
At nine discs and 244 tracks,
The Complete Stax-Volt Singles: 1959-1968 is
far too exhaustive for casual fans, but that's not who the set is
designed for -- it's made for the collector. Featuring every A-side the
label released during those nine years, as well as several B-sides, the
set is a definitive portrait of gritty, deep Southern soul. Many of the
genre's major names -- Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas,
Booker T. & the MG's, William Bell, Rufus Thomas, the Bar-Kays,
Albert King -- plus many terrific one-shot wonders are showcased in
terrific sound and augmented with an in-depth booklet. For any serious
soul or rock collector, it's an essential set, since Stax-Volt was not
only a musically revolutionary label, its roster was deep with talent,
which means much of the music on this collection is first-rate.