All-Music Guide (C) 1994 by Matrix Software, Big Rapids, MI 49307 Please submit correction

All-Music Guide (C) 1994 by Matrix Software, Big Rapids, MI 49307 Please submit corrections or additional albums for this artist (also bios, sidemen, tracks, ratings, and reviews) at Internet Address: AMG@ALLMUSIC.FERRIS.EDU All-Music Guidelines in file: ALLMUSICHELP -------------------------------------------------------------------- Artist : Booker T. & the MG's Genre : Rock Style : R&B, Soul, Instr. : Group Rating : importance (1) popularity (1) All-Music Guide Biography Booker T. & the MGs were the primary house rhythm section behind many of the great hits that came out of Stax Records from Memphis, TN. Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Sam and Dave, Albert King, Wilson Pickett, Eddie Floyd, and a host of others benefited from their lean tight sound.,Booker T. Jones (b Dec 11, 1944), who was the keyboardist with the MG's (stands for Memphis Group), began working as a sax player in 1960 for Stax. It was there he met up with Mar-Keys guitarist Steve Cropper (b October 21, 1941). The two of them brought on bassist Lewis Steinberg (later replaced by ex-Mar-Key Donald "Duck" Dunn (b November 24, 1941) and Al Jackson (b November 27, 1935 - d October 1, 1975) on drums.,On their own, the MG's released a series of classic hit instrumentals with "Time Is Tight" (#6), "Green Onions" (#3), "Hang "Em High" (#9), "Groovin'" (#21), "Soul Limbo" (#17), "Hip Hug-Her" (#37) and "Mrs. Robinson" (#37). ~ Rick Clark The percolating bass of Duck Dunn, the razor-sharp leads and ringing chords of Steve Cropper, the thick, oozing organ runs of Booker T. Jones, and the deadlocked drum thwap of Al Jackson -- known collectively as Booker T and the MG's -- epitomized the sound of Memphis soul. As the house band for the legendary Stax studio, the MG's played on nearly every song released on the label and influencing both other Memphis musicians (such as Willie Mitchell's Hi musicians) and New Orleans luminaries like the Meters. Cropper's choked guitar style had an impact on everyone from Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton to Robert Cray. There's a sameness in the work of the MG's that makes some of their albums blur together, but you will find no better soundtrack for house parties, romancing, or tooling down the interstate. ~ John Floyd, ---------- Related Artists ----------- Any Atlantic era Stax record: Markeys Redding, Otis Hayes, Issac Porter, David, etc. ---------- Roots & Influences ---------- Newborn Family Laury, Booter T. Memphis Slim Thomas, Rufus Birthdate & Place : Memphis, TN AMG Artist ID # : P000003743 Chronological Album List |Date| Label | Number |R S T|Rating --------------------------------+----+----------+--------+-----+------ Booker T. Set, The |1989|Stax |8531 |R S | Good Time Is Tight (Markeys) |1979|Stax |3007 | S | Good Universal Language |1977|Asylum |1093 | S | OK Union Extended |1976|Stax |2041 | S | OK Memphis Sound |1975|Stax |1037 | S | Good Evergreen |1975|Epic |33143 | | OK Greatest Hits |1974|Stax |8505 |R S T| BestA Star Collection |1973|Warner Bro|30042 | S | Good Melting Pot |1971|Stax |8521 | S | BestA Mclemore Avenue |1970|Stax |8552 |R S T| BestA Uptight |1968|Stax |8562 | S | Good Soul Limbo |1968|Stax |4113 | S | Good Get Ready |1968|Atlantic |228004 | S | Good Doin' Our Thing |1968|Rhino |71014 |R S | Good Best of Booker T. & The Mg's |1968|Atlantic |81281 |R S |+BestG Hip Hug-Her |1967|Rhino |71013 |R S | Good Back to Back (With Markeys) |1967|Stax |720 | S | BestA In the Xmas Spirit |1966|Atlantic |82338 |R | OK In the Christmas Spirit |1966|Atlantic |82338 |R | BestA And Wow! |1966|Atlantic |70297 |R | Good And Now |1966|Rhino |70297 | S | Good Soul Dressing |1964|Atlantic |82337 |R S | Good Green Onions |1962|Atlantic |82255 |R S T| BestA Runaway |Z |MCA |6282 | | Good Pop History |Z |Polydor |2625013 | S | Good Home Grown |Z |A&M |4351 | S | OK Groovin' |Z |Rhino |71234 | | Go Tell It on the Mountain |Z |Silkheart |114 | | Good Booker T. & The M.G.'s Greatest|Z |Stax |2033 | | Good Booker T. & Priscilla |Z |A&M |3504 | S |+ OK Best Of |Z |Stax |4 | | Best Of |Z |Fantasy |60004 | | All-Music Guide Album Details (Alphabetical Order) ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : And Now Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Genre : Rock Time : 32:13 min Date : 1966 (release) AMG ID : R000031231 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- 1966 CD Rhino R2-70297 1972 LP Atlantic 7711 1966 CS Rhino R4-70297 1966 Rhino 70297 CD Rhino 70297 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : And Wow! Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Genre : Rock Date : 1966 (release) AMG ID : R000065861 --------- Album Releases --------- CD Atlantic 70297 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- The coolest soul backup band in the world, led by organist Booker T. Jones, grooves its way through 12 instrumental cuts, including "Sweet Potato," "Working in the Coal Mine," and "In the Midnight Hour." ~ Roundup Newsletter ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Back to Back (With Markeys) Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Best-of-Artist Charts : Billboard #098, entered Aug 26, 1967, on charts 004 weeks Genre : Rock Date : 1967 (release) AMG ID : R000066228 --------- Album Releases --------- 1967 LP Stax 720 Stax 720 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Best Of Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Rating : not rated yet Genre : Rock AMG ID : R000176959 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Fantasy 60004 ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Best Of Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Rating : not rated yet Genre : Rock AMG ID : R000182008 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- Stax 4 ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Best of Booker T. & The Mg's Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Best-of-Genre (First Pick) Charts : Billboard #167, entered Nov 23, 1968, on charts 011 weeks Genre : Rock Time : 30:59 min Type : compilation Date : 1968 (release) AMG ID : R000002313 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Atlantic 81281-2 CS Atlantic 81281-4 CD Stax 60004 LP Atlantic SD-8202 1968 LP Atlantic 228015 1968 LP Stax 8202 LP Atlantic SD-8202 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- The title says it all. Includes "Green Onions," "Hip Hug-Her," "Groovin'," and "Jellybread." The only one it's missing is "Time Is Tight," which is on Stax's BEST OF BOOKER T. & THE MG'S. ~ John Floyd ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Booker T. & Priscilla Artist : Booker T. & Priscilla Rating : OK (First Pick) Charts : Billboard #106, entered Aug 14, 1971, on charts 006 weeks Genre : Rock AMG ID : R000066226 --------- Album Releases --------- LP A&M 3504 A&M 3504(2) ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Jesse "Indian Ed" Davis - Guitar Chris Ethridge - Guitar (bass) Tim Hill - Harmonica Jim Horn - Oboe Booker T Jones - g/k/arr Priscilla Jones - Piano Booker T Jones - Producer Priscilla Jones - Producer Jim Keltner - Drums, Percussion Sanford "Sandy" Konikoff - Tambourine Gerry McGhee - Guitar Bobbye Hall Porter - Percussion ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Booker T. & The M.G.'s Greatest Hits Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Charts : Billboard #132, entered Nov 14, 1970, on charts 008 weeks Genre : Rock Type : compilation AMG ID : R000066230 --------- Album Releases --------- Stax 2033 ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Booker T. Set, The Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Charts : Billboard #053, entered Jun 14, 1969, on charts 018 weeks Genre : Rock Time : 36:34 min Date : 1989 (release) AMG ID : R000002311 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Stax SCD-8531-2 1969 LP Stax 2009 CS Stax 5MPS-8531 LP Stax MPS-8531 CD Stax 8531 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- A fine collection featuring the great soul quartet putting their spin on classic numbers, ranging from Cliff Nobles "The Horse" to Motown, Beatles, Isley Brothers and even some in-house songs like Eddie Floyd's "I've Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)." The original lineup is in fine form, particularly drummer Al Jackson, Jr. This was reissued on CD in 1989. ~ Ron Wynn ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Doin' Our Thing Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Charts : Billboard #176, entered May 18, 1968, on charts 004 weeks Genre : Rock Time : 33:54 min Date : 1968 (release) AMG ID : R000002305 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Rhino R2-71014 1968 LP Stax 1040 1968 LP Stax 724 CS Rhino R4-71014 CD Rhino 71014 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- Eleven tracks from the original 1968 issue, including covers of "Expressway (To Your Heart)," "The Beat Goes On," "Let's Go Get Stoned," plus laid-back originals like the title track. ~ Roundup Newsletter Rhino once again put together a classy reissue from the vaults of Atlantic Records. Highlights from this solid album include the title track, "Let's Go Get Stoned," and "You Keep Me Hanging On." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Evergreen Artist : Booker T. Rating : OK Charts : Down Beat #1 Genre : Rock Date : May ??, 1975 (release) AMG ID : R000068598 --------- Album Releases --------- Epic KE 33143 ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Get Ready Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Genre : Rock Date : 1968 (release) AMG ID : R000031239 --------- Album Releases --------- 1968 LP Atlantic 228004 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Go Tell It on the Mountain Artist : Booker T. Trio Rating : Good Genre : Rock AMG ID : R000071302 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- Silkheart 114 ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Greatest Hits Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Best-of-Artist Charts : Billboard #132, entered Nov 14, 1970, on charts 008 weeks Genre : Rock Type : compilation Date : 1974 (release) AMG ID : R000002308 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- LP Stax MPS-8505 1974 LP Stax 1017 1975 LP Atlantic 2033 CS Stax 5MPS-8505 1970 LP Stax 2033 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- The lasting impact of this group--comprised of keyboardist Booker T. Jones, guitarist Steve Cropper, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, and drummer Al Jackson--is immediately apparent from this 1980 LP reissue, which includes "Over Easy," "Hang 'Em High," "Time Is Tight," and "Hip Hug Her," among others. ~ Roundup Newsletter ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b -------- Album Tracks -------- Hang 'em High Eleanor Rigby Soul Limbo Over Easy Mrs Robinson Something Time Is Tight Johnny I Love You Heads Or Tails Meditation Hip Hug Her ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Green Onions Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Best-of-Artist Charts : Billboard #033, entered Nov 10, 1962, on charts 017 weeks Genre : Rock Time : 34:55 min Date : 1962 (release) AMG ID : R000002310 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Atlantic 82255-2 1980 MC Pickwick 3031 1962 LP London 1640354 CS Atlantic 82255-4 CD Atlantic 82255 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- The title track was the signature song for Booker T. & The MGs, arguably the finest Southern soul rhythm section of all time. This early '60s album now sells in three figures for good condition copies and higher than that for sealed, mint edition. It established the immediate greatness of the organ/guitar/bass/drums lineup, and demonstrated that Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper in particular were geniuses on organ and guitar. This has been reissued on CD. ~ Ron Wynn ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b -------- Album Tracks -------- Green Onions Rinky Dink I Got A Woman Mo' Onions Twist & Shout Behave Yourself Stranger On The Shore Lonely Avenue One Who Really Loves You I Can't Sit Down Woman A Lover A Friend, A Comin' Home Baby ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Groovin' Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Rating : not rated yet Genre : Rock AMG ID : R000181247 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Rhino 71234 CD Rhino R2-71234 CS Rhino R4-71234 ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Hip Hug-Her Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Charts : Billboard #035, entered Jun 24, 1967, on charts 029 weeks Genre : Rock Time : 30:26 min Date : 1967 (release) AMG ID : R000002306 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Rhino R2-71013 1967 LP Stax 717 CS Rhino R4-71013 CD Rhino 71013 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- Originally issued in 1967, set features the Memphis soul men on two Top 40 hits, "Groovin'" and the title track. Also includes "Soul Sanction," "Sunny," and seven others. ~ Roundup Newsletter Great album cover and songs -- "Groovin," "Soul Sanction," "Double or Nothing," and the classic title track are just the beginning of the wealth of terrific Memphis soul available on this album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Home Grown Artist : Booker T. & Priscilla Rating : OK Charts : Billboard #190, entered Jul 22, 1972, on charts 004 weeks Genre : Rock AMG ID : R000066227 --------- Album Releases --------- 1972 LP A&M 4351 A&M 4351 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T and Priscilla Jones - Producer Booker T Jones - Engineer ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : In the Christmas Spirit Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the Mgs Rating : Best-of-Artist Genre : Rock Type : christmas Date : Oct ??, 1966 (release) AMG ID : R000132751 --------- Album Releases --------- CD Atlantic 82338 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- Originally issued on Stax in 1966, the dozen instrumentals range from playful secular songs ("Jingle Bells," "Winter Wonderland") to some cuts that sound nothing short of funereal ("We Three Kings"). When Booker T. and the MG's are cookin', IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT works; there are several tracks that don't work, reducing these versions to little better than supermarket muzak. Luckily, the good outweighs the bad. ~ Roundup newsletter Essential instrumental sounds of the season from the legendary band behind many 60s and 70s hits on Stax Records. ~ David A. Milberg ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : In the Xmas Spirit Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : OK Genre : Rock Time : 33:04 min Date : Oct ??, 1966 (release) AMG ID : R000002303 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- 1966 CD Atlantic 82338-2 1966 CS Atlantic 82338-4 1966 LP Stax 715 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- An outstanding holiday album for those who enjoy hearing Christmas carols, hymns and anthems done by R&B, soul or rock musicians. Booker T. & The MGs put their customary excellent touches on shopworn standards, playing