(originally posted 6/07)
Happy birthday to the GREAT Eddie Floyd; what better opportunity to re-post one of the earliest daily 45's I ever posted, the mighty "Big Bird"!
"Big Bird" was also one of the final blue label Stax singles (before they broke from Atlantic and went independent again), and also represents an end of sorts to the vibe of the blue label records. "Big Bird" is one of the hardest hitting soul 45's of the '60's (Steve Cropper's guitar riff is SO RAW), and its no surprise that this record was especially popular in the UK (witness my English copy with that gorgeous label). The darker side to the record is that, legend has it, Eddie Floyd wrote the lyrics at Heathrow Airport, waiting to fly home for the funeral of Otis Redding. Undoubtedly soul music itself was changing, but the death of Otis Redding also changed the mood at Stax considerably. Of course they recorded and released dozens upon dozens of great records post-'68, but there is a considerable magic on the blue label 45's.
By 1968, Eddie Floyd was a music business veteran of 13 years, having co-founded The Falcons in 1955. eddie was signed to Stax in 1965 and the label used his considerable talents as both a performer AND songwriter to full capacity. Eddie has written some of the most powerful soul classics in the history of the music; whether recorded originally by himself ("Knock On Wood"), or by others ("Ninety-Nine And A Half Won't Do"), these songs are the amazing legacy of a legend.
from 1968...
EDDIE FLOYD - BIG BIRD
1 comment:
Ahhh, one of my all time faves from Stax. Never knew of the Otis Redding connection. Makes sense.
Like so many other mods, punks and garage freaks, I first came to this number by way of The Jam, who do a more than credible version.
I assume that is the late Duck Dunn on the Fender Bass. It just pounds the song along. He's missed
Morgan
http://ontheflip-side.blogspot.com
Post a Comment