Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story

Quick, what recording studio became known as "Soulsville, U.S.A"? Stax Records. Founded by Caucasians Jim STewart and Estelle AXton, this Memphis-based company showcased some of the most soulful musicians on the planet and was colorblind concerning equal employment of black executives like Al Bell. Among the great songs chronicled here: "Last Night"-The Markeys, "Green Onion"-Booker T and the MGs, "Knock on Wood"-Eddie Floyd, "Soul Man"-Sam and Dave, original version of "Respect"-Oits Redding, "Shaft"-Issac Hayes, "Respect Yourself"-The Staple Singers, and many more from some of those artists. From the '60s through the '70s, Stax's rise and fall is chronicled by many of that label's participants I've mentioned with the bittersweet nostalgia that colors how unique that era truly was. And how fortunate we now are to have a museum and training institute built in Stax's honor. All in all, a very interesting documentary narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. Personal note: I was fascinated to learn that a cherished hit from my childhood, Rick Dees' "Disco Duck", was produced by Ms. Axton after the company she co-founded closed.