them with the same flair as they provided for Stax hits. ~ Ron Wynn ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Mclemore Avenue Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Best-of-Artist Charts : Billboard #107, entered May 2 , 1970, on charts 015 weeks Down Beat #3 Genre : Rock Time : 38:05 min Date : 1970 (release) AMG ID : R000002307 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Stax SCD-8552-2 CS Stax 5MPS-8552 LP Stax MPS-8552 Mobile Fidelity MFCD10-00835 1970 LP Stax 2027 CD Mobile Fidelity 835 CD Stax 8552 Stax 2027 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- An instrumental reconstruction of ABBEY ROAD. The title is derived from the street where Stax was located, and the cover art is a better Beatles parody that anything on THE RUTLES. ~ John Floyd ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T. & the M.G.'s - Producer Ron Capone - Engineer Booker T Jones - k/g/b Rik Pekkonen - Engineer Gordon Rudd - Engineer -------- Album Tracks -------- Golden Slumbers Carry That Weight End, The Here Comes The Sun Come Together Something Because You Never Give Me Your Money Sun King Mean Mr Mustard Polythene Pam She Came In Through The Window I Want You She's So Heavy ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Melting Pot Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Best-of-Artist Charts : Billboard #043, entered Feb 13, 1971, on charts 038 weeks Genre : Rock Time : 40:13 min Date : 1971 (release) AMG ID : R000031243 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Stax SCD-8521-2 CS Stax 5MPS-8521 LP Stax MPS-8521 CD Stax 8521 1971 LP Stax 2035 CD Stax 8521 Stax 2035 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T. & the M.G.'s - Producer Ron Capone - Engineer Steve Cropper - Engineer Booker T Jones - k/g/b Jay Messina - Engineer Rik Pekkonen - Engineer Gordon Rudd - Engineer Shelly Yalkus - Engineer ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Memphis Sound Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Genre : Rock Date : 1975 (release) AMG ID : R000031246 --------- Album Releases --------- 1975 LP Stax 1037 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Pop History Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Genre : Rock AMG ID : R000031250 --------- Album Releases --------- LP Polydor 2625013 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Runaway Artist : Booker T. Rating : Good Genre : Rock AMG ID : R000071299 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- MCA 6282 ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Soul Dressing Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Genre : Rock Time : 29:44 min Date : 1964 (release) AMG ID : R000002304 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- 1964 CD Atlantic 82337-2 CS Atlantic 82337-4 1964 LP Stax 705 CD Atlantic 82337 ------- AMG Album Reviews ------- Very hip album by the all-time great groove instrumentalists. Includes the title track as well as "Jellybread," "Night Owl Walk," "Chinese Checkers," "Home Grown," and "Mercy Mercy." ~ Roundup Newsletter ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Soul Limbo Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Charts : Billboard #127, entered Oct 19, 1968, on charts 009 weeks Genre : Rock Date : 1968 (release) AMG ID : R000031237 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Stax 4113 CD Stax 4113 1968 LP Stax 2001 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Star Collection Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Genre : Rock Type : compilation Date : 1973 (release) AMG ID : R000031244 --------- Album Releases --------- 1973 LP Warner Brothers 30042 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Time Is Tight (Markeys) Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Genre : Rock Date : 1979 (release) AMG ID : R000031249 --------- Album Releases --------- 1979 LP Stax 3007 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Union Extended Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : OK Genre : Rock Date : 1976 (release) AMG ID : R000031247 --------- Album Releases --------- 1976 LP Stax 2041 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Universal Language Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : OK Genre : Rock Date : 1977 (release) AMG ID : R000031248 --------- Album Releases --------- 1977 LP Asylum 1093 Asylum 7E-1093 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T. & the M.G.'s - Producer Tom Dowd - Producer Austin Godsey - Engineer Booker T Jones - k/g/b Toby Scott - Engineer ----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------ Album : Uptight Artist : Booker T. & The Mg's Booker T. & the MG's Rating : Good Charts : Billboard #098, entered Feb 8 , 1969, on charts 027 weeks Genre : Rock Time : 35:34 min Date : 1968 (release) AMG ID : R000066229 (album inprint) --------- Album Releases --------- CD Stax SCD-8562-2 CS Stax 5MPS-8562 Stax 2006 1969 Stax 8562 1968 LP Stax 2006 CD Stax 8562 ------- Album Personnel/Sidemen ------- Booker T Jones - k/g/b <1994 1 23> Thank you for using All-Music Guide. .