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A lot of music shows up at my doorstep, and much of what I hear is weighed down by world-weary resignation. The other day a CD quickly cleared the air, bringing my stereo back to life and reminding me what I was missing. Late Late Party: 1965–1967 is a compilation featuring R&B saxophonist Charles “Packy” Axton, a Memphis musician who prior to the time of these recordings was a member of the Mar-Keys. By itself, his fiery playing on the opening track, “Holiday Cheer,” can have the same salutary effect on you as it did on me—but it doesn’t hurt that the rhythm section smokes, which tells you something important about Late Late Party. Although Axton is the common thread, no one’s stealing the show here. These were team players who pounded out gritty R&B that enjoyed limited listenership when it was released but remains as vital now as the day it was recorded.
There are plenty of sweaty instrumentals on the CD, but Packy’s bands (the Martinis, the Packers, and the Pac-Keys) also slow things down, as on the moody “Hung Over” and the sly “Stone Fox.” A sweeter sound emerges on the vocal tunes interspersed throughout Late Late Party; here Packy plays little but acts as producer. With L.H. White singing lead, the vocal group L.H. and the Memphis Sounds deliver three gems, “House Full of Rooms,” “Out of Control” and “I’m a Fool (In Love).” The A and B sides of Stacy Lane’s northern soul single “No Ending” are also distinguished by fine songwriting and memorable singing. For more than one reason, the songs on Late Late Party belong together, and the juxtaposition of vocals with instrumentals helps keep everything fresh.
