by Booker T
I was asked to review Booker T. Jones' latest album and after scanning the track list and discovering Vintage Trouble, Gary Clark Jnr and Shelia E. as collaborators, I predicted a musical listening treat was coming my direction. I was not disappointed. Booker T Jones (born November 12th 1944) is arguably the most famous Hammond B3 player in history and this album (to be released on June 25th 2013 on Stax/Concord Music Group) is his 10th studio album following his back-to-back Grammy Award winning albums “The Road to Memphis” in 2011 and “Potato Hole” in 2009. It also marks a historical return to Stax Records after 42 years since Booker T and his MGs recorded their last single “Melting Pot” in 1971.
The album is a collaboration of musicians, of genres (Soul/Neo-Soul, Gospel, R&B, Latin, Jazz, Blues, Electronic, Hip-Hop) and of time – the past, the present and the future. The wealth of musical talent on this album include Mayer Hawthorne, Raphael Saadiq, Luke James, Jay James, Anthony Hamilton, Gary Clark Jnr., Estelle, Poncho Sanchez, Shella E., Kori Withers (Daughter of Bill Withers), Vintage Trouble, Ted Jones (Son of Booker).
The album has a real family feel with Booker's 22 year old son Ted Jones sharing his guitar talent on the track “Father Son Blues” (written by Booker for his son) and Bill Wither's daughter Kori Withers performing a duet with Booker on the track “Watch You Sleeping”). Booker produced, arranged and played keyboard on Bill Withers debut album “Just as I Am” in 1971 which featured the classic song “Ain't No Sunshine”
Booker T wrote or co-wrote all twelve songs on the album plus co-produced the album with brothers Bobby Ross and Issiah "IZ" Avila – who have collaborated with Usher, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, Chaka Khan and Earth, Wind & Fire. The Avila brothers also co-wrote eight songs plus played rhythm section on most of the album. They also recruited the talent of Grammy awarded producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (who produced Janet Jackson's album “Control”) for the songs “All over the Place” and “Broken Heart”.
While producing the album, the Avila Brothers were motivated to bring the feeling, the emotion and fundamentals of R&B music during the 60s and 70s back into today's R&B music plus introduce Booker to future generations of R&B music devotees.
Booker wrote the song “Austin Blues Idea” with Gary Clark Jnr in mind and it was a rewarding collaboration as Booker told Rolling Stone "The reason I think Gary and I clicked is because his roots are from Austin, Texas,...He was raised by the old blues guys down on Congress Avenue . . . We both are just blues aficionados."
The album is well balanced and I like the balance between instrumental and vocal tracks – instrumental tracks acting as interludes for the vocal tracks.
The brass, guitar and vocal work of Mayer Hawthorne on the opening track “Sound the Alarm” is infectious to listen to. Pleasure, renewal and fun can be found on tracks “66 Impala” (featuring percussionists Poncho Sanchez and Shelia E.), “Gently”, “Austin Blues Idea”, “Your Love is No Love”, “Feel Good” and “Fun”. The track “66 Impala” is a brilliant instrumental track which is a must have for any Latin Jazz lovers. Ty Taylor's vocals on “Your Love is No Love” are stunning and are guaranteed to produce goose bumps. Experiencing Ty Taylor and his band Vintage Trouble live is definitely on my bucket list!
Bright, mellow, soothing, this album is a rich and rewarding listen.
Could it be three Grammy Award winning albums in a row for Booker? Either way, sound the alarm R&B devotees as Booker T. and his army of R&B talent are coming!
by Sasha Brookes - Music Library Volunteer
This week's Top 10:
