POLLSVILLE, U.S.A.: The Stax Records Ballot Poll Results Thread

http://i.imgur.com/uoeRuiN.jpg
11. Isaac Hayes - Walk On By (69 points, 4 votes)
Enterprise, 1969
Live on Music Scene, Long Album Version on Spotify

Apparently Star Trek was Al Bell's favourite TV Show, hence the "Enterprise" label.

i was wondering when Isaac was finally gonna show up

http://i.imgur.com/L8EFLDm.jpg
10. Sam and Dave - When Something Is Wrong With My Baby (74 points, 4 votes)
Stax, 1967
Live YouTube, Spotify

http://i.imgur.com/1LvEzi9.jpg
9. Isaac Hayes - Theme from Shaft (82 points, 4 votes)
Enterprise, 1971
Live at Wattstax, Spotify

this poll as been great fun

For sure! Here's one more before bedtime:

http://i.imgur.com/KxOMhlX.jpg
8. Sam and Dave - Soul Man (86 points, 4 votes)
Stax, 1967
Essential YouTube, Spotify

great song!

http://i.imgur.com/YgEXfSy.jpg
7. William Bell - I Forgot To Be Your Lover (87 points, 5 votes, 1 first-place vote)
Stax, 1968
YouTube, Spotify

http://i.imgur.com/XJ4qMVs.jpg
6. Wendy Rene - After Laughter (Comes Tears) (88 points, 4 votes)
Stax, 1964
YouTube, Spotify

Obviously we're in the "beyond classic" section of the poll now.

http://i.imgur.com/ry0Ifxv.jpg
5. The Staple Singers - I'll Take You There (92 points, 6 votes)
Stax, 1972
Live at the Grammys, Spotify

Also relevant: Harry J Allstars - The Liquidator (1969)

http://i.imgur.com/PCsEjF8.jpg
4. Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness (98 points, 5 votes, 1 first-place vote)
Volt, 1966
Live YouTube, Spotify

The Live in London recording is even more fired up but I couldn't find video for it: YouTube, Spotify

Yeah, that version is overwhelming.

Yaaaay for Big Bird!! Hi 5 to whoever gave it the #1 spot. I had never heard that Jam cover before, but it gets to the crunchy essence of that song. Ugh I just love it.
This song always makes me laugh, and yet it's still super tight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8B-N6O8Xyg

http://i.imgur.com/ObRUNPa.jpg
3. Eddie Floyd - Knock On Wood (103 points, 6 votes)
Stax, 1966
YouTube, Spotify

I feel sorry for people who can't enjoy Knock on Wood. I will also take a moment to note that I first became aware of it because I saw Satisfaction in the theater with my parents.

Do you have documented evidence that such people exist?

http://i.imgur.com/6XoJHg5.jpg
2. Booker T and the MGs - Green Onions (114 points, 6 votes, 1 first-place vote)
Stax, 1962
Live YouTube, Spotify

^ my #1.

My older brother had the American Graffiti soundtrack, and I think I must've been around 2 when I first heard this. But it's like "Happy Birthday To You," where I have no memory of it not existing, no memory of hearing it for the first time.

And that live version is terrifying. I love how, at 1:57, Cropper and Jackson not only don't look at each other for those accents/kicks, they're looking away from each other. Most bands would do some corny head-nod or give an "Are you ready?" look.

And at 2:54, yeah, Booker T was listening to Sun Ra.

I feel sorry for people who can't enjoy Knock on Wood. I will also take a moment to note that I first became aware of it because I saw Satisfaction in the theater with my parents.

― Untt (La Lechera), Sunday, September 29, 2013 10:56 AM (16 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Ha, first time I heard it (I think) was in the background of a scene in "Moonlighting."

I was trying to think of a proper adj for live Green Onions and all I could come up with was slimy . Terrifying is accurate. It starts off so simple too.

I grew up with pretty much zero awareness of Stax. I think I was about 18-19 when I learned that Stax was a thing, and at that point I can only say for sure that I had heard "Dock of the Bay", "Shaft", "Green Onions" and "Soul Limbo" (aka "the BBC cricket theme"). I guess other songs would have cropped up on TV but I didn't register them. It all changed with the cover CD on one of only two copies of Mojo I ever bought...

