Booker T and the MGs - Minneapolis - The Dakota - August 8, 2007

This image is from the second set last night and is used without permission. Photo credit Brad Nelson August 8, 2007 www.flickr.com

Booker T and the MGs

I wrote this post last night upon returning from the first set at the Dakota in Minneapolis.
(http://www.dakotacooks.com)

Tonight was something special. Booker T, Donald, and Steve wer
eaccompanie4d on drums not by their current tour drummer, Anton Fig,
but by Minneapolis homey, Gordon Knudtson (whom you may know from his
work with regional favorite The Steve Miller Band). Apparently,
Anton's flight was delayed by weather. Booker calls Gordon whom he
knows through Steve Miller. The rest is musical history.

It was a phenomenal show. I have seen many amazing players. I have
never seen Booker T and the MGs play before. It was always a hope that
I would. I thought the recent Zappa plays Zappa show was the best live
show I had ever seen. This topped that. It was short but it was
amazing. These guys are on top of it all and with a seasoned drummer
with whom they had never played.

I talked with Gordon and his wife after the show. He claimed to know
Green Onions and that was it. Donald Duck Dunn and Steve Cropper led
him through the scores with hand gestures, facial expressions, and
enthusiastic grins. It was magic.

I, along with a lot of you, grew up listening to Booker T. Their music
has been part of all my 37 years on this planet. This was my first
opportunity to see them play. When the first measure of hang em high
came through that leslie, tears started to flow. It was an amazingly
emotional experience.

If they come to your town on this tour. Buy tickets. Don't fret over
the short set time or the price of the ticket. My ticket would have
been worth twice what I paid. I may go back tomorrow for SRO tickets
to the sold out shows.

Here is the set list:

1. Gotta Serve Somebody B. Dylan
2. Hang 'em High
3. Summertime
4. Hip Huge Her
5. Green Onions
6. Born Under a Bad Sign (Booker Sings!!!!)
7. Behave Yourself
8. Time is Tight
Encore
9. Soul Limbo