Christmas Spirit

VINYL FORMAT. Booker T. & The MG's: Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald `Duck` Dunn, Al Jackson, Jr.. Recorded in October 1966. Includes original liner notes by Deanie Catron. Digitally remastered by Bill Inglot & Dan Hersch (DigiPrep). Perhaps In the Christmas Spirit should have been credited to Booker T. WITH the M.G.s, as Booker T. Jones carries the melodies as the band plays seasonal favorites. Fortunately, he's a great player-more than up to the task-and the M.G's display their usual, near-telepathic interplay with him. On `Jingle Bells,` Jones casts the tune above a bass and drum groove lifted from the Supremes` `You Can`t Hurry Love.` The solo sections spin off walking blues riffs, as Jones does his best Jimmy Smith impression. `White Christmas` is done in a gospel style, with Jones playing piano as well as organ. Guitarist Steve Cropper gets some of his most serious licks on `Silver Bells,` which chugs along in the manner of the band`s later hit `Time Is Tight.`