Green Onions

This sounds like something that Feathers McGraw from Wallace and Gromit would enjoy. And that Chicken/Penguin has great taste. A really catchy and enjoyable instrumental R&B/soul record, with a distinctive Hammond organ sound front and centre. It would perfectly soundtrack various daily tasks like doing the washing up, spreading toast or walking through a town or city. I'm glad they didn't try to put vocals on it, as any words matching the unashamedly joyous, and cool vibe would probably be really cheesy and ruin it. It's a perfect example of what it is and still sounds fresh almost 60 years after it was recorded. 5/5.

Green onions is the best candidate to be turned into an 8-bit game soundtrack.

Reading about it prior to listening, the title track is called out as one of the most recognized instrumental tracks... No idea. Hearing it the penny drops immediately, and I'm reminded again fo the depth and breadth of my ignorance.

This is an enthusiastic “ok”. The title track throws thunderbolts down on everything around it, but the record is consistently pleasant. It just makes me wish they’d stretched to write more of their own compositions, rather than this bunch of covers that slide smoothly down amnesia alley. Gives me the feeling of walking into a sleazy bar in an old movie, which I like.

Ok for a couple of songs (green onions) but the one trick of organ & guitar becomes tired very quickly

Imagine recording this when you’re 17? Like that’s all you need to know about this record. This record is so smooth and for 1962 was largely new landscape for soul and R&B. You can put this on at any time and you know you’re going to have a good time. Favorite song: Green Onions Least favorite: honestly didn’t have one

I can remember about 15 facts and one of those facts is that Steve Cropper was in The Blues Brothers. And that's all I knew about Steve Cropper. I expected his obit to read, "Former Blues Brother Steve Cropper died". I'm not proud of any of this. Some other useless facts I know: * Rod Stewart really likes soccer. * In Smokey and the Bandit, The Bandit's real name was Bo. * Steve Busby threw two no hitters for the Kansas City Royals. * Joe Walsh was on campus during the Kent State Tragedy. * Jason Patric is Jackie Gleason's grandson. * There's no instrumental album quite like this one.

Opening track is iconic, repeated again slightly different later on. The rest of it is funky instrumental versions of other people's songs. Do I like it? Yeah, it's great background music with a bit of oomph and fun, but it's not really anything more than that. Tough to give a high score based on one original song and a load of instrumental cover versions really, opening track almost drags it up to a 3 but doesn't manage it. 2/5.

Hammond organ. Lovely for a track or two but a whole album............

I’ve always loved the title track, Green Onions. To me it’s always been more than just a fun song to hear in movies, but just a really good listen on its own merits. I like the tone of the guitar and organ, and I really enjoy drums like this, where they are both assertive in the mix and also really simple. The only real problem I have with this record is that it is instrumental. Plenty of the songs hold up without vocals, but I felt a few tracks would have been improved by them. Also, is there a music genre whose meaning has evolved more than R&B? My personal enjoyment: 4/5 Did it belong on this list: 4.5/5

What can I say? Funky 60s Instrumentals? One of the best organ song ever written?

All our classic in the genre. Booker T. remains a badass mother fucker.

I'm only familiar with the title track that I'm aware of, but I really love it so this should be fun! Green Onions - an excellent blues/funk sound. 9/10 Rinky Dink - easy listening with some familiar chord progressions. 7/10 I Got a Woman - Great Memphis Blues twist on this familiar classic I've heard by Elvis and Ray Charles. I'm not sure which is the original, but this instrumental is fun. 8/10 Mo' Onions - A variation on "Green Onions" that's more bluesy. I like it a lot! 9/10 Twist & Shout - Another instrumental cover. Pleasant but nothing spectacular. 7/10 Behave Yourself - Truly Memphis Blues, feels like walking down Beale Street! 9/10 Stranger on the Shore - Feels like a 50s slow dance hit. 7/10 Lonely Avenue - Typical blues sound, the organ is a bit more creative on this one. 8/10 The One Who Really Loves You - Heavy organ with nice guitar riffs. 7/10 You Can't Sit Down - Nice funk/blues track 8/10 A Woman, A Lover, A Friend - Slow typical blues track. 7/10 Comin' Home Baby - Nice cover with just the right blues flavor. If you like the blues, you'll enjoy this album. Just be warned it's more organ driven than guitar. It's an interesting twist on blues though. I don't know if it beats out other blues artists as far as a must hear, but it's a fun listen.

