History has snapped at the heels of Booker T. Jones. The ground-breaking rhythm and blues outfit Booker T. and The M.G.’s were one of the first racially integrated bands to gain fame during the early ’60s. As a musical prodigy as well as a meticulous organiser and collaborator, Jones contributed to the flowering of some of the best blues and soul artists to grace the United States – the band even played a mournful set on the night of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in Memphis.
Entering the Metro Theatre for this Bluesfest sideshow, Jones was smiling and sincere; a grandfatherly presence in a sharp suit. The show paid tribute to Stax Records, which oversaw the rise of artists such as Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and Sam & Dave. Accordingly, the setlist moved between iconic soul numbers and instrumental tracks from The M.G.’s, the latter of which elevated Jones’ trademark organ melodies.
As the band cycled through 20th century musical landmarks, ‘Respect’ veered more toward Otis Redding’s original version than Franklin’s. ‘Soul Man’ was predictably punchy and thoroughly danceable. However, with blasting horns and booming vocal power, the band’s cover of Sam & Dave’s commanding ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’’ was probably the standout.
Of course, the energy surged when the band played Jones’ enduring hit, ‘Green Onions’. With the heady charge of the organ and the crawling bassline, the infectious rhythm of this tune remains timeless. Jones wrote the song as a teenager, and it has since passed through many iterations (for instance, The Blues Brothers Band’s accelerated version with Dan Aykroyd’s Cold War-era rant over the top). In this way, it’s a piece of history and a template for musical experimentation.
While Jones is the undeniable centrepiece – the glue holding the band together – the other performers were showcased generously. Drummer Darian Gray broke into a rap during the instrumental opener, catching the audience somewhat off-guard. And guitarist Ted Jones (Booker’s son) ripped into a solo as ‘Green Onions’ climbed to a close.
These dynamic twists and alterations cut through an otherwise genre-bound set of songs, firmly rooted in the ’60s and ’70s. Nonetheless, Jones’ reimagining of the Stax repertoire was a rare opportunity to see a true legend in action.
Booker T. Jones presents The Stax Revue took place at the Metro Theatre on Thursday April 20.
