One of my most precious gifts among many this Christmas was my replacement copy of Hot Buttered Soul, that landmark first Isaac Hayes solo album from 1969. Constant travel and wear and lending and borrowing had simply worn my first CD copy out.

And although from a new music perspective 2008 was pretty solid as year number two in the reconstituted Stax label’s comeback - including the debut release from 67-year-old Stax rookie Leon Ware plus comeback sets from label heavyweights Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper - 2008 will mainly be remembered sadly, for the passing of Stax stalwart Isaac Hayes on August 10 in Memphis.

In an oddly painful yet comforting way, it somehow seems quite fitting that this year should come to pass amid thoughts of Isaac Hayes’ passing, and that although he has temporally moved on, we can still enjoy the sound and spirit of Hayes’ voice through recordings such as Hot Buttered Soul. Life seems to take with one hand even as it gives with another.

Although a better way to express it might simply be: Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 28th, 2008 at 12:40 pm and is filed under Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.