Brooker T. & the M.G.'s released their single 'Green Onions' and the people loved it so they went back and recorded it again but completely different 11 more times, put it on an album and made a surprisingly impactful album. It not only smoothly blends the still very young Soul with established Rythmn & Blues and does all of it without saying a single word but they also gave Soul a whole new light and how there can be instrumental Soul without it being Soul Jazz. The legendary title track 'Green Onions' starts off the album with a classic Electric Blues song that smoothly goes through its parts. I absolutely understand how the song became such a classic because it is a very playful and fun song while not taking too much attention away from you. The song features rhythmic playing and a well added organ which was already established in the Soul and especially Soul Jazz scene even if this is far from being latter. The song is definitely great but it doesn't do enough for me so that I actually love it. Rather it's very nice and beautiful but I don't care for it too much. Another very catchy track is 'Rinky-Dink' which plays with much more Soul aspects. It's definitely a good song but I do think that some organ parts are a little bit annoying after a while and the overall structuring is a little bit too broken up in between to actually flow well enough the whole way through and the second part just doesn't hit well enough anymore. Also, I am not a big fan of how the songs just tune out instead of ending properly. 'I Got a Woman' might be the best achievement they got on this album. It's fast paced and energetic and easily the catchiest song on the entire album. I get why the title track gets all the attention but this should maybe get an equal amount of love. I personally think this is probably the closest they ever got to making a perfect track although some parts here and there are a little bit too rushed or left alone which do hurt the song especially in the second half enough for to "just" view this as a great track. The themes of the first track return on 'Mo' Onions' which is just the same song but a little bit different with a little more Blues added. It's definitely not a bad song but it does feel like a bad cover song. It isn't of course but as a continuation it does feel very, very average. After the Beatles version, this next track might be the second best known version of 'Twist and Shout'. It's very much a R&B and Soul song and the melody is nice to hear in that organ style but it is far from a good or interesting song. Maybe I am biased but it feels dull and not played around with enough. It gets stale the second it starts to repeat itself in the first few moments. It's a pretty boring song overall. The purest Soul song on the album is without a doubt 'Behave Yourself', it strips away all the Blues and makes a calm and relaxed organ Soul song to close off the albums first half with. It is not a bad song the songwriting especially when more instruments join at a few points do make this much more interesting but I think that the song should've just extended on these additions instead of going right back. Overall it again, feels a little bit dull and boring after a while. 'Stranger on the Shore' starts the second side of the album with the same melancholia the first half ended. This is not a song to start anything with, it should be a closer at best. The song is just tiring and sometimes even annoying when it takes too long to end properly. Not a good song by any means. 'Lonely Avenue' starts off way more promising but falls in the same trap of overindulging melancholia and coolness which ends up making the track boring and simply not enjoyable. They can make really fun and playful songs but when they don't do that it automatically makes it tiring and basic. Luckily, 'One Who Really Loves You' comes in to save the album from this boring spiral of doom. It returns with a fun and playful tune with a much better organ playstyle than on the other songs. It is genuinely a fun and actually really good song. The song that feels the most like Blues is definitely 'I Can't Sit Down'. It starts off by sounding like a Muddy Waters tune but replaces the voice with the organ. It does sound very silly and it is but it works at least a little bit. The song isn't the greatest but it is without a doubt an above average track with multiple very enjoyable moments. The mellow style of 'A Woman, a Lover, a Friend' is done much better in comparison to other songs on here but it still gets a little bit stale and old after a while and turns a good starting song quickly into a pretty average one but at least it doesn't get as boring (or even bad) as some tracks before did. The album closes with 'Comin' Home Baby', another quite mellow but this time much more dull sounding one. It gets annoying very quickly as the rhytmn guitar and the bass play in a very halting style that isn't played around well enough with the organ to make it work at any point. The song is genuinely bad because of it. It is not pleasent at all to listen to it especially as it is supposed to end the album. favourites: Green Onions, I Got a Woman least favourites: Comin' Home Baby, Stranger on the Shore Rating: decent to strong 5 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

The cafeteria at work puts green onions in their chicken salad (“scallions”, if you’re nasty…wait… what?) and I don’t mind it, but I also wouldn’t go out my way to add green onion to my chicken salad if I was making it at home, you know what I mean?

Nr. 10/1001 Green Onions 3/5 Rinky Dink 2/5 I Got A Woman 2/5 Mo' Onions 2/5 Twist And Shout 3/5 Behave Yourself 2/5 Stranger on the Shore 2/5 Lonely Avenue 2/5 One Who Really Loves Me 3/5 You Can't Sit Down 2/5 A Woman, A Lover, A Friend 2/5 Comin' Home Baby 2/5 Average: 2,25 Features some well known arrangements. Beyond that it didn't have a lot to offer

might be an interesting historical document, but was it really essential that I hear a Hammond organ noodling its way aimlessly around an Acker Bilk tune? doesn't even have the cricket theme on this one. hence, 2 stars given although perhaps a bit stingy

4/2 Some classic instrumentals on here, replayability is low for me. Standout Tracks: Green Onions, Mo' Onions, Behave Yourself, Stranger On The Shore, Comin' Home Baby

All instrumental. A lot of tunes are extremely recognizable based on their usage in movies or remixes of other songs. Overall boring album though.

