Stax/Volt Revue, Live in Norway 1967

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Memphis-based Stax label (and its subsidiary, Volt), Concord recently released this 75-minute DVD. Recorded in Oslo in April 1967, the bulk of the DVD (55 minutes) has been available as a bootleg but this is taken from the master tapes. The star of the tour was Otis Redding, who died (at 26) just eight months later in a plane crash. Backed by the “house” band, Booker T. and the MGs—who open the show with their big hit, “Green Onions”—Redding works up a sweat on five songs. To watch him in action is to witness the sheer joy of his performance. On “Shake” and “Satisfaction,” he relentlessly speeds up the tempo, then ends the show with his usual finale, “Try a Little Tenderness.” Sam and Dave’s four-song segment—complete with killer dance moves—precedes Redding’s and they really rip it up, especially on “Hold On, I’m Comin’!” Before that the Mar-Keys work out on their big hit, “Last Night.” Two other singers, Arthur Conley and Eddie “Knock on Wood” Floyd, round out this sensational video that comes with a 24-page booklet and several extras. Get it while you can!