This month brings a very special release for all fans of the Stax label, and of its flagship female artist Carla Thomas in particular. The previous, well received volume of Carla's Hidden Gems collected up two dozen unreleased masters recorded between approximately 1961 and 1971. Sweet Sweetheart: The American Studios Sessions and more is the result of Ace's latest vault trawl, with all but two of the featured performances making their debut here. The first half of the programme spotlights a complete album that Carla recorded with former Stax producer Chips Moman at Chips American Studios in Memphis in 1970. Stax released two of its tracks as a 45 but the remaining titles have sat in various tape vaults for 42 years. The balance of the material features tracks and performances recorded in the mid-60s. You may know one or two of these titles but we guarantee you will have never heard the versions used here. The superb quality of this unissued material beggars belief that it was passed over for release at the time of recording. Better late than never, as they say, and it s always a pleasure to bring such high quality vintage material to catalogue.
1 Country Road
2 I Loved You Like I Love My Very Life
3 I'm Gettin Closer To You (Version 1)
4 To Love Somebody
5 That Old Sweet Roll
6 Heaven Help The Non-Believer
7 Heavy Load
8 Sweet Sweetheart
9 I Think I Love You Again
10 Everything Is Beautiful
11 I'm Gettin Closer To You (Version 2)
12 B-A-B-Y (Take 1)
13 Crying All By Myself (Take 2)
14 Love Sure Is Hard Sometimes
15 Just Kiss Your Pillow (Take 1)
16 Try Me
17 Don't Feel Rained On (Take 1)
18 He Picked Me (Take 2)
19 Good Good Lovin (Take 2 - Slow Version)
20 Problems (Take 9)
21 Stop By Here
22 Apple Of My Eye (Take 1)
23 Give It A Try (Demo)
