Floyd Gets His Due on ‘Rare Stamps’

Because he recorded in the shadow of Otis Redding at Stax Records in the ‘60s, Eddie Floyd is invariably described in rock and soul histories as one of the Memphis label’s minor artists. But the new “Rare Stamps” retrospective demonstrates the unfairness of that assessment.

There isn’t a sense of overpowering individuality in Floyd’s vocals on the album’s 25 songs--mostly taken from two of the singer’s old Stax albums. But there is a consistently soulful quality to them.

Floyd, who was born in Montgomery, Ala., in 1935, is best known for “Knock on Wood,” a song he wrote with Memphis guitarist-producer Steve Cropper, who also co-wrote Redding’s classic “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.”

Floyd’s recording of “Knock,” which reached No. 1 on the R&B; charts and the Top 30 on the pop charts in 1966, remains a soul music staple, thanks largely to its infectious, sing-along chorus:

Just like thunder and lightning

The way you love me is frightening

Think I’d better knock ... knock on wood.

Floyd, who also wrote the old Wilson Pickett hit “Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won’t Do),” had four other Top 40 R&B; singles after “Knock,” two of which--including his remake of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It on Home”--are included in the “Rare Stamps” package.

Before signing with Stax in 1965, Floyd had recorded with the Detroit R&B; group the Falcons (best known for 1959’s “You’re So Fine”) and had made some solo records for other labels.

But it was at Stax--working with the great Booker T. & the MGs band--that Floyd made his reputation with a sweet soul style that also reflected Redding’s gospel and occasional country influences.

One of the compilation’s most intriguing tracks is the rock-influenced “Big Bird,” which has an unlikely connection with Redding, who was killed in a 1967 plane crash.

In the liner notes of Atlantic Records’ “The Complete Stax Singles 1959-1968” collection, Floyd tells how he happened to write “Big Bird” on the day of Redding’s funeral.

According to Floyd, who was flying home to Memphis on that day after a lengthy European tour: “I had a flight booked to leave to go to New York and then to Atlanta. We got out to the airport and we got on the plane. The plane taxis out and it looks like it’s ready to take off. We went down the runway and suddenly it puts on the brakes, throwing folks everywhere.

“Something happened to one of the motors on that big jet. They took us back to the airport and we were there for five or six hours. That’s where I wrote that song, ‘Get on up big bird.’ ”

Also on the Shelves: Thump Records has released the fifth volume in its cruiser-conscious “Lowrider Soundtrack” series. Several of the artists on the package, including Royal T & the Raza Crew, Too Down and MC Blvd, will perform Sunday at the Los Angeles Sports Arena as part of Lowrider magazine’s “1993 Summer Lowrider Car Show & Unity Tour.”