Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Fool In Love - Veltones
2. 'Cause I Love You - Carla & Rufus
3. Gee Whiz - Carla Thomas
4. You Make Me Feel So Good - The Chips
5. A Love Of My Own - Carla Thomas
6. Last Night - Mar-Keys
7. I Didn't Believe - Rufus & Friend
8. I'm Going Home - Prince Conley
9. (Mama, Mama) Wish Me Good Luck - Carla Thomas
10. Morning After - Mar-Keys
11. The Life I Live - Barbara Stephens
12. About Noon - Mar-Keys
13. Burnt Biscuits - Triumphs
14. I Kinda Think He Does - Carla Thomas
15. Foxy - Mar-Keys
16. You Don't Miss Your Water - William Bel
17. Formula Of Love - William Bell
18. Goofin' Off - Macy Skipper
19. Wait A Minute - Barbara Stephens
20. Sunday Jealous - Nick Charles
21. That's The Way It Is With Me - Barbara Stephens
22. No Tears - The Tonettes
23. Pop-Eye Stroll - Mar-Keys
24. The Three Dogwoods - Nick Charles
25. Why Should I Suffer With The Blues - The Canes
26. Whot's Happenin'! - Mar-Keys
27. Just Across The Street - The Del-Rios
28. There's A Love - The Del-Rios
29. Can't Ever Let You Go - Rufus Thomas

Disc 2:

1. Green Onions - Booker T. & The MGs
2. Behave Yourself - Booker T. & The MGs
3. Any Other Way - William Bell
4. I'll Bring It Home To You - Carla Thomas
5. Sack-O-Woe - Mar-Keys
6. These Arms Of Mine - Otis Redding
7. Teardrop Sea - The Tonettes
8. The Dog - Rufus Thomas
9. Jelly Bread - Booker T. & The MGs
10. I Told You So - William Bell
11. Bo-Time - Mar-Keys
12. Home Grown - Booker T. & The MGs
13. My Imaginary Guy - Deanie Parker & The Valadors
14. Just As I Thought - William Bell
15. What A Fool I've Been - Carla Thomas
16. The Hawg, Part One - Eddie Kirk
17. Don't Be Afraid Of Love - Oscar Mack
18. That's My Guy - Cheryl & Pam Johnson
19. Chinese Checkers - Booker T. & The MGs
20. Somebody Mentioned Your Name - William Bell
21. What Can I Do - Bobby Marchan
22. That's What My Heart Needs - Otis Redding
23. What Can It Be - The Astors
24. Bango - Billy & The King Bees
25. Them Bones - Eddie Kirk
26. Walking The Dog - Rufus Thomas
27. I'll Show You - William Bell
28. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MG's
29. Behave Yourself - Booker T. & the MG's
30. Any Other Way - William Bell
31. I'll Bring It Home to You - Carla Thomas
32. Sack O' Woe - The Mar-Keys
33. These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding
34. Teardrop Sea - The Tonettes
35. Dog - Rufus Thomas
36. Jellybread - Booker T. & the MG's
37. I Told You So - William Bell
38. Bo-Time - The Mar-Keys
39. Home Grown - Booker T. & the MG's
40. My Imaginary Guy - Deanie Parker, Valadors
41. Just as I Thought - William Bell
42. What a Fool I've Been - Carla Thomas
43. Hawg, Pt. 1 - Eddie Kirk
44. Don't Be Afraid of Love - Oscar Mack
45. That's My Guy - Cheryl Johnson, Pam Johnson
46. Chinese Checkers - Cropper, Jackson, Jones, Lewis Steinberg
47. Somebody Mentioned Your Name - William Bell
48. What Can I Do - Bobby Marchan
49. That's What My Heart Needs - Otis Redding
50. What Can It Be? - The Astors
51. Bango - Billy & The King Bees
52. Them Bones - Eddie Kirk
53. Walking the Dog - Rufus Thomas
54. I'll Show You - William Bell

Disc 3:

