Stax's Indispensable Horns

From The Mar-Keys' "Philly Dog" to Otis Redding, the Memphis Horns forge Stax Records' gutsy sound, hitting listeners in the gut.

Tracklist

  1. Philly Dog — The Mar-Keys
  2. Slim Jenkins' Place — Booker T. & the M.G.'s
  3. My Whole World Is Falling Down — William Bell
  4. Big Bird — Eddie Floyd
  5. You Don't Know What You Mean To Me — Sam & Dave
  6. Chained and Bound — Otis Redding
  7. Funky Mississippi — Rufus Thomas
  8. Respect — Otis Redding

Transcript

Welcome to OffStereo. Hope your afternoon's going well. Let's dig in.

Philly Dog — The Mar-Keys

The Mar-Keys, Stax Records’ first house band, laid the groundwork for the label's early sound. Their horn-driven "Philly Dog" became foundational to the distinctive Memphis sound.

Slim Jenkins' Place — Booker T. & the M.G.'s

The Stax sound evolved with Booker T. & the M.G.'s, featuring former Mar-Keys members. "Slim Jenkins' Place" showcases their integrated groove, where soulful horn arrangements defined the label's unique character.

My Whole World Is Falling Down — William Bell

In 1965, Andrew Love joined Wayne Jackson, solidifying the Stax horn section. William Bell's 1966 track, "My Whole World Is Falling Down," exemplifies how these Memphis Horns provided powerful, gutsy backing for vocalists.

Big Bird — Eddie Floyd

Robert Gordon noted that Stax horns "don't enter through our ears, they come in through our guts." Eddie Floyd's "Big Bird" powerfully illustrates this raw energy, driven by the indispensable Memphis Horns.

You Don't Know What You Mean To Me — Sam & Dave

The Memphis Horns became so central to Stax that Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler famously demanded, "Wayne, baby, I need some of them Memphis horns!" This track from Sam & Dave's 1967 album 'Soul Men' showcases their dynamic, essential contributions.

Chained and Bound — Otis Redding

Stax fostered an organic process where music blossomed from arrangements created on the studio floor. Otis Redding's 1965 track, "Chained and Bound," features horns providing dynamic energy, integral to his raw vocal delivery.

Funky Mississippi — Rufus Thomas

Rufus Thomas, a radio host and Stax legend, declared, "Motown had the sweet. But Stax had the funk." His daughter, Carla Thomas, also graced the label with tracks like "I've Got To Have You." By 1969, Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love formalized as The Memphis Horns. This 1970 track, "Funky Mississippi," highlights their distinctive, driving lines, embodying that Stax funk.

Respect — Otis Redding

Stax faced financial collapse, losing its valuable master recordings in 1968. Still, Otis Redding's iconic "Respect" proves the horn-driven Stax sound's enduring cultural impact, a legacy now celebrated at the Stax Museum.

Thank you for listening to OffStereo. May the meticulous precision and soulful force of those Memphis horns forever tune the rhythm of your days.

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