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Hot Buttered Soul
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| Hot Buttered Soul | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 1969[1][2] | |||
| Recorded | March – May 1969 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 45:24 | |||
| Label | Enterprise | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Isaac Hayes chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Hot Buttered Soul | ||||
| ||||
Hot Buttered Soul is the second studio album by American soul musician Isaac Hayes. Released in June 1969, it is recognized as a landmark recording in soul music.[5][6] Recorded with the Bar-Kays, the album features four lengthy tracks, including a 12-minute version of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David song "Walk On By" and an almost 19-minute long version of Jimmy Webb's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix;" both songs were edited significantly and released as a double A-side single in July 1969.[2]
Background
[edit]Hayes' 1968 solo debut, Presenting Isaac Hayes, had been a poor seller for the record label Stax Records, and Hayes was about to return to his behind-the-scenes role as a producer and songwriter, when the label suddenly lost its entire back catalog after splitting with Atlantic Records in May 1968.[7]
Stax executive Al Bell decided to release an almost-instant back catalog of 27 albums and 30 singles at once, and ordered all of Stax's artists to record new material, encouraging some of Stax's prominent creative staff, including Hayes and guitarist Steve Cropper, to record solo albums.[7]
After feeling burned by the retail and creative flop of his first album, Hayes told Bell that he would not record a follow-up or any other album unless he was granted complete creative control. Since Bell had encouraged Hayes to record Presenting... in the first place, he readily agreed.[7]
Production
[edit]Produced by Al Bell with Allen Jones and Marvell Thomas, the record was tracked by engineer Terry Manning at the Ardent Studios location on National Street in Memphis. The Bar-Kays were the tracking band, supplemented by pianist and co-producer Marvell Thomas (son of Rufus Thomas). Isaac Hayes played Hammond organ and sang the vocals live while conducting the tracking band at the same time. Much of the later production was done as part of the package of products brought to Detroit by producer Don Davis to expedite the production process. The strings and horns were arranged by Detroit arranger Johnny Allen and were recorded at United Sound Studios by engineer Ed Wolfrum with vocals and final mix at Tera Shirma by engineer Russ Terrana.[7] The producers were looking for a sweeping orchestral sound that would enhance the rhythm tracks. The pre-delay reverberation technique, recorded in part by Terry Manning on the tracking session, had been used at Artie Fields productions in Detroit in late 1950s, and at Columbia Records; it was also used by Wolfrum and others for numerous productions and commercials previous and after the release of this project including Marvin Gaye's What's Going On project, with orchestration also recorded at United. Russ Terrana went on to the engineering staff of Motown Records and was responsible for the recording and mixing of many hits on that label.[7]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| BBC | (favourable)[9] |
| Robert Christgau | C[8] |
| MusicHound Lounge | |
| Paste | 9.7/10[11] |
| Pitchfork Media | 9.2/10[12] |
| Rhapsody | favorable[13] |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Stereo Review | (favourable)[15] |
The album was released in June 1969 and peaked at number 1 on the top R&B chart, and at number 8 on the Billboard 200.[1][16] The edited single version of "Walk On By" reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the edited single version of "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" reached No. 37 on the same chart.[17]
Contemporary and retrospective reviews of the album were highly positive. AllMusic ranks Hot Buttered Soul as one of the best records of Hayes's career, perhaps second only to 1971's Black Moses, and said the album pioneered new developments in R&B music for the 1970s.[5] In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 373 in their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[18]
American punk rock musician Henry Rollins has frequently referred to Hot Buttered Soul as one of his favorite albums.[19][20] Rollins interviewed Hayes in 1995, and the interview was reprinted in the 1998 book Do I Come Here Often? Black Coffee Blues, Part 2.[21]
Evan Minsker of Pitchfork wrote in 2017: "Hayes didn’t have any grand sales ambitions for Hot Buttered Soul, but his long cuts and high drama made him a star, one who pried the creative doors open for the artists who followed."[22]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Walk On By" | Burt Bacharach, Hal David | 12:03 |