1. Pain In My Heart - Otis Redding
2. Gee Whiz It's Christmas - Carla Thomas
3. Mo' Onions - Booker T. & The MGs
4. Frog Stomp - Floyd Newman
5. Can Your Monkey Do The Dog - Rufus Thomas
6. You Won't Do Right - Bobby Marchan
7. Wondering (When My Love Is Coming Home) - The Drapels
8. Each Step I Take - Deanie Parker
9. The Honey Dripper - The Van-Dells
10. Who Will It Be Tomorrow - William Bell
11. Come To Me - Otis Redding
12. Don't Leave Me This Way - Otis Redding
13. I Don't Want You Anymore - Eddie Jefferson
14. Restless - The Cobras
15. Somebody Stole My Dog - Rufus Thomas
16. Big Party - Barbara & The Browns
17. That's Really Some Good - Rufus & Carla
18. Night Time Is The Right Time - Rufus & Carla
19. Security - Otis Redding
20. Dream Girl - Oscar Mack
21. Closer To My Baby - Dorothy Williams
22. I've Got No Time To Lose - Carla Thomas
23. Young Man - The Drapels
24. Soul Dressing - Booker T. & The MGs
25. After Laughter (Comes Tears) - Wendy Rene
26. Can't Explain How It Happened - Ivory Joe Hunter
27. Bush Bash - Mar-Keys
28. Please Return To Me - The Fleets
29. Pain in My Heart - Otis Redding
30. Gee Whiz, It's Christmas - Carla Thomas
31. Mo' Onions - Booker T. & the MG's
32. Frog Stomp - Floyd Newman
33. You Won't Do Right - Bobby Marchan
34. Wondering (When My Love Is Coming Home) - The Drapels
35. Each Step I Take - Deanie Parker
36. Honeydripper - Vandells
37. Who Will It Be Tomorrow - William Bell
38. Come to Me - Otis Redding
39. Don't Leave Me This Way - Otis Redding
40. I Don't Want You Anymore - Eddie Jefferson
41. Restless - Cobras
42. Somebody Stole My Dog - Rufus Thomas
43. Big Party - Barbara & the Browns
44. That's Really Some Good - Rufus & Carla
45. Night Time Is the Right Time - Rufus & Carla
46. Security - Otis Redding
47. Dream Girl - Oscar Mack
48. Closer to My Baby - Dorothy Williams
49. I've Got No Time to Lose - Carla Thomas
50. Young Man - The Drapels
51. Soul Dressing - Booker T. & the MG's
52. After Laughter (Comes Tears) - Wendy Rene
53. Can't Explain How It Happened - Ivory Joe Hunter
54. Bush Bash - The Mar-Keys
55. Please Return to Me - The Fleets

Disc 4:

1. Jump Back - Rufus Thomas
2. Chained And Bound - Otis Redding
3. In My Heart - Barbara & The Browns
4. Spunky - Johnny Jenkins
5. Bar B-Q - Wendy Rene
6. The Sidewalk Surf - Mad Lads
7. Can't Be Still - Booker T. & The MGs
8. A Woman's Love - Carla Thomas
9. Yank Me (Doodle) - Baracudas
10. That's How Strong My Love Is - Otis Redding
11. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
12. Don't Let Her Be Your Baby - Del-Rays
13. Can't See You When I Want To - David Porter
14. My Lover - Barbara & The Browns
15. Got You On My Mind - The Admirals
16. How Do You Quit (Someone You Love) - Carla Thomas
17. Biggest Fool In Town - Gorgeous George
18. Banana Juice - Mar-Keys
19. Little Sally Walker - Rufus Thomas
20. A Place Nobody Can Find - Sam & Dave
21. Goodnight Baby - Sam & Dave
22. Boot-Leg - Booker T. & The MGs
23. Outrage - Booker T. & The MGs
24. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) - Otis Redding
25. I'm Depending On You - Otis Redding
26. Candy - Astors
27. Give You What I Got - Wendy Rene
28. Jump Back - Rufus Thomas
29. Chained and Bound - Otis Redding
30. In My Heart - Barbara & the Browns
31. Spunky - Johnny Jenkins
32. Bar-B-Q - Wendy Rene
33. Sidewalk Surf - The Mad Lads
34. Can't Be Still - Booker T. & the MG's
35. Woman's Love - Carla Thomas
36. Yank Me (Doodle) - The Barracudas
37. That's How Strong My Love Is - Otis Redding
38. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
39. Don't Let Her Be Your Baby - Del Rays
40. Can't See You When I Want To - David Porter
41. My Lover - Barbara & the Browns
42. Got You on My Mind - The Admirals
43. How Do You Quit (Someone You Love) - Carla Thomas
44. Biggest Fool in Town - Gorgeous George
45. Banana Juice - The Mar-Keys
46. Little Sally Walker - Rufus Thomas
47. Place Nobody Can Find - Sam & Dave
48. Goodnight Baby - Sam & Dave
49. Boot-Leg - Booker T. & the MG's
50. Outrage - Booker T. & the MG's
51. I've Been Loving You Too Long - Otis Redding
52. I'm Depending on You - Otis Redding
53. Candy - The Astors
54. Give You What I Got - Wendy Rene

