Robert gordon had some great interview sessions with the stax management and session players. The life and times of muddy waters, a book that delivers the full dimensions of another. Robert gordon books list of books by author robert gordon. This soundtrack is a great companion to memphis rent party, the latest book by robert gordon, out on march 6. The book has gone into four hardback printings and received accolades from the wall street journal, the new york times, and rolling stone. Gordon, a memphis resident who has written books about his citys music. Jan 20, 2014 respect yourself is not the first history of stax rob bowmans 1997 soulsville usa is similarly exhaustive but memphisborn robert gordon writes with infectious brio and devotion, drawing. Respect yourself is the rare music book with an exciting subject matter, in this case its the multiple rises and falls of stax records, thats also really well written.
Their success is startling, and stax soon defines an international sound. A remarkable piece of writing by robert gordon which was obviously a labour of love for him. It came from memphis doesnt focus on elvis, al green, or the sun stax studios. Robert gordons most popular book is cant be satisfied. Buy this book in the late 1950s, jim stewart, and his sister, estelle axton. The stax records story and also the emmywinning best of enemies. Nov 26, 20 robert gordons new book tells the history of stax records, the famous memphis label responsible for some of southern souls definitive recordings. Nov 12, 20 robert gordon had some great interview sessions with the stax management and session players. David evans of the university of memphis, using the kind of reverent tones one usually associates with a. Robert gordon has 84 books on goodreads with 7568 ratings.
The triumphant and tragic story of memphis stax records. Dec 08, 20 the voices of the members of the stax family, and gordons deep knowledge of memphis, give the book a significance that extends beyond a single recording studio. Feb 27, 2018 robert gordon will sign books at the stax museum of american soul music 926 e. Robert gordon had some great interview sessions with the stax management and. The voices of the members of the stax family, and gordons deep knowledge of memphis, give the book a significance that extends beyond a single recording.
The story of stax records unfolds like a greek tragedy. Robert gordons wonderful book, respect yourself, tells the story of stax records, a story thats closer to a greek tragedy than modern day record company. Robert gordons memphis rent party book features memphis. Stax records and the soul explosion is a fascinating story. He will also be part of a conversation with photographer pat rainer. Robert gordons respect yourself the new york times. Stax records and soul music provide a window into the story of. A white brother and sister build a record company that becomes a monument to racial harmony in 1960s segregated south memphis. Gordons book belongs on the shelf alongside canonical works such as peter. It came from memphis doesnt focus on elvis, al green, or the sunstax studios.
Respect yourself is not the first history of stax rob bowmans 1997 soulsville usa is similarly exhaustive but memphisborn robert gordon writes with infectious brio and devotion, drawing. Robert gordon he won a grammy in 2011 for his liner notes to the big star box set keep an eye on the sky. A joyous and heartbreaking story that says a lot about america. A white brother and sister build a monument to racial harmony in blighted south memphis during the. The stax records story, which the author codirected with morgan neville 20 feet from stardom. Stax records and the soul explosion sets the story of americas premier soul music company against memphiss history of racism and segregation. Stax records and the soul explosion by robert gordon 2014, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Author, filmmaker robert gordon to screen stax records. Nov 12, 20 a masterful storyteller, music historian gordon artfully chronicles the rise and fall of one of americas greatest music studios, situating the story of stax within the cultural history of the 1960s in the southgordon deftly narrates the stories of the many musicians who called stax home.
Nov 16, 20 its fitting, then, that memphis is a main character in robert gordons book respect yourself. Robert gordon has been writing about memphis music and history for thirty years and is the author of it came from memphis, cant be satisfied, the king on the road, and the elvis treasures. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the. Robert gordon will sign books at the stax museum of american soul music 926 e. Robert gordon outlines all of these factors in his new book on the history of the label, respect yourself.
