Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Booker T. and the MG's - Soul Dressingdotdotdot
artworkThis release continues the sound trend of Booker T. and the MG's, with some "Green Onions" spinoffs, and most notably, the incredible "Tic-Tac-Toe."
Picks: Soul Dressing, Tic-Tac-Toe, Big Train, Jellybread, Aw' Mercy, Outrage, Night Owl Walk, Chinese Checkers, Home Grown, Mercy Mercy, Plum Nellie, Can't Be Still

Track by Track Review


Soul Dressing dotdotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

Much like a soul groove inversion of "Green Onions," this fine song moves in a quiet tribal way through an emotional progression. Great drums and intense guitar with sultry bass and organ. Very cool.

Tic-Tac-Toe dotdotdotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

Now this is the BEST! "Tic-Tac-Toe" has long been my favorite Booker T. and the MG's recording. Incredible drums and bass, and a completely infectious organ line, accompanied by those stinging guitar licks. Totally cool!

Big Train dotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

Coming from the tradition of "This Train," with a touch of the edge of "Night train," this instro grooves along, but never quite gels. Too jammy for my taste.

Jellybread dotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

Another single for the lads, "Jellybread" is in the "Green Onions" mold with more of that organ and guitar interplay. Groovy, but too derivative of their hit.

Aw' Mercy dotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

"Aw' Mercy" is one of their most saucy and undulating singles. Raw sensuality flows through the soulful groove in this fine track.

Outrage dot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

Not a note of outrage in this jammy bouncer. "Outrage" doesn't really go anywhere.

Night Owl Walk dot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

Slow late night organ jams and soft jazz drums. A cool backdrop, but not very interesting up close.

Chinese Checkers dotdotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

"Chinese Checkers" was a single for Booker T. and the MG's. It's distorted electric piano lead is classic, and shows up in TV ads these days. An infectious riff and groovy backbeat. Very satisfying, with a touch of Hugh Massekela style horns in the break.

Home Grown dotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

This is another "Green Onions" styled instro. It grooves slowly and deliberately, with a lot owed to its parent.

Mercy Mercy dotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

This is a kinda groovy version, sorta soft and sultry. Even the Rolling Stones covered this.

Plum Nellie dotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

Another groovy single, this time with effected organ verging on psychedelic, maybe even leaning towards Pink Floyd, had they grown up in Memphis.

Can't Be Still dotdotdot
Memphis Soul (Instrumental)

Bouncin' and a-rockin', "Can't Be Still" is a sorta cool groove. More a riff than a song, yet pretty nice.