Disc 5:

1. Stop! Look What You're Doin' - Carla Thomas
2. Willy Nilly - Rufus Thomas
3. Don't Have To Shop Around - Mad Lads
4. Crying All By Myself - William Bell
5. I Take What I Want - Sam & Dave
6. When You Move You Lose - Rufus & Carla
7. Respect - Otis Redding
8. Make It Me - The Premiers
9. The World Is Round - Rufus Thomas
10. In The Twilight Zone - The Astors
11. Blue Groove - Sir Isaac & The Do-Dads
12. You Don't Know Like I Know - Sam & Dave
13. Grab This Thing (Part 1) - The Mar-Keys
14. Be My Lady - Booker T. & The MGs
15. Comfort Me - Carla Thomas
16. I Can't Turn You Loose - Otis Redding
17. Just One More Day - Otis Redding
18. I Want Someone - The Mad Lads
19. Birds & Bees - Rufus & Carla
20. Philly Dog - The Mar-Keys
21. I Had A Dream - Johnnie Taylor
22. Satisfaction - Otis Redding
23. Things Get Better - Eddie Floyd
24. I'll Run Your Hurt Away - Ruby Johnson
25. Hot Dog - Four Shells
26. Let Me Good To You - Carla Thomas
27. Hold On I'm Comin' - Sam and Dave
28. Stop! Look What You're Doing - Carla Thomas
29. Willy Nilly - Rufus Thomas
30. Don't Have to Shop Around - The Mad Lads
31. Crying All by Myself - William Bell
32. I Take What I Want - Sam & Dave
33. When You Move You Lose - Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas
34. Respect - Otis Redding
35. Make It Me - The Premiers
36. World Is Round - Rufus Thomas
37. In the Twilighrt Zone - The Astors
38. Blue Groove - Sir Isaac & The Doo-Dads
39. You Don't Know Like I Know - Sam & Dave
40. Grab This Thing, Pt. 1 - The Mar-Keys
41. Be My Lady - Booker T. & the MG's
42. Comfort Me - Carla Thomas
43. I Can't Turn You Loose - Otis Redding
44. Just One More Day - Otis Redding
45. I Want Someone - The Mad Lads
46. Birds and the Bees - Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas
47. Philly Dog - The Mar-Keys
48. I Had a Dream - Johnnie Taylor
49. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Otis Redding
50. I'll Run Your Hurt Away - Ruby Johnson
51. Hot Dog - The Four Shells
52. Let Me Be Good to You - Carla Thomas
53. Hold On! I'm Comin' - Sam & Dave

Disc 6:

1. Laundromat Blues - Albert King
2. Sugar Sugar - Mad Lads
3. Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need) - William Bell
4. Marching Off To War - William Bell
5. My Lover's Prayer - Otis Redding
6. Your Good Thing (Is About To End) - Mable John
7. I Got to Love Somebody's Baby - Johnnie Taylor
8. I Want A Girl - Mad Lads
9. Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd
10. B-A-B-Y - Carla Thomas
11. My Sweet Potato - Booker T. & The MGs
12. Booker Loo - Booker T. & The MGs
13. Oh, Pretty Woman - Albert King
14. Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody - Sam & Dave
15. Never Like This Before - William Bell
16. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) - Otis Redding
17. Patch My Heart - Mad Lads
18. Sisters' Got A Boyfriend - Rufus Thomas
19. Come To Me Darling - Ruby Johnson
20. When My Love Comes Down - Ruby Johnson
21. Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
22. Crosscut Saw - Albert King
23. Little Bluebird - Johnnie Taylor
24. Toe Hold - Johnnie Taylor
25. Jingle Bells - Booker T. & The MGs
26. Laundromat Blues - Albert King
27. Sugar, Sugar - The Mad Lads
28. Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need) - William Bell
29. Marching off to War - William Bell
30. My Lover's Prayer - Otis Redding
31. Your Good Thing (Is About to End) - Mable John
32. I Got to Love Somebody's Baby - Johnnie Taylor
33. I Want a Girl - The Mad Lads
34. Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd
35. B-A-B-Y - Carla Thomas
36. My Sweet Potato - Booker T. & the MG's
37. Booker-Loo - Booker T. & the MG's
38. Oh, Pretty Woman - Albert King
39. Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody - Sam & Dave
40. Never Like This Before - William Bell
41. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) - Otis Redding
42. Patch My Heart - The Mad Lads, Otis Redding
43. Sister's Got a Boyfriend - Rufus Thomas
44. Come to Me My Darling - Ruby Johnson
45. When My Love Comes Down - Ruby Johnson
46. Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
47. Crosscut Saw - Albert King
48. Little Bluebird - Johnnie Taylor
49. Toe Hold - Johnnie Taylor
50. Jingle Bells - Booker T. & the MG's