And the indisputable number one greatest Stax song of all time is...

I'll admit it: not a fan of "Knock on Wood." I mean, it's okay. I did vote for "Got to Make a Comeback," and could just as easily have voted for "I've Just Been Feeling Bad." I think the Knock on Wood album cover is hilarious. You don't see many people chopping down trees in a suit.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Image_Knock_On_Wood_cover.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/T1nfgML.jpg
1. Sam and Dave - Hold On, I'm A Comin' (156 points, 8 votes)
Stax, 1966
Fancy Dancin' Live YouTube, Spotify

Watching the live YouTube is compulsory!

btw I mean "slimy" in the best possible way

Movies have definitely played a huge part in how a lot of people experience Stax imo -- I have never seen Blues Brothers, but I am fully aware of its cultural impact. There was Satisfaction (which had 0 cultural impact afaict) and Shaft obvs, and has anyone mentioned The Commitments yet? I will admit to totally loving that movie in early hs. Strangely I associate it with Twin Peaks but only because I was obsessed with them at the same time.

The Big Chill duh

omg the dance moves

OTM re: compulsory viewing.

Dig Al Jackson playing "Immigrant Song" at 1:32. Surprised the entire audience didn't run for cover in the presence of the awesome power of Al's bass drum.

I have never seen Blues Brothers, but I am fully aware of its cultural impact.

Their horrendous minstrel-show version of "Soul Man" was all over the goddamn radio in '78-'79. I didn't hear the original -- or even know there was an original -- until six years later. Blew my mind.

Not knowing when it was written/released, I used to think the line was "I was educated at Woodstock."

I love how Sam and Dave look completely exhausted, dead on their feet, and then each time they find just enough energy to launch off into yet another fling of crazy dancing.

"Hold On..." famously a song about sitting on the toilet.

"Green Onions" in American Graffiti is as ominous and as sinister as it gets: twilight, everyone headed out to Paradise Road for the big Milner/Falfa showdown.

spotify playlist complete! thanks for doing this seandalai!

I know you've all been waiting for the full results:

