The Best of Booker T. & the MG's [Stax]

Performer: Booker T. & the MG's
Producer: Bob Porter; Booker T. & The MG's
Distributor: Fantasy (distributor)

Notes: Booker T. & The MG's: Booker T. Jones (organ); Steve Cropper (guitar); Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass); Al Jackson, Jr. (drums). Includes liner notes by Lee Hildebrand. Digitally remastered by Tom Size (1986, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California). Personnel: Steve Cropper (guitar); Charles "Packy" Axton (tenor saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Booker T. Jones (organ); Al Jackson, Jr. (drums). Audio Remasterer: Tom Size. Liner Note Authors: Lee Hildebrand; Sue C. Clark. Illustrator: Ian Wright. Photographer: William R. Eastabrook. Unknown Contributor Roles: Donald "Duck" Dunn; Steve Cropper; Booker T. Somewhat confusingly, this disc is titled identically to a CD on Atlantic that concentrates on their earlier material. This 17-cut disc draws from 1967-1971, and includes three of their four Top 20 pop hits: "Soul Limbo," "Hang 'em High," and "Time Is Tight." This perhaps lacks a bit of the edge of their mid-'60s recordings, concentrating on loping, relaxed grooves more than biting, incisive chops. The standard remains pretty high, though, with the interplay between Steve Cropper's guitar, Booker T. Jones' organ, and the rhythm section never less than telepathic. Most of the material is original, but even on the covers of period pop hits -- including unlikely versions of "Something," "Eleanor Rigby," and "Mrs. Robinson" -- the group is soulful and tight. This is perhaps better music for background and party listening than anything else, but within those confines it's quite good. ~ Richie Unterberger

Booker T. & the MG's, led by soul organist Booker T. Jones, were the house band for much of the music that came out of Memphis in the 1960s on the Stax label. Their instrumental releases--typified by their minimalist classic "Green Onions"-- were the very definition of soulful economy, supple chops and laidback funk--truly regal stuff.

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