Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
1962
Album Summary
Green Onions is the debut album by Booker T. & the M.G.'s, released on Stax Records in October 1962. It reached number 33 on the pop album chart in the month of its release. The title single was a worldwide hit and has been covered by dozens of artists, including the Blues Brothers and Roy Buchanan (both with Steve Cropper on guitar), as well as The Ventures, Al Kooper, The Shadows, Mongo Santamaría, Deep Purple (Live and studio versions) and Count Basie. Three previous Stax LPs – two by the Mar-Keys, one by Carla Thomas – had been issued on Atlantic Records. Green Onions was the first album released on the Stax label. It was also Stax's first charting album, peaking at number 33 on the Billboard 200. The album features only instrumental songs and features Steve Cropper playing a Fender Telecaster.The album was included in Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
WikipediaThis 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.
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
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.
Hammond organ. Lovely for a track or two but a whole album............
Ok for a couple of songs (green onions) but the one trick of organ & guitar becomes tired very quickly
Green onions is the best candidate to be turned into an 8-bit game soundtrack.
What can I say? Funky 60s Instrumentals? One of the best organ song ever written?
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
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.
I didn’t know the song name but everyone has probably hear green onions sweet melody at some point. The rest is pleasant jams as well.
That was extremely enjoyable. This is the first album that I would actually consider downloading for repeat listening. I had heard "Green Onions" on the radio, but I also liked the other songs. "Behave Yourself" stuck out to me.
Greeeeeeeeeeennnnnn ONNNNNIOOOONNNNNSSSSS! this song is everywhere. this is sold rhythm and blues. Comin' Home Baby is fucking solid
This is just wonderful music. I knew the song Green Onions but I was surprised by the quality of the rest of the songs. I like cooking to this.
Perfect party playlist in one album. Style as music. Essential record.
I didn't recognize the album name or artist, but most of the tracks were familiar.
Slow motion movie blues. I remember from some film, but I don't know wich one. Kind of smooth and chilling music for meetings
Oooh, I never knew the name of this first track. Green Onions is great! This whole album was great.
great album, 10/10, instantly recognizable from the first five seconds favorite song was probably Rinky Dink it sounded like a Napoleon-Dynamite-Christmas
Is it just me or is one of the tunes in Nacho Libre?!?! THE Nacho Libre, pure Cinematic Gold.
This is fire!!! Really cool instrumental soul/rock. You’ll definitely recognize a few tracks on here.
Love it. This can be party background music, work music, sit and listen and pay attention to every click of the organ keys music,… Positioned clearly at a point in the early 60’s because of the instrumentation and groove, but doesn’t sound old fashioned.
Just a perfect instrumental soul album. Clearly it's influence has spread far and wide, the sound that comes from this is just ubiquitous. Short but sweet, my only complaint is that there isn't more. Fav Tracks: Green Onions, Behave Yourself, Lonely Avenue
God damn I love the blues. The electric organ is used so perfectly on this album, it's just so much fun to listen to. After looking at the list of personnel that Booker T. Jones has collaborated with in the past, I would say a lot of people agree that he's the best at what he does. This album consists of one smash-hit original single, and mostly covers outside of that, but that doesn't stop the band from stamping their signature all over others' works. The instrumentation is fantastic and each member does a great job of taking their turn to chime in and take the spotlight. It's very clear that the guitar and keyboard are completely locked in and have spent loads of time playing together. Tight as fuck. Fave tracks: Green Onions, I Got a Woman, Behave Yourself
Had no idea that I already knew the song 'Green Onions'. The most striking thing about this album is that is recorded in the 60s, it sounds much more contemporary than that. Pure groove, so funky
An album of cool, smooth tunes. Instrumental only, but that just makes it seem more effortlessly chill.
Always hear GO, but never knew where it came from. Thumbs up on this for a mellow, travel album.
Each song was entertaining. Pretty creative. Reminded me of smooth sailing playlist but more upbeat. Didn't have lyrics though which felt like the finishing touch it lacked
Variations on a theme, but it's a great theme (and one you've heard everywhere).
Great Instrumentals with an organ and a band that is groove 60's beat.
Imagine creating one of the best albums of all time where a) all the songs are instrumentals and b) you only wrote three of them. An absolutely killer sound that I think everyone is familiar with and probably have no idea who played it.
I didn't expect to like this album that much but here we are. I loved how it mixed rock, R&B and jazz in such an organic way. The cover of Twist and Shout by The Beatles was awesome.
