Four Fried Chickens, a Coke, and one piece of dry white Toast!

MOG Post: 9/10/2007
Artist: The Blues Brothers
Album: The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack Recording
Track: "She Caught The Katy"

Classic. A Soul tour de force. A Rhythm & Blues coup de grace. This movie is in your library isn't it? Well ..get it .. and get into it maaan! Get Into It! "The BanD! The BaaaaaaanD!" Those immortal words of Jake as the GFOS James Brown pulls him into the light. That recent STAX Records special (and a nice comment by missjunk) sparked some cool spins and conversations about Steve 'The Colonel' Cropper and Donald 'Duck' Dunn. Essentially the core of the MGs, they glued the two comedians as solid, R&B front men for the movie classic. The SNL sunglasses skit payed off and the music was real - genuine "Memphis Group" chowing down on some real standards. The music and the theme throughout is time well spent - many times. I've always got a kick out of Carrie Fisher's role in the film, just hilarious counter to John Belushi (and key to the sunglasses). I'm also enthralled by Cab Calloway. I almost think the movie was written for him, especially in the "Minnie The Moocher" cut: the suspension of time as he warms the audience in the old 1940s dance hall - it's simply the coolest respect for Cab's true place in history. Or Ray Charles settin' them all up with their instruments. You'll also find that the car is a very special character in of itself. Indeed, the movie revolves around it, as The Brothers spin their yarn around Chicago. Some of the best tunes can be scene with the Sam & Dave tape in the dash. SCMODS !

Stax o' melting wax!

MOG Post: 08/09/2007
Artist: Booker T. & The MG's
Album: The Best Of Booker T. & The MG's
Track: "Summertime"

Just recently we were chatting about favorite albums, and someone nicely suggested Porgy and Bess. Mind you, they were referring to the fabulous arrangement by Miles Davis and Gil Evans from 1958, not the original from 1933 by George Gershwin. "Summertime" was the first tune Gershwin wrote for his opera; outside of The Beatles "Yesterday", it's likely the most covered song ever done. I'm very fond of the Sarah Vaughan version myself, but this recent STAX Records special got me thinkin' (plus MasonJar has got me thinkin' cover tunes all nutty-like). I'm a huge fan of Booker T. & The MG's - the band cuts the standard on perfection. There's so much material to pick and choose from these guys, really, they are prolific and pervade every niche of the music scene. No doubt we all remember the MGs fondly behind Jake & Elwood Blues. They recently could be seen backing Joe Walsh at Eric Clapton's Crossroads guitar festival in Texas - solid man...rockin' solid.
Given the times and the heat 'round here this summer - seems fitting for a nice sloooo Hammond B-3 teased by Booker T. Jones to woo your cool meter. Want to chill some more with Steve Cropper? Check out his cool licks as well on Otis Redding's "Dock Of The Bay" Ahhhhhhhhh <--listen to this

Summertime, an' the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' an' the cotton is high
Oh, Yo daddy's rich an' yo' ma is good lookin'
So hush, little baby, don't you cry
One of these mornin's, you goin' to rise up singin'
Then you'll spread yo' wings an' you'll take the sky
But till that mornin', there's a nothin' can harm you
With daddy & mammy standin' by