via Star Tribune

MTV might bill itself as TV's music mecca, but it is stodgy ol' PBS that has done the most in recent years to celebrate the roots of rock. The curriculum of any true student of the genre must include 1995's "Rock & Roll," 2001's "Jazz," 2003's "The Blues" and last year's "American Masters" tribute to Bob Dylan.

MTV might bill itself as TV's music mecca, but it is stodgy ol' PBS that has done the most in recent years to celebrate the roots of rock. The curriculum of any true student of the genre must include 1995's "Rock & Roll," 2001's "Jazz," 2003's "The Blues" and last year's "American Masters" tribute to Bob Dylan.

Add a new lesson: "Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story" is not as exhaustive as its predecessors, but shines a much-needed spotlight on the Memphis label too often left standing in the shadows of Motown, its poppier rival.

"Motown had the sweet, but Stax had the funk," says the late singer Rufus Thomas. Interviews are augmented by concert footage, most shot on grainy film that matches the music's raw spirit. You can't watch Otis Redding's untender version of "Try a Little Tenderness" and not want to shake your tailfeather.

Those with tin ears can simply turn down the volume and groove to the flamboyant stylings: Isaac Hayes' doing "Just Walk on By" on a set that looks like a psychedelic laundromat; Mel & Tim performing in orange pajamas; Thomas leading "The Funky Chicken" at the famous Wattstax concert in a pink superhero costume.

Now that's soul, man.