The original release of these sessions seemed a relatively low-budget affair, and with the exception of a cardboard sleeve, packaging hasn’t been improved much this time around. Liner notes are expanded, though, and Stax has done a fine job of mastering – it’s still not pristine by contemporary standards, but there’s a definite improvement over the somewhat muddy sound of the initial release.
With Stevie’s career coming to a tragic end with his 1990 death in a helicopter crash, and Albert now long gone as well (a heart attack in ’92), there’s an inescapably elegiac air to this recording, despite the incendiary playing on display; one can’t help but mourn the loss of two disparate but equal giants. This recording captures both in their magnificent prime ... there’s genuine greatness here!
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
can't believe I haven't gotten this yet. thanks for the reminder