Booker T. Jones - Note By Note (2019)

Legendary musician, songwriter and producer Booker T. Jones has announced a new album: Note By Note (Edith Street Records) will be released on November 1. Note By Note is a musical companion to Booker T. Jones' soon-to-be-released memoir, Time Is Tight, out October 29 on Little, Brown and Company. The newly recorded album celebrates and revisits a number of integral musical moments throughout Jones' life - from playing with Mahalia Jackson at age 12, to his pivotal role as bandleader, performer and songwriter at Stax, to his focus on production through his work with Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana. In addition to playing Hammond B3 and piano on the album, Jones sings as well, and is joined by guests including Matt Berninger (The National), Ty Taylor (Vintage Trouble), his son, songwriter and guitarist Teddy Jones, and vocalists Joshua Ledet, Ayanna Irish, DeAndre Brackensick, Sharlotte Gibson and Stax Academy graduate Evvie McKinney. Note By Note is an emotional musical journey that largely mirrors the chapter titles in his memoir and twists through a host of genres. "Born Under A Bad Sign" finds Jones singing the blues classic, which he co-wrote. "These Arms Of Mine," a beloved Otis Redding classic, is interpreted here by Ty Taylor on vocals. Booker T & the M.G.'s fans will enjoy a new ending to the song "Time is Tight," a Romanesque coda that has been played live yet never recorded until now. "Havana Moon" (featuring Teddy Jones on guitar) and "Stardust" (featuring Matt Berninger) represent two key albums that Jones produced, by Carlos Santana and Willie Nelson, respectively. The album culminates with two new, original songs co-written by Teddy Jones: "Paralyzed" and "Maybe I Need Saving."