Disc 7:

1. You Got Me Hummin' - Sam & Dave
2. You're Taking Up Another Man's Place - Mable John
3. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Carla Thomas
4. Please Uncle Sam (Send Back My Man) - Charmels
5. Something Good (Is Going To Happen To You) - Carla Thomas
6. Raise Your Hand - Eddie Floyd
7. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) - Johnnie Taylor
8. I Don't Want To Lose Your Love - Mad Lads
9. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - Sam & Dave
10. Let Me Down Slow - Bobby Wilson
11. Hip Hug - Her - Booker T. & The MGs
12. Everybody Loves A Winner - William Bell
13. Mini-Skirt Minnie - Sir Mack Rice
14. When Tomorrow Comes - Carla Thomas
15. The Spoiler - Eddie Purrell
16. I Love You More Than Words Can Say - Otis Redding
17. If I Ever Needed Love (I Sure Do Need It Now) - Ruby Johnson
18. Same Time Same Place - Mable John
19. Tramp - Otis & Carla
20. Soul Finger - Bar-Kays
21. Knuckelhead - Bar-Kays
22. Shake - Otis Redding
23. Born Under A Bad Sign - Albert King
24. Soothe Me - Sam & Dave
25. I Can't Stand Up - Sam & Dave
26. Don't Rock The Boat - Eddie Floyd
27. You Got Me Hummin' - Sam & Dave
28. You're Taking up Another Man's Place - Mable John
29. All I Want for Christmas Is You - Carla Thomas
30. Please Uncle Sam (Send Back My Man) - The Charmels
31. Something Good (Is Going to Happen to You) - Carla Thomas
32. Raise Your Hand - Eddie Floyd
33. Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) - Johnnie Taylor
34. I Don't Want to Lose Your Love - The Mad Lads
35. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - Sam & Dave
36. Let Me Down Slow - Bobby Wilson
37. Hip Hug-Her - Booker T. & the MG's
38. Everybody Loves a Winner - William Bell
39. Mini-Skirt Minnie - Sir Mack Rice
40. When Tomorrow Comes - Carla Thomas
41. Spoiler - Eddie Purrell
42. I Love You More Than Words Can Say - Otis Redding
43. If I Ever Needed Love (I Sure Do Need It Now) - Ruby Johnson
44. Same Time, Same Place - Mable John
45. Tramp - Otis Redding, Carla Thomas
46. Soul Finger - The Bar-Kays
47. Knucklehead - The Bar-Kays
48. Shake - Otis Redding
49. Born Under a Bad Sign - Albert King
50. Soothe Me - Sam & Dave
51. I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down - Sam & Dave
52. Don't Rock the Boat - Eddie Floyd

Disc 8:

