Stax/Volt Revue Live in norway April 1967 (DVD)

Stax and its subsidiary Volt Records put out some of the greatest Soul music of all time in the 60's and in 1967, sponsored a European tour of some of its most dynamic performers. The kids in Europe and England were eating up this music and regurgitating it as their form of R'n'B/R'n'R and were eager to see their inspirations and heroes. The artists did not disappoint and the audience went wild most nights.

This evening, April 7, 1967, was recorded for a Norwegian TV airing and shows practically the full revue - some parts were lost and/or damaged in the ensuing years. Here we can see some of the greatest names in Stax soul at their prime. We get Booker T. and the MG's (Steve Cropper on guitar, Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass, Al Jackson, Jr., on drums and, of course, Booker T. Jones on organ), the Mar-Keys (Joe Arnold on sax, Wayne Jackson on trumpet and Andrew Love on sax) as well as vocalists Arthur Conway ("In the Midnight Hour" and "Sweet Soul Music"), Eddie Floyd ("Raise Your Hand", which the J.Geils Band did fantastically later on), and Sam and Dave and Otis Redding sweatin' out their greatest hits.

As is common for live acts, the songs are often extended for maximum audience participation and the kids are always ready to participate - sometimes a little more enthusiastically than the security would prefer! The band is excellent, of course - there are good reasons why these folks are legends - and the night was obviously jam-packed with fun'n'excitement!

The DVD also includes modern interviews with Sam moore (Sam and Dave), Jim Stewart (Stax Records), Steve Cropper and Wayne Jackson, along with a large booklet with tons of cool pix. A great package all around!