1. Sam and Dave - Hold On, I'm Comin' (156 points, 8 votes)
2. Booker T and the MGs - Green Onions (114 points, 6 votes, 1 first-place vote)
3. Eddie Floyd - Knock On Wood (103 points, 6 votes)
4. Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness (98 points, 5 votes, 1 first-place vote)
5. The Staple Singers - I'll Take You There (92 points, 6 votes)
6. Wendy Rene - After Laughter (Comes Tears) (88 points, 4 votes)
7. William Bell - I Forgot To Be Your Lover (87 points, 5 votes, 1 first-place vote)
8. Sam & Dave - Soul Man (86 points, 4 votes)
9. Isaac Hayes - Theme from Shaft (82 points, 4 votes)
10. Sam and Dave - When Something is Wrong with my baby (74 points, 4 votes)
11. Isaac Hayes - Walk On By (69 points, 4 votes)
12. Booker T and the MGs - Time Is Tight (69 points, 3 votes, 1 first-place vote)
13. Eddie Floyd - Big Bird (66 points, 3 votes, 1 first-place vote)
14. Otis Redding and Carla Thomas - Tramp (58 points, 5 votes)
15. otis redding - i've been loving you too long (52 points, 5 votes)
16. Dramatics - In The Rain (52 points, 4 votes)
17. Johnnie Taylor - Who's Making Love (50 points, 4 votes)
18. Bar-Kays - Soul Finger (48 points, 4 votes)
19. William Bell - You Don't Miss Your Water (48 points, 3 votes)
20. Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay (46 points, 2 votes, 1 first-place vote)
20. Otis Redding - These Arms Of Mine (46 points, 2 votes, 1 first-place vote)
22. The Charmels - As Long As I've Got You (41 points, 3 votes)
23. Margie Joseph - Stop! In The Name Of Love (40 points, 2 votes)
24. Rufus Thomas - Walking the Dog (39 points, 3 votes)
25. Sam & Dave - I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down (36 points, 2 votes, 1 first-place vote)
26. Rufus Thomas - The Breakdown (35 points, 3 votes)
27. Eddie Floyd - Got to make a comeback (35 points, 2 votes)
28. Otis Redding - Satisfaction (34 points, 2 votes)
29. Mable John - Your Good Thing (Is About To End) (32 points, 3 votes)
30. Wendy Rene - Bar-B-Q (32 points, 2 votes)
31. Isaac Hayes - Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic (31 points, 3 votes)
32. Linda Lyndell - What A Man (30 points, 2 votes)
33. Carla Thomas - Gee Whiz, It's Christmas (30 points, 1 vote, 1 first-place vote)
33. Isaac Hayes - Joy (30 points, 1 vote, 1 first-place vote)
35. Jean Knight - Mr. Big Stuff (28 points, 3 votes)
36. Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (28 points, 2 votes)
37. Carla Thomas - B-A-B-Y (27 points, 2 votes)
38. Booker T and the MGs - Hip Hug-Her (26 points, 3 votes)
39. The Dramatics - Your Love Was Strange (26 points, 1 vote)
40. The Staple Singers - When Will We Be Paid? (25 points, 2 votes)
41. Rufus Thomas - Can Your Monkey Do The Dog? (23 points, 2 votes)
41. Sam and Dave - I Thank You (23 points, 2 votes)
43. David Porter - I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over (23 points, 1 vote)
44. The Mar-Keys - Last Night (22 points, 2 votes)
45. Luther Ingram - If loving you is wrong (I don't want to be right) (22 points, 1 vote)
45. Temprees - I'm for you, you for me (22 points, 1 vote)
45. The Emotions - Blind Alley (22 points, 1 vote)
45. Otis Redding - Pain in my heart (22 points, 1 vote)
49. Staple Singers - Respect Yourself (21 points, 2 votes)
50. Lou Bond - Come on snob (21 points, 1 vote)
50. Otis Redding - I've Got Dreams To Remember (21 points, 1 vote)
50. Rufus Thomas - Memphis Train (21 points, 1 vote)
50. The Bar-Kays - Knucklehead (21 points, 1 vote)
54. Carla Thomas - Gee Whiz (20 points, 3 votes)
55. Wendy Rene - Gone for good (20 points, 1 vote)
56. Mable John - Don't Hit Me No More (19 points, 2 votes)
56. Mel & Tim - Starting All Over Again (19 points, 2 votes)
58. Mad Lads - Whatever hurts you (19 points, 1 vote)
59. Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign (18 points, 1 vote)
59. Booker T and the MGs - Hang 'Em High (18 points, 1 vote)