Green Onions is the debut album from Booker T. & the MG's, who were the house band at Stax Records in Memphis. Their sound is an essential part of southern soul of the 60's, as they appear on recordings of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, among many others. When they weren't working as the supporting band for other artists, they recorded almost-exclusively instrumental tracks as Booker T. and the MG's . The band was successful as a rare, instrumental rock band; the title track is one of the most popular instrumental tracks in modern popular music. Their core members provided a great, funky basis for other artists - organ, piano, guitar, bass, and drums - and were all talented enough to create these instrumental classics.

This is a really exceptional record. It’s almost hard to believe that Mr. Booker T Jones could have written such a legendary song as “Green Onions” at just 18 years old. He was still in high school for goodness sake. The tone he got out of his Hammond B3 organ has been imitated and duplicated ever since, but no one has come close to the soulful playing of Booker T. I’ve always really admired the amount of emotion he can convey through such a simple instrument. I first noticed this when I saw him play an exceptional set opening for Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings at the Saddledome back in 2009. Most of this album consists of covers, but the way he plays them really makes them feel like more than the originals. Everything else instrumentally here is top notch, the drumming is steady and funky, and the guitar playing is almost on par with the emotional power of the lead organ. I own a few copies of this record on vinyl, and it still gets semi-regular playtime. 5 stars.

A wonderful album. The title track is, of course, an all-timer and is just one of those songs. The rest of the album is mostly covers and a few original tracks, including the fantastic “Behave Yourself”, all instrumental. What I love about this album is the way the electric organ serves as the main melodic device and serves a role in each song that would otherwise by served by either vocals or perhaps a lead guitar. In some tracks, the organ is played more like an organ, and in some it’s used for fast licks; the licks give a very interesting effect because the particular organ used doesn’t allow the notes to “overlap”. The effect is a very digital sound that belies the 1962 release date. The vibes of this album are second to none. It’s summertime backyard cookout, after you’ve already eaten and twilight is setting in and the heat is starting to relent. Beyond the vibes it’s also just excellent musicianship and interesting production. I don’t have any negatives to report really. 9/10

The title track along makes it a five star.

Love love love it

Easy background listening, nice choice for tasks

Listening to this because I love it, not because I need to, since I have this album memorized. Always killer, zero filler and one of the best arguments for the power of southern soul music.

I know this song! Crazy. I know these songs. Just didn't know it. Wow. So many good songs. So many movie memories in this album.

First listen. Well. I guess it was alright.

Great instrumental album!

Yes. This is the shit I’m here for. Twelve songs in 36 minutes, and the first one is fucking Green Onions. Automatically the coolest on the list.

Instant favorite. Instantly recognizable. A feel good album!

Love, love, LOVE, this album! Arguably my favorite of this era, which is saying something because it was a GREAT time for music. My dad introduced me to Booker T when I was very young and it will always remind me of watching The Blues Brothers with him. These guys basically become the Stax "house band" and backup MANY of the well know artists that came through that studio. Truly amazing album from a truly amazing group of musicians.

Trailblazing

Awesome instrumentals and really cool to hear things I've heard before and put them in the context of a historic album. Enjoyed the listen and totally understand why it's on the list!

Love me some Hammond Organ

Amazing that this album is over 60 years old. Still funky, still makes you move. Timeless.

Wow, had no idea how seminal

Green Onions is one of the classics of early '60s rock. The cover of Twist and Shout is excellent! The band is amazing. The album is simple, but perfectly executed.

Great to hear as some sort of background music.

5/5 Light, funky tunes make for easy listening, with really great moments throughout. The organ wails over, and the guitar punches through the silky smooth instrumentals beautifully. The second side in particular is just exceptional. All in all, this album sounds incredibly cohesive and timeless. Green Onions 4.5/5 Rinky Dink 4.5/5 I Got a Woman 4/5 (LEAST FAV) Mo' Onions 4/5 Twist and Shout 5/5 Behave Yourself 5/5 Stranger on the Shore 5/5 Lonely Avenue 5/5 One Who Really Loves You 5/5 You Can't Sit Down 5/5 A Woman, a Lover, a Friend 5/5 Comin' Home Baby 5/5 (FAV)

Excellent musicians!

Cool instrumental blues soul

Great instrumental album

I like how many onions there were

Great chilled listen. Nice to have a lyricless one

ELECTRIC BLUES!!! What a rad album. I haven't listened to this all the way through since I was in my freshmen year of college, learning about the influence of this music on ALL modern music. Its all right there. Its the electric blues, half the songs on this record were lifted and made bigger and better by other artists. The Beatles, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones. What else do I need to say?? I guess the musicianship on the freaking organ is next level. Why doesn't anyone play like that anymore? We need more church organs in music.

