Green Onions

Just a really enjoyable listen.

No lyrics. Just music. Sandlot shout out

nice

Among the few veggies that I enjoy eating and listening to.

me encanta, super chill. El primer tema sale en el skate 1 asi que le suma 100 puntos.

"Green Onions" is the debut album by American instrumental, R&B and jazz band Booker T. & the M.G.'s. R&B, rock and soul are the Wiki-listed genres. Right on. The album was first Stax studio-recorded album released on the Stax label. The album was produced by Jim Stewart and the bandmembers included Booker T. Jones (Hammond M3 organ), Steve Cropper (guitar), Lewis Steinberg (bass) and Al Jackson Jr. (drums). Commercially, the album reached #33 on the US Pop Albums Chart. In 2012, it was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. The album opens with the iconic self-titled "Green Onions." The Hammond organ hypnotic melody. Guitar slashes. A shuffling beat and bass. The organ and guitar switch as the lead instrument. A classic. The Ray Charles' cover "I Got a Woman" has a quick drums. A rolling, bluesy organ. Steve Cropper with pinpoint precise guitar. The band goes back to the well with a slower version of the title song in "Mo! Onions." The guitar is a little higher pitched and is more of the focal lead instrument in this version. A bass solo too. The second side is all instrumental covers including Acker Bilk's "Stranger on the Shore." A slow beat and very soulful organ. The highlight of the second side might be their cover of Smokey Robinson's/Mary Well's "One Who Really Loves You." A nice organ melody and rhythm guitar. I thought right away about the Blues Brothers. This is a whole album of instrumental songs most of which are covers. Some songs are organ-led, others guitar-led. The organ gives this album an air of soul but there's also a bluesy and rock vibe. The band is undoubtedly tight with historic musicians on every instrument. An iconic original song and top-notch soulful and bluesy covers made for a very enjoyable listen. Highly recommended to listen to prior to or after watching "The Blues Brother's" movie. Or at just about anytime.

This is a solid album. Greens Onions is iconic. The Hammond organ and guitar work well together

Fresco, diferente, simple gusta

I instantly recognised Green Onions from Pete Townshend's book 'Who I Am'. This was a great record. It was easy to get lost in the music

As a wise man once said, “Booker shines”.

Immediately love the vibe of this album. Definitely going on my workday lyric-free playlist. Feels very much of its time but still holds up really well for my taste. Also, I had no idea that song (the one from this album everybody knows) is called "Green Onions".

Just what I needed for the day. Was able to crank out some work and have this going in the background.

That was really good!

I had the pleasure of seeing Booker T. and Steve Cropper perform Green Onions at an Otis Redding tribute at the Apollo a number of years ago. It is an undeniably classic song. This is the first time I've listened to the full album. Mo' Onions makes me laugh at its transparent ploy to capitalize on the success of Green Onions. These are solid covers but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't rather hear them in their original glory with the vocalists: Mary Wells, Jackie Wilson, Ray Charles. Titans, all. The organ stands in for the vocal melodies and they get a nice groove going on these songs. Booker T & the MG's carved out their space in the soul/R&B world, but I can see why people may not warm to this instrumental album since the songs do adhere to a similar pattern. Highlights: Green Onions, You Can't Sit Down

really good.

Like a dictionary of future samples.

I liked their original songs better than the covers.

Very cool.

Groovy and fun

Bangers.

Easy listening

lovely absolute classic honestly, I could hear a lot of samples from songs that got released

4 out of 5. This album was a great surprise and worth the listen.

Great background music with classic beats

Love me some good instrumental

First song is mainly good, rest is ok.

Solid listen. Enjoyable all the way through. The first two songs are pretty iconic and Twist and Shout is a great cover. The rest of the songs weren’t too memorable but still pleasant to hear.

Lonely Avenue = vivre dans une calculatrice 4

Old school jam

Recognised the first song immediately. Whole thing was pleasant all the way through bar one song.

Green Onions (the song) is an absolute classic. Green Onions (the rest of the album) is very enjoyable too - mostly covers, some sounding even better with the organ than in their original form. But, Green Onions, what a song. That Hammond organ riff, that bass line and that fragmented guitar solo, drifting off into a sea of reverb. It's impossible to listen and not imagine yourself as the embodiment of a red setter, sprinting alongside a Bus Eireann bus.

De titeltrack is misschien wel de beste 'instrumental' uit de soulmuziek. Toch staat er, zoals bij veel Booker T. albums, ook wel enige opvulling op deze plaat. Desalniettemin, vier sterren alleen al voor het moderne geluid voor 1962, de Jimmy Smith-invloed en het populair maken van soulmuziek onder de blanke bevolking destijds.

3,5..?

A very nice, jazzy experience. I like the take on other classic songs like “I Got A Woman” and “Twist and Shout”. Starts off pretty bouncy and fun, then proceeds to a softer, more melodic tone. Great instrumental album that you could play at a baseball game, or just laying in bed.

More Green Onions

This is will never not be cool. Obviously "Green Onions" is one of the most iconic songs ever made, but I love the whole album. The grit on Steve Cropper's Telecaster is something that just can't seem to be replicated. Has there ever been a band that is so tight? The key here is really the simplicity-- not doing too much, serving the song, making something that is bigger than its parts. Nothing is re-invented here, but it's just master session musicians at their peaks.

Strong 4 this, almost a 5; I really liked it, just didn’t love it

enjoyed it

Could go for some more green onions

I thought I didn’t know this band, but realized I’d heard many of the songs. Good blues with rhythm that I can listen to in the background and put me in a good mood

This was just a really good time. It doesn't try to be outstanding but the project knows what it is and is great for it. I'd usually give something like this a 3 but I think I liked it enough to garner a 4. Thanks for the great 35 minutes!

So cool

Green Onions classic track and classic album from the Stax Records backing band

Fully instrumental Memphis rock/R&B/soul album. Title track is iconic and has so much swag. Can listen to it over and over. Lots of nostalgia with it (The Sandlot soundtrack) but regardless, an incredible R&B/soul track with one of the best basslines all-time and Jones rockin' blues bar on the Hammond. The rest of the record is a step down after that but still has some decent instrumental covers and the other standout track is the original "Behave Yourself".

Title track carries this album hard, but the rest is still good.

Not much happening on this one but there were some very recognizable tunes like Twist and Shout. Also, great length. Low 4.