Dec 01, 20 a remarkable piece of writing by robert gordon which was obviously a labour of love for him. Robert gordon will read from and sign respect yourself at the stax museum of american soul music on saturday, november 16th, beginning at 5 p. I just finished respect yourself, robert gordons excellent new book about stax records and the soul explosion. Stax records soared on sublime songs and racial harmony before it was. The authors latest is a collection of 20 profiles or portraitssubjects include, among. The voices of the members of the stax family, and gordon s deep knowledge of memphis, give the book a significance that extends beyond a single recording studio. Gordon tells the story of stax formerly known as satellite records rise in the late 1950s and 1960s in memphis, tennessee to become one of the significant record labels of all time. David evans of the university of memphis, using the kind of reverent tones one usually associates with a place of worship, was the first person in memphis. Indeed, gordon neatly frames the stax story against the wider racial drama unfolding. Stax records and the soul explosion, a book about stax records, the conflict in memphis, and the resolution in sweet southern soul music.
The label featured the best work by such beloved artists as otis redding, booker t. Respect yourself robert gordon 9781596915770 netgalley. Author robert gordon looks back at a rich musical journey. Author robert gordons lyrical prose and exquisite word choices, are difference maker, elevating the book beyond just a good story, simply told. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Instead it creeps into the shadows cast by those institutions, concentrating on artists. Its a city known for its music and the soulful sounds that came from sun and stax records. The acclaimed music chronicler tells the story of memphis through its songs.
But the book s origin dates back to 2007 with the documentary respect yourself. Its certainly changed since robert christgau and lester bangss day, but work. Its fitting, then, that memphis is a main character in robert gordons book respect yourself. Jan 16, 2014 a remarkable piece of writing by robert gordon which was obviously a labour of love for him. Thanks to everyone involved, particularly robert gordon for your thoroughness in ensuring the full story has been told. Stax records and the soul explosion by robert gordon at indigo. The voices of the members of the stax family, and gordons deep knowledge of memphis, give the book a significance that extends beyond a single recording studio. Gordon tells the story of stax formerly known as satellite records rise in the late 1950s and 1960s in memphis, tennessee to become one of. Almost in the words of the staple singers i have been taken there.
The stax records story documents the history of the influential music label responsible for some of the best and most memorable soul music of its time. His film work includes producing and directing the documentary respect yourself. This book is a wonderful insight, a great tribute, a historical music masterpiece and a superb listen. At stax, white and black musicians and executives worked well together where the color of ones skin wasnt an issue. Robert gordon begins where most chroniclers of the music world end and spins a magical fairy tale peopled with delta bluesmen, a peanut vendor, a matinee cowboy, a professional wrestler, and a manic deejay. One of the very best books i have ever read about the music business. He won a grammy in 2011 for his liner notes to the big star box set, keep an eye on the sky.
Its fitting, then, that memphis is a main character in robert gordon s book respect yourself. Join facebook to connect with robert gordon and others you may know. Stax records and the soul explosion by memphis music scholar robert gordon is to step back into a time and place where it was possible for redding, a livery driver, to. Stax records and the soul explosion, was published in november 20 to instant acclaim. The memphis aesthetic is to not sound like hits, but to sound different. Stax records and the soul explosion, robert gordon highlighted the importance of estelle axton to the company. The late 50s and early 60s was an era of institutionalized.
Nov 14, 20 robert gordon will read from and sign respect yourself at the stax museum of american soul music on saturday, november 16th, beginning at 5 p. Robert gordon knows the place, and hell take you there. He won a grammy in 2011 for his liner notes to the big star box set keep an eye on the sky. How a funky, soulful record label from memphis became an international success, then collapsed. March 6, 2018 the acclaimed music chronicler tells the story of memphis through its songs. Youre back in the 1960s with all the politics going on with civil rights and southern racism. Jones, cody dickinson, frayser boy, martin shore, memphis music foundation, memphis tn, miscellaneous, robert gordon, south by southwest, sxsw, take me to the river film. Stax records and the soul explosion ebook written by robert gordon. Gordon identifies one more factor that encapsulates the class and racial dynamic that existed in memphis from the late 1950s to the mid 1970s, which was when stax was most active.
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