I must admit I’m biased toward the Bar-Kays, one of my all-time favorite Stax artists.  Best known for “Soul Finger” and 80s songs such as “Freak Show on the Dance Floor,” they show impressive range on Stax Does The Beatles, with their funky take on “Hey Jude” (mostly instrumental except for the “na na” chorus toward the end) and an organ-dominated version of “Yesterday.” 

Then, of course, there is the aforementioned 12-minute version of “Something.”  While Hayes lends surprisingly restrained, tender vocals to the song, the loud background singers and over-arrangement tend to overshadow his voice.  Even though Hayes cut infamously long tracks, this version could have been trimmed by at least six minutes.  Reggie Milner’s odd cover of “And I Love Her” changes the tempo entirely, robbing it of its gentle, rumba-like sound. 

As a longtime Beatles enthusiast, I have collected numerous Beatles cover songs.  Stax Does The Beatles, however, is one of the best compilations I’ve heard.  Unlike some artists who copy the original songs note for note, Stax artists put their unique soulful spin on these classics, lending new perspectives on songs we’ve heard for decades.  The CD’s digital remastering makes these songs sound like they were recorded (pardon the pun) yesterday. 

For the hard-core Beatles fan, Stax Does The Beatles is an essential addition to one’s collection.  However, this CD should garner a larger audience, as it demonstrates the vital connection between rock and rhythm and blues.  It also gives relatively obscure artists, such as Cropper and Williams, their just due.  While the prospect of Mr. Hot Buttered Soul covering “Yesterday” may initially attract your interest, the rawness and earnest soulfulness of the other artists will keep you listening.