Search - Booker T & Mg's :: In the Christmas Spirit

Booker T. is coming to town

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 12/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Booker T. and the MG's classic Christmas album. It is, of course, performed in their traditional soul instrumental style. If you are familiar with Booker T. and the MG's, you know what to expect. It is a lot of fun to listen to. One of the fun things about this album, is that they will play a few bars of another Christmas song during the song. For instance, "Silver Bells" features a few seconds of "Frosty the Snowman, and "We Three Kings" contains several seconds of "O Come All Ye Faithful". I would recommend this album to anyone who likes classic soul music."

Birth of the Christmas Cool

Thomas Wilk | Chicago, IL | 01/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow. Booker T makes these standards sound as if they were written for a four-piece R&B band. The first two sounds you hear are Duck Dunn's driving bass and the light "shing-shing-shing" of jingle bells on the title track. As Duck's bass propels the rhythm forward, Booker slowly brings the organ in on melody, with Cropper's adding fills on rhythm guitar about halfway into the song. From that point on, this is the most laid-back, mellow, relaxing and just flat-out **cool** Christmas music you're likely to hear this side of Jimmy Smith's "Christmas Cookin'." or the Charlie Brown Christmas album. Absolutely get this record if you like Paul Desmond, Jimmy Smith, or Ben Webster; and if Booker T. is new to you, then this album may only stay on your CD player into March or April."

The coolest Christmas album bar none

Greg Bower | Durham, NC United States | 12/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not only is this a great Christmas album, I think it also has some of the best work that Booker T. and the MGs did as an ensemble. They hit amazing grooves on "Jingle Bells," "Winter Wonderland," and "Wish You a Merry Christmas." And on the second half of the CD, they get very soulful and mellow, with a very bluesy "Merry Christmas Baby" and a gorgeous, gospelish "Sweet Little Jesus Boy." This is sublime stuff that'll grow on you year after year."