Mr. T
Ahead of his visit to Dublin, the legendary Booker T discusses songwriting techniques and his encounters with such iconic figures as Bob Dylan, Neil Young and The Beatles.
Roisin Dwyer, 14 Jun 2010
Booker T Jones' bio is filled with more stars than the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. As a resident musician at the seminal Stax label, he played with Otis Redding, Sam and Dave and a host of other soul legends. With famed r'n'b combo The MGs, he scored a slew of hits in the "60s, most notably the instrumental gem "Green Onions'.
Post-Stax, he has worked with Stephen Stills, John Lee Hooker, Neil Young, Bill Withers, Willie Nelson and many, many more.
Did I mention the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and the two Grammys?
Given these stellar achievements, Jones is remarkably humble. Relaxing at home in San Francisco in advance of a Dublin visit, he is courteous, modest and above all passionate about his craft.
"I'm 65-years-old now and the great thing is that there are so many talented younger musicians to jam with, like The Roots and Jim James. I'm having great days here,” he beams.
Booker is currently working with the experimental hip-hop maestro on his next project.
"I'm very excited about working with The Roots,” he says. "We recorded 14 tracks in New York just three weeks ago and we had a great time. It's a different genre, there are vocals, so it's a nice departure for me.”
From his early r'n'b days Booker has been constantly evolving. It is interesting to learn that the venerated soulman was a frustrated rocker in the Stax years.
"I loved the "60s and adored The Rolling Stones,” he enthuses. "I wanted to do it too but we were pretty much known as an r'n'b group. Stax was an r'n'b company and I did enjoy my time there but it wasn't until I left that I was able to get with people like Stephen Stills, Neil Young and Bob Dylan and play rock.”
In fact Young guests on Potato Hole, Booker's Grammy-winning LP. The two musicians have worked frequently together over the years, Jones having toured the world with Shakey and backed him on his Are You Passionate album.
"Neil is not only a great musician but he's a great person,” says Booker. "He's curious, he's courageous and he's pretty tedious about his guitar sound. Being on tour with him and being in the studio is very inspiring. He's just a great spirit.”
Page 1/3 <Previous 1 2 3 Next>
©Hot Press 2011. Why be a member? | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy