Soul Finger

"Soul Finger" is the first single released by R&B group the Bar-Kays. It was issued by Stax Records on the Volt Records label on April 14, 1967.

The song was written by the Bar-Kays while they were rehearsing with Norman West, doing a cover of J.J. Jackson's "But It's Alright". It begins with the melody to the popular children's song "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and then cuts into the main riff, punctuated with a high trumpet trill. It features a chorus of neighborhood children who had been loitering outside the recording studio; they were instructed to shout "Soul Finger!" and were paid with Coca-Cola. The idea for the title and the shouts had come from Stax songwriters Isaac Hayes and David Porter.

"Soul Finger" was a hit in the United States, and peaked at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart and number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. The B-side to the single was "Knucklehead", written by Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper. "Knucklehead" charted at number 28 on the R&B singles chart and number 76 on the Hot 100. "Soul Finger" and "Knucklehead" were the first two tracks of the Bar-Kays' first LP, Soul Finger, issued on July 10, after nine more tracks had been recorded on June 23.

Soul Finger (Bar-Kays album)

Soul Finger is the debut album of the Bar-Kays, issued three months after the single of the same name. It was recorded by Tom Dowd and Chris Huston on Friday, June 23, 1967, at the Stax studio in Memphis. Though all but one member of the group were black (Ronnie Caldwell being the only white member), the album cover art, by Loring Eutemey, suggests an interracial pop music party feeling. The instrumental band, after being signed in early 1967, enjoyed tutoring by Al Jackson, Jr. and the other members of Booker T. & the M.G.'s, which shows in the tightness of the rhythm section. That summer they also were selected by Otis Redding as his new backup band.

Trivia

The cover shows an early example of a t-shirt displaying a logo. The artwork was credited to Loring Eutemey.

Track listing

Side one

Soul Finger (album)

Soul Finger is an album by drummer Art Blakey recorded in 1965 and originally released on the Limelight label. On the 2009 CD edition, Gary Bartz, whose recording debut this was, was left off the credits - he is the saxophonist (alto) for 5 of the 6 cuts. Lucky Thompson is only on one cut, playing soprano sax on "Spot Session" with the quartet of Blakey, Hicks and Sproles. A sixth cut from the Bartz sessions was used on the later Hold On, I'm Coming album.

Reception

Allmusic awarded the album 3½ stars stating "The program here showcases the sounds of a band in transition to be sure, but also the sound of a group with nothing to lose; in other words, plenty of chances get taken that might not otherwise fly... this date is well worth seeking out for fans of Blakey's long running, ever evolving unit".

Track listing