Only the Strong Survive

1	Soul Survivor / Wilson Pickett 5:30
2	Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes) / Carla Thomas 5:28
3	Soul Man / Sam Moore 4:57
4	For Your Precious Love / Jerry Butler 5:38
5	Someday We'll Be Together / Mary Wilson 3:26
6	Have You Seen Her? / The Chi-Lites 3:12
7	Walking the Dog / Rufus Thomas 6:16
8	Breaking Up Somebody's Home / Ann Peebles 4:25
9	In the Midnight Hour / Wilson Pickett 4:02
10	When Something Is Wrong With My Baby / Sam Moore 6:23
11	Night Time Is the Right Time / Rufus Thomas 3:20
12	Only the Strong Survive / Jerry Butler 4:03
13	Don't Let Go / Isaac Hayes 7:24

Barnes & Noble

Fans of Standing in the Shadows of Motown, a documentary about Detroit's unsung studio musicians, will enjoy the equally stellar soundtrack to the music documentary Only the Strong Survive, featuring an assortment of artists whose careers have stood the test of time -- including Isaac Hayes, Mary Wilson, and Wilson Pickett. Celebrated documentarians D. A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus catch up with the stars of Stax records, the Memphis label that defined southern-fried soul music in the '60s. This collection of live cuts demonstrates the staying power of these legends, particularly the regal-sounding Jerry Butler, who delivers a masterful take on the title track and a soaring rendition of "For Your Precious Love." The late Rufus Thomas offers an improvisational reading of his classic "Walking the Dog" and also teams up with daughter Carla on a bluesy rendition of "Night Time Is the Right Time," which finds her sounding just as spry as on her '60s duet with Otis Redding, "Tramp." Carla Thomas takes the spotlight on the gospel-inflected reading of her classic "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)." By far the most dynamic performer, however, remains Wilson "Wicked" Pickett, who not only delivers a scorching version of "In the Midnight Hour" but is equally impressive on the aptly titled "Soul Survivor," a sizzling cut from his 1999 comeback album, It's Harder Now, on which he name-checks Sam & Dave, Don Covay, and Redding. Whereas Standing in the Shadows brought together today's stars with a celebrated backing band, Only the Strong Survive is the real thing: This gathering of enduring artists provides more than enough musical manna for old- and new-school R&B fans alike. Dave Gil de Rubio

All Music Guide

Somewhat similar to many of the soul revival package tours crossing the globe, Only the Strong Survive is a movie that takes some of soul music's biggest legends and has them perform before the cameras in a live audience setting. This concert recording brings back many familiar names to the stage, with Wilson Pickett, Isaac Hayes, Mary Wilson, Rufus Thomas, and the Chi-Lites, among others, performing some of their most well-known songs. While many of the singers still have retained their powerful, intense vocal abilities over the years, the group seems to juxtapose the original recordings by performing in an overly chorused, almost synthetic environment -- almost a complete turnaround from the compressed, almost dirty original versions that served as a catalyst to oozing honest soul out of black vinyl. If this one sonic flaw can be overlooked and forgiven, then Only the Strong Survive is a solid record from start to finish that will entertain the most die-hard soul connoisseur and act as a perfect catalyst to the casual listener. It's great to see these artists finally getting recognition for their genius work after long years out of the mainstream commercial spotlight, and kudos to filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker for taking on such an ambitious task. Rob Theakston

Rolling Stone

A newly recorded soundtrack full of timeless R&B sung by time-worn voices. Barry Walters