Carla Thomas - Let Me Be Good to You: The Atlantic & Stax Recordings (1960-1968) (2020)

SoulMusic Records is proud to present a first-of-its-kind complete collection of all of the Atlantic and Stax recordings by Carla Thomas, released between 1960-1968. With a total of 94 tracks, “Let Me Be Good To You” celebrates ‘The First Lady Of Stax Records’ whose 1961 classic hit ‘Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes)’ led to the Memphis-based label’s distribution with Atlantic Records. Sequenced by session, the deluxe 4-CD set includes tracks from Carla’s four solo albums, plus the famed 1967 “King & Queen” LP of duets with the late Otis Redding. The ‘A’ and ‘B’ sides of all of Carla’s singles – including (28) non-album tracks – are featured including Carla’s duets with her famous father, Rufus Thomas, along with five live recordings from Carla’s 1967 performances in London and Paris with the famed Stax/Volt Revue.

Produced by SoulMusic Records founder David Nathan, “Let Me Be Good To You – The Atlantic & Stax Recordings (1960-1968)” boasts a stellar 8,000-word extensive essay by renowned UK writer Charles Waring with 2020 quotes from Stax executive Al Bell, famed songwriter/producer David Porter, Carla’s sister Vaneese (a recording artist in her own right) and former Stax publicist and songwriter Deanie Parker and others. Superb mastering by Nick Robbins and first class artwork by Roger Williams make this 4-CD set a full documentation of Carla Thomas’ pioneering contribution to soul music, as Stax Records’ primary female hitmaker for the label’s groundbreaking first eight years.

• Disc One: A LOVE OF MY OWN covers Carla’s first recordings for Satellite Records which morphed into Stax Records in 1961, including duets with her father Rufus Thomas, her debut LP, “Gee Whiz” and various non-album singles such as ‘I’ll Bring It On Home To You’, Carla’s ‘answer’ song to Sam Cooke’s 1962 hit.

• Disc Two: EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH includes Carla’s second LP, “Comfort Me” alongside deep soul classics ‘How Do You Quit (Someone You Love)’, ‘Stop! Look What You’re Doing’ and ‘What Have You Got To Offer Me’ and her major 1966 hits, ‘Let Me Be Good To You’ and ‘B-A-B-Y’, both co-written and produced by Isaac Hayes & David Porter.

• Disc Three: SOMETHING GOOD (IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU) features the 1966 LP “Carla” plus the eleven tracks from 1967’s globally-successful “King & Queen” LP pairing Carla with Otis Redding, the label’s then-primary hitmaker including duet covers of ‘Tramp’ and Eddie Floyd’s ‘Knock On Wood’.

• Disc Four: I TAKE IT TO MY BABY opens with five recordings culled from Carla’s live performances as part of the much-acclaimed Stax/Volt Revue tour of Europe and continues with Carla’s LP “The Queen Alone” as well as the tracks from her last sessions with Stax at the end of the label’s distribution pact with Atlantic including 1967’s ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ and 1968’s ‘A Dime A Dozen’.