VA — Wattstax: The Living Word (2007)

mp3 320 kbps / FLAC (tracks) | 3h 44 min | Genre: Soul, Funk, Rhythm & Blues | 513 MB / 1.3 GB

Wattstax: The Living Word is a two-CD document of the all-day festival of Stax acts in Los Angeles in 1972 contains decent performances by the Staple Singers, Eddie Floyd, the Bar-Kays, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Albert King, the Soul Children and Isaac Hayes. It\’s not remarkably different from what you\’ll find on those artists\’ records, however, and Isaac Hayes does none of his more popular singles, his contribution being limited to a 17-minute cover of Bill Withers\’ \»Ain\’t No Sunshine.\» Check out the Bar-Kays\’ outrageous eight-minute soul-rock workout on \»Son of Shaft,\» though, which goes into some Santana-like grooves in the middle; Rufus Thomas launches into three dance novelties in a row (\»The Breakdown,\» \»Do the Funky Chicken,\» and \»Do the Funky Penguin\»). Note: a couple of these cuts (the Staple Singers\’ \»Oh La De Da\» and \»Lay Your Loving on Me\»), although programmed as if they were recorded live at the event, are actually versions that were re-recorded in the studio.

Disc 1

1. Dale Warren & The Wattstax \’72 Orchestra — Salvation Symphony (7:56)

2. Jesse Jackson — Introduction (5:49)

3. Kim Weston — Lift Every Voice and Sing (3:39)

4. The Staple Singers — Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) (3:39)

5. The Staple Singers — Are You Sure (4:01)

6. The Staple Singers — I Like the Things About Me (5:57)

7. The Staple Singers — Respect Yourself (4:37)

8. The Staple Singers — I\’ll Take You There (5:16)

9. Deborah Manning — Precious Lord, Take My Hand (4:25)

10. LOUISE MCCORD — Better Get a Move On (4:00)

11. Lee Sain — Them Hot Pants (4:11)

12. Little Sonny — Wade In the Water (4:20)

13. William Bell — I Forgot to Be Your Lover (2:36)

14. Temprees — Explain It to Her Mama (2:49)

15. Frederick Knight — I\’ve Been Lonely (For So Long) (3:53)

16. The Newcomers — Pin the Tail On the Donkey (2:48)

17. Eddie Floyd — Knock On Wood (3:38)

Disc 2

1. The Emotions — Peace Be Still (9:06)

2. The Golden 13 — Old Religion (3:39)

3. Rance Allen — Lying On the Truth (Live From Wattstax) (3:41)

4. The Rance Allen Group — Up Above My Head (4:01)

5. The Bar-Kays — Son of Shaft/Feel It (9:17)

6. The Bar-Kays — In the Hole (2:56)

7. The Bar-Kays — I Can\’t Turn You Loose (3:45)

8. David Porter — Introduction (4:03)

9. David Porter — Ain\’t That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One) (3:31)

10. David Porter — Can\’t See You When I Want To (10:26)

11. David Porter — Reach Out and Touch (Somebody\’s Hand) (3:16)

12. Richard Pryor — N****s (2:21)

13. Richard Pryor — Arrest/Lineup (2:39)

14. The Emotions — So I Can Love You (6:09)

15. The Emotions — Show Me How (5:36)

Disc 3

1. Little Milton — Open the Door to Your Heart (7:01)

2. Mel & Tim — Backfield In Motion (5:29)

3. Johnnie Taylor — Steal Away (8:11)

4. Albert King — Killing Floor (3:49)

5. Carla Thomas — Pick Up the Pieces (2:54)

6. Carla Thomas — I Like What You\’re Doing (To Me) (3:34)

7. Carla Thomas — B-A-B-Y (2:50)

8. Carla Thomas — Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes) (3:08)

9. Carla Thomas — I Have a God Who Loves (4:44)

10. Rufus Thomas — The Breakdown (Live) (4:36)

11. Rufus Thomas — Do the Funky Chicken (4:34)

12. Rufus Thomas — Do the Funky Penguin (5:51)

13. The Soul Children — I Don\’t Know What This World Is Coming To (6:53)

14. The Soul Children — Hearsay (7:26)

15. Isaac Hayes — Theme from Shaft (4:42)