Contrast the Soul music coming from Motown with that coming from Stax Studios in Memphis?

Question

FOr Homework

Answer 1

Many of the songs performed by the acts from Stax were backed by Booker T. & The MG's. This group was primarily a house band but they had quite a few hits on their own such as "Green Onions" and "Time Is Tight". Some of the members also went on to back Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in their movie "The Blues Brothers. Artists at Stax included Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, & Isaac Hayes.

Motown had more crossover success with their artists than Stax did. That was due in part that the music didn't necessarily "sound black" and could appeal to white audiences. That formula worked well for several years until the late 1960s when the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown to form their own labels called Invictus and Hot Wax. Another problem that occurred was when Berry Gordy, Jr., the founder of Motown, started focusing all his attention on Diana Ross and neglected the other artists, many of whom ended up leaving Motown entirely. It was rumored for years that the two were having an affair and even had a daughter together, both of which were confirmed years later.

One difference between Stax and Motown was that the Motown sound was more formulaic. If an artist had a hit song, that person or group would keep getting similar sounding songs to perform until that formula stopped working. Then that artist would get a chance to try something new.

As for a personal preference, I generally like Stax music more. I think it was more innovative and in general, I liked the musicians and the artists better than those at Motown. Another difference is that the songs aren't nearly as overplayed today as the Motown ones are.

Answer 2

Stax Motown

Answer 3

Simple....Berry Gordy ( who handled the Great Jackie Wilson ) founded Motown & as such Motown ( with the Temptations, etc. ) always had a much smoother sound than the grittier, more soulfull Stax-Volt with Steve Cropper, Booker T, Donald " Duck " Dunn & the R & B King Otis Redding......

Answer 4

I adore it all and in certain Booker T and the MGs. I had the privilige of seeing them are living in 1969 on the Hammersmith Odeon in London. Class acts. Class songs. A first-class interval for tune.