Encompassing artist anthologies, box sets, compilations and more, the Stax 60th anniversary campaign has explored the label's history from various angles.  So far, all releases have concentrated on its rich legacy of southern soul; now, Craft Recordings is turning its attention to the twangy side of Memphis with Stax Country.  Due on October 20 on CD and digital platforms with a vinyl edition to follow on November 10, this new collection brings together rare and previously unreleased country tracks recorded under the Stax umbrella on imprints such as Enterprise and Truth.

With the countrypolitan sound (blending country and pop into one smooth, urbane style) blooming, Stax wanted in on the act.  As Nashville was just three hours away from Memphis, the label  was able to lure a variety of bright talent to its fabled studios.  Of the artists featured on this 16-track set, perhaps the most successful was O.B. McClinton, who wrote for the label's artists including The Staple Singers, Otis Redding, and James Carr.  He recorded as a country artist for Stax in 1971, and is here represented with a cover of "Finer Things in Life" by another great songwriter, Jim Weatherly.  McClinton is joined by a diverse roster of artists including Connie Eaton (daughter of The Grand Ole Opry's Brian Eaton), Roger Hallmark, Eddie Bond, Joyce Cobb, Becki Bluefield, and Lee Denson, who supplies a three-hanky weeper just in time for the holidays ("A Mom and Dad for Christmas").

Journalist/author Colin Escott tells the story of these all-too-unknown talents in his new liner notes.  Many of these tracks never saw commercial release at all (the press release notes, "the majority of the songs on Stax Country never made it to the radio waves, let alone store shelves") but they represent an unknown part of the Stax story.

Look for this compilation of soulful country rarities this Friday, October 20, on CD from Stax and Craft Recordings.  The vinyl edition is due on November 10.  Pre-order links are available below.

Various Artists, Stax Country CD (Craft Recordings, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

1. Becki Bluefield - Sweet Country Music
2. Eddie Bond - That Glass (Enterprise ENA-9063, 1973)
3. Joyce Cobb - Your Love
4. Paul Craft - For Linda (Child In The Cradle) (Truth TRA-3205, 1974)
5. O.B. McClinton - The Finer Things In Life
6. Karen Casey - The River's Too Wide
7. Roland Eaton - Hippy From The Hills (version released on Capitol P-3054, 1971)
8. Connie Eaton - I Wanna Be Wrong Right Now
9. Cliff Cochran - All The Love You'll Ever Need (Enterprise ENN-9109, 1974)
10. Paige O'Brian - Satisfied Woman
11. Danny Bryan - My Girl (Enterprise ENA-9075, 1973)
12. Daaron Lee - Long Black Train (H.I.P. HIA-8008, 1968)
13. Frank Hobson & Becky Durning - A Truer Love You'll Never Find
14. Roger Hallmark - Truck Driver's Heaven (Enterprise ENA-9073, 1973)
15. Dale Yard - Purple Cow (Enterprise ENA-9068, 1973)
16. Lee Denson - A Mom And A Dad For Christmas (Enterprise ENA-9086, 1973)

Various Artists, Stax Country Vinyl (Craft Recordings, 2017) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side A:

1. Becki Bluefield - Sweet Country Music
2. Eddie Bond - That Glass
3. Joyce Cobb - Your Love
4. Paul Craft - For Linda (Child In The Cradle)
5. B. McClinton - The Finer Things In Life
6. Karen Casey - The River's Too Wide
7. Roland Eaton - Hippie From The Hills
8. Connie Eaton - I Wanna Be Wrong Right Now

Side B:

1. Cliff Cochran - All The Love You'll Ever Need
2. Paige O'Brian - Satisfied Woman
3. Danny Bryan - My Girl
4. Daaron Lee - Long Black Train
5. Frank Hobson & Becky Durning - A Truer Love You'll Never Find
6. Roger Hallmark - Truck Driver's Heaven
7. Dale Yard - Purple Cow
8. Lee Denson - A Mom And A Dad For Christmas

Discographical annotation may be incomplete.