In The Midnight Hour 1963-64 was the year for dances, in the birth of the soul era. Kids everywhere during these years either, Monkey-ing, Swimming, Twine-ing, Uncle Willy-ing, and of course, Jerking. The Jerk was a hot new dance around 1964 and quite a few record released, would capitalize on the dance, like so many others. Groups as The Miracles who had, " Come On And Do The Jerk b/w "Baby Don't You Go", The Gypsies who had, "Jerk It" on the Old Town label and a group from the LA area called The Larks who also recorded a number one R&B hit called "The Jerk" in late 1964. The Jerk would also inspire a New York producer.......... Let's fast forward to the spring of 1965. Jerry Wexler of Atlantic records was frantic looking for new material for a new artist just signed on the label, named Wilson Pickett. Wilson was formerly on Lloyd Price's Double L label and cut a few sides for the label. Signing with the Atlantic label in 1964, he would released a few singles that would all flop. Something had to give. Jerry Wexler had the brainstorm idea of taking Wilson to Memphis where Stax records was located. Jerry of course had dealings with the label (runned by Jim Stewart and Astelle Axton), when Atlantic started distribution Stax products, such as the late Rufus Thomas and Carla Thomas first hit, " Cause I Love You" in 1960 and so on................. Let's get to the nitty gritty of this story. When Jerry and Wilson arrived in Memphis, Jim Stewart himself picked them up from the airport and went to the Lorraine Motel ( the hotel where Dr. King was assassinated in April 1968). Jim and Jerry left to go to a meeting, where Wilson Pickett along with Booker T guitarist Steve Cropper stayed. When returning back to the hotel, Wilson and Steve had written two songs that would become future classics, " In The Midnight Hour" and "Don't Fight It", in a matter of two hours !!!!! In The Midnight Hour was inspired by Wilson's always quoting in his personal appearances, " Wait until the midnight hour". Steve Cropper thought it would be a great idea for a song. Wilson said that it was just from his gospel roots as well, " I'm gonna meet sweet Jesus in the midnignt hour, you don't when He's gonna come, he could come at any given time". In The Midnight Hour was cut in May of 1965. The session players on this smoking track was no other than 3 members of the Booket T. & the MG's set, Donald " Duck" Dunn on bass, Steve Cropper on guitar, Al Jackson Jr. on the drums. Also on hand were the Memphis Horns, Wayne Jackson on trumpet, Floyd Newman on baritone sax, Andrew Love and Packy Axton ( Estelle Axton's son) on both tenor sax. Jerry Wexler was on hand as well during this session and some how the recording couldn't come through. So Jerry suggested a rhythm pattern after a new dance that kids around the country at that time were doing called the Jerk. He started to demonstrate the dance around the studio, and as the musicians chuckled, they got a feel for a new arrangement for the song. The sessions players developed a laid back rhythm which is called in music terms, 2/4. It means that the bottom bass drum is playing a rhythm pattern of.........1 2 3 4 ...while Al Jackson ( the drummer) is playing 1..2.. on the snare. He delaying the beat. Because of this arrangement, a new style of playing was born for the Stax label. If you listen closely to the early Stax recording, the rhythm patterns are totally different from the ones recorded after "The Midnight Hour" session. In The Midnight Hour" hit No 1 for a week in August 1965 on the R&B singles charts and No 21 on the Pop singles charts in Sept 65. The song would make Wilson Pickett a international star overnight !!!!!! Wilson would go on to have other masterpiece hits during his association with the Stax label. But things would began to turn ugly with a fall out between Jerry Wexler and Jim Stewart in 1966. So Wilson would find a new home across the way at Fame studios located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. As you know, the classic hits from Wilson's golden voice just kept shilling out over and over.............. In The Midnight Hour is not just some simple classic hit that people of nearly 4 generations can dance to, but it was a song that change the sound of a label named Stax, in my opinion, one of the greatest labels in music history !!!! It was not only an eye opener for the Stax musicians, but it generated a new sound in the up coming soul era that you can get your groove on, not only in the midnight hour, but in the morning...........in the afternoon............ in the evening...........snack time.. whenever !!!! Check out the Wicked Pickett anytime !!!!!!! He's truly The Midnight Mover !!!!!!!!!! Enjoy !!!!!!! Mike Boone (Chancellor of Soul) "wicked FUNK" Wilson Pickett is truly "wicked" !!!.... Some of you may question why he is evn here amongst all of this FUNK. You may be saying to yourself.......damm isn't he really more R&B/Soul, than FUNK ? Well perhaps that is true, but obviously I disagree !!! I have seen this great man in concert twice under two very different sets of circumstances. Once in New York at a fancy "circle in the round" type of theater, where he shared the bill with none other than James Brown. Then once again several years later at a "world famous outdoor blues festval" in Houston Texas. I actually have quite a bit more to say about the man, his music and his life (I wish he could find a way to stay out of trouble) ....but I'm outta time for right now. For the time being just take my word for it.....he is truly FUNKY. I Found a Love (The Falcons) Let Me Be Your Boy If You Need Me It's Too Late I'm Gonna Cry (Cry Baby) Come Home Baby In the Midnight Hour Don't Fight It (unedited Single Master) I'm Not Tired That's a Man's Way 634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.) Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do) Land of 1000 Dances Mustang Sally Three-Time Loser Everybody Needs Somebody to Love Soul Dance Number Three You Can't Stand Alone Funky Broadway I'm in Love Stagger Lee Jealous Love I've Come a Long Way In the Midnight Hour (Live & Burnin') I'm a Midnight Mover I Found a True Love She's Looking Good Man and a Half Hey Jude Mini-Skirt Minnie Toe Hold Hey Joe You Keep Me Hangin' On She Said Yeah Cole, Cooke & Redding Sugar Sugar Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9 Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You Don't Knock My Love - Pt. 1 Call My Name, I'll Be There Fire and Water (Your Love Has Brought Me) a Mighty Funk Factory Funky Broadway Click here to enter your suggestions Back to P*FUNK REVIEW