The Mar-keys

THE MAR-KEYS - Last Night

Last Night – UK London Atlantic USA Satellite (STAX)
Philly Dog
Honey Pot
Grab This Thing
Pop-Eye- Stroll

Last Night written by Chips Moman, was another instrumental Mod Soul anthem from The Mar-keys. Add the STAX session horn section to the rhythm section (Booker T and The MG’s) and you get the Mar-Keys.

Although the original Mar-Keys had a variable line up, Booker T and the MG’s were certainly ‘The Rhythm section’ . By the time of The Mar- Keys’ Memphis Sound LP, which included Philly Dog and Honey Pot, (popular tracks at the time) was released the line had changed again.

THE GREAT MEMPHIS SOUND LP 1966

Another single taken from this album was “GRAB THIS THING”. Of course Roger Eagle had a 45 single of this, which he hammered into our consciousness at the Blue Note club. I bought it from Roger Eagle at the Blue Note just before he left.

The Mar-Keys were the in – house brass band at Stax – their style and chunky sound was the cornerstone of the label and it is instantly recognisable and original.

The Stax sound can be heard on virtually all Stax tracks and was generated by the Mar-Keys / and Booker T and The MG’s; Steve Cropper (lead Guitar) Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn (Bass Guitar) Terry Johnson (Drums) pianist Jerry Lee ‘Smoochie’ Smith (Piano/Organ), Don Nix (Sax) Charles Axton (Sax) Wayne Jackson (Trumpet/Horns).

Wayne Jackson started the Memphis Horns with Andrew love and Charles Axton created The Packers.

Their first LP with, Booker T And The MG’s with The Mar-Keys made an instrumental version of the theme of a New Orleans dance craze the Popeye in fact a whole LP, I got mine from Barry’s Record Rendezvous on Blackfriers Street Manchester it was next to the bridge, but long since demolished:

The Mar - Keys - Pop-Eye - LP

 The Pop – Eye Stroll

The “Pop-Pop-Pop-Pie” was a huge hit for The Sherrys in the USA and a big player at the Twisted Wheel.

The Mar-Keys – Wikipedia

Backing Otis Redding

Mar-Keys – Memphis Horns