Stax Records' Iconic 1965 Revue: A Live Recording for the Ages

After decades locked away, Craft Recordings is releasing Stax Revue: Live in ’65! as an expanded and remastered set, capturing both the LA performances and a rare hometown show at Memphis' Club Paradise earlier that summer. Standout moments include Wilson Pickett’s intense rendition of "In the Midnight Hour," Rufus Thomas’ vivacious take on "The Dog," and Booker T. & The M.G.'s energetic "Boot-Leg," which has already dropped as an advance single. The Memphis set also highlights lesser-known gems from artists like Wendy Rene and David Porter, making this release a treasure chest for soul enthusiasts.

The new collection arrives on multiple formats—2-LP, 2-CD, HD digital, and standard digital—on August 8th, boasting remastered audio delivered by GRAMMY-nominated engineer Joe Tarantino. Vinyl aficionados can appreciate the detailed lacquer cutting by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl. Alongside the music, freshly minted liner notes by GRAMMY-winning author Lynell George and producer Alec Palao offer a historical deep dive, contextualizing the impact of the 1965 Revue against America’s turbulent socio-political landscape.

What makes this release truly memorable is its authenticity. The recordings are unvarnished and alive, capturing the raw power of Stax artists stepping out of their Memphis comfort zone to meet a larger, spirited audience. This was more than music—it was a cultural shift. For Southern artists coming to Los Angeles, it was an introduction of their craft to a new world, a meeting of voices and faces with fans that had only known them through records. Craft Recordings has done justice to the gravity of that moment, preserving it for fresh ears six decades later.

Don't miss this rare slice of music history. Stax Revue: Live in ’65! is not just an album—it’s a time capsule filled with the urgency, unity, and soul power of a transformative era. Scheduled for release on August 8th, it’s available for pre-order across platforms, promising a summertime soundtrack that’s both nostalgic and revelatory.