| 2. | "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" | Isaac Hayes, Alvertis Isbell | 9:38 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "One Woman" | Charles Chalmers, Sandra Rhodes | 5:10 |
| 2. | "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" | Jimmy Webb | 18:42 |
Personnel
[edit]- Isaac Hayes – vocals, keyboards
- Marvell Thomas – producer, keyboards
- Harold Beane – guitar solo on "Walk On By"[23]
The Bar-Kays:
- Willie Hall – drums
- James Alexander – bass
- Michael Toles – guitar
Technical
- Al Bell – Producer, supervising producer
- Bill Dahl – Liner notes
- Kate Hoddinott – Package redesign
- Allen Jones – Producer
- Johnny Allen – Arranger
- Terry Manning – Engineer
- Bob Smith – Photography
- Joe Tarantino – Mastering
- Russ Terrana – Remixing
- Honeya Thompson – Art direction
- Christopher Whorf – Cover design
- Ed Wolfrum – Engineer, mixing
Charts
[edit]Weekly charts
[edit]| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Top LPs | 8 |
| US Hot R&B LPs (Billboard)[24] | 1 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[25] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Isaac Hayes Hot Buttered Soul Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
- ^ a b According to the liner notes in the 2009 remastered CD booklet, the album debuted on the Billboard chart in July 1969, eventually peaking at number 1 on the R&B chart in August 1969, and number 8 on the Billboard 200 in October 1969. The liner notes also mention the release of a single for "Walk On By"/"By the Time I Get to Phoenix" after the album's successful release; the single issued in July 1969 as well.
- ^ Judge, Stephen (March 31, 2009). "Isaac Hayes – Black Moses". Blurt. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ Farber, Jim (February 20, 2018). "'I didn't give a damn if it didn't sell': how Isaac Hayes helped create psychedelic soul". The Guardian. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c Jason Birchmeier. "Hot Buttered Soul - Isaac Hayes | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ Easlea, Daryl (2009). "Isaac Hayes Hot Buttered Soul Review". BBC. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Bowman, Rob (1997). Soulsville, U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records. New York City: Schirmer Books. ISBN 9780825672842.
- ^ "CG: isaac hayes". Robert Christgau. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ Easlea, Daryl (2009). "Isaac Hayes Hot Buttered Soul Review". bbc.co.uk. BBC.
- ^ du Lac, Josh Freedom (1998). "Isaac Hayes". In Knopper, Steve (ed.). MusicHound Lounge: The Essential Album Guide to Martini Music and Easy Listening. Detroit and London: Visible Ink Press. p. 219. ISBN 1578590485.
- ^ Deusner, Stephen M. (July 7, 2009). "Isaac Hayes: Hot Buttered Soul". Pastemagazine.com. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ Patrin, Nate (June 29, 2009). "Isaac Hayes: Hot Buttered Soul | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ Jon Pruett (January 1, 1969). "Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes". Rhapsody. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide - Nathan Brackett, Christian David Hoard - Google Books. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743201698. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ Reed, Rex (October 1969). "Isaac Hayes: Hot Buttered Soul" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Vol. 23, no. 4. Stereo Review. p. 142.
- ^ "Isaac Hayes: Hot Buttered Soul (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "Isaac Hayes | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
- ^ "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ Rollins was quoted in 2011: "My mother had this record. She let me have it so I could destroy it on my bad record player with my awful vinyl etiquette. I don’t know why it hit me so hard, so immediately, but it did. I was in 5th grade and listened to it all the time. I was kind of surprised by that myself."[1]
- ^ Taysom, Joe (August 4, 2024). "Henry Rollins picks his 10 favourite albums ever". Far Out.
- ^ "Isaac Hayes". Wondering Sound. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ Pitchfork (August 22, 2017). "The 200 Best Albums of the 1960s". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ Howe, Sean (November 15, 2017). "Meet the Musicians Who Gave Isaac Hayes His Groove (Published 2017)". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Isaac Hayes Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
- ^ "American album certifications – Isaac Hayes – Hot Buttered Soul". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
Further reading
[edit]- Draper, Jason (2008). A Brief History of Album Covers. London: Flame Tree Publishing. pp. 74–75. ISBN 9781847862112. OCLC 227198538.
