Booker T. & The MG's 2005-10-14 (early show) B.B. King's New York, NY [AUD]

Skyraider Collection #5

Source: SP-CMC-4 mics > SP-SPSB-1 battery box > Sony MZ-R500 MD recorder

Transfer: Sony MDS-JE780 optical out > Sony RCD-W50C > CD-RW > EAC (secure) > WAV > Goldwave (track split, etc.) > Flac frontend > flac


1) Intro (2:07)
2) Gotta Serve Somebody (6:41)
3) Melting Pot (9:35)
4) Booker Loo (2:58)
5) Soul Dressing (3:42)
6) Soul Limbo (5:32)
7) Summertime (7:46)
8) Hip Hug Her (2:49)
9) Green Onions (6:23)
10) Groovin' (3:43)
11) Hang 'Em High (6:26)
12) Time Is Tight (8:56)
13) Return to Stage (0:59)
14) Double or Nothing (5:13)

Running Time: 72:56

Booker T. Jones - keyboards
Steve "The Colonel" Cropper - Guitar
Donald "Duck" Dunn - Bass
Anton Fig - Drums


Notes: Great set from a legendary instrumental band. I was seated right in front of the stage, on the left side by Booker's keyboards. My brother and I thought we had the table to ourselves, but at the last minute, they seated a late-arriving couple with us. There's a bit of noise as that's being straightened out, and occasional moments where the waiter was checking for additional drink orders, but otherwise, audience noise is unobtrusive.

My expectations were understandably high for Jones, Cropper, and Dunn, but I had no idea how great a drummer Anton Fig is. You really don't get an adequate sense of the musicianship of the Letterman house band from the few seconds you hear coming back from commercial. Keep in mind that Fig did not rehearse with the band at all prior to this performance.

If you are a fan of classic R&B and these guys play a date anywhere in your vicinity, GO! I can't stress it enough. They play with every bit of energy and edge they had 40 years ago. Steve Cropper was especially gracious, signing autographs and shaking hands after the show.

I normally would have edited out the pre- and post-performance chatter, but I wanted to preserve as much of this concert as possible. As a compromise, I've set up "Intro" and "Return to Stage" as separate tracks for those who want to omit them and just burn the music.

Enjoy!