Mielenkiintosta alkuinstrumentaaliboogieta. Tuttuja sävelmiä

Tää oli kova! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just great

Great grooves

Smooth like honey ! I wasn’t entirely convinced at first, it seemed a bit lacking in complexity. But I think it’s because it flows so naturally that you kind of forget you’re listening... I ended up playing it three times in a row, and when you really pay attention, it’s actually slicker than it appears. But I’ve always been very partial to the fuzzy vibe of the Hammond organ, so I may be biased (on that note, Booker T. mentions in an interview that he was heavily influenced by Jimmy Smith, whose album "Back To The Chicken Shack" popped here some time ago. This list is starting to make sense !). Nevertheless, it’s a nice mix of jazz and blues that prepped the stage for the birth of soul music. Everything is already there : the warm sound, the groovy instrumentation... They only needed a smooth voice to sing over. In this particular case it would really have helped the music shine, and I can think of a couple of singers who would have totally killed it on these tracks. The lack of vocals is clearly the reason why it sounds a bit flat after a while. Still a strong 7/10 for me.

Muito bom, no entanto, no início, estava com mais energia e entusiasmo do que no final do álbum.

Oh yeah. Beginnings of soul and rock and roll

Just some nice and relatively familiar instrumentals.

Yep, that’s green onions alright

Banger after Banger.

I was familiar with the title song. I was pleasantly surprised how good this was- awesome to hear an instrumental take on so many songs. Really enjoyed a majority of the album. Overall- 3.5 to 4

Not as much singing as I remembered from Booker T

A classic album with these cool riffs and melodies so many people know. The only downside would be that the setup with the organ, guitar and drums sounds very similar.

so many melodies I recognise. Fun album, but not sure I'd listen much as a standalone.

Fun album! A few tracks that I recognized

The “house band” for Stax Records was an amazingly talented group of musicians who defined an era with their sounds. Green Onions is an instrumental album full of fun music. I highly recommend listening to it while cooking. You can thank me later.

Clearly some great playing and I think this might be the album from this list that sounds like it was (or at least could have been) made a lot later. I think that’s because there are no vocals which lets the bands slightly film soundtrack totally show. The guitar and and organ sort of take turns being the least instrument, but the organ is the main one on most of the songs I think. I guess a criticism is that the keyboardist often does the Emerson lake and planer thing where you play as many notes as possible which I don’t really like as much as a great groove, which this also has a lot of. I think the blues guitar thing is totally fine as the totally committed to it, and this is before people started using it in a really cheesy way. The version of twist and shout that’s not the original but before the Beatles is great as well. Parts are quite like the scooby soo soundtrack which I like a lot. Favourite songs: all but lonely avenue. Overall around 7/10

Pure groove bottled up and pressed to vinyl

what a boogie. feels smooth as hell. 4*

Not my first time with this one. I’ve enjoyed it for many years.

Nice afternoon pickup. Love the organ.

Smooth and sharp at the same time. This album is perfect for chilling out but also not letting you tune it out, because as chill as it is, it's still go teeth. Good stuff.

Pretty good

Welcome to the technical support help line. Your waiting time is 35 minutes. Update: I listened to this a couple more times - once I saw past the standard blues chords I realized it's very entertaining in a light and smart way. Their later albums are even better IMO.

Smooth as hell. A really enjoyable listen, even though becomes a little samey as it goes on. I imagine this would've been an incredible listen in a pre-Beatle world. Fave track on this listen: Green Onions (obviously)

Works equally well in a country dive bar or a funky church.

I'm not sure why I like this album as much as I do. It's incredibly simple and some of the organ bits sound pretty corny, but there is something to it that really works. I feel like it might just be the genuine authenticity that shines through. Apparently Booker T wrote the title track on borrowed instruments in his church basement while he was still in high school. It's kind of the ultimate earworm and I doubt there is a single blues, jazz or surf rock musician who hasn't taken some inspiration from that riff.

An incredibly joyful affair with some *ultra* recognizable songs. As soon as Green Onions started rolling, I found myself thinking "Oh!!! That's what that song is called!" I don't even know where I've heard it, I just know that it's seared into my brain. The sound across here is in sort of a blues/R&B/Blues pocket, and I personally hear a little bit of early Rock & Roll (granted, it is like built out of the aforementioned genres). And the sound palette is dominated in large by a very prominent Hammond organ which I learned to love throughout this runtime. It feels like it has a very sort of blocky, chunky sound, and I find that it has a certain idiosyncratic appeal. Not to mention the playing itself, which is first rate: there are so many impressive runs and passages here that just ooze personality. The guitar playing is also very impressive, and I think it's mostly what gives me a Rock & Roll feeling. Also, there's a hell of a rhythm section with jazzy drums and some occasional upright bass rounding things out. This simple formula is used to deftly navigate a run of inspired covers, and a couple of originals. In fact, this is mostly covers, but frankly, Booker T. & The MG's rock them, so I'm fine with it. Check this out if you need something jazzy, light, and catchy (these songs will stick with you). It works really well, and the band as a unit absolutely sells it.

The musicianship on this record is excellent, so tight, great groove throughout. The sound feels ahead of its time, and for something from the early 60s doesn't feel dated.

So many classic sounds. Very easy listening, but in a good way as opposed to some others.

Autêntico, alegre e com uma otima energia uma ótima versão de muitas músicas já famosas

i like thissss. very fun driving songs i luv it

Pretty cool. Instrumental groovy. Pitbull be sampling this.

Loved the keys in this album. Nice and low-key.

Before listening looking forward to the song green onions Didn't know about mo onions All round great album no tracks I disliked No new memorable ones though

Why have I not listened to this album before??? So many iconic riffs, remixes that sound familiar cause they’re stolen from this album. Saved n downloaded for reply over n over!!!!

If the Modern Lovers album shaped music history in the '70s & '80s punk and new wave crowd, then Booker T. and the MGs shaped all of rock music before that & still today. They were the house band for Stax Records, out of Memphis, which, for my money, was the best soul label in the '60s. In fact, this album was the first issued by Stax Records. It’s all instrumentals, and you’ve likely heard at least one song, if not several, from this album. The album features several cover versions of well-known songs, like Ray Charles’s I Got a Woman, Twist and Shout and One Who Really Loves You originally sung by Mary Wells. However, the most well-known song is "Green Onions," which can be heard in 1 out of every 10 movies, TV shows & commercials. This is the song that screams early '60s rock. The familiar organ riff by Booker T. has to be one of the best-known riffs ever. This is the epitome of party records. You just turn it on, hit repeat & you never have to worry about the music the rest of the night. This is an album that will be listened to forever.

Dużo charakterystycznych brzmień, które ma się wrażenie, że wpłynęły na rozwój muzyki. Album bez wokalu, a zupełnie nie odczuwa się jego braku. Końcówka trochę za bardzo zwalnia

nie znałem albumu a utwory miały taki wpływ na muzyke ze mialem wrażenie ze juz je slyszałem

banger of an album!! lots of classic samples in here, was v cool to be able to pick out how this album has influenced modern music.