59. Melvin van Peebles - Sweetback's Theme (18 points, 1 vote)
59. Otis Redding and Carla Thomas - Are You Ready For Me Baby (18 points, 1 vote)
59. Wendy Rene - Give You What I Got (18 points, 1 vote)
64. Sam and Dave - You Got Me Hummin' (17 points, 2 votes)
65. Rufus and Carla Thomas - When You Move You Lose (17 points, 1 vote)
65. Temprees - Dedicated to the one I love (17 points, 1 vote)
65. The Mad Lads - Get Out Of My Life, Woman (17 points, 1 vote)
65. The Soul Children - The Sweeter He Is (17 points, 1 vote)
69. Shirley Brown - Woman to Woman (16 points, 2 votes)
70. Booker T. & The MGs - Soul Limbo (16 points, 1 vote)
70. JJ Barnes - Sweet Sherry (16 points, 1 vote)
70. Otis Redding - Hard To Handle (16 points, 1 vote)
73. Sam & Dave - Wrap It Up (15 points, 2 votes)
74. 24 Carat Black - Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth (15 points, 1 vote)
74. Isaac Hayes - Medley: Ike's Rap II/Help Me Love (15 points, 1 vote)
74. Otis Redding - Ole Man Trouble (15 points, 1 vote)
74. Ruby Johnson - When My Love Comes Down (15 points, 1 vote)
74. Tonettes - Come to me (15 points, 1 vote)
79. Otis Redding - That's How Strong My Love Is (14 points, 1 vote)
79. Sam and Dave - Can't You Find Another Way (Of Doing It) (14 points, 1 vote)
81. Booker T. & the MG's - boot-leg (12 points, 2 votes)
82. Johnnie Taylor - Stop Doggin' Me (12 points, 1 vote)
82. Major Lance - Since I Lost My Baby's Love (12 points, 1 vote)
82. William Bell - Marching Off To War (12 points, 1 vote)
85. Hot Sauce - I'll Kick A Brick (About My Man) (11 points, 1 vote)
85. The Dramatics - The Devil Is Dope (11 points, 1 vote)
87. Arthur Conley - Sweet Soul Music (10 points, 1 vote)
87. Isaac Hayes - Never Can Say Goodbye (10 points, 1 vote)
87. William Bell - Every day will be like a holiday (10 points, 1 vote)
90. Calvin Scott - Shame On The Family Name (9 points, 1 vote)
90. Eddie Floyd - On A Saturday Night (9 points, 1 vote)
90. Rufus Thomas - I'll be your Santa baby (9 points, 1 vote)
90. Wilson Pickett - In The Midnight Hour (9 points, 1 vote)
94. Rufus Thomas - The Memphis Train (8 points, 2 votes)
95. Eddie Floyd - Don't Tell Your Mama (8 points, 1 vote)
95. Eddie Giles - Losing Boy (8 points, 1 vote)
95. Mavis Staples - I have learned to do without you (8 points, 1 vote)
95. Sir Mack Rice - Mini-Skirt Minnie (8 points, 1 vote)
95. The Mad Lads - No Strings Attached (8 points, 1 vote)
95. Mable John - same time same place (8 points, 1 vote)
101. Otis Redding - Respect (7 points, 2 votes)
102. Rufus Thomas - The Dog (7 points, 1 vote)
103. Colette Kelly - City Of Fools (6 points, 1 vote)
103. David Porter - Can't See You When I Want To (6 points, 1 vote)
103. Rufus Thomas - The Preacher and The Bear (6 points, 1 vote)
106. Isaac Hayes - (They long to be) Close to you (5 points, 1 vote)
106. Mable John - Able Mable (5 points, 1 vote)
106. Sam and Dave - Soothe Me (5 points, 1 vote)
106. The Bar-Kays - Give Everybody Some (5 points, 1 vote)
106. The Bar-Kays - Holy Ghost (5 points, 1 vote)
106. Otis Redding - Mr. Pitiful (5 points, 1 vote)
112. Barbara Stephens - wait a minute (4 points, 1 vote)
112. Carla Thomas - Stop ! Look What You're Doing (4 points, 1 vote)
112. Otis Redding - A Waste Of Time (4 points, 1 vote)
112. The Bar-Kays - Son of Shaft (4 points, 1 vote)
116. Freddie Waters -Groovin' On My Baby's Love (3 points, 1 vote)
116. The Staple Singers - Love Is Plentiful (3 points, 1 vote)
118. Booker T and the MGs - Melting Pot (2 points, 1 vote)
118. The Temprees - Love… Can Be So Wonderful (2 points, 1 vote)
118. William Bell & Judy Clay - private number (2 points, 1 vote)
121. Booker T and the MGs - Tic-Tac-Toe (1 point, 1 vote)
121. Johnnie Taylor - Cheaper To Keep Her (1 point, 1 vote)
121. The Drapels - Wondering (1 point, 1 vote)
121. The Rance Allen Group - Ain't No Need Of Crying (1 point, 1 vote)
121. Booker T & the MG's - Comin' home baby (1 point, 1 vote)

