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Memphis Soul
The Story of STAX Records
By David Barr III
Produced and directed by Jackie Taylor
At Black Ensemble Theater
4520 N. Beacon
Chicago, IL
Call 773-769-4451, tickets $40
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Limited open run
Southern soul so mellow, so tuneful
Black Ensemble Theater’s 30th Season is dedicated as “The Season of Men.” As it starts with Memphis Soul: The Story of STAX Records. This popular soul music label, second only to Motown in sales and influence, was first in gritty, raw, southern-steeped soul music. They produced 167 hits from 1960 until 1975. David Barr’s story revolves around Pop’s place, a restaurant across the street from STAX Records in Memphis as a backdrop to explore the legendary STAX Records body of work.
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Narrated by the unique comic talent of Rick Stone as Rufus Thomas, Memphis Soul unfolds as a Southern soulful musical revue featuring a nice assortment of old R & B classics. “Gee Wiz,” ”So I Can Love You,” “Respect Yourself” by the Staple Singers together with Isaac Hayes (Dwayne Lonzo) doing “Do Your Thing” and his anthem “Shaft” (which was nicely danced), the shows has much toe-tapping and mellow soul classics. Thomas Washington’s arrangements played by Jimmy Tillman’s bouncy band added depth to the soul sounds.
I like the assortment of tunes, some I’ve never heard before. The unique style of the Memphis soul sound is worth exploring. Toi Overton as Mavis Staples and Aeisha Mcintosh as Carla were particularly terrific. This is a worthy Black Ensemble Theater show.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2007
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