Another one of those albums that opens with, "Ohhhh, that song!" A lively instrumental bash whose influence can be felt still today. This rises about as high as a dated, lyricless album can, with superb musical arrangements that keep you guessing all the way through. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Green Onions, I Got A Woman, Stranger on the Shore

Fun instrumentals. Good for sampling.

Some cool instrumental stuff with a cool sound that it had, just a nice time. 4 stars

Really dug the album and vibed ALMOST the whole way through, but the sound kind of started getting annoying towards the end. Just the same shit.

good food. good album

Really love this sound

Would we even have Muzak without Booker T & The MGs? Wild to think that so many of the standards they covered here went on to become big big hits by other folks in the 60s. Also, their organ is the sound I most associated with music from this time period. All that said, the titular track is, by far, one of the best instrumentals of its era.

This makes me think of The Sandlot

Je l'ai écouté dans la piscine, en congé, avec ma blonde. C'était parfait.

The engine behind Motown and the decider of what pop music was gonna sound like for the rest of the decade. It's impressive how instantly recognisable these covered and instrumental versions of songs are. I got a Woman and Twist and Shout are recognisable from the first note. Green onions is also a classic in and of itself. It doesn't really have the depth of later albums on this list and it doesn't make me want to put on a second Booker T. album, but it's a worthwile inclusion nonetheless.

Very relaxing album.

I wouldn't have thought this would be something I liked if you described it to me, but damn if I didn't!

Groovy as heck

A lot of familiar sounds. Cool seeing where they came from.

trop cool

Excellent!

😎🎹

Instrumental - not quite something I’d go back and listen to over n over, but it’s super clear how this led to a lot of the hits I’m familiar with.

Moderation - the entire album in one sitting makes it feel redundant but man oh mighty is it good.

Prima chille

Yes! I only knew the song Green Onions but this was pretty enjoyable to listen to. Familiar tunes and upbeat.

great instrumental album

I was groovin' to every track on this record. I loved the performances, especially the keyboard player. Favourite Track(s): Green Onions Least Favourite Track(s): Twist and Shout

Great instrumental record from a time where instrumental records weren't really a thing.

You know what? Hell yeah

This is perfect for my house party in the 1960s

Already knew

You've probably heard it but couldn't name it or locate it. The opening track, for which this is one of the ones to hear before you die, is an iconic instrumental that's been frequently featured in things not related to green onions (apparently, the name of a cat whose walk they tried to recreate w/ that storied riff). In '62, this album must have already felt like a throwback of sorts: the no vocals thing, a strange statement to make at a time when rock-n-roll was defining itself as guitar + voice music. But a classic thing, 'tis, w/ organs vital and at times haunting: 'Stranger on the Shore.'

*** 1/2 Nice. Although I am missing a singer. Great music, However.

Surprised to say, I liked it.

*3.5

I had the great pleasure of attending a rehearsal show when Neil Young was getting ready to go out on tour with Booker T. and the M.G.s. Probably 1993, maybe late 1992 or early 1994. It's a fun story. We knew some folks that were tight with Neil, and we heard that they were practicing together, were going to go on tour as a band playing Neil's songs i.e. Booker T. and the M.G.s would be the backing band, and that they "might" have a surprise rehearsal show, maybe two. We got the high sign that the show was on and would be at the Warfield and the date... also was told that tickets would go on sale the next morning at 10 AM at Ticketron outlets in the Bay Area. My buddy and I drove over to the outlet in San Mateo -- it was our preferred outlet, well run, and if there was a line (rare), it moved quickly. I think we got there at like 8:45 AM... we were told that the local radio stations were going to announce the show at 9:30 AM with tickets on sale basically immediately. The clerk there was someone we sort of knew, having frequented this outlet before, and he was curious... they had nothing on the schedule of any kind going on sale at 10 AM anywhere. I just asked him to be ready to refresh the system every 10 minutes or so starting at 9:30 AM, and didn't tell him what was going on... The tickets were all GA so we weren't worried about the situation, per se, but that said, we knew the venue was tiny for Neil, and the added draw of Booker, and the fact this was all brand new... well, pretty exciting. Tickets showed up in the system at 9:50 AM for 10 AM show, and by then, there was a good bit of a line, not a ton, but more than you'd think for 9:50 AM on a random weekday for a show that was only announced on air 20 minutes prior. We got our tickets at 10:01 AM and hung out for a little bit. Everyone in line got tickets no problem, but it was sold out by 10:20 AM. Fun show! I remember feeling the band definitely gave the Neil songs a bit of a different feel. Absolutely a rehearsal! They had to start a few of the songs multiple times, and I remember one song they stopped, talked about a particular transition, and then redid it. Anyhow, it was fun to listen to this, a record that really put these guys on the map... very much a product of the time.

Really, really enjoyed this one.

Good shit.

Great instrumentals and fun and light hearted!

Overall, super enjoyable. Love the straight blues structures and soooo much tasty organ (favorite licks were on A Woman, A Lover, A Friend). Great covers (twist and shout, Comin Home Baby), reprise of green onions was unexpected and You cant sit down sealed the album with a second hit (underrated tune). I was able to do a dive into Booker Ts wiki. Cant believe this dude was so young. Collaborated with everyone (Neil Young) and is still alive and kickin.

Title track instantly transports me to The Sandlot. Anyone else? (Same goes for the song Tequila). Nice 4th of July soundtrack. I’m really into the sound of the Hammond/Tele combo, and really love the phrasing and arrangements throughout. I was a 5 on this until I realized most of this album is covers, outside of Green Onions. Think they could have put on some more originals.

Organs are cool. Green onions are spring onions so it goes from a 5 to a 4 for that reason only.

This album was fun. Lots of songs here that I recognized but never knew where they came from. Glad I got to listen to this one all the way through, it's pretty solid.

This one was very funny to listen to, I felt like watching a movie.

Mochte den Sound und der erste Song ist ja n spitzenmäßiger Oldie :D 4 Sterne

Coole Cover, möchte man mitwippen

This was good. Green Onions is just cool. A few other tracks were just as fun. Some not so much.

Jeg har haft en fest med det her album, og folk omkring mig er blevet tvunget til at tage stilling til det.

Det lugter af blues og soul. Med et jazz-feel og til tider surfrock elementer. Ret fedt. Gad vide om det er fra GTA: San Andreas, Blues Brothers eller begge jeg genkender titelnummeret? Når jeg kigger tracklisten igennem er der godt nok mange covernumre! Kun 3 af 12 numre er originale tracks. Gad vide om et album fra 80erne (eller senere) med så lidt originalt indhold ville komme på listen?

