Neal Justin at the Star-Tribune in Minneapolis-St. Paul writes that PBS has become the unlikely home of rock ‘n’ soul music, doing the “most in recent years to celebrate the roots of rock.”
“The curriculum of any true student of the genre must include 1995’s “Rock & Roll,” 2001’s “Jazz,” 2003’s “The Blues” and last year’s “American Masters” tribute to Bob Dylan,” writes Justin. “Add a new lesson: RESPECT YOURSELF: THE STAX RECORDS DOCUMENTARY is not as exhaustive as its predecessors, but shines a much-needed spotlight on the Memphis label too often left standing in the shadows of Motown, its poppier rival.”
Ken Burns’ THE WAR might be the PBS story of the year, but for the last two weeks, it certainly feels like the STAX doc, premiering on Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 8:00 p.m. on NPT-Channel 8, has held that distinction. R.S.V.P.’s for our free screening at the Belcourt, with guests Bettye Crutcher and Wayne Jackson, totalled close to a hundred OVER the theatre’s capacity.
The view from the bed yesterday morning as I read the papers and drank coffee?
Ken Beck at The Tennessean makes it one of his KEN’S PICKS THIS WEEK.
The New York Times’ THE WEEK AHEAD picks four TV programs this week, one being the STAX doc. The pick is accompanied by a sweet performance picture of Otis Redding.
The Week Magazine goes all the way, making RESPECT YOURSELF… its “Show of the Week.” When you consider how many channels there are to choose from and how many programs are on those channels over the course of a week, that’s saying something.
Back to Justin: “You can’t watch Otis Redding’s untender version of “Try a Little Tenderness” and not want to shake your tailfeather.”