Johnson   Guitar
David Hood   Bass
Clayton Ivey   Organ
Al Jackson, Jr.   Drums
Roger Hawkins   Drums
Pervis Staples   Vocals

Technical Credits

Steve Cropper   Audio Production,Arranger,Producer
Al Bell   Audio Production,Producer,Arranger
Luther Ingram   Composer
Jamie Putnam   Art Direction
Sir Mack Rice   Composer
Alvertis Isbell   Composer
Rob Bowman   Liner Notes
Robbie Robertson   Composer
Wayne Jackson   Performer
Joe Tarantino   Remastering
Sylvester Stewart   Composer
Joe Arnold   Performer
The Memphis Horns   Performer
Phillip Mitchell   Composer
Andrew Love   Performer