By Bruce Warren, Program Director for WXPN

In the August issue of Modern Drummer, there is a terrific article written by one of our favorite Philly Local musicians and drummer Pat Berkery. Pat was the drummer in The Bigger Lovers, and his other band is The Pernice Brothers. The article is called “The Top-25 Stax Drum Tracks”, a daunting task to assemble.

There’s no doubt that the Stax label was one of music’s most significant and definitive labels when it came to American R&B. Stax’s house band for many of the recordings were the legendary Booker T & The MGs, the drummer for whom was the legendary Al Jackson, Jr. Other drummers like Willie Hall, Howard Grimes, Edward Skinner, and Carl Cunningham were often called in for sessions. That’s Carl Cunningham you hear on The Bar-Kays’ “Soul Finger,” and Willie Hall on the “Theme From Shaft.”

So, what were in Pat Berkery’s Top Five Stax Drum Tracks?
#5 – “Soul Man” – Sam & Dave – Al Jackson, Jr.
#4 – “Theme From Shaft” – Isaac Hayes – Willie Hall
#3 – “Son of Shaft” – The Bar-Kays – Willie Hall
#2 – “Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic” – Isaac Hayes – Willie Hall
#1 – “Try A Little Tenderness” – Otis Redding – Al Jackson, Jr.

Now, it’s your turn to tell us what some of your favorite Stax trax are. Let us know. And while you’re thinking about it, check out some of these hot sides of soul from this 885 post about Soulsville USA.