Hot Buttered Soul
View on GrokipediaBackground and Context
Album's Origins
In 1968, Stax Records faced severe setbacks when its distribution deal with Atlantic Records ended abruptly, resulting in the label losing ownership of its entire back catalog of recordings. This loss exacerbated financial pressures on Stax, which had already been strained by the death of Otis Redding in late 1967 and the broader economic vulnerabilities in the soul music industry. To fulfill remaining contractual obligations and secure new distribution, Stax urgently needed to produce fresh material, prompting a scramble to rebuild its roster and catalog.[7] To address these challenges, Stax co-owner and executive Al Bell devised the "Soul Explosion" initiative in early 1969, aiming to generate 27 new albums and 30 singles within a compressed timeframe of about eight months. This ambitious strategy was designed to rapidly expand Stax's output, demonstrate vitality to potential distributors, and generate immediate revenue amid the label's post-1968 financial instability following the catalog's effective sale to Atlantic. Isaac Hayes' upcoming album became a key component of this plan, reflecting Bell's willingness to invest in established in-house talent during the crisis.[7][8] The conception of Hot Buttered Soul emerged in early 1969 against this backdrop, driven in part by Hayes' frustration with his debut solo album, Presenting Isaac Hayes (1968), which had been a commercial disappointment. Recorded hastily on a low budget over just a few days in January 1968 at the urging of Bell—essentially on the spur of the moment after a studio Christmas party—the jazz-oriented album failed to chart and sold poorly, souring Hayes' relationship with the label despite his success as a songwriter for other Stax artists. Seeking greater artistic control, Hayes lobbied Bell for full autonomy on his next project, a request Bell granted under the Soul Explosion's flexible parameters, allowing Hayes to prioritize creative vision over commercial constraints as Stax navigated its ongoing recovery.[9][10][11]Hayes' Career Prior to Release
Isaac Hayes began his professional music career in Memphis, Tennessee, joining Stax Records in 1964 as a session musician and backing vocalist.[9] Initially playing keyboards on numerous recordings, Hayes quickly transitioned into songwriting, forming a prolific partnership with David Porter that defined much of Stax's golden era.[12] Together, they co-wrote landmark soul hits, including "Hold On, I'm Comin'" and "Soul Man" for the duo Sam & Dave, which became staples of the genre and propelled Stax's commercial success in the mid-1960s.[13] By the late 1960s, Hayes had established himself as one of Stax's most versatile contributors, co-writing over 200 songs, primarily with David Porter, and working as a producer and arranger on numerous recordings for the label.[12] His multifaceted role extended beyond session work; Hayes co-produced tracks for artists like Carla Thomas and Johnnie Taylor, honing a sophisticated approach to soul arrangements that blended gospel influences with orchestral elements.[14] This period of intensive collaboration built Hayes' reputation as a behind-the-scenes architect of Southern soul, though he increasingly sought opportunities to step into the spotlight as a performer.[15] In 1968, Hayes released his debut solo album, Presenting Isaac Hayes, a jazz-inflected collection that showcased his improvisational piano skills but did not chart on the Billboard 200 due to insufficient promotion amid Stax's distribution challenges following its split from Atlantic Records.[10] The album's modest reception, coupled with Hayes' growing frustration over artistic constraints in the singles-driven soul market, fueled his push for greater creative autonomy.[16] Influenced by the rising tide of album-oriented rock and soul, Hayes advocated for extended song formats and conceptual recording approaches, setting the stage for his breakthrough project.[17] This demand for control was particularly acute during Stax's 1968 financial crisis, triggered by the death of Otis Redding and lost distribution deals.[18]Production and Recording
Recording Process
