- Michael Allen - keyboards (1973)

- Robert Coleman - trumpet (1973)

- Ray Griffin - bass (1973)

- Terry Johnson - drums (1973)

- David Porter - vocals
- Robert Thomas - guitar (1973)

- Chico Winston - sex (1973)

- Kenny Cain

- Little David

Genre: Soul

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Victim of the Joke! - An Opera

Company: Enterprise

Catalog: ENS-1019

Year: 1971

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original press with die cut cover; white label promo copy

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4385

Price: $100.00

Cost: $66.00

Even if you don't recognize David Porter's name, chanced are that you're familiar with some of the material he's written.  Working as a staff writer for Stax Records, Porter and long time partner Isaac Hayes penned some of the label's biggest hits ...  hell they wrote some of the 1960s' biggest hits.  What's interesting is that while most folks are aware of Hayes' solo career, few people know that Porter also recorded a series of LPs.  

Anyone expecting a standard set of Stax-styled soul is in for a major shock with this one ...  Co-produced with Ronnie Williams, 1971's "Victim of the Joke! - An Opera" was clearly envisioned as a concept piece with the mixture of spoken word segments and songs spinning out a rather vague plotline that had something to do with starting a romance with someone off limits.  While the album may have been groundbreaking for Stax, today it's rather mundane.  Porter's voice is at best professional and his usual gift for crafting memorable hooks is largely absent.  Adding to the problem, to my ears the extended narrative segments and the accompanying sound effects are a major source of irritation.  Whoever played the female love interest was hysterically inept in that they apparently could only speak in hushed, conspiratorial tones (or they were constipated).  Love the fact Stax felt the need to bleep out the nasty words ...  Perhaps the most interesting item here was an unexpected cover of The Beatles 'Help'.  It's one of the few tracks Porter sounded enthused on.

"Victim of the Joke! - An Opera" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) If I Give It Up, I Want It Back   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 2;36

2.) When You Have To Sneak (You Have To Sneak)   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 3:29

3.) Help (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 3:37

4.) I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over - 9:43

(side 2)
1.) Storm In the Summertime   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 5:45

2.) Pretty Inside   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 3:33

3.) Scene 3 Human   (Luther Dixon) - 3:48

4.) Airplane Ticket, Bus Ride, Can I Borrow Your Car   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) -  3:46

Genre: soul

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Sweat and Love

Company: Enterprise

Catalog: ENS-1026

Year: 1972

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: original inner sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 2428

Price: $20.00

Cost: $66.00

Co-produced by Porter and Ronnie Williams, 1973's "Sweat & Love" is Porter's fourth and final release for Stax (well in this case actually the Stax affiliated Enterprise label).  Musically the set isn't a major departure from his earlier releases.  Once again Porter's voice is surprisingly good (he easily outclasses Isaac Hayes' growl).  Written in collaboration with, the LP offers up a mixture of taunt ballads ("Didn't Know Love was So Good" and ""Falling Out, Falling In), slow funk grinders ("Somebody Owns a Piece of My Rock" and "Funny Money") and more commercial radio-friendly soul ("(Seems Like) The One You Can't Have All By Yourself").  All told, it makes for a great package that should have been a major hit.  Unfortunately, the LP was released just as popular tastes began to shift towards lighter disco material.  Adding to the problem, parent label Stax was rapidly collapsing, ensuring the LP got minimal promotional support.  (Dock it a star for Porter's horrific fashion sense.  C'mon guy what were you thinking wearing that pink silk shirt and hat combination?)

"Sweat & Love" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Didn't Know Love was So Good   (Isaac Hayes - David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 5:09

2.) Somebody Owns a Piece of My Rock   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams - Joann Bullard) - 4:10

3.) (Seems Like) The One You Can't Have All By Yourself    (Isaac Hayes - David Porter)- 6:10

4.) All the Way   (Kahn - Van Hausen) - 4:34

(side 2)

1.) Funny Money   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 4:20

2.) I Can Live with My Conscience   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 3:50

3.) This Song Has No Title   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 5:10

4.) Long As You're the One Somebody In the World   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 2:40

5.) Falling Out, Falling In   (David Porter - Ronnie Williams) - 5:00