In the Christmas Spirit

Performer: Booker T. & the MG's
Producer: Yves Beauvais (Reissue)
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Booker T. & The MG's: Booker T. Jones (organ); Steve Cropper (guitar, bass); Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass); Al Jackson, Jr. (drums, tambourine). Recorded in October 1966. Includes original liner notes by Deanie Catron. Digitally remastered by Bill Inglot & Dan Hersch (DigiPrep). Personnel: Steve Cropper (guitar); Booker T. Jones (organ); Al Jackson, Jr. (drums, tambourine); Donald "Duck" Dunn (claves). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Recording information: 10/1966. Unknown Contributor Role: Jim Stewart. Perhaps IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT should have been credited to Booker T. WITH the M.G.s, as Booker T. Jones carries the melodies as the band plays seasonal favorites. Fortunately, he's a great player-more than up to the task-and the M.G.s display their usual, near-telepathic interplay with him. On "Jingle Bells," Jones casts the tune above a bass and drum groove lifted from the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love." The solo sections spin off walking blues riffs, as Jones does his best Jimmy Smith impression. "White Christmas" is done in a gospel style, with Jones playing piano as well as organ. Guitarist Steve Cropper gets some of his most serious licks on "Silver Bells," which chugs along in the manner of the band's later hit "Time Is Tight." If you're looking for a rock-and-soul holiday album, and you've overdosed on Phil Spector's A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU, then SPIRIT is a pretty classy alternative.

Melody Maker (12/9/95, p.33) - "...basically a collection of R'n'B jams with sleigh bells pounding away faintly surreally in the background and an occasional toot of `Jingle Bells' breaking through. Weird as winter..."

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.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25