Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Born in Memphis, in 1944, Jones is most famously known as fronting the popular '60s and '70s instrumental soul band, Booker T & the MG's. One of the most-badass Hammond B3 organ players of all-time, they became famous for their hit, "Green Onions."
Booker T & the MG's were one of the most prolific and respected acts of their era, not to mention, one of the first racially-integrated. They were commonly associated with Stax Records, before they left the label and took off for California in 1970. They left the label because they grew frustrated, as they felt they were being treated more like employees, rather than musicians.
A multi-instrumentalist and musical prodigy, Jones grew up playing the oboe, sax, trombone and piano, before attending high school with David Porter (Isaac Hayes writing partner), Andrew Love of the Memphis Horns, soul singer/songwriter William Bell and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire.
His breakthrough into professional music came at just sixteen years old, when he played baritone sax on Stax Records' first hit, "Cause I Love You" by Carla Thomas.
He went on to Indiana University, where he studied classical music composition, composing and transposition, while performing with the MG's on the the weekends in Memphis.
He also served as a session musician with other Stax Records acts, including Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd and Albert King.
Not just a musician, Jones also produced three albums with then-wife, under the name Booker T & Priscilla. He's also produced for Willie Nelson and Rita Coolidge.
As a solo artist, he made the charts in 1981 with "I Want You", and has lent his trademark keyboards to everyone from Ray Charles and Neil Young to Natalie Merchant.
Booker T & the MG's have released a number of albums, and I would say it's probably best to start with a greatest hits collection.
However, some albums of note include their debut, Green Onions, in 1962, which reached #33 on the Pop Albums chart within a month of its release.
Other honorable mentions include the live album, Back to Back, which also features The Mar-Keys as well as the MG's. The album peaked at #98 on the Billboard 200 and was recorded on a European Tour.
You may also want to check out Doin' Our Thing (176 on Billboard 200), Soul Limbo (the title track was used as the theme for the BBC's cricket coverage and later for Test Match Special), the soundtrack album, Up Tight (98 on Billboard 200, 7 on R&B charts), McLemore Avenue (instrumental covers of the Beatles' Abbey Road album - the cover is a parody of the Abbey Road cover) and Melting Pot (last album with Stax, longer jam-oriented songs).
They even recorded a Christmas album, 1966's In the Christmas Spirit, which included traditional songs like "Jingle Bells", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", "Winter Wonderland", "White Christmas" and "Silver Bells."
If you dig the kind of thing Booker T has done throughout his career, you may also want check out another legendary icon, Al Green, or a legend in-the-making, Erykah Badu.
Although it appears Green and Badu will be playing the festival on Friday, June 12, while Booker T appears to be on Saturday, a collaboration with either of these would be nothing short of immaculate and inspiring. Although, I wouldn't be suprised if Booker T happens to join in on some other sets on Saturday.
"The new house band for re-emerging old-school artists"
The Drive-By Truckers are an alternative-country, southern rock band from the powerful music mecca of Athens, Georgia. Patterson Hood and Mike "The Stroker Ace" Cooley formed the band in 1996, after a stint together in Adam's House Cat, an extremely popular unsigned band during the late '80s.
The Drive-By Truckers built their following the cool way - through constant touring. I say "cool" because, while it is strictly my opinion, I enjoy the types of bands who build their success this way. However, they can also thank the internet for their success - they used the internet as a promotional tool, long before most other bands did.
They released their first two albums, Gangstabilly and Pizza Deliverance, with a revolving cast of musicians that included Earl Hicks on the snare drum, Adam Howell on upright bass and Barry Sell on mandolin.
They have seen quite a bit of musicians come and go over the past thirteen years, most famously, Jason Isbell, who is enjoying quite a successful career since, with his band the 400 Unit.
Aside from Hood and Cooley on guitar, the current cast includes Shonna Tucker on bass (Isbell's former wife), Brad Morgan on drums, John Neff on guitar and pedal steel and Jay Gonzalez on keys.
They have released an album, nearly every year since the band began.
Their debut, Gangstabilly, was recorded live in the studio, and Hood had this to say about the album..."the most country of any of our albums...not our best album, but lots of fun and more than a little hint of the better things to come."
Their sophomore effort, Pizza Deliverance, was recorded with high spirits in just five days. Hood dedicated the album to Arthur Alexander, Sam Phillips and Jerry Wexler. Soon after the release, the DBTs racked on some 150 shows in just six months. During this time, drummer Matt Lane left the band to focus on his own band, The Possibilities, and was replaced by Brad Morgan.
Other mentionable albums include their first concept album, the Skynyrd-inspired Southern Rock Opera, the mellow, stripped-down Decoration Day, The Dirty South about, well, the dirty South, the classic rock sounding A Blessing and a Curse and a return to a more country sound with Brighter Than Creation's Dark. With every one of these albums, the DBTs have seen a steady increase in critical acclaim.
If you're into the Drive-By Truckers, there may be several other bands at Bonnaroo that will wet your appetite. Some of my favorites include everyone from Wilco and Gov't Mule, to Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue.