Super groovy vibes! So many iconic tracks, it was fun going through the album and thinking, "oh hey, I know this one too". Deserving of the utmost respect, although, truthfully, a tiny bit repetitive for my tastes. Still fantastic! Favorite Tracks: Green Onions; Rinky Dink; Twist and Shout; Woman, A Lover, A Friend

A beautiful instrumental ; i can totally hear its influence on genres I like , would love to hear someone sing on stranger on a shore or a number of these tracks

Good. Short. Essence of that 60s vibe

thank you to mr. falla for giving me a green onions solo side note: how tf is a song with no lyrics labeled explicit

Recognized some of these songs from other artist covers. Didn’t realize they had originally performed them. Very enjoyable listen.

I was glad that it was short and sweet

Really good, sounded really nice but got kinda repetitive as it went on. Solid but not phenomenal.

this was a great, short listen. really enjoyed the sound w/some very familiar tracks. did wish that there wasn't a reprise of the opening track though-with such a short album there really isn't any need for that. overall-great listen

Great and familiar jazz instrumentals.

More proof that giving instruments and recording studios to people can lead to fine albums. +1 for the how this album came about.

3.5

First thing's first... Memphis music is cool by definition! One thing this album historically has going for it is that it is the first official Stax lable Lp, a Memphis studio and record label that would help define R&B in the 60s and 70s. Booker T in the MGs were basically the Stax Studio house band, backing the likes of Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Albert King and more... and even in the '80s Aykroyd and Belushi used Steve Cropper and "Duck" Dunn (though Dunn had not joined by this album) to help nail the sound of 60's R&B. So is this album essential? I'm actually going to say yes only because of what it represents to R&B from that point on. Quite honestly, they really had some great originals and some great singles, but I've always found the albums themselves having a fair amount of filler. This one is no exception. Honestly pretty much everything on the first side other than "Twist and Shout" I really enjoyed. The second side is primarily filler, though there are a couple of tracks I noted on that side as well. Two of the originals, the hit title track, and "Behave Yourself", are truly the highlights of this album as well as the two Ray Charles covers "I've Got A Woman", and "Lonely Nights". Both of those really have a Memphis Jam feel to them and I absolutely enjoyed that. The other original, "Mo' Onions", is obviously a quick call back of the big hit. Unfortunately like most music sequels it never compares to the original. I also liked to a lesser extent "Rinky Dink" and "Comin' Home Baby". The rest, though, is filler city. 7.9/10 ★★★½

Good album. The title track (Green Onions) is track #1, sadly it's such a bop that the rest of the album can't keep up. Maybe they should've thrown a few others before it to work up to the masterpiece. Still very enjoyable.

Cool Album. Directly the first track was a track that was sampled by a german hip hop group back in the 90s.

This was a cool album to stumble upon, especially if you love the Hammond organ like I do. I was already familiar with the “Green Onions” track, but I never thought to look into who made it. By the end of the album, though, it definitely started to feel very repetitive.

Classic sound with the blues organ that is very pleasant to listen to. Found these songs getting stuck in my head.

Surprisingly familiar and enjoyable background music.

I only knew the song green onions from this album but the whole thing is solid.

this is like the definition of iconic

Loving this album! Gives me baseball vibes at some points, but I’m not complaining.

Rounded up

Good. No lyrics.

I had no idea that song was called Green Onions. Lots of covers, but overall some good instrumental music for background listening.

Nice chill album

yeah

Elevator music

Fire. A little samey.

Jamming

Jazzy

Green Onions is lean, mean, and endlessly cool. This is groove-based instrumental soul at its finest, built on tight rhythm playing, warm organ tones, and simple-but-effective hooks that get under your skin and stay there. The title track alone is a stone-cold classic—gritty, swaggering, and instantly recognisable, like the musical equivalent of a well-worn leather jacket. The rest of the album rides that same effortless vibe, never showy but always sharp. The band locks in with that rare kind of chemistry where no one overplays, and every note counts. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it polishes it to a glorious shine. Smooth, soulful, and always in the pocket.

Within the first four minutes I'd already googled is it the same Booker T as the wrestler (no), where do I know Green Onions from (Twin Peaks the Return) and where do I know the riff from Rinky Dink (Dirty Dancing - Love is Strange)