The recording sessions for Hot Buttered Soul occurred from March to May 1969 at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, where the basic tracks and lead vocals were captured.[19] These core elements were completed in a single eight-hour session, during which Hayes multitasked as vocalist, keyboardist, and conductor to lay down the rhythm tracks live.[3] Additional overdubs, including lush strings and horns, were added later at United Sound Studios in Detroit to build the album's symphonic layers.[1] The album's format marked a departure from the concise, singles-driven structure typical of soul music at the time, featuring just four tracks—all exceeding five minutes in length, with the longest, a reimagined cover of "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," stretching to approximately 18 minutes.[1] This extended runtime allowed for expansive arrangements that prioritized depth over brevity, emphasizing narrative immersion over radio-friendly hooks.[20] Hayes employed an improvisational style throughout the sessions, incorporating lengthy spoken-word introductions—such as the nearly nine-minute monologue on "By the Time I Get to Phoenix"—that transitioned into gradual orchestral swells and rhythmic grooves.[1] The band tracked live to capture organic energy, with Hayes directing builds that layered horns and strings for a cinematic effect, often humming arrangements over the phone to coordinate remote overdubs.[3] Initial efforts in the sessions centered on transforming familiar covers into elongated reinterpretations, notably expanding Burt Bacharach's "Walk on By" from its original two-and-a-half-minute pop version into a 12-minute soul-funk opus with drum-and-bass foundations and improvisational flourishes.[1] This approach set the template for the album's remaining tracks, prioritizing emotional extension and sonic experimentation.[20]Key Contributors
The production of Hot Buttered Soul was overseen by Al Bell as executive producer, who provided strategic guidance and artistic freedom to Isaac Hayes during the album's creation at Stax Records.[19] Bell's role extended to co-writing one track and ensuring the project's alignment with the label's innovative soul direction.[21] Day-to-day production duties were handled by Allen Jones and Marvell Thomas, who collaborated closely with Hayes to shape the album's extended tracks and rhythmic structure.[19] Jones, a veteran Stax collaborator, focused on integrating funk elements, while Thomas contributed keyboards and additional arrangements, drawing on his experience as Rufus Thomas's son.[21] Their efforts resulted in a cohesive sound that blended raw energy with orchestral depth. Johnny Allen served as the primary arranger, crafting the lush string and horn orchestrations that defined the album's "symphonic soul" aesthetic, particularly on expansive covers like the 12-minute "Walk on By" and 18-minute "By the Time I Get to Phoenix."[22] Working from Detroit, Allen utilized a full orchestra to overdub these elements, transforming Hayes's hummed ideas into intricate, genre-redefining layers that elevated soul music's emotional and textural scope.[22][21] The rhythm section was anchored by the Bar-Kays, the reformed Stax house band that provided a solid funk foundation following their 1968 reconstitution after the tragic 1967 plane crash.[23] Key members including bassist James Alexander, drummer Willie Hall, and guitarist Michael Toles laid down the grooves during Hayes's eight-hour rhythm track session at Ardent Studios in Memphis.[21][23] Isaac Hayes himself was a central multi-instrumentalist, delivering lead vocals, playing keyboards such as the Hammond organ, and contributing to some arrangements, marking his debut in these expanded roles beyond songwriting.[19][24] He conducted elements of the sessions live, simultaneously handling vocals and instrumentation to capture the album's improvisational spirit.[21][24]Musical Content
Track Listing
The album Hot Buttered Soul consists of four tracks with a total runtime of 45:33.[25]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Walk on By" | Burt Bacharach, Hal David | 12:03 | Cover of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David song originally popularized by Dionne Warwick in 1964.[4][26] |
| 2 | "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" | Isaac Hayes, Alvertis Isbell | 9:38 | Original composition.[27][16] |
| 3 | "One Woman" | Charles Chalmers, Sandra Rhodes | 5:10 | Original composition.[21][4] |
| 4 | "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" | Jimmy Webb | 18:42 | Cover of the Jimmy Webb song originally recorded by Glen Campbell in 1967.[26][4] |
