Track listing
Show track credits
- A1 Hip Hug-Her 2:22
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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- A2 Soul Sanction 2:30
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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- A3 Get Ready 2:45
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songwriter
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- A4 More 2:55
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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- A5 Double or Nothing 2:51
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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- A6 Carnaby St. 2:14
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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- B1 Slim Jenkins' Place 2:25
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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- B2 Pigmy 3:55
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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- B3 Groovin' 2:40
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songwriter
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songwriter
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- B4 Booker's Notion 2:25
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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songwriter
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- B5 Sunny 3:24
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songwriter
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- Total length: 30:26
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
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9 Issues
- Release view [combined information for all issues]
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Hip Hug-Her [p] 33 rpm
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Hip Hug-Her 33 rpm, Mono
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Hip Hug-Her 33 rpm, Colored Vinyl
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Hip Hug-Her Remastered
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Hip Hug-Her Paper/Cardboard Sleeve, Remastered
11 Reviews
Many people say that Hip Hug-Her is the best album ever released by Booker T. & the MGs. While that's up for debate, this certainly is one of the legendary quartet's greatest achievements. Donald "Duck" Dunn replaced original bassist Lewie Steinberg, and this was the second album with Dunn as a permanent member. This is the album where the four musicians merged into the most formidable instrumental unit the world has ever known.
The title cut is just pure prime time Booker T. & the MGs. Booker T. Jones is playing with a newly found confidence, and this was the first single they released with Jones playing the Hammond B-3 organ. The B-3 itself could be partly responsible for Jones's swinging playing style, and he would use this type of organ on almost every track the group would eventually record. Tight as can be from start to finish is drummer Al Jackson, Jr., with that perfect snare sound and as usual, this album is full of great moments from him. No wonder, considering he started playing in his father's famed Jazz/Swing band when he was five years old, his work on the jazzy "Pigmy" and "Booker's Notion" (which obviously features terrific work, both on piano and organ, by Jones) is superior to any drummer I've ever heard in the Jazz world.
The interplay between this band is rivaled by none, particularly the backbone of Dunn, Jackson, and Soul guitarist numero uno Steve Cropper. The hip shaking and perfectly titled "Soul Sanction" and especially the great "Double or Nothing" (which though used as an encore to this day at their concerts, will not be found on any MGs compilations) display their tight, yet seemingly effortless, playing that was the envy of groups such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Z.Z. Top, and even now such diverse artists as Chuck D. and Pearl Jam marvel at.
The album's closer is a fantastic cover of Bobby Hebb's "Sunny". It's highlighted by some of the most perfect guitar work I've ever heard on the intro by the always impeccable Cropper and Jackson's patented delayed backbeat. And Booker's organ work just defines the essence of cool. When Hip Hug-Her was unleashed, the MGs went from being known as the best studio backing band in the world to being bona fide stars.
The title cut is just pure prime time Booker T. & the MGs. Booker T. Jones is playing with a newly found confidence, and this was the first single they released with Jones playing the Hammond B-3 organ. The B-3 itself could be partly responsible for Jones's swinging playing style, and he would use this type of organ on almost every track the group would eventually record. Tight as can be from start to finish is drummer Al Jackson, Jr., with that perfect snare sound and as usual, this album is full of great moments from him. No wonder, considering he started playing in his father's famed Jazz/Swing band when he was five years old, his work on the jazzy "Pigmy" and "Booker's Notion" (which obviously features terrific work, both on piano and organ, by Jones) is superior to any drummer I've ever heard in the Jazz world.
The interplay between this band is rivaled by none, particularly the backbone of Dunn, Jackson, and Soul guitarist numero uno Steve Cropper. The hip shaking and perfectly titled "Soul Sanction" and especially the great "Double or Nothing" (which though used as an encore to this day at their concerts, will not be found on any MGs compilations) display their tight, yet seemingly effortless, playing that was the envy of groups such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Z.Z. Top, and even now such diverse artists as Chuck D. and Pearl Jam marvel at.
The album's closer is a fantastic cover of Bobby Hebb's "Sunny". It's highlighted by some of the most perfect guitar work I've ever heard on the intro by the always impeccable Cropper and Jackson's patented delayed backbeat. And Booker's organ work just defines the essence of cool. When Hip Hug-Her was unleashed, the MGs went from being known as the best studio backing band in the world to being bona fide stars.
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Too many covers but the non-hit instrumentals are right up there with this outfit's better moments. Not as distinctly the Booker T. Jones band by this point as Cropper and Dunn make their presence known. Not one of my favorites.
Published
Great, groovy album that nevertheless doesn't catch my interest fully.
Published
I'm not sure whether I prefer this or Soul Dressing. They are both collections of catchy, down home soul instrumentals from Stax's premier backing band, so I guess it comes down to which album has more memorable grooves. In the end, I think Soul Dressing comes out on top, but Hip Hug-Her has some of the M.G.'s greatest tracks including "Slim Jenkins' Place," "Pigmy," "Groovin," and the title track. Always groovy. This is a can of ear worms, so if you're into those squirmy little bastards give this a try.
Published
The best album by rock's greatest instrumental band
The greatest instrumental combo in rock 'n' roll history, these guys were living proof that you could be soulful as hell without singing a note. Booker T. & The MGs (Memphis Group) are best known for their 1962 smash, "Green Onions," easily my #1 instrumental of all time. Alas, the resulting album was nothing spectacular. But "Hip-Hug-Her," from five years later, is a different story. Mix Booker T. Jones' organ with Steve Cropper's guitar, Donald "Duck" Dunn's bass and Al Jackson's drumming, and you've got an album of funky jams that percolates like a pot of Memphis Soul Stew on a vintage gas stove.
My favorite tracks here: "Hip-Hug-Her," "Soul Sanction," "Carnaby Street," "Slim Jenkin's Joint," "Pigmy" [sic], and "Groovin'."
Published
HIP HUG-HER IS MY JAM, GREAT TRACK GODDAAAAAAMN
Also, great album, 5/5 ;^) Groovy as hell.
Also, great album, 5/5 ;^) Groovy as hell.
Published
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A1
Hip Hug-Her
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A2
Soul Sanction
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A3
Get Ready
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A4
More
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A5
Double or Nothing
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A6
Carnaby St.
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B1
Slim Jenkins' Joint
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B2
Pigmy
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B3
Groovin'
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B4
Booker's Notion
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B5
Sunny
Whatever the source of their telepathy, Hip Hug-Her is both the funkiest and squarest LP these psychics have crafted. The former is felt in the continued, well, hip-shakings of Dunn and Jackson; the latter is heard in Jones' quaint delivery of cutesy melodies. Both strains are highly worthwhile.
Published
These guys really are the perfect sidemen. Expertly fluent in their idiom: a peculiarly square funkiness, impeccably understated and tasteful, with nary a note out of place. There's never a surprise to disrupt your pleasantly mellow buzz, but there's rarely any real excitement either. That said, Hip Hug-Her gives hope. Here in the Summer of Love, the title track is easily their best since "Green Onions". Suggestive, imaginative, with some sharp edges that make you believe they're really trying to break out of their box. Elsewhere, they seem to be loosening up a bit, trying to incorporate the new rock self-consciousness a bit to personalize the music. The most consistently enjoyable of their albums so far.
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