Let's talk about Isaac Hayes (and how classic he is)

I always feel for both Isaac and Barry White that they dont get the recognition they deserve.

His 70s solo records might be the most overrated albums in R&B history -- a lot more of a triumph of image over content than so many seem to think the White Stripes are.

As a solo guy, I'd say he's more of a classic icon than a classic artist.

my two cents

(also, Wattstax has both Isaac and Rufus!)

Plus...

GOOD - he and I share a birthday, along with Robert Plant and KRS-One
BAD - as well as Fred Durst

A soul historian friend of mine claims he was completely smashed when recording his first album Presenting Isaac Hayes, and it sounds like it!

Generally, as far as 60s albums go, I don't like those that are crowded with cover versions, but Isaac Hayes did so many changes to those songs on the album they were more or less turned into new ones, totally unrecognizable.

There is some kind of melody there, although not a strong one. I like the rest of the album better. His cover of "Walk On By" sounds great.

Then a few really great solo albums, making sounds like no one before. Hot Buttered Soul is a masterpiece, and Black Moses is great too. And one of the very greatest soundtracks and theme tunes ever, with one of my all-time favourite lines: "Who's the black private dick who's a sex machine to all the girls?"

Glorious as an icon too - seeing those early pictures of this mighty-looking black man taking the stage in golden chains is extraordinary. A few great cameo roles here and there in films. And now hugely enjoyable on South Park.

How more fucking classic do you want someone to be?

Which it is!!

revive, cos i have been listening to ...Pheonix on a virtual loop today. Right now it sounds like the greatest song evah!

RIP S&D?

I've only got Hot Buttered Soul, Shaft and the theme from 'The Men' and it's all gold.

Not enough talk about Black Moses itt, so classic!!

I like a lot of his stuff but all of his albums kind of ... suck? a lot of moments of brilliance but they're almost always marred by interminable cheesiness. Hot Buttered Soul is his best and even that kind of tries my patience.

I know he wrote a lot of stuff for stax, but are there any good songs/albums that were produced or arranged by Isaac? As in, other artists that he made sound similar to his own stuff, especially the "To Be Continued..." era slow hip hop sample type stuff?

Bumping my last question, seeing as stax documentary is on bbc4 at moment.

Not a whole lot afaik, there's some garagey albums from the early 80s:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfO2Hr4T840

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td8CewdFaXI

http://www.freep.com/article/20140131/ENT04/301310148/Detroit-pianist-arranger-Johnny-Allen-dies-at-96

Co-arranged the Shaft theme with him

damn this extended "Do Your Thing" is NUTS. Sounds like Can towards the end, FOR REAL. http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/8803

^^^ he's not kidding, shit is great

Yeah I always found it pretty trance rocky. It's missing off one of the cd versions unfortunately. So hope it is on the most recent one.

Haven't heard what hayes was like live too much. Wondered if he did get into anything else as trancey

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/11/15/arts/music/isaac-hayes-band-bar-kays.html

Nice article on his 1969 to early 70s band

boxed set, “The Spirit of Memphis (1962-1976),” is referenced in the article. It starts with Stax hits Hayes produced or played on and moves on from there to Hayes recordings under his own name, unreleased tracks and live stuff