Enjoyable to listen to, but it's like background music to me

## In-Depth Review of *Green Onions* by Booker T. & The MG's **Green Onions**, released in 1962, is the debut album by Booker T. & The MG's, a group that would become synonymous with the Stax Records sound and the golden era of Southern soul. The album, built around its iconic title track, is a showcase of instrumental prowess, groove, and understated innovation. Below is a comprehensive breakdown focusing on lyrics (or the lack thereof), music, production, themes, influence, and a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## Lyrics **Absence of Lyrics, Power of Instrumentals** *Green Onions* is an instrumental album-there are no lyrics. This was not due to a lack of vocal talent, but rather a deliberate artistic choice. The band members, while comfortable as musicians, did not see themselves as singers, and so they let their instruments do the talking[5]. This approach was unusual for the time, especially in soul and R&B, genres typically defined by expressive vocal performances. Yet, the absence of lyrics does not diminish the album’s communicative power; instead, it invites listeners to focus on mood, groove, and the interplay between instruments. --- ## Music **Instrumentation and Arrangements** - **Booker T. Jones** leads with the Hammond M3 organ, delivering a sound that is both percolating and, at times, vaguely sinister[1][5]. - **Steve Cropper** provides sharp, rhythmic guitar lines, often acting as a counterpoint to the organ[1][6]. - **Lewie Steinberg** (bass) and **Al Jackson, Jr.** (drums) lay down tight, unflashy, but deeply effective grooves. The album’s core is built around the 12-bar blues structure, most notably on the title track, “Green Onions.” The musicianship is deceptively simple: the grooves are tight, the melodies memorable, and the arrangements uncluttered. Yet, as Booker T. himself has stated, the apparent simplicity masks a real complexity-each performance requires focus and precision[4]. **Track Highlights:** - **“Green Onions”**: The title track is a masterclass in groove, with its iconic organ riff, snappy guitar stabs, and a rhythm section that never overplays. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to sound both cool and menacing, simple yet endlessly replayable[2][4][5]. - **“Behave Yourself”**: A slower, bluesier number where Booker T.’s organ work is especially expressive, showing his ability to “skip and slow down and never lose step with the groove”[3]. - **“I Got a Woman”**: A Ray Charles cover that features inventive bass and the album’s flashiest guitar solo from Cropper, adding unexpected energy to the familiar tune[3][5]. - **“Twist and Shout”**: The band’s instrumental take is precise but, without vocals, lacks the wild energy of later vocal versions. Still, the interplay between drums and guitar is notable[3][5]. - **“Mo’ Onions”**: A direct sequel to the title track, it’s musically similar but less inspired, with sloppier organ playing and a sense that the band is repeating themselves[3][5]. **Musical Consistency and Filler** While the album is never less than listenable, some tracks on the second side fall into a kind of instrumental sameness. Songs like “One Who Really Loves You,” “You Can’t Sit Down,” and “A Woman, a Lover, a Friend” are pleasant but less memorable, relying on formulaic structures and lacking the spark of the standout cuts[3][5]. --- ## Production **Raw, Minimalist, and Timeless** The production on *Green Onions* is raw and minimalist, a reflection of the album’s origins in the Stax studio in Memphis. The sound is uncluttered, allowing each instrument to be clearly heard and appreciated. There’s a live, spontaneous feel to the recordings, as if the band is playing in the room with you. This approach was not only a matter of taste but also necessity-Stax was a small operation at the time, and the band often recorded quickly, sometimes capturing first or second takes[2][4][5]. The mix emphasizes the organ and guitar, with the rhythm section providing a solid, unobtrusive foundation. There are no studio tricks or overdubs; the focus is on capturing the band’s natural chemistry and groove. --- ## Themes **Mood, Groove, and Soul** Without lyrics, the album’s themes are expressed through mood and feel. The music evokes a range of emotions: - **Swagger and Coolness**: “Green Onions” is all about attitude, with its slinky groove and tough, bluesy feel[2][4][6]. - **Melancholy and Reflection**: Tracks like “Behave Yourself” and “Lonely Avenue” bring out a more introspective side, using minor keys and slow tempos to create a sense of longing or solitude[3][5]. - **Celebration and Dance**: The upbeat covers and shuffling rhythms invite movement, making the album a dance floor staple in its day and beyond[4]. The album also carries an implicit social theme: as one of the first racially integrated bands in Memphis, Booker T. & The MG’s were quietly revolutionary. Their music, and their mere existence as a band, challenged racial norms and became a symbol of unity during a time of division[4]. --- ## Influence **Defining the Stax Sound and Beyond** *Green Onions* was not just a hit album; it was a cultural milestone. The title track became one of the most famous instrumentals in popular music, influencing generations of musicians across genres[2][4][5]. - **Stax Records**: The album helped define the Stax sound-tight, soulful, groove-based, and unpretentious. Booker T. & The MG’s would go on to back countless Stax artists, shaping the sound of 1960s soul[5]. - **Legacy**: “Green Onions” has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, from *Quadrophenia* to *Pulp Fiction*, ensuring its continued relevance and exposure to new audiences[4][5]. - **Musicianship**: The album set a standard for instrumental groups, proving that you didn’t need a singer to make compelling, emotionally resonant music. Its grooves, riffs, and arrangements have been studied and emulated by musicians in soul, rock, blues, and beyond[4][5]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Iconic title track with a timeless groove[2][4][5] | Some filler tracks lack inspiration and variety[3][5] | | Tight, organic band chemistry[1][5] | Instrumental sameness can set in, especially on side two[3][5] | | Minimalist, raw production enhances authenticity[2][5] | No vocals-may limit appeal for some listeners[5] | | Defined the Stax sound and influenced countless artists[5] | Some covers feel unnecessary or less energetic compared to originals[3][5] | | Socially significant as a racially integrated band[4] | Album length feels padded for an instrumental LP[3] | | Enduring cultural impact, especially of the title track[2][4][5] | “Mo’ Onions” and other sequels don’t match the original’s magic[3][5] | --- ## Conclusion *Green Onions* by Booker T. & The MG’s remains a landmark album in the history of soul and instrumental music. Its title track alone would secure its place in the canon, but the album offers more: a snapshot of a band inventing a new sound, a testament to the power of groove and feel, and a subtle but powerful statement of social progress. While not every track is essential, and the instrumental format may not appeal to everyone, the best moments are as fresh and compelling today as they were in 1962. The album’s influence continues to ripple through popular music, and its grooves still fill dance floors and soundtrack moments of cool across generations.

Freakin' classic. Super innovative and fun. Tugs at some heart strings but also makes you wanna dance. Would be some great tunes to hear back in the 60s. Love me some Green Onions and A Woman, A Lover, a Friend

One of those albums where I didn't know what to expect when starting but within moments exclaimed, "oh it's *this* song" from the title track. All blues progressions, lots of quality tracks I think a beginner could play along with but would take additional effort to master. The final song of Comin' Home Baby is surprising with how different it is while still belonging on the album. It is more open and allows itself to meander away from the standard I VI, I V VI I chord progression, ending with a fade out that leaves it almost unresolved. Overall, good album

I'm not sure i like people who can't get enjoyment out of this

Instrumental rock ily

All time classic is the Onions. An entire album of Hammond is a bit much at one go. It's damned good, but smaller bites please. 1962! A Woman, A Lover might be the actual best track Comin' Home is damned good too

Лёгкая, приятная музыка для фонового прослушивания. 7 из 10.

I had listened to this album before but on a revisit found myself enjoying it a lot more. My favourite song is "Stranger on the Shore" but all the variations of the title track are fun as well

Nice.

This was very enjoyable! I love me some Hammond M3 organ

Sunny Sunday morning at the start of summer, so perfect time for this. Rating: 4.4

Cracking title track, solid album

Hard not to groove. I think what's great about this album is that it's simple. There's no complex scheme or composition, there's no lyrics to analyze, there's no crazy history involved (that I know of). It's just pop, rock and blues instrumentals to jam and vibe to.

Title track is the big hit here, and I was well familiar with it. The rest were fine, it did seem to be a one-trick pony and get a bit long after awhile, even though each song was different enough. Solid 3.5/5 but having a hard time deciding to rate up or down…

The exact album where you think 'i know this song from something' First songs a banger. After that it took me a bit to get back into, but at the end is liked it alot. Probably needs another listen 3.7/5

If you like organ this is a very good album, it's very easy to fall asleep while driving to a couple of these tracks.

A classic, especially the title track.

One of the coolest feeling instrumentals ever made. The rest of the album doesn't quite reach that peak, but it's still a groovy time.

Random thoughts: * Green Onions is an all-time jam. * These guys are amazing musicians. * This was a great album to cruise around to while doing my daily kid pickup/dropoffs. * I didn't care for the "Twist and Shout" cover. Not sure why. * This album is pretty good but I'm partial their album McLemore Avenue which is an album cover of the Beatles Abbey Road. Check it out!

The classic Hammond B3 sound played by one of the best, it's a great collection of songs. Good sound and great vibes.