The Collaboration
The first Booker T. Jones album of the past twenty years, was released just two days ago. That album is Potato Hole.
I have to be honest with you...I haven't yet heard the album, so I can't really give an in-depth, fair review of something I have not heard.
So here are some things I found out about the album online...
First and foremost, the album is known as a Booker T solo album, however, the album features the Drive-By Truckers as his backing band, as well as Neil Young contributing on nine of the ten tracks.
It's a collection of instrumental tunes, and said to be "a return to the raw funk of Green Onions".
There are seven original songs and three covers. The cover songs include Outkast's "Hey Ya", Tom Waits "Get Behind the Mule" and the DBTs "Space City."
I've heard that Booker T's organ is the focal point of the album, however, their is plenty of guitar leading to careful and joyous exercises in teamwork.
The Tour
This ain't no one-off...while this collaborative Bonnaroo show will be nothing short of amazing, special and spectacular, Booker T has already played some shows with the Drive-By Truckers.
They play their next show together, tomorrow, at the kickoff of the New Orleans JazzFest.
Earlier in the week, Booker T joined Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, as a special, sit-in guest musician on Latenight with Jimmy Fallon.
Personal Thoughts
When the opportunity arises, to see a legend, an icon in concert, I don't hesitate. I do everything in my power to make sure I'm there early enough and close enough to the stage.
Ask anyone who's been to Bonnaroo, about the performances you'll see on the farm. There's a buttload of festivals out there, now more than ever, but there's something about the shows you'll see at Bonnaroo, that clearly make these some of the most remarkable shows in these bands careers.
Although this isn't just a one-time collaboration, for a lot of us, it will probably be the only chance we get at seeing such.
Expect to see material from the new album, including the OutKast cover "Hey Ya", as well as some Booker T classics like "Green Onions", a couple Drive-By Trucker songs, and probably some other popular cover songs, hopefully some Beatles material. It's just a shame that Neil Young won't be there to join them.
So this is one of those things I am excited about,this year. Booker T led me to Stax so so many years ago. About that time I saw this band called The Drive By Truckers play this thing called Sleazefest, in Chapel Hill. It's kinda awesome that they are playing together.
Thanks for the awesome job natedogg. I'd give you some crunchy but it doesn't look like that would do any good.
When the opportunity arises, to see a legend, an icon in concert, I don't hesitate. I do everything in my power to make sure I'm there early enough and close enough to the stage.
Ask anyone who's been to Bonnaroo, about the performances you'll see on the farm. There's a buttload of festivals out there, now more than ever, but there's something about the shows you'll see at Bonnaroo, that clearly make these some of the most remarkable shows in these bands careers.
Well put. Good job. I'd recommend listening to the album (for multiple reasons) and then modifying that part of your post.
Post by nodepression on Apr 24, 2009 11:12:15 GMT -5
"This potato hole is my potato hole, the place where I have deposited my ideas. All my stuff." - Booker T. Jones
Is that quote from Fallon the other night? That was kind of awkward yet hysterical, he had no idea what to say. It's like Fallon blindsided him with a question.
"This potato hole is my potato hole, the place where I have deposited my ideas. All my stuff." - Booker T. Jones
Is that quote from Fallon the other night? That was kind of awkward yet hysterical, he had no idea what to say. It's like Fallon blindsided him with a question.
dbt's are an awful band. i watched them on at& t blue room at bonnaroo last year and for some reason did it again for coachella this year. the music is alright, but when that guy sings i literally cringe. but since i know he won't be singing with booker t (i hope), i might check that out.
Post by fightforyourmind88 on Apr 25, 2009 9:46:36 GMT -5
Yeah, I watched the DBT's on the AT&T blue room thing at Coachella, and they just didn't do it for me. But I went to coachella's myspace and they had green onions on. I hadn't heard that song for so long, and it's one of my favorites. I might just go to hear that. I don't know. Good job, though, natedogg.
The Truckers have changed so much over the years. While I'm not a huge fan of this line up, Patterson still brings the rock. When they lost (Jason) Isbell It really hurt the songwriting aspect of DBT. But I will say this. Drive By are a crack rhythm section. I honestly believe this will be one of those don't miss sets that people are talking about years after it happened.
Oh and some Youtubes: Green Onions
Native New Yorker
Last Edit: Apr 26, 2009 7:15:07 GMT -5 by porvida - Back to Top
Post by questionablesanity on May 6, 2009 13:16:28 GMT -5
Wouldn't it be the shit if Neil showed up at Bonnaroo to play with these guys? I'll def be there. He went to IU and I live in Bloomington so I'll show him some love.
A Thieve's Parade 2/24 Conspirator 2/26 Kevin Smith 3/11 Keller 3/17 Papadosio 3/18 JJ Grey 3/25 Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer 3/26 Toubab Krewe 3/27 O'Death 4/11 Budos Band 4/22 EOTO 4/28 Summer Camp 5/6-29 All Good