1. My Inspiration - Mad Lads
2. Love Sickness - Sir Mack Rice
3. Sophisticated Sissy - Rufus Thomas
4. I'll Always Have Faith In You - Carla Thomas
5. How Can You Mistreat The One You Love - Jeanne & The Darlings
6. Love Is Doggone Good Thing - Eddie Floyd
7. Groovin' - Booker T. & The MGs
8. Slim Jenkins Place - Booker T. & The MGs
9. Glory Of Love - Otis Redding
10. I'm A Big Girl Now - Mable John
11. Wait You Dog - Mable John
12. You Can't Get Away From It - Johnnie Taylor
13. Eloise (Hang On In There) - William Bell
14. Knock On Wood - Otis & Carla
15. I'm Glad To Do It - C.L. Blast
16. C.L. Blast/Double Up - C.L. Blast
17. You Can't Run Away From Your Heart - Judy Clay
18. I'll Gladly Take You Back - Charmels
19. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
20. Daddy Didn't Tell Me - Astors
21. Give Everybody Some - Bar-Kays
22. On A Saturday Night - Eddie Floyd
23. Don't Hit Me No More - Mable John
24. Somebody's Sleeping In My Bed - Johnnie Taylor
25. Winter Snow - Booker T. & The MGs
26. Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday - William Bell
27. What'll I Do For Satisfaction - Johnny Daye
28. Pick Up The Pieces - Carla Thomas
29. My Inspiration - The Mad Lads
30. Love Sickness - Sir Mack Rice
31. Sophisticated Sissy - Rufus Thomas
32. I'll Always Have Faith in You - Carla Thomas
33. How Can You Mistreat the One You Love - Jeanne & the Darlings, Jeannie & the Darlings
34. Love Is a Doggone Good Thing - Eddie Floyd
35. Groovin' - Booker T. & the MG's
36. Slim Jenkins' Place - Booker T. & the MG's
37. Glory of Love - Otis Redding
38. I'm a Big Girl Now - Mable John
39. Wait You Dog - Mable John
40. You Can't Get Away from It - Johnnie Taylor
41. Eloise (Hang on in There) - William Bell
42. Knock on Wood - Otis Redding, Carla Thomas
43. I'm Glad to Do It - C.L. Blast
44. Double Up - C.L. Blast
45. You Can't Run Away from Your Heart - Judy Clay
46. I'll Gladly Take You Back - The Charmels
47. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
48. Daddy Didn't Tell Me - The Astors
49. Give Everybody Some - The Bar-Kays
50. On a Saturday Night - Eddie Floyd
51. Don't Hit Me No More - Mable John
52. Somebody's Sleeping in My Bed - Johnnie Taylor
53. Winter Snow - Booker T. & the MG's
54. Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday - William Bell
55. What'll I Do for Satisfaction - Johnny Daye
56. Pick Up the Pieces - Carla Thomas

Disc 9:

1. Down Ta My House - Rufus Thomas
2. As Long As I've Got You - Charmels
3. Soul Girl - Jeanne & The Darlings
4. Cold Feet - Albert King
5. Wrap It Up - Sam & Dave
6. Wrap It Up - Sam & Dave
7. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
8. Don't Pass Your Judgement - Memphis Nomads
9. Lovey Dovey - Otis & Carla
10. I Got A Sure Thing - Ollie & The Nightingales
11. Big Bird - Eddie Floyd
12. A Hard Day's Night - Bar-Kays
13. Next Time - Johnnie Taylor
14. A Tribute To A King - William Bell
15. Every Man Ought To Have A Woman - William Bell
16. Able Mable - Mable John
17. The Memphis Train - Rufus Thomas
18. I Think I Made A Boo Boo - Rufus Thomas
19. What Will Later On Be Like - Jeanne & The Darlings
20. Hang Me Now - Jeanne & The Darlings
21. Soul Power - Derek Martin
22. Bring Your Love Back To Me - Linda Lyndell
23. A Dime A Dozen - Carla Thomas
24. Whatever Hurts You - Mad Lads
25. The Happy Song (Dum Dum) - Otis Redding
26. (I Love) Lucy - Albert King
27. I Ain't Particualar - Johnnie Taylor
28. Down Ta My House - Rufus Thomas
29. As Long as I've Got You - The Charmels
30. Soul Girl - Jeanne & the Darlings
31. Cold Feet - Albert King
32. I Thank You - Sam & Dave
33. Wrap It Up - Sam & Dave
34. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
35. Don't Pass Your Judgement - Memphis Nomads
36. Lovey Dovey - Otis Redding, Carla Thomas
37. I Got a Sure Thing - Ollie & the Nightingales
38. Big Bird - Eddie Floyd
39. Hard Day's Night - The Bar-Kays
40. Next Time - Johnnie Taylor
41. Tribute to a King - William Bell
42. Every Man Oughta Have a Woman - William Bell
43. Able Mable - Mable John
44. Memphis Train - Rufus Thomas
45. I Think I Made a Boo Boo - Rufus Thomas
46. What Will Later on Be Like - Jeanne & the Darlings
47. Hang Me Now - Jeanne & the Darlings
48. Soul Power - Derek Martin
49. Bring Your Love Back to Me - Linda Lyndell
50. Dime a Dozen - Carla Thomas
51. Whatever Hurts You - The Mad Lads
52. Happy Song (Dum-Dum) - Otis Redding
53. (I Love) Lucy - Albert King
54. I Ain't Particular - Johnnie Taylor

