Stax Records and Sun Records stand as two of the most culturally significant record labels in popular music history, and they are both Memphis labels. There’s obviously something special in the Mississippi River, as so much of American popular music stems from close to either side of those waters. Stax was the home of Southern soul, sporting a roster that is a who’s who of important soul artists: Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd and more. Sam Phillips’ Sun Records, on the other hand, was the home of early rock ‘n’ roll with Elvis Presley, Ray Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Sun also had an enormous influence in the country music world, launching the career of Johnny Cash.
To celebrate the significant legacy of Sun Records, Bobby Rush, Valerie June, Luther Dickinson, Jimbo Mathus, Amy LaVere, and others combined their talents to produce Red Hot: A Memphis Celebration of Sun Records releasing June 16th via Americana Music Society. All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars co-produced the record with Tamara Saviano, who recently penned the splendid Guy Clark biography, Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark.
To whet your appetite for the record, we are proud to share this track from Dickinson himself. On “Moanin’ at Midnight”, Dickinson channels the spirit of the great Howlin’ Wolf on this cover of the legendary bluesman’s song.
TRACK LIST
01. Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache – John Paul Keith
02. Sure to Fall – Valerie June
03. Lonely Weekends – Shawn Camp
04. Ways of a Woman in Love – Bryan Hayes
05. Red Hot – Million Dollar Quartet featuring Chuck Mead
06. Tough Titty – Bobby Rush
07. Ten Cats Down – Amy LaVere
08. High School Confidential – Jimbo Mathus
09. Folsom Prison Blues – Alvin Youngblood Hart
10. Moanin’ at Midnight – Luther Dickinson