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Booker T. and the M.G.s: Green Onions 50th Anniversary Edition
ByGreen Onions was the debut album for the quartet that was to go on to become the house band for Stax Records, appearing on such essential recordings as Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay," Eddie Floyd's "Knock on Wood" (both co-written by guitarist Steve Cropper), Carla Thomas' "Tramp," Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour" and Sam and Dave's "Soul Man," among many, many others. The band's music and accompaniment were organic and essential; necessary and feral. Booker T. and the M.G.s defined Memphis Soul Music.
The definitive soul-blues "Green Onions" resulted from a throw-off jam while the band awaited Arkansan and Sun Records stalwart Billy Lee Riley. Booker T. affected a nervous minor-key blues romp that got torn by Cropper's saw-blade Telecaster. While the band would never reproduce the success of this release, they did remain a vital part of the American musical landscape. The remainder of this disc sounds quaintly antique by today's standards, but this music is not about today; it is about back in the day. This is the soundtrack of the Midsouth heard on the radio KAAY the Mighty 1090, 50,000 Watts of Power! Happy Anniversary, Green Onions.
Track Listing
Green Onions See; Rinky-Dink; I Got a Woman; Mo' Onions; Twist And Shout; Behave Yourself; Stranger On the Shore; Lonely Avenue; One Who Really Loves You; Can't Sit Down;A Lover, A Friend; Comin' Home Baby; Green Onions(live); Can't Sit Down (live).
Personnel
Booker T. Jones: organ; Steve Cropper guitar; Lewis Steinberg: bass (1- 12); Donald Duck Dunn: bass (13, 14); Al Jackson, Jr.: drums.
Album information
Title: Green Onions 50th Anniversary Edition | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Stax Records