1962?? I would’ve guessed this came out way later, based on absolutely nothing. I’ve maybe heard one song off of this, but with the mention of Booker T reminding me of a legendary wrestler Booker T, this band has always stuck in my mind. On hand, you have cool wrestler, and in the other hands gross vegetables, so this really could go either way. Fire up that HiFi Sucka. Green Onions - Ok I do know this one obviously. What a hoss of a track. Nasty guitars, cool groove. Great way to start. Rinky Dink - I am 100% devastated that I know this song due to the sample used in that dumb Pitbull (?) song that was a MIB remake tie in. Sometimes I really do agree that culture has completely disintegrated. Unlike future interpretations, this song is rad as hell. Excellent organ and percussion interplay, fun melody and another grimy guitar solo. I Got a Woman - Congratulations? Or, should we be alerting the authorities? With no vocals, the prisoner status of said woman is up in the air. Man, does this thing ever keep rolling. No breaks in the energy whatsoever. Mo’ Onions - Stop trying to correct my apostrophized words. If I can’t adhere the requests of Booker T or even the gosh darn MG’s, then what am I even doing here? As if we hadn’t had enough onions, we return to the general feel of track 1 for a reprise. The song so good, they had to play it twice. Twist and Shout - This song started before I got the title out and I was going to make fun of it, saying it sounded like Twist and Shout. Boy am I embarrassed!!! This song sounds best when belted out by an aggressively Scottish football crowd. Some excellent clips out there. I can’t spoon feed you everything. Come on. Behave Yourself - sweet lord. May the heavens open and bestow upon the children a bitchin’ organ blues song. Lo! May there be sweat drenched keys of the MG’s guide those who are lost into the comfort of misery. This thing accidentally made me religious. Organ music that is nowhere near the riverboat reel category and I’m in bliss. Ascension guaranteed. Stranger on the Shore - Perhaps I rocked too hard in the last track and I really am feeling the sands of the afterlife push through my toes. The embrace of death has never felt so sweet. Lonely Avenue - Computer. Play Blues. No. That is TOO funky. God this rules. One Who Really Loves You - This band has built up so much good will with me, that this slightly less interesting foray into cleanliness is not abhorrent. Damn it’s actually really good. This whole losing brain power thing is really working out. You Can’t Sit Down - Oh no. Why? IS MY CHAIR MADE OF LAVA AGAIN??? NOOO. It took 14 geologists two years to figure that out. I almost died due to volcanic ash exposure. My dog turned into an igneous rock. You think YOUR 2021 was bad. Ha! Anyway. Another fun track. Can’t go wrong with this thing. A Woman, A Lover, A Friend - if your woman, lover, or friend likes organ music, boy are they in for a treat. Another one from the five time five time five time five time five time (and then that 6th as king booker) champs. Comin’ Home Baby - An excellent fade to black as I slowly pack up my belongings and collect the remnants of flesh pooling at my feet after having my face melted for 35 minutes or so. The best way to ensure your album will be either incredibly boring or inspired beyond belief is to omit the vocalist. This album falls firmly into the latter category. The “lattergory” if you will. I’m really trying to save time in the future, so I’ve got to condition people to all my cool new hybrid words. You may say, “hey. Those aren’t cool.” To that, I say; that really hurt my feelings and I think I’m going to quit everything I enjoy. Thanks a lot. Asshat. Back to the Booker T. This album resembled green onions in many ways. Sharp flavour, Fresh snap to everything. The only way it wasn’t like green onions, is that this thing was the whole damn meal. I’ll be scouring the produce aisle known as this list for a long time before I discover anything this good again. Do a spinaroonie in celebration of Green Onions. 4.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Green Onions, Rinky Dink, Behave Yourself, Lonely Avenue

Had one hour to kill in Lille, France waiting for my next train. sunny day, at a terrasse with a beer. time flew by with this album in my ears. fav songs : Mo' Onions & Behave Yourself 7,5/10

Good funky music to work to.

good shit

Fun, easy listening! Good instrumentals. 'Green Onions' was my fave

Love the mood, very familiar with the first song. Great hanging out or driving album.

Hard to rate this album strictly on its own. Booker T and the MGs were the backbone of Stax and had a few great singles, but were primarily an unparalleled backing band. That said, this is fun to listen to, so I'm giving it a 4.5.

listened to again is a bonafide classic

Not really my thing, track 1 is a banger though.

Great album. Has some covers

Incredibly competent and tasteful musicians. Never setting a foot wrong. Some nice jams in here.

Soft musik. Green onions är ju en klassiker. Det känns rätt modernt på nåt sätt. Tycker det är en riktigt bra "bakgrundsmuiksskiva". Haft på rätt många varv och njutit.

Riktigt härlig skiva!

Upbeat, no vocals, love the organ.

TIL that Booker T and the MGs have more than one song... Actually, a pretty solid album for background music. Catchy songs, some covers. Solid 4.

Really nice. Play it one more time Booker

Good jazz funk Album with bangers and songs used as samples famously known. Like "twist and shout"

This was cool, I didn't think I was going to care about some organ jazz much, but I dug it. This was a better version of what I was expecting from the ZZ Top album. Did all the whites steal his/their songs, put lyrics to it and make money?

This was a step up on the blues album charts.

Very fun

Some classics

Very enjoyable whilst gardening

yum green onions

Such a lot of fun

Funky

Lonely Avenue + Green Onions + (classic) A woman, a lover, a friend + Comin’ Home Baby + One who really loves you + Rinky Dink - (not a fan) Overall, I like the consistent flow of the album—though usually I like more variety—this was good though. I like the blend of souls, blues, and funk. The musical motifs used throughout are pretty good—except some I found overused or repetitive. I like what they do with this album: New Orleans-esque with a “gumbo” blend of musical genres—which allows for each song to stand apart and have the same consistent theme at the same time. *Album added

Get this album on Mariokart fr fr

All bangers

Day 14 - this one is Fun!!! 4/5 #albumsky #musicsky

I have heard the title song before so I already knew I'd enjoy it, I liked the callback with Mo' onions. I liked stranger on the shore. Your mileage on this album will depend on how much you like the organ as an instrument. Thankfully, i like it.

There was so much magic at STAX records around this time. This would get by on sheer swagger alone but it is also filled with top notch musicians laying down some remarkable grooves.

Lots of amazingly recognizable tunes. I don’t know my history, but if this is the origin of these licks, it’s amazing.

Put me in a great mood. I loved these funky renditions of melodies I was pleasantly surprised to recognize.

I had no idea that's what that song is called. A real fun covers album that I enjoyed and am glad I listened to.

I dig it.

The title track is such an iconic song and that gives this album major points. Lots of familiar sounds to me, not sure if some of these were the original or a riff on familiar sounds. The second song sounds like the song from dirty dancing. I personally love the organ because of my grandma, so I really enjoyed listening to this but I can’t say I’d go out of my way to listen to this in its entirety again.

