Emotions: Take Me Back
From Untouched (Stax, 1972)
Little Sonny: Memphis BK
From Black and Blue (Enterprise, 1971)
I had so much fun with the last post, I decided to keep things in Memphis, highlighting just a couple more songs. Both of these are Stax-related (told you I had stacks o’ Stax) and reflective the label’s broad styles and appeal. First up is the girl group, The Emotions, with a song from their surprisingly scarce Untouched album. I’ve highlighted this album before, hitting ya’ll with “Blind Alley,” last time. Now, it’s “Take Me Back,” a sweetly soulful tune that’s as light and airy as a wisp of cotton candy (just a lil more wholesome). Lovely, just lovely.
Technically, Little Sonny (aka “the new king of the blues harmonica”) wasn’t from Memphis (born in Alabama, came up in the Detroit blues scene) but he recorded three albums for Stax, beginning in 1970. And hell, the funky harmonica man cut this wicked instrumental called “Memphis BK” so clearly, he’s got love for the town too. One of these days, I’m going to put together a mix-CD of funky blues cuts and this one’s destined to play a starring role.
chatter