- Carla Thomas - vocals

- Carla Thomas and Otis Redding

Genre: soul

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Queen Alone

Company: Stax

Catalog: S-718

Year: 1969

Country/State: Memphis, Tennessee

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: name 'Kate' printed on front cover; minor ring and edge wear; minor 3 inch split along top seam

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4562

Price: $15.00

Cost: $1.00

Kudos to Thomas who managed to record this set while working for her Masters Degree at Washington, D.C.'s Howard University ...  Even though it's musical diverse, creatively 1969's "The Queen Alone" may be her most consistent offering.  In terms of material the set's divided between patented Stax-styled soul and more commercial pop-oriented numbers.  Whereas most artists would have a difficult time navigating between the different genres, Thomas was such a strong performer that she pulled it off with little difficulty.  Able to switch from sensitive little girl voice ('When Tomorrow Comes') to a 'don't fool with me toughness', in her hands the Burt Bacharach-penned 'Any Day Now' sounded as good as the funky 'Something Good (Is Going To Happen To You)'.  Literally all eleven tracks were good with most having the potential to have been a good single.  As such, if I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with one of her patented soul efforts - probably the bluesy 'Lie To Keep Me From Crying'.  The album also spun off a pair of hit singles for Thomas:

- 1969's 'Something Good (Is Going To Happen To You)' b/w 'It's Starting To Grow' (Stax catalog number S207)

- 1969's 'I'll Always Have Faith In You' b/w 'Stop Thief' (Stax catalog number 45-222)

"The Queen Alone" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Any Day Now   (Burt Bacharach - Hillard) - 3:38

2.) Stop Thief   (Isaac Hayes - David Porter - Shamwell) - 2:40

3.) I Take It To My Baby   (Steve Cropper - Isaac Hayes - David Porter) - 3:00

4.) I Want To Be Your Baby   (Isaac Hayes - David Porter) - 2:17

5.) Something Good (Is Going To Happen To You)   (Isaac Hayes - David Porter) - 2:38

6.) When Tomorrow Comes   (Isaac Hayes - David Porter) - 2:35

(side 2)
1.) I'll Always Have Faith In You   (Eddie Floyd - Isbell) - 2:55

2.) All I See Is You   (Weisman - Westlake) - 3:39

3.) Unchanging Love   (Isaac Hayes - David Porter) - 2:50

4.) Give Me Enough (To Keep Me Going)   (Parker) - 2:30

5.) Lie To Keep Me From Crying   (Banks - Jones) - 2:27

Genre: soul

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Love Means ...

Company: Stax

Catalog: STS-2044

Year: 1971

Country/State: Memphis, Tennessee

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: includes original insert; two small cut out holes top left corner

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4559

Price: $9.00

Cost: $66.00

1971's "Love Means ..." isn't one of those albums that immediately leaps out at you.  Produced by Carla's brother Marvell (who also handled the arrangements and co-wrote several tracks), material such as 'Didn't We', 'What Is Love?' and 'Love Means You Never Have To Say You're Sorry' had a surprisingly commercial (aka pop) feel.  That's not necessarily bad, but for anyone accustomed to her more soul-oriented output (after all she's the Queen of Stax), hearing Thomas take on a cover of The Associations' 'Cherish' had to be a little unsettling.  The good news it that Thomas' instantly recognizable voice shined through both the pop and more soul-oriented numbers.  In fact, the only real misstep was a needless cover of 'Il Est Plus Doux Que' - Stax artists should avoid anything with a French lyric !!!   Personal favorites were Thomas' soul moves, including the Staples-styled 'Are You Sure'.  Elsewhere Stax tapped 'You've Got a Cushion To Fall On'  b/w 'Love Mans Never Having To Say You're Sorry' (Stax catalog number STA-0113) as a single.

"Love Means ..." track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Didn't We   (Jimmy Webb) - 3:34

2.) Are You Sure?   (Homer Banks - Raymond Jackson) - 3:16

3.) What Is Love?   (Marvell Thomas - Carla Thomas) - 3:21

4.) Daughter You're Still Your Daddy's Child   (Marvell Thomas - Jeana Roker) - 5:50

(side 2)
1.) Love Means You Never Have To Say You're Sorry   (Deanie Parker - Marevll Thomas - Carla Thomas) - 3:27

2.) You've Got A Cushion To Fall On   (Homer Banks - Raymond Jackson) -3:12

3.) Il Est Plus Doux Que   (Tony Hester) - 3:27

4.) Cherish   (Terry Kirkman) - 4:46

5.) I Wake Up Wanting You   (Marvell Thomas - Carla Thomas - Bobby Manuel - Bettye Crutcher) -3:19