SANDLOT! This was a most pleasant surprise this morning. I actually kinda dig the whole "no words" thing. There was only 1 or 2 songs I felt would actually be better with them.

Who else is feeling the uncontrollable urge to play stick ball

-Love Steve Kropper’s rhythm playing on Twist and Shout -Cool phototrem on Stranger on the Shore, and cool full chord comping. Cool harmony on the end as well. -Really cool bend idea and great Cropper solo on Lonely Avenue (learn) -Really great feel by Cropper on One Who Loves You (learn) -Coming Home Baby really cool tune

Great instrumentals

This is an all-time classic for me, and one of the best house bands of all time. They did for Stax what Funk Brothers did for Motown or Wrecking Crew for Phil Spector. But album is so short it's almost an EP. Only thing keeping it from a 5 for me

Booker T. & The MG's have two kinds of tunes: funky grooves that go hard, and cheesy jingles that you'd expect to hear the ballpark organist play. The latter are outnumbered by the former, but their presence hurts their LPs. Another top-tier 45s band with just okay albums.

8/10

A very pleasant listen. Reminds me of driving unfathomably long distances to do stupid shit while I was in university. Not much else to say about this album, it is a barebones affair with an unforgettable opening/title track. Highlights: Green Onions, most of the rest of it too I suppose?

No this is sandlot

Great groovy organ heavy covers and the classic title track. They started strong.

Albumi #165, 04.03.2025 Debyyttialbumi vuodelta 1962 on avannut latua monelle legendaariselle taiteilijalle. Nimibiisi Green Onions on legendaarinen ja sille erityismaininta.

Awesome.

Haven’t heard a nice instrumental in a while.

Great one to start with. I've heard of the band but didn't know their music or so i thought until I heard the first track, the title track, and I've heard it millions of times. Playlist worthy classic. The album is solid early rock instrumental, lots of real nice spanky telecaster action all over it. The second song is a bit fluff but the rest is good rockin, plus a couple of good slow blues numbers.

I am a simple man. I hear Hammond organ, I like. I was not expecting a fully instrumental album, but it was actually pretty good. In all honestly, hearing a full album of blues without the vocals felt refreshing. I found myself liking "Twist and Shout" here more than the Beatles version! Obviously, the title track stands head and shoulders above everything else. And they knew it. They even go back for seconds a few tracks later. But I can't imagine how FRESH this sounded in 1962. Good shit. Fav tracks: Green Onions, Twist and Shout, Comin' Home Baby

Just the coolest music for a swinging party after a long day of doing hip stuff.

Really enjoyed this, super funky, felt like I was in a movie driving around with a soundtrack

this album rips

Listen to it again, but imagine it’s Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem. Classic album.

Wow this album must have been quite fundamental. The genre of intstrumental jazz or blues aren't really my thing but I was shocked how many of the songs I've recognised, I just never knew this band was the artist! (Green onion is one obvious thing but the riff in Rinky Dink, which might even predate this LP, I only heard first in the Mickey & Sylvia song that landed on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.) Quite a pleasant listen, and a classic if someone's a fan or just in the mood.

First time listening to more than just the title track. I enjoyed it all the way through.

You really can't find much fault in this album. Maybe vocals would have made it feel more modern...maybe it would have made it worse all around. There are several classic songs on it that I didn't realize were from this album. The playing is impeccable, and it just sounds smooth and full of life.

LETS GOOO! I just saw someone else got this one yesterday and I remembered how much I liked the title track. I haven't heard the rest and was thinking I should listen to it anyway. Very excited Alright I really like this! It was mostly just a really cool album to hear. I love the keyboard and guitar especially. I like it definitely had a biig influence on a lot of the music that I love, but might not have been something I would hear if not for this site. I was tempted to rate it 4 stars just cus it was really cool to hear, but i dont really see myself coming back to it. thats the only reason it gets a 3. if i do come back to it I will bump it to 4 stars haha ive listened to it again twice. I would give it 3.5 if i could so i will rate it 4

This week's discs were 100MPH of intensity: Santana's "Abraxas", Talking Heads' "Remain in Light", Adele's "21," and Nirvana's "Unplugged," not to mention the Slits! Maybe because I listened to the latter four all on the same day. Maybe it's the combination of that and winter and the sheer frustration of living in America in 2025. Maybe it's the fact that my house is constantly under construction and I feel powerless to make it stop. I almost started to cry today, man. All Apologies was a gut-punch. Then, just when you're ready to just give up, Green Onions comes on and everything seems like it's gonna be OK. The first thing I ever played on the drums. Steve Cropper's semi-surf guitar. That walking rhythm. Let it go on forever.

Groovy and chill!

Thoughts before listening: The title track is one of the most celebrated rock instrumentals of all time. I'd expect much of the same for the rest of this album. Review: I like it. There is a cool vibe here with these instrumental takes on r&b/early rock n roll with the organ covering the vocal melodies that have been stripped from these songs. I especially enjoy the guitar work throughout this album which provides a nice counter balance to these organ led jams. 4-stars

Title track is a classic obviously, the rest is pretty cool too.

Слов нет, но в целом музыка приятная и акустическая такая

4.5

Classic, its a bop

𝙨𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝

Brings back memories! Didn’t realize it was all instrumental.

I think this was a single they were forced to create an album for. It's... definitely one of the albums that has ever existed. Lol, it's honestly an interesting album. It's honestly just a few guys jamming out with a loose chord structure, vamping back and forth for an entire album. It's cool at times. It's very lackadaisical. And... I don't know, I kinda like it.

I’m not sure this is their best album, although the titular song is iconic; however, they influenced generations of stadium and arena sports with this sound, which is not nothing. I really hope Fats Waller is on this list for comparison of organ/piano tickling.

Solid album but I wasn’t wowed by it. Would listen again.

A fun listen. A bit too much organ at times, but overall enjoyable. 3.5*, rounding up.

Nostalgic. Surfer vibe with soul

I liked this one, apart from the famous one I don’t think I’d heard any of it before. It’s kind of naff with the organ but I liked that

Sultry organ, tight drumming, and a righteous, licking guitar make this an easy listen from start to finish as these boys lay down iconic jams, and interpretations of popular music. There isn’t much variation, but does there need to be when they nail everting they touch?

Solid, head bobbing instrumentals that feel about 10 years ahead of the time. Get how this influenced funk and soul for years to come.

This was fun to have on in the background

I really liked this. Also, for this to come directly following a Doors album is really comical for me (I *hate* the way the Doors use the organ in their jams) - this album really showcases what you *should* be doing with an organ in this style of music. Good listen.

great blues album

Very good instrumental Blues and R&B. Lots of recognizable songs

What a fun listen!

