OK. First off, I have a new record. Sent to me by those jolly fine people at ACE Records, a company that brought me immense pleasure as I was discovering the rock'n'roll scene. As soon as I clear some of the junk out of the record room, and can reach some of the hidden shelves I am going to have to dig out those first ACE compilations and review them properly, as I see that they are still available, and I know they were good.
Anyway - To the record I have just got. Here is my review (Just got to find a home for it now.)
Booker T & The MGs - Soul Limbo (ACE Records)
If you are
looking for a ‘Best Of’ type compilation of Booker T & the MGs, then this
might not be the one for you. It is however, an essential buy for anybody that
likes the sound of the Stax house band, Booker T & The MGs. It is a
faithful reissue of their 1968 LP on Stax ‘Soul Limbo’.Okay, so it might not
have the one everybody knows ‘Green Onions’ or the classic ‘Time Is Tight’, but
you will not be disappointed by the tracks it does have.
It boasts an
impressive array of differing styles, from the bright, cheerful uptempo version
of The Tams ‘Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy, to the much more laid back cover
of the Delfonics ‘La La Means I Love You’. Both tracks are heavily dominated by
the Hammond organ and guitar sound,
which the band are best known for. The sound however, is considerably varied when
they do their version of the old jazz standard Willow Weep For Me. A song that
has been recorded by the likes of Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Ella
Fitzgerald. This version relies upon the piano instead of an organ as it’s key
instrument, which is perfect for this slow bluesy number.
Although the
majority of the recordings on this album are instrumental cover versions of
songs popularised by artists of the time such as Aretha Franklin, Albert King,
Jimi Hendrix and even The Beatles. There are also a handful of their own
compostions. Such as Heads Or Tails,
Over Easy, and the instantly recognisable ‘Soul Limbo’ which gives this LP it’s title. Even people
who have never heard of Booker T & The MGs will know this track, as it has
been used extensively on British TV for coverage of the Cricket. It’s great to
hear this magnificent track in it’s entirety.
You can hear,
from listening to this album why Booker T & The MGs were in such high
demand as the Stax House band, as they adopt whatever style they are performing
in so well. This is perfectly demonstrated in the closing track of the album
‘Foxy Lady’ which is instantly recognisable o the work of Hendrix. You could be
forgiven for thinking that the man himself was on the recording.
As well as the
vinyl reproduction, this offering is also available as a CD, for those that
want to enjoy this classic album, but no longer have access to a record player.
..And the art project. Well, I guess it's not really a project now. More of a 'Do a bit of arty stuff as and when I can, then try to find a home for it, so that I don't end up with even more junk filling up space, so that I can't reach the things I want - such as my records (See above)
So now, instead of painting a random picture for no reason whatesover - I try to find somebody that wants one, then send it to them when it's finished. Junk for them to store, rather than me you see....happiness all round.
I've done three recently. One day I'll let you see them all.
