GOLDWAX RECORDS was one of THE great Southern soul labels. Founded in Memphis in 1964 by hardware store owner and country fan Quinton Claunch, it folded in 1969 after Claunch fell out with then-co-owner Doc Russell. Claunch, we’re told, had an uncanny ear for great voices and good songs and he soon built up a roster of fine soul singers and though few were “big” names and despite not even having its own studio (like Hi or Stax), Goldwax unleashed some of the most emotive, real soul music of the 60s.
In recent times, the Goldwax catalogue has been lovingly cared for and curated by UK boutique label Ace Records who, via their Kent imprint, have reissued lots and lots of Goldwax archive material – single artist sets and compilations.
Ace/Kent’s latest offering is another compilation – ‘This Is Goldwax 1964- 1969’ and the release is part of Ace’s acclaimed ‘This Is ‘ series and if you look at the dates you’ll see that this wonderful 28 tracker is to commemorate the venerable label’s 60th birthday.
The album features plenty of music from Goldwax’s best-known names – people like James Carr, Spencer Wiggins, O V Wright and The Ovations. Indeed the album opens with a Carr track – ‘The Dark End Of The Street’ – often (righty) cited as the aural definition of Southern soul. Carr’s very different ‘Freedom Train’ is also included. Amongst the Spencer Wiggins’ offerings is his almost as well-known ‘Uptight Good Woman’. Fans of Sam Cooke will be delighted to know that there are a couple of Ovations cuts – featuring the remarkable Cooke sound alike Louis Williams. Another recognizable name on offer is Timmy Thomas whose ‘Have Some Boogaloo ‘predates his hit-making days.
The collection also boasts plenty of music from lesser-known artists and soul wannabees – people like Philip & the Faithfuls, Willie Walker, Percy Millem, Barbara Perry, Gene ‘Bowlegs’ Miller and others who recorded sparsely but were popular live performers. They might not have achieved much success but they helped make Goldwax one of soul’s most revered, collectable labels.
‘This Is Goldwax’ comes with fully illustrated and annotated inner sleeve notes and is a must for real soul collectors and if you don’t know the label (!!!), then it serves as a perfect introduction to proper soul music.
