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BUY A CD NOW!
BUY A CD NOW!
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The
Bar-Kays began as a powerful backing band for the World
Renowned Stax Recording Company, which led them to eventually record their
own hit single "Soul Finger" in 1967. Just as their career was
beginning to take off, all of the Bar-Kays except bassist James
Alexander and trumpeter Ben Cauley were tragically killed in a plane crash
that also claimed the life of innovative recording artist
Otis Redding.
After a period of mourning this great
loss, Alexander reformed the group which supported Isaac Hayes on his classic "Hot Buttered Soul," "Shaft," "Movement," and "To Be Continued" LPs. The high
profile of the Hayes records displayed the Bar-Kay's powerful
musical ability which also assured upper mobility of the group's
career. Then they came back with "Son Of Shaft" in 1971, a top 10 hit. Now
consisting of Alexander (bass) with Willie Hall (drums), Winston Stewart
(organ), Barry Wilkins (guitar), Vernon Burch (guitar), Harvey
Henderson (sax) and (vocalist) Larry Dodson, the Bar-Kays
developed an unstoppable reputation as a fierce live outfit with
powerful concert performances known all over the world, which was
briefly documented on the Wattstax concert.
 Once the
Bar-Kays
were free to record for a new label, they quickly signed to
Mercury Records. "Shake Your Rump To The Funk" kicked off a long string
of popularity for the band, reaching #5 in 1976. For the rest
of their career, they became expert stylists and funk musical icons;
doing their variation on new styles, while setting trends as they
progressed . As time moved on, the style and longevity of the Bar-Kays
also guaranteed additional chart presence in the form of hit singles
like "Let's Have Some Fun,"
"Move Your Boogie Body," "Hit And Run," and "She Talks To Me With
Her Body" took them from the disco era through the techno-funk of
the early 80s. In 1978, a forgotten session from Stax, "Holy Ghost,"
was released and became a funk classic, despite being completed
nearly four years earlier.
They even to the advent of rap music
with "Freakshow On the Dance Floor," a song from the "Breakin'" soundtrack that was their biggest
hit, peaking at #2. The jams kept coming: "Your Place Or Mine,"
"Certified True," and even their stab at go-go, "Struck By You."
They kept touring but recorded less frequently in the 90's.
However in 2004 - Still,
the band marches on, representing Memphis soul as they have for the
past four decades with their newest alblum release that has gained
successful reviews and promises to be yet another smash Album
entitled (THE REAL THING)
CLICK HERE TO BUY
THIS CD NOW!
Notable songs include ---
- Hit and Run
- Freakshow on the Dance
Floor
- Shake Your Rump to the Funk
- Soul Finger
- Move Your Boogie Body
- Freaky Behavior
- Certified True
- Attitudes
- Boogie Body Land
- Sexomatic
- Anticipation
- Hollar if You Like That
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