Music Review

Potato Hole (2009)

Booker T.

Reviewed by Tom Sinclair | Apr 15, 2009

Tom Sinclair

Tom Sinclair is a senior writer for EW and has been called "the handsomest man in rock criticism'' (by his wife)

Comments
Add your comment

EW's GRADE

B+

Details Release Date: Apr 21, 2009; Lead Performance: Booker T.; Genre: Rock

Image credit: Gary Copeland

The man in the Pink Tie: Booker T.

In the '60s, Booker T. and the MGs set the standard by which all soulfully rocking instrumental combos would be measured. Fifteen years after his last full-length album with that band, organist Booker T. returns to uphold the tradition he helped create, with spirited backing by Athens, Ga.'s Drive-By Truckers and old bud Neil Young (who contributes guitar to 9 of the CD's 10 tracks). No, nothing on Potato Hole is as unassailable as vintage MGs cuts like ''Green Onions'' and ''Time Is Tight.'' But the set's authoritative blend of grit and melody is mostly pretty ace — as are surprises like the sprightly run-through of OutKast's ''Hey Ya!'' B+

Download This: Listen to the song ''Native New Yorker'' on imeem.com

See all current music reviews from EW

Originally posted Apr 14, 2009 Published in issue #1044-1045 Apr 24, 2009 Order article reprints

Comments
Add your comment

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.