("Go Head On" plays first...)You better believe shit was really poppin off in 1965. Soul and rock were on an inevitable crash course fueled by a blues-obsessed teenage pop market, giving opportunity to amazing combos from nearly everywhere in the world. Ray Charles was one of the first, but Stax really did it better than anybody at that time by creating a back catalog of r&b/soul that deserves to be in the Smithsonian (and probably is). We all know Booker T. and the MG's were the mighty house band for all those great records but we often don't know how many bands took their style as gospel...Like this affable bunch of West coast musicians.
"Hole in the Wall" shows credit to the B-boys although one name is suspiciously (or erroneously) listed as "Crooper" not "Cropper". The sound is heavier than Stax here, more like a late 60's Joel Dorn Atlantic side or something, doubling piano and organ, Telecaster, congas, handclaps, and some well-placed shouts. Wish it went on longer. "Go Head On" seems to be an original tune that heats up a bit more than the cover. The Hammond organ on this cut just screams out in a special way, the way that provokes women to shout "Ooh Lord!". Drums couldn't sound any better, but those breakdowns should be longer. This type of song never really goes anywhere except the one riff, but honestly, why should it?
Just like the label says, "PURE SOUL MUSIC".
awarded a 7 out of 10 on the "C'mon Now, Let's Go!" scale...
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