Search - Booker T. & the Mg's :: Definitive Soul

Cruising First Class with Booker T & The MGs

Miguel Bandito | Lewiston, Idaho | 11/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I only knew a couple of songs by Booker T & the MGs when I ordered this. So I had no idea what to expect except for the other reviews of different albums. This album is filled with songs that are every bit as good as Green Onions and Time Is Tight. These songs all have a very "tight" sound that seems to be very distinctive of the group. I did not know that an instrumental group could have a "sound" as distinctive as say AC/DC or Led Zepplin has on their rock music. The songs are very 1960's, very fun, very cool and classy. Many of the songs are so good I am suprised that this group is not more popular. They really should receive more airplay with the other songs, but that will be your bonus if you discover this album, getting to hear good songs you otherwise would not know. I am always concerned with sound quality and I like the mastering on this CD. The background noise is all gone, the instruments are all clear, and someone has finally gotten smart and not cranked the bass out of proportion as has been done on a lot of remasters of 60's and 70's music. There is a nice insert with a little band history, pictures, song release dates, and chart rankings. Do yourself a favor, if your in the market for a greatest hits, buy this 2 CD version and get the extra good songs."

Red Beans , No Bridge

David Booker | Denver Co | 08/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Studio version of my fave tune Red Beans and Rice ..has again been ignored, and the inferior live version has been used on this otherwise excellent collection . The studio version of 'Beans' had a great Steve Cropper guitar part .. a bridge' in the middle, which is absent from the leaden live version .why do they keep doong this?. I believe Red Beans And Rice was the 'b' side of 'Boot-Leg'(at Least in UK).Yes I had the 45's back when . ."