 |
 |
 LIVE SHOW REVIEW | |
|
April 1, 2009 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA - 2/19/09 Photos & Review by Ian Rawn | |
 Music legend Booker T. Jones, known for his work with "Booker T. and the MGs" as well as numerous jazz and blues icons, has teamed up with the Athens-based Southern rock band, the Drive-By Truckers. Booker, at the age of 64 is performing with the Drive-By Truckers for a short tour in support of the latest album, Potato Hole. The act is advertising themselves as, "Booker T. and the DBTs," and is playing only a handful of shows on the East Coast. Each performance has featured an opening set with Booker T. where the "Truckers" serve as Booker's back up band with a second set that is pure Trucker rock.
I was fortunate to catch this unique coupling at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta on April 1st. The opening set was a special treat that will not soon be forgotten. Booker T. and the DBTs played a well thought out mix of new and old songs including the classic, "Green Onions." It was an intimate occasion, as each song featured a brief commentary by Booker about where and for whom the song was written. Booker spoke of his work with Albert King just prior to playing "Born under a Bad Sign." The Drive-By Truckers had ear-to-ear grins throughout the set as they were clearly proud to be playing with a living legend. Still in awe of the prior set, second set was off to a heavy hitting start as the Drive-By Truckers were able to enter all-out "rock" mode. The hit "Lookout Mountain" started the set and clearly picked up the energy level from the comparatively mellow first set with Booker T. Despite the great start, I knew I would have to leave soon and prepare for an early morning in the office. My final song before leaving was filled with Southern pride. "Ronnie and Neal," tells the story of Ronnie Van Zandt (Lynyrd Skynryd) and Neil Yong's friendship that initially started in strife over Young's "Southern Man." I am admittedly unfamiliar with the majority of the Trucker's material but this song in particular caught my attention and was a high note for me to end the night on. Additional Photos are available on Playindead.org: http://playindead.org/blog/?p=57 The show is available for streaming on the Live Music Archive: http://www.archive.org/details/dbt2009-04-01.flac16 Booker T. & Drive-By Truckers - 4/1/09 Variety Playhouse - Atlanta, GA Set One: 01) Pound It Out 02) Green Onions 03) Nan 04) Warped Sister 05) Space City 06) Born Under A Bad Sign 07) Native New Yorker 08) Reunion Time 09) Potato Hole 10) She Breaks 11) Hey Ya 12) Time Is Tight 13) E:) Get Behind The Mule   
| |