Booker T, DBTs, and Neil Young Fall Into the Potato Hole

When essential Sixties' musicians decide it's time for a comeback record there's the tendency to dismiss their effort even before the first light of the laser hits it on the CD player. Certainly not fair, but the questions that immediately come to mind are, "Why? What made you want to put a record out now?"

Well, as far as Booker T. Jones is concerned maybe the answer is he just felt it.

On his new all-instrumental CD Potato Hole Jones plays organ on every cut -- just as he did as leader of the Stax Records house band Booker T and the MGs -- and is supported by Drive By Truckers and Neil Young throughout (they sent Young the tapes and he added the guitar after the rest was done). It's a nice mix and here's why: Whether Jones sought them out or DBT had an idea and brought it to him, the Truckers form a solid base for Jones to build on. The Truckers know their role, Jones can play rhythm chords or organ leads, and both make room for Young, who shows once again how adaptable his guitar playing is. Young has played with Jones before, when Booker T and the MGs backed him on late 1980s international tour (where he covered Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay," which featured Booker T and MGs). This is Booker T Jones' new R&B record and Young and the DBTs want to funk it up, just like Jones does. And whether on Jones' own "Pound It Out," Tom Waits' "Get Behind the Mule," Outkast's "Hey Ya," or DBT's "Space City" this is one funky record -- and it won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

Booker T kicks off "Pound It Out" with a series of head-bopping single solo organ notes that lead to a crunchy DBT rhythm that Young slides into, slashing his guitar lines in the narrow spaces provided. Booker T is used to playing rhythm and he steps aside giving Young room to move, and Young takes full advantage. In fact throughout the CD Young finds and fills the tight spaces with crisp guitar leads and the wider open spaces with nicely constructed solos that suit the moment.

Booker T's chording leads take "She Breaks" along an easy stroll, then step aside for Young while the Truckers play in the back seat. "Get Behind the Mule" is the moodiest cut on the CD (it's Tom Waits, remember?) propelled by a steady bass while Booker T plays lead organ on top. He plays lead again on "Reunion Time" and Young stays out of the way, adding guitar meanderings here and there while Jones drives the song forward. "Potato Hole" has a rock sensibility with big DBT guitar chords and chopping Young rhythm guitar that becomes lead guitar that he trades with Jones. And "Space City" features Jones' lyrical melody over a gospel organ drone with the DBTs -- almost a religious experience, and certainly an uplifting one.