Here is Rufus Thomas, catching a nap, after "Walking the Dog" during a show stopping performance.

The Thomas classic, and 49 others songs from the Stax stable, are featured on the new Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration.

This is a magnificent two disc set, profiling the best of the Memphis sound. Congratulations to the Concord Music Group for bringing the Stax label back into the public spotlight.

Each track deserves to be a part of this collection. Some of the artists are not household names, however classic soul fans will remember these troubadours for their contributions to the Stax legacy.

My title, "Stax 50 delivers Classic Soul Grand Slam Hits," may be taking artistic license, as some of the songs were more commercially successfully than others.

As an example, "So I Can Love You," the 1969 seminal hit by the Emotions, (pictured here), though not a monster smash, adds depth to this compilation.

Sheila, Wanda, and Jeanette Hutchinson, (the Emotions), would later obtain their biggest success with Columbia Records under the tutelage of Earth Wind & Fire's Maurice White.

Carla Thomas, Otis Redding, and Johnnie Taylor get several tracks, as do Isaac Hayes and Sam & Dave.

Sam Moore, on the right in this photo, with his partner Dave Prater, are represented with "Soul Man," "You Don't Know Like I Know," and "Hold on I'm Comin'."

We are also treated to some gems by Shirley Brown, the Soul Children, Mel & Tim, Jean Knight, William Bell, Eddie Floyd, the Mad Lads, the Astors, and the Temprees.

The 51 page CD booklet has a wonderful history of Stax, along with some great photos, including the three you see here.

Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration is an outstanding double CD capturing the essence of the best of Memphis soul:

1. "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" - Carla Thomas
2. "Last Night" - The Mar-Keys
3. "You Don't Miss Your Water" - William Bell
4. "Green Onions" - Booker T. & The MGs
5. "Walking the Dog" - Rufus Thomas
6. "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)" - Otis Redding
7. "Candy" - The Astors
8. "Respect" - Otis Redding
9. "You Don't Know Like I Know" - Sam & Dave
10. "I Want Someone" - The Mad Lads
11. " Hold On I'm Comin'" - Sam & Dave
12. "Let Me Be Good To You" - Carla Thomas
13. "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)" - Mable John
14. "Knock on Wood" - Eddie Floyd
15. "B-A-B-Y" - Carla Thomas
16. "Tramp" - Otis Redding & Carla Thomas
17. "Soul Finder" - The Bar-Kays
18. "Born Under a Bad Sign" - Albert King
19. "Soul Man" - Sam & Dave
20. "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay" - Otis Redding
21. "I Got a Sure Thing" - Ollie & The Nightingales
22. "Soul Limbo" - Booker T. & The MGs
23. "I've Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)" - Eddie Floyd
24. "What A Man" - Linda Lyndell
25. "Private Number" - William Bell & Judy Clay
26. "Who's Making Love" - Johnnie Taylor
27. "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" - William Bell
28. "I Like What You're Doing (To Me)" - Carla Thomas
29. "Time is Tight" - Booker T. & The MGs
30. "So I Can Love You" - The Emotions
31. "Walk on By" - Isaac Hayes
32. "Do the Funky Chicken" - Rufus Thomas
33. "Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone" - Johnnie Taylor
34. "Mr. Big Stuff" - Jean Knight
35. "Never Can Say Goodbye" - Isaac Hayes
36. "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" - The Dramatics
37. "Respect Yourself" - The Staple Singers
38. "Theme From Shaft" - Isaac Hayes
39. "Son of Shaft" - The Bar-Kays
40. "That's What Love Will Make You Do" - Little Milton
41. "I've Been Lonely For So Long" - Frederick Knight
42. "Hearsay" - Soul Children
43. "In The Rain" - Dramatics
44. "I'll Take You There" - The Staple Singers
45. "Starting All Over Again" - Mel & Tim
46. "Dedicated to The One I Love" - The Temprees
47. "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" - The Staple Singers
48. "Cheaper to Keep Her" - Johnnie Taylor
49. "I'll Be The Other Woman" - Soul Children
50. "Woman to Woman" - Shirley Brown

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