The best thing about this book is that even though i have a lot of the stax music, reading this book has turned me onto a lot of stuff i. Their success soon pits the siblings against each other, and the brother. The story of stax records unfolds like a greek tragedy. Robert gordons new history of stax records, respect yourself, dives into that complicated story and revels in its complexity. In respect yourself you will learn about all of the major. Jan 20, 2014 respect yourself is not the first history of stax rob bowmans 1997 soulsville usa is similarly exhaustive but memphisborn robert gordon writes with infectious brio and devotion, drawing. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be. Stax records and the soul explosion is a fascinating story. Nov 12, 20 everything is lost, and the sanctuary that flourished is ripped from the ground. The stax records story details the story behind the legendary label that launched soul music greats from otis redding and isaac hayes to the staple singers. A joyous and heartbreaking story that says a lot about america.
Nov 14, 20 robert gordons new history of stax records, respect yourself, dives into that complicated story and revels in its complexity. The stax music academy performs respect yourself by the staple singers 2014. Its about music and musiciansisaac hayes, otis redding, the staple singers, and booker t. Respect yourself is the rare music book with an exciting subject matter, in this case its the multiple rises and falls of stax records, thats also really well written. Respect yourself robert gordon 9781596915770 netgalley.
His film work includes producing and directing the documentary respect yourself. Stax records and the soul explosion hardcover book listings on our website do not always reflect the current availability of books on our store shelves. Ive seen bits and pieces of the stax documentary, so downloading this book onto my kindle was a must. A great book that covers the musical, social and business aspects of the stax records story. Aug 01, 2007 directed by robert gordon, morgan neville. Buy this book in the late 1950s, jim stewart, and his sister, estelle axton, moved their little. Set in the world of 1960s and 70s soul music, respect yourself is a story of epic heroes in a shady industry. Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published.
Stax records and the soul explosion gordon, robert on. One of the very best books i have ever read about the. Gordon identifies one more factor that encapsulates the class and racial dynamic that existed in memphis from the late 1950s to the mid 1970s, which was when stax was most active. Its about music and musicians isaac hayes, otis redding, sam and dave, wilson pickett, the staple singers, and booker t. Citation formats are based on standards as of july 2010. Its about music and musiciansisaac hayes, otis redding, sam and dave, wilson pickett, the staple singers, and booker t. The stax records story robert gordon and morgan nevilles bracingly impressive docu respect yourself makes a great case for stax records as the greatest soul label ever. Their success is startling, and stax soon defines an international sound. A white brother and sister build a record company that becomes a monument to racial harmony in 1960s segregated south memphis. Gordon tells the story of stax formerly known as satellite records rise in the late 1950s and 1960s in memphis, tennessee to become one of the significant record labels of all time. Respect yourself is not the first history of stax rob bowmans 1997 soulsville usa is similarly exhaustive but memphisborn robert gordon writes with infectious brio and devotion, drawing. Robert gordons wonderful book, respect yourself, tells the story of stax records, a story thats closer to a greek tragedy than modern day. Jackson, jim stewart, estelle axton, deanie parker. Its about music and musiciansisaac hayes, otis redding, the staple singers, and.
I listened to it all the way through, and then again up to 1972. A celebration of uncommon music and musicians from memphis and environs, from the acclaimed author of respect. Check a books instore availability beneath the add to cart button. Great interviews with all the important people involved really tell the story.
Staxs demise was made the more poignant by the labels. Book summary respect yourself traces the rise and fall of the original stax records, touching upon the racial politics in memphis in the 1960s, the personal histories of the sibling founders and. He won a grammy in 2011 for his liner notes to the big star box set keep an eye on the sky. Jones, steve cropper, al jackson and al bell discuss the family that grew as a result of the music. Set in the world of 1960s and 70s soul music, respect yourself is a characterdriven story of racial integration, and then of black power and economic independence. Nov 12, 20 set in the world of 1960s and 70s soul music, respect yourself is a characterdriven story of racial integration, and then of black power and economic independence.
The stax records story details the story behind the legendary label that launched soul music greats. Robert gordon outlines all of these factors in his new book on the history of the label, respect yourself. I wanted to hear all of the music mentioned in the book, and having a streaming music service made that mostly possible. Apr 09, 2015 respect yourself is the rare music book with an exciting subject matter, in this case its the multiple rises and falls of stax records, thats also really well written. Its fitting, then, that memphis is a main character in robert gordons book respect yourself. Everything is lost, and the sanctuary that flourished is ripped from the ground.
Their success soon pits the siblings against each other, and the brother abandons his sister for a visionary africanamerican partner. Dec 01, 20 a great book that covers the musical, social and business aspects of the stax records story. The director of oscar winner 20 feet from stardom will helm respect yourself the tale of stax records, the trailblazing label that launched otis reddings career and released hits like eddie. Respect yourself is the rare music book with an exciting subject matter, in this case its the multiple rises and falls of stax records, thats also. The stax records story documents the history of the influential music label responsible for some of the best and most memorable soul music of its time. Gordon, a memphis resident who has written books about his citys music. Robert gordons respect yourself the new york times. Robert gordon a white brother and sister build a monument to racial harmony in blighted south memphis during the civil rights movement.
Author robert gordons lyrical prose and exquisite word choices, are difference maker, elevating the book beyond just a. Stax records and the soul explosion ebook written by robert gordon. Stax records and the soul explosion by robert gordon 587 ratings, 4. I wanted to hear all of the music mentioned in the book, and having a. The stax records story in this excerpt from respect yourself. It turns out that there was a whole lot about the history of stax that i was unaware of. Robert gordons new book tells the history of stax records, the famous memphis label responsible for some of southern souls definitive. A white brother and sister build a monument to racial harmony in blighted south memphis during the civil rights movement. Stax records and the soul explosion, robert gordon highlighted the importance of estelle axton to the company. Gordon identifies one more factor that encapsulates the class and racial dynamic that existed in memphis from the late 1950s.
Author robert gordons lyrical prose and exquisite word choices, are difference maker. The story of the founding of stax records and the colorblind attitude of its founders is a great story of american business and music. Author robert gordons lyrical prose and exquisite word choices, are difference maker, elevating the book beyond just a good story, simply told. Stax records and the soul explosion respect yourself as performed by the staple singers, that is is much more than a nostalgia trip or a. Chicago turabian humanities citation style guide gordon, robert, 1961, respect yourself. Robert gordon traces the rise and fall of the original stax records, touching upon the racial politics in memphis in the 1960s, the personal histories of the sibling founders, and the prominent musicians they. Stax records and the soul explosion robert gordons new book explores the tragedy and triumphs of one of the most unlikely soul labels, an. The best thing about this book is that even though i have a lot of the stax music, reading this book has turned me onto a lot of stuff i have never heard before. A white brother and sister build a record company that becomes a monument to racial harmony in 1960s. Stax records and the soul explosion is a meticulously researched and downright entertaining book. Due respect music features memphis news and events. Robert gordons wonderful book, respect yourself, tells the story of stax records, a story thats closer to a greek tragedy than modern day record company.
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