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20115 in Music
• Released on: 1991-04-30
• Number of discs: 9
• Format: Box set

Customer Reviews

AN EDUCATION IN SOUL MUSIC 101
I bought this set originally as individual CD's but thankfully was able to trade them in once I found out it had been boxed and got it with the Atlantic 8 CD box. They complement each other quite well with very minimal repition between the two sets. Originally this Stax/Volt set was released as a LP Sized box set with an appropriately sized booklet, so my review is based on that format. This set contains all of the Stax/Volt single "A" sides and key "B" sides to boot between the years 1959 and 1968 when Stax/Volt & Atlantic parted ways. The book is extremely informative, with great colour photos of original labels and the artists in question. I'm assuming it has maintained the same level of thoroughness in it's smaller format judging by the photo above. Like the Atlantic box this is an essential collection that serious music collectors should have and an incredible education on the roots of black soul music. Being Australian I hadn't heard 95% of this or the Atlantic stuff before with the odd Otis Redding, Booket T. & The MG's & Sam And Dave tracks reaching the airwaves or record shelves here. It's only with adult hindsight that I was able to delve backwards to investigate further.. I was in "Time Warp" mode back in the late 80's/Early 90's thanks to a similarly named Record store here in Sydney. This set is lovingly compiled and most of the tracks reveal a gritiness missing from today's so-called version of R & B (don't start me on that!) There isn't a lot I can add that my fellow reviewers haven't already stated. From one stand point this music is probably very personal to those who grew up listening to it (like the Beatles for me). But I love soul music too and to hear the grooves put out by that Stax/Volt house band puts so many others to shame for sheer quality and toughness. There are probably those who don't understand the difference between Motown & Stax/Volt/Atlantic. From an Aussie view, it's like comparing the Beatles & the Stones.. The Beatles would be Motown (slick & professional, great sounding records but tough when need be - they were fans of and influenced partly by that label) while the Stones would Stax/Volt/Atlantic (not as slick in appearance, rough on the edges but bluesy & gritty - most of their influences came from the deep south & Chicago blues). I hope that make sense. I've wanted to get the other 2 Stax sets for a while and maybe down the track I will..it's on my 5 year wishlist plan! That said buy this set for some thoroughly great music and an insight into a great label's massive but very important legacy.

Great, but not for everyone.
This is an undeniably great set, with tons of great tunes. However, there *is* a little fat on it. Not every single was a classic; there's no way they could be, as fast as they were pumping them out. Still, for people who really want a handle on deep soul and who want off-the-beaten-path gems along with the hits, this is a great set to check out.

Other great r&b/blues/soul boxed sets to check out after this one:
-Atlantic Rhythm and Blues
-Hitsville, USA Vol. 1 (Motown)
-The Specialty Story
-Crescent City Soul
-Chess Rhythm and Roll
-Aladdin Story
-Hi Records Story
-Chess Blues
-Mercury Blues 'n' Rhythm

A Labor of Love!!!!
If you're going to shell out money for this baby, then be prepared to go all the way. The listening will both elate you and exhaust you as you hear innumerable songs (probably for the first time) that make you go "WOW!" I stopped counting after awhile, but the quality factor here is way over 90%, not bad for a 9 CD set. The one constant here is the GROOVE, engineered by Booker T. and the MG's. If God has a house band, you know it's gotta be these guys (or will be when the other 3 make it there). The late Al Jackson Jr. had a pulse like no other drummer you will ever hear, and if you only listen to this set for the drumming, then it's still the wisest investment you'll ever make. Go to your bank if you have to, but get ahold of this monument to great music. Your soul will thank you!!!