Carla Thomas

Stax Classics

Part of a series of CDs marking Stax’s 60th.

Launched in 1957 as Satellite Records but soon renamed, the first batch of celebratory Stax CDs includes no-surprise, hit-filled releases from Otis Redding, Booker T. & The M.G.’s and Sam & Dave, each with a mere 12 entry-level songs. Carla Thomas, Rufus’s young daughter, is the more interesting because least anthologised. Untypical in a male-dominated catalogue, she started with 1960’s Cause I Love You, a duet with Dad. A better, more famed duet is her taunting, teasing hit with Otis, Tramp. Along with popsoul staples B-A-B-Y and Let Me Be Good To You are four songs looking north to Motown – Something Good (Is Going To Happen To You), I Like What You’re Doing (To Me), Pick Up The Pieces and I Play For Keeps. Gee Whizz (Look At His Eyes), written by Carla when she was 15, and her and Stax’s first US Top 10 pop hit, is absent. Gee whizz indeed. Geoff Brown