Wattstax : 3CD Hardcover Book Version (EU)

”WATTSTAX”の3枚組完全盤がハードブック・カヴァー・ヴァージョン登場！

ブラック･ミュージック版”Woodstock”とも呼ばれ、 1972年の夏にLAコロシアムで開催された伝説のアフリカン・アメリカン･ミュージックの祭典！WATTSTAXの3枚組、初の完全盤がリリース！ 10万人以上の人々を熱狂の渦に巻いたそのライヴ・パフォーマンスは、 STAXに在籍していたアーティストが勢ぞろいで3時間以上、観客と共に繰り広げられました。今回収録された音源の約1/3はこれまでCD化されていなかった音源で、オリジナル･マスターからデジタル･リマスター化したクリアな音で再現！

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. ~ Richie Unterberger|