GREEN ONIONS – Booker T. & the MGs / Roy Buchanan & Steve Cropper

#233 – GREEN ONIONS – 11/16/2019

I’ve got 2 versions of this classic, originally written and performed by Booker T. & the MGs in 1962.

The first is a live performance. Booker T. the MGs were truly groundbreaking. No only were the one of the first bi-racial groups in soul and rock music, they were basically the “label” band for STAX records in Memphis, much like The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section for Atlantic, The Swampers also from Muscle Shoals and The Funk Brothers for Motown.

The second version is from the “Loading Zone” LP by the late Telecaster master Roy Buchanan. It features the original MG’s guitarist and song’s co-composer Steve Cropper on the 1^st & 3^rd solos (Roy takes solos 2 & 4) and MG & Blue brothers bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn layin’ it down. Regardless of which tune you choose to listen to, there will a smoldering groove and some exceptional playing. What the hell, throw caution to the wind and listen to them both.

BTW – Steve Cropper is a great follow on FB. A true gentleman.

MGs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjgjoSsOvi4

ROY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKNggInyAbw

1962