Carla Thomas
'The Queen Alone'
Universal/Stax Records
UK Release Date: July 2007

Here we go again folks. Another fabulous release from the legendary and revitalised Stax label who celebrate their 50th anniversary this year and we've already been treated to two double CD's crammed full of hit singles plus that fabulous live set from the late Johnnie Taylor. This time its the turn of the lovely Ms Carla Thomas whose name is as well known as any other artist on the roster and has enjoyed as many hits as her co-artists.

It would have been easy to simply put a greatest hits package together for this series but a lot of thought has been put into releasing this 1969 LP and adding some unreleased tunes at the back end even though they have included a couple of her well known songs. Carla's career stretches back to the late fifties and she came from a musical family with the late Rufus Thomas (himself a major Stax recording artist) being her father and in later years her daughter Vaneese recording that cracking LP on Elektra. She scored initially with 'Gee Whizz' and 'B-A-B-Y' but it was her biggest moment when in 1967 with fellow Stax giant Otis Redding she recorded a number of duets most notably 'Tramp' (originally cut by Lowell Fulson) and 'New Years Resolution' as well as 'Lovey Dovey' all appearing here in the UK on the light blue Stax label imprint via Polydor Records. An LP was also issued entitled 'King & Queen'

'The Queen Alone' should have been a massive seller as its Memphis soul music of the highest order. Highlight's include her take on 'Any Day Now' which Chuck Jackson has recorded along with numerous other artists. The Stax drummer had his snare drum skin set to a particular tension to give a powerful 'dry' snare hit which became a trade mark of the labels early to mid sixties sound. 'Stop Thief' with it's trademark Memphis Horns intro keeps the pace afloat with an appealing midtempo song. Every LP has its star track and in this case there are two standout songs one being the string laden 'I Want To Be Your Baby' where Ms Thomas just oozes sex appeal. The other tune that had me reaching for the repeat button was 'When Tomorrow Comes' featuring some lovely piano work and an eager gospel backing making this just irresistible.

If dancing is your bag then 'Something Good (is going to happen to you) a song that saw light of day as a '45' release will keep your carpet well worn as it was a favourite around the Manchester clubs during the back end of the 1960's. One other tune you must check out is 'Give Me Enough (to keep me going) the backbone of which is a simple one finger piano stroke overladen with some nice orchestral chords and background vocals - this will most certainly grown on you.

Stax fans will be aware of Carla's performance in the Wattstax movie of 1973 where she sang her 1968 single 'Pick Up The Pieces' although northern soul fans will always favour her uptempo dancer 'I'll Never Stop Loving You'.

Top marks to Universal Music for the issue of a fabulous piece of soul music history.

Rating 8/10 (this grows more with each play)