Music: 01 The Coolest Sound EVER!

Booker T and the MGs

Don’t waste a second. Go buy this DVD right now. (Stax/Volt Revue Live In Norway 1967) Sam & Dave, Otis Redding… wow! this concert captures Memphis Soul at its absolute peak. Booker T and the MGs were the house band at the Stax Records label, playing back up to a host of great soul artists. Their big hit, “Green Onions” contains one of the most recognizable riffs ever, and the soulful organ sound has gone on to become the epitome of “cool”.

Booker T and the MGs: Green Onions, Live in Oslo, Norway 4/7/67

As animators we know that it’s important to grab our audience and get them into the rhythm of the cartoon right away. No music does that better than this. The metronomic walking bass line and the slashing organ and guitar accents would be the perfect soundtrack for cool character walks. Get up and walk around the room while you’re listening to this. It’s impossible not to walk cool to this song!

If you like this, check out other artists on the Stax label, as well as organ trios like Jimmy Smith and Bill Doggett; surf instrumentals and “secret agent” style guitar bands, like The Shadows.

Stephen Worth
Director
Animation Resources