The Road From Memphis
by Booker T. Jones
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: May 10, 2011
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Consequence
    Jun 30, 2011
    80
    Like Miles Davis or Jimi Hendrix, Jones' inner soul permeates through his instrument and his voice is unmistakable.
  2. PopMatters
    May 20, 2011
    80
    All told, The Road From Memphis is enough to make Jim Stewart, Estelle Axton, Duck Dunn, Rufus Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Johnnie Taylor, Isaac Hayes and any other member of the Stax family smile wherever they are.
  3. Mojo
    May 18, 2011
    80
    Booker responds with young and evergreen playing, a typically euphonious mixture of economy, precision, warmth, color and melody on tight groovin' instrumentals. [Jun 2011, p.101]
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  5. AllMusic
    May 16, 2011
    80
    Jones' story is compelling listening, but more than that, it's a backbone-slipping monster of a dance record.
  6. Boston Globe
    May 9, 2011
    80
    Overall, this is a satisfying return to Booker T.'s classic instrumental soul and funk.
  7. The Telegraph (UK)
    May 6, 2011
    80
    Following 2009's hookup with Drive-By Truckers, Potato Hole, his latest record finds him backed by hip hop combo The Roots, who nudge the 66-year-old organist towards his funkiest excursion in years.
  8. Paste Magazine
    May 10, 2011
    75
    Most of The Road from Memphis sounds like the work of a band that's spent years together, rather than a leader and a backup band.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    May 10, 2011
    75
    Jones makes a quietly convincing case that when it comes to soul music, all roads do seem to lead to Memphis.
  10. BBC Music
    May 6, 2011
    70
    The Road From Memphis hasn't got any of the surprise factor of Potato Hole; in fact, it's more like reacquainting yourself with an old friend. But it's a work of such high quality it doesn't really matter it's nothing new.
  11. NOW Magazine
    Jun 24, 2011
    60
    Throughout, the material is simultaneously current and nostalgic, recalling the optimism and discovery of the 60s and 70s, especially on Progress, sung by Jim James of My Morning Jacket.
  12. Under The Radar
    Jun 8, 2011
    60
    Hugely enjoyable. [May 2011, p.79]
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  13. Uncut
    May 13, 2011
    60
    Four vocal tracks serve to make the LP more than a masterclass in groove-ology. [Jun 2011, p.87]
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  14. The Independent (UK)
    May 6, 2011
    60
    He's no fool: the result is an even more potent clutch of instrumentals, punctuated with the occasional vocal from Sharon Jones and some surprising male singers, including The National's Matt Berninger and Lou Reed.

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