In 1991, The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968 cataloged one of the most prolific runs in soul music history by collating 244 songs on a now-legendary and long-since out-of-print 9-CD set. 33 years later, Rhino kicked off the first-ever vinyl release of The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968 by unveiling Volumes 1 and 2 on vinyl, much to the delight of collectors worldwide during 2024. Today, this robust series continues with the arrival of Volumes 3 and 4 on vinyl. These installments comprise the next 79 tracks, spanning recognizable A-sides and diamond-in-the-rough B-sides, all originally released amid the label’s Atlantic-distributed era. It draws listeners right into the heart of the sixties with some of the decade’s most impactful soul, R&B, and rock.
Volumes 3 and 4 of Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959-1968 are limited to 2,000 copies each and are now available on Rhino.com and select WMG stores worldwide. Order HERE.
By the decade’s midpoint, the collective roster had indisputably hit its stride. Volumes 3 and 4 effectively captures lightning in a bottle, showcasing these artists at the height of their powers with essential cuts like “You Don’t Know Like I Know” (Sam & Dave), “Respect” (Otis Redding), “A Woman’s Love” (Carla Thomas), “Jump Back” (Rufus Thomas), “Grab This Thing (Part 1)” (The Mar-Keys), “Satisfaction” (Otis Redding), “Sugar Sugar” (The Mad Lads), “Knock On Wood” (Eddie Floyd), “Oh, Pretty Woman” (Albert King), and “Jingle Bells” (Booker T. & the MGs), among many others.
The liner notes by Rob Bowman explore the energy of this season in vivid detail. Edited from his original 1991 version, it paints a picture of musical, personal, and spiritual exploration, advancing what the genre could be. He immediately points out, “Nineteen sixty-five was the year Stax’s sound finally coalesced, proven by chart successes from Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and The Mad Lads.” He goes on to celebrate the songs, hailing Redding as “a master of both the drawn-out heart-wrenching slow ballad and the stomping up-tempo house-wrecker.” Fittingly, he dubs the finale—a cover of “Jingle Bells” by Booker T. & the MGs”—as “the hippest version of the Christmas ode you’re ever likely to hear.”
The collection was remastered from the original Stax/Volt mono single masters. In a few cases, the tapes were lost, and original disc sources were used. Analog-to-digital mastering was done with a specially modified and restored Ampex 350 full-track mono machine with original tube electronics. All equipment in the transfer process was chosen specifically to recreate the Stax sound on today’s stereo systems without compromise.
The Complete Stax/Volt Singles, 1959–1968, Volume 3
TRACKLISTING
Side A
Jump Back – Rufus Thomas
Chained and Bound – Otis Redding
In My Heart – Barbara & The Browns
Spunky – Johnny Jenkins
Bar B-Q – Wendy Rene
The Sidewalk Surf – The Mad Lads
Can’t Be Still – Booker T. & The MG’s
Side B
A Woman’s Love – Carla Thomas
Yank Me (Doodle) – The Baracudas
That’s How Strong My Love Is – Otis Redding
Mr. Pitiful – Otis Redding
Don’t Let Her Be Your Baby – The Del Rays
Can’t See You When I Want To – David Porter
My Lover – Barbara & The Browns
Side C
Got You On My Mind – The Admirals
How Do You Quit (Someone You Love) – Carla Thomas
Biggest Fool In Town – Gorgeous George
Banana Juice – The Mar-Keys
Little Sally Walker – Rufus Thomas
A Place Nobody Can Find – Sam & Dave
Goodnight Baby – Sam & Dave
Side D
Boot -Leg – Booker T. & The MG’s
Outrage – Booker T. & The MG’s
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) – Otis Redding
I’m Depending On You – Otis Redding
Candy – The Astors
Give You What I Got – Wendy Rene
Side E
Stop! Look What You’re Doin’ – Carla Thomas
Willy Nilly – Rufus Thomas
Don’t Have To Shop Around – The Mad Lads
Crying All By Myself – William Bell
I Take What I Want – Sam & Dave
When You Move You Lose – Rufus & Carla
Respect – Otis Redding
Side F
Made It Me – The Premiers
The World Is Round – Rufus Thomas
In The Twilight Zone – The Astors
Blue Groove – Sir Isaac & The Do-Dads
You Don’t Know Like I Know – Sam & Dave
Grab This Thing (Part 1) – The Mar-Keys
The Complete Stax/Volt Singles, 1959–1968, Volume 4
TRACKLISTING
Side A
Be My Lady – Booker T. & the MGs
Comfort Me – Carla Thomas
I Can’t Turn You Loose – Otis Redding
Just One More Day – Otis Redding
I Want Someone – The Mad Lads
Birds & Bees – Rufus & Carla
Philly Dog – The Mar-Keys
Side B
I Had A Dream – Johnnie Taylor
Satisfaction – Otis Redding
Things Get Better – Eddie Floyd
I’ll Run Your Hurt Away – Ruby Johnson
Hot Dog – The Four Shells
Let Me Be Good To You – Carla Thomas
Side C
Hold On! I’m Comin’ – Sam & Dave
Laundromat Blues – Albert King
Sugar Sugar – The Mad Lads
Share What You Got (But Keep What You need) – William Bell
Marching Off To War – William Bell
My Lover’s Prayer – Otis Redding
Side D
Your Good Thing (Is About To End) – Mabel John
I Got To Love Somebody’s Baby – Johnnie Taylor
I Want A Girl – The Mad Lads
Knock On Wood – Eddie Floyd
B-A-B-Y – Carla Thomas
My Sweet Potato – Booker T. & the MGs
Booker-Loo – Booker T. & the MGs
Side E
Oh, Pretty Woman – Albert King
Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody – Sam & Dave
Never Like This Before – William Bell
Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) – Otis Redding
Patch My Heart – The Mad Lads
Sister’s Got A Boyfriend – Rufus Thomas
Come To Me My Darling – Ruby Johnson
Side F
When My Love Comes Down – Ruby Johnson
Try A Little Tenderness – Otis Redding
Crosscut Saw – Albert King
Little Bluebird – Johnnie Taylor
Toe Hold – Johnnie Taylor
Jingle Bells – Booker T. & the MGs