My ballot

William Bell - I Forgot To Be Your Lover
The Dramatics - Your Love Was Strange
Sam & Dave - Soul Man
Eddie Floyd - Knock On Wood
Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness
The Charmels - As Long As I've Got You
The Staple Singers - Respect Yourself
Sam & Dave - Hold On! I'm Comin'
Booker T. & The MG's - Green Onions
Otis Redding - These Arms Of Mine
Isaac Hayes - Theme From Shaft
Margie Joseph - Stop! In The Name Of Love
The Staple Singers - I'll Take You There
Johnnie Taylor - Stop Doggin' Me
The Dramatics - The Devil Is Dope
Isaac Hayes - Never Can Say Goodbye
Otis Redding & Carla Thomas - Tramp
Eddie Floyd - Don't Tell Your Mama
The Dramatics - In The Rain
Rufus Thomas - The Memphis Train

Oops, "These Arms of Mine" should be bolded too.

Oh, nm. I was right the first time.

My ballot:

Sam and Dave - I can't stand up for falling down
Margie Joseph - Stop! In the name of love
William Bell - I forgot to be your lover
Luther Ingram - If loving you is wrong (I don't want to be right)
Lou Bond - Come on snob
Sam and Dave - Hold on! I'm a comin'
Isaac Hayes - Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
The Dramatics - In the rain
Temprees - Dedicated to the one I love
Wendy Rene - After laugher
Isaac Hayes - Walk on by
Rufus Thomas - The breakdown
Eddie Floyd - Big Bird
The Staple Singers - I'll take you there
Otis Redding - Try a Little Tenderness
William Bell - Every day will be like a holiday
Rufus Thomas - I'll be your Santa baby
Mavis Staples - I have learned to do without you
Mel and Tim - Starting all over again
David Porter - Can't See You When I Want To
Isaac Hayes - (They long to be) Close to you
The Bar-Kays - Son of Shaft
Otis Redding - I've Been Loving You Too Long
The Staple Singers - When Will We Be Paid
The Drapels - Wondering

Albums:
The Soul Children - Friction
Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul
Lou Bond - Lou Bond
Margie Joseph - Makes a New Impression
Booker T and the MGs - In the Christmas Spirit

"Green Onions" in American Graffiti is as ominous and as sinister as it gets: twilight, everyone headed out to Paradise Road for the big Milner/Falfa showdown.

― clemenza, Sunday, September 29, 2013 11:35 AM (16 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

"Ominous" and "sinister" are the perfect words. This song is like a concealed weapon.

My ballot. Thanks so much for doing this, seandalai!

Green Onions - Booker T and the MGs
Hold On, I'm Comin' - Sam and Dave
Big Bird - Eddie Floyd
I've Been Loving You Too Long - Otis Redding
Soul Man - Sam and Dave
When Something is Wrong with my Baby - Sam and Dave
Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
Are You Ready For Me Baby - Otis Redding & Carla Thomas
Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd
Hard To Handle - Otis Redding
Ole Man Trouble - Otis Redding
Can't You Find Another Way (Of Doing It) - Sam and Dave
Satisfaction - Otis Redding
Walk On By - Isaac Hayes
Soul Finger - The Bar Kays
Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley
In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic - Isaac Hayes
Who's Making Love - Johnnie Taylor
Respect - Otis Redding
You Got Me Hummin' - Sam and Dave
A Waste Of Time - Otis Redding
Wrap It Up - Sam and Dave
As Long As I've Got You - The Charmels
Tic-Tac-Toe - Booker T and the MGs

Yes, thanks. I've always been a much bigger Motown fan.

1. “Gee Whiz, It’s Christmas,” Carla Thomas (30)
2. “I’ll Take You There,” Staple Singers (26)
3. “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” Dramatics (23)
4. “I’m for You, You for Me,” Temprees (22)
5. “Got to Make a Comeback,” Eddie Floyd (21)
6. “Gone for Good,” Wendy Rene (20)
7. “Whatever Hurts You,” Mad Lads (19)
8. “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby,” Sam & Dave (18)
9. “Time Is Tight,” Booker T. & the M.G.’s (17)
10. “Walk on By,” Isaac Hayes (16)
11. “Come to Me,” Tonettes (15)
12. “In the Rain,” Dramatics (14)

Great results! I wish I had saved my ballot, though most of my picks didn't make the countdown. I'm gonna go ahead and say it Stax>>>>>>>>Motown.

Oran "Juice" Jones covered "In the Rain," right? Or maybe he just sampled it, I can't remember.

Oran "Juice" Jones's "The Rain" was an original from 1986, Keith Sweat covered "In The Rain" in 1987 on his debut album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8RTWs9pPjU

Great poll!