If I had to choose one word for "Green Onions", it would be GROOVY. This is a great album to have in the background as you're doing something else. It's a nice backbeat for your day. I found myself nodding along to songs as I was working away my laptop. It was a pleasant work companion. I'll be putting that in my playlist.
I know that I'm going to love this. Green Onions is one of those "Epitome of cool" tracks that simply can't help but make you feel like you're the smoothest human to ever stalk to face of the planet. Second track comes at you with the Hammond organ croaking out a slightly clipped, muted tune. The backing is great, but when we come onto track 3, Jones is making that organ sing like a Yukon bear trapper on his annual visit to the brothel. Sure, the band is great and there's not a note out of place, but the organ is in this like Blackpool rock. It's magnificent. Track four up and we've got such a funky sound it almost hurts. Mo' onions? Mo' funk! Mo' organ! It isn't as cool as Green Onions, but it uses similar,well, everything. After this is Twist and Shout, which isn't as good The Beatles or Ray Charles' covers. Mildly let down, the Hammond becomes soulful and down tempo. We go further towards melancholy in track 7. Lonely Avenue, track 8, turns bluesy, with the Hammond doing the Lord's work, intricately replicating what you've come to expect from a Louisiana bluesman's harmonica. Track 9 comes upbeat, and I'm here for that. "One who really loves you" gives us intricate melodies and we move on apace with a nice short track that once again makes you want to get up and dance - and you know you'll feel great doing it. Track 11 comes around to blues again, and to be honest it's a little boring. The twiddliness reminds me a little of Withnail and I, but not quite in the way I'd home. Comin' Home Baby is a nice gentle finish to a superb album. Although nothing will reach the heights of Green Onions, Mo' Onions does come close. And Green Onions alone would get this album a 5.
I know all these tunes but have no idea why... California Games? Movies like the Sandlot Kids? either way it's awesome 4/5.
The definitive Hammond organ album. Great jams. Best track: Green Onions
This whole album felt like an Austin powers sound track. And I loved that about it.
elsket det, digg å høre på, nok av hits osv. kan være som følge av oaseeffekten etter en ørken av middelmådige album men hadde en fin stund med denne. Har en lekenhet som jeg setter pris på.
Overall very soothing, easy on the ears and the slower songs really struck an emotion with me. I really enjoy this style of blues. A lot of rock jam standards are found here.
It sounds nice and Green Onions is classic but it’s mostly background. 7
Leuk instrumentaal album. Het nummer 'Green Onions' kwam me bekend voor
Bit unsure if all of these are original songs or covers. Nonetheless, the album is a vibe.
The instrumentals were great, so I’ll rate it off that. Probably wouldn’t listen to it again though, since there aren’t lyrics and I prefer my music to have lyrics.
Classic. Important album, you can hear that they influede a lot of artists
1. Green Onions has an iconic opening. Everyone knows it. High Hopes for this album. I am hoping for vocals because I generally prefer albums that have vocals. Guitar sounds great, beat is steady and good. Nice synthy, keyboard sound. Enjoyable opener. 2. This is another non-vocal album, oh no. Rinky Dink feels summery. Really nice beat and melody is simple and repetitive but in an enjoyable way. Guitar solo is a nice touch. 3. I Got a Woman has a lovely intro, drums sound great. However, the sound is very similar to that of Rinky Dink. If this is another same shit, different song album I will lose my mind. 4. Mo' Onions has a very different sound. Guitar chords sound great. The synthy sound is consistent but sounds better here than on IGaW. 5. Is this where The Beatles got Twist & Shout from???? Oh my god. The melody sounds the exact same. I am in shock right now. 6. Behave Yourself has a lovely intro. Calm, still, cool. Very nice. Very soulful. 7. Stranger on the Shore sounds very similar to BY. From around 1:10 onwards, it is gorgeous. Sounds absolutely beautiful in my opinion. 8. Lonely Avenue sees the return of the earlier sound, but in a different way. The beat is slow and steady, not sure what instrument I am listening to but whatever it is it sounds great. The guitar sounds fab, I can nearly see the person playing it. 9. One Who Really Loves You contrasts greatly with LA. The key change is lovely, very very nice. All songs have faded. 10. Although there are no lyrics, you can almost hear them in You Can't Sit Down. Bit repetitive but still enjoyable. Beat and bass is nice. That breakdown and build up was very good. 11. A Woman, a Lover, a Friend's intro has been my favourite so far. Again the lyrics are right there just need to be sung. This melody is gorgeous. 12. Comin' Home Baby's intro reminds me of The Monkees for some reason. Very enjoyable. Really liking this. Final Thoughts: Although without lyrics, this is a great album and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Very good, I recognize some of these from general poo culture and music history.