Be me, pointing at the screen like Leonardo Dicaprio in the meme: I recognise that riff!

Jazzig, svängig och lättlyssnad instrumental musik. Trevlig bakgrundsmusik.

Glad this popped up after yesterday’s behemoth. Fun and quick.

What a combo - Steve Cropper on guitar and Booker T Jones on keyboards. Their take on Twist and Shout made me envision that a high school jazz wonderkid snuck into a Baptist church on a Saturday evening and was entertained his friends!

This was exactly what I needed tonight. Especially after Metallica last night, the soothing powers of this are absolutely magical.

Green Onions: 4/5 Rinky Dink: 5/5 I Got a Woman: 5/5 Mo' Onions: 3/5 Twist and Shout: 3/5 Behave Yourself: 4/5 Stranger on the Shore: 4/5 Lonely Avenue: 3/5 One Who Really Loves You: 5/5 You Can't Sit Down: 4/5 A Woman, a Lover, a Friend: 4/5 Comin' Home Baby: 5/5 Overall score: 4/5

Really fine album. Was waffling between 4 and 5 stars for a while before deciding on 4.

Pretty good. Gets a bit same after a while. Title track is Bangin though

This is an album I can get lost in easily

The title track of "Green Onions" is instantly recognizable and a timeless classic. All for good reason, as those twelve-bar blues joined with the ever-present organ line and the occasional guitar is SMOOTH. That's 60's instrumental jazz/R&B/rock at it's best right there. One of the greatest instrumental recordings ever. Like many I'm sure, I was interested to hear what else was featured in this album too. Quite a bit of covers here actually (side two is all covers), which wasn't what I was expecting. Not necessarily a bad thing, as these renditions are done pretty well. "Rinky Dink" and Twist and Shout" will sound familiar to most at least. Would've been interested to hear more original work, but it was still a smooth listen all the way through.

The title track is phenomenal and I really enjoyed the whole first side of the album. The second side wasn't quite as good, but overall it was still pretty good for an instrumental album.

Clean sounds, great background music

lovely instrumental album, I should listen more often

So cool

All great tracks by a great band but the overall effect is less than the sum of its parts.

Songs i know: 1 Songs i like: most of em Vibes coming from this considering no one says fuck all are delightful. Would deffo visit this port again, a load of funky stuff covers that got my arse cheeks wobbling. Low 4.

Vibes innit. Every song sounds the same and every song sounds like another song you’ve heard somewhere else, but it’s still great. Got proper funk and groove to it. Not sure if it’s the case or not, but sounds like they got in a room and smashed this out in an afternoon, in a good way. It’s all 12 bar blues played by some sick musicians. Perfect thing to throw on at a dinner party to show you’re simultaneously cool and old.

good jams

You will recognize some tunes off of this, some vocals would be appreciated.

Snappy and cool.

Fun jazzy instrumental album. Good background music.

Not many instrumentals on this list! Green Onions was so familiar, that was a nice surprise. I had no idea who performed that track or what it was called. Some interesting covers amidst a cool, groovy jazzy soundscape.

5 stars for Green Onions. All the other tracks could have been named Mo' Onions

Starts off strong! Fantastic album

I really like this as background music while doing tasks, it’s good but while sitting quietly and listening it just doesn’t quite reach great

An enjoyable listen that reminds one how much fun focusing on the fundamentals can be, though the simplicity tends towards the simplistic at times. There's no major artistic vision here or groundbreaking virtuosity. One has no problems with instrumentals and quite likes the loose, jangly riffing on "Mo' Onions," say, and the moodiness of "Behave Yourself" and contemplative "Stranger on the Shore." But they are nice-to-hear and whimsical rather than show-stoppers or breath-takers. Even allowing for the more innocent era of its production and the modesty of its ambition, however, there is something tossed off about this and maybe the slightest whiff of novelty act (organ sounds like a carnival grinding or hockey rink while the Zamboni runs). "Twist and Shout" doesn't blow one away with inspiration or anything and almost sounds like "Do You Love Me" or some other Dirty Dancing soundtrack knock-off. "Lonely Avenue" is the more effective cover. "One Who Really Loves" is an engaging little mood lifter. Rounding up because one's glad the studio cats got their moment in the sun, though Booker does remain a rather mysterious frontman. If this is a hidden gem, it's sort of been hiding in plain sight and really isn't all that gemlike either, now is it?

I mean, it's not my thing, but it does sound like something out of time, and I get why it has endured. 3.5

A masterclass in instrumental soul, r&b, and jazz, it’s such a vibey album. I’ve never listened to any of this before and it ages just fine. The guitar riff on rinky dink!! Just lovely all around, I quite enjoyed this playing all day. Probably a 3.5 but 4 cause I’m being kind

Nice chill classics

What a great way to start a Monday! Today we have here the masterpiece of one of the most influential bands of the early 60s. I personally have a special connection with the song Green Onions, despite it having been released decades before I was born, because the song is present in the soundtrack of GTA San Andreas (the video game I have played the most in my life). For this reason, there is a very strong feeling of nostalgia going on right now hahahaha. The idea of ​​the album is simple and fun and the sound is spectacular. The sound of this album seems to have been released at least a decade ahead of its time. It's as if it were an album from 1972, released in 1962 hahaha. I don't give 5 stars to instrumental works. As I have said in other reviews I have done for this site, the vocals are fundamental pieces that establish a stronger connection between the artist and the listener and this is the only flaw of this album. The only one. So the rating is 4.999999/5 stars which is very painful because my nostalgic side wanted to give it 5 ;-;

No lyrics, just vibes. Great vibes.

I feel like I could listen to this over and over again. There's nothing really truly special about it, and it can be a bit repetitive... but overall it's just a cool vibe and some fun improvising and I will definitely listen to this again. I will also add this to the big Christmas party playlist - it's just fun music to have on in the background!

wenns öppis git, woni ah den haag vermisse, denn sinds die super prise für green onions. das hani also immer kauft und han mich den au gar nöd schlecht gfühlt wenns im chüelschrank langsam verrottet sind wells nögste pack nume es paar minute laufe entfernt gsi sind und döte hend dläde immer bis am 10ni offe und au am sunntig :0 aber bi denere art vo green onions isch das nöd de fall, die sind au no nach all dene jahre immerno guet und würdsmer also über mis zmorge ei, mittags süppli oder abig riisgricht ineschnätzle ich glaubs das gricht wird für de negsti bier-am-tisch-en-ganze-abed-hangout mal usegholt ;) wird sicher en super vibe und well die dinger au da immer ih grössere menge chömed isch das sicher für mich es 4er-pack!

Buenas lyrics

A classic that influenced many artists since. Stax Records was were it was at.

Not a bad moment on this. Great for background music.