Absolutely funktastic. Loved it. Soul, jazz, funk and rolled into one.

love love loved it

I love instrumental music. This had a fun mix of tunes.

Brilliant. So smooth.

Amazing album. My first 5 star.

Don’t know this 1) that’s this?! What’s above ‘legendary’? Exceptional album. Instantly into my library.

What a great album, and with NO vocals!! Didn’t realize how many of these tunes I know, whether from tv or movies or whatever. Definitely on a mission to find more stuff like this! This is music that speaks to your soul. Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: yes Favourite Song: Behave Yourself

Great album loved it!!

0/10 ненавижу лук, но а альбом инструментальный так что поставлю 10/10

Great classic 60's rock/rockabilly sound. Essential listening for piano/synth players.

Wonderful album. Some nice blues, great usage of the organ. Certainly one of the greats in the history.

Foundational. Fun. Funky. Five stars.

Loved! Nice and chilled.

So many classic songs sampled in so many places. You cannot beat Booker T.

Another BANGER album except this time there's no lyrics and instead it's some funky organ which eats every time. Also a pleasant surprise to realize I actually knew the title track, despite thinking this was going to be come obscure album I never would've even come close to hearing of otherwise. These instrumentals are just so cool and I don't care that it keeps reusing the organ sound - each track has its own "idea" that is just as good as the rest so I can't choose a favourite (although Green Onions may be it, just due to how recognizable it is). I have also broken out of the matrix and will be giving out 5s more liberally now based on initial impressions without overthinking it so that a Beauty And The Beat tragedy never happens again. Welcome to my 5/5 club Green Onions

Instrumental music, apparently very influential for the music style during its time.

i could listen to this album on repeat for hours

Felt like I was listening to a fundamental building block of music. Peak album. Has a consistent theme through the album that I love.

Love a good blues album and this is great. The first track I've definitely heard before and the rest is fun to listen to while in the kitchen. Had me grooving along and didn't go on for too long. Loved it.

Love it. Great tune.

wonderful soundscape with many funky guitars and keys, this album pairs well with a walk in the sunshine or light rain.

Green Onions

Vraiment bien aimé ! I got a woman Mo’ Onions Lonely Avenue

Really fun

Carolina Beach Music at its finest! Oh my the memories this album brought back!

Classic Blues....love, love, love this!

I love this. This is my kind of jazz and early rock and roll! So fun to hear the originals of these iconic songs!

So good! I recognize some of the songs

A breath of fresh air

A pillar of blues rock records, this album communicates everything beautiful and groovy about the genre without uttering a single word. Loose, collaborative playing that is antithetical to today’s trends of laser-precision tracking, the MG’s are both intimately human in their music and untouchable legends in their influence. Drums are minimalist, tight, and effortless, bass is bossy and limber, guitar is brash, reckless, overdriven, and bad ass, and the organ is insanely bluesy, smooth, and dexterous. That’s it, that’s all they needed. Generations of children have been conceived to this album. Stand out tracks include “Green Onions”, “Twist and Shout”, “Stranger on the Shore”, “One Who Really Loves You”, and “Comin’ Home Baby”.

Every song is a hit and I love. That's what makes a great album. Every song!

Smooth as silk instrument only

You’ve heard the song “Green Onions.” It’s probably all you’ve heard from Booker T. And the MG’s. But the rest of the album is just as good as that. Masterful skill on all instruments, impeccable style and attitude exudes through every song. It’s laid back and it’s intense, it’s atmospheric and it’s in your face. Everything I could have wanted out of an instrumental album and more. This is my kind of stuff.

This album had the same feel as the one I was given yesterday, but each song felt more unique. I think the guitar brought familiarity and diversity to each song. Definitely good music to work to!

👏🏼

Iconic. An instrumental album made 62 years ago, still slaps, and is still relevant in Movies, TV and commercials in 2024. My kids thought it was hilarious the album is named for a vegetable.

Nice

This whole thing slaps

Great

Slapped good

Very inoffensive. Fun tunes

slaps balls

Geitig met het sausje

iconisch, lekker jammen

this has no right to be this good

Fucking love the keyboard

sandlot

I dig this! Had heard the title track before. But I never really knew what it was called or who it was by before. But yeah this was a great listen.

Legendary, classic, undeniable foundation of Rock-n-roll.

All instrumentals. Classic rhythm & blues.

Stone cold classic. There is so much talent on display here and these organ tones are utterly iconic. It was a really great listen. No negatives, only love for this one.

Great non-lyrical ritzy blues. Would certainly listen again!

What’s not to love? Classic record, you’ve probably heard all of these songs and not known it.

Not a word said, and I made a 1000 stories up in my head. Just a super chill album.