McLemore Avenue: Store

McLemore Avenue's second release, this time a tribute to the band that got them started, Booker T. & the MGs. Seven classic tracks that showcase the best of that Sweet Soul Music...Texas style

"Named after the address of the famous Stax label studios in Memphis, Texas quartet McLemore Avenue make no bones about their major influence and 926 East shows them as the closest anyone has come to following in the footsteps of the mighty Booker T & The MGs.


Led by Patrick Barker-Benfield at his Hammond B-3 organ they pump out eleven originals inspired by various phases of their heroes' career. And we are talking inspiration here, not imitation or pastiche.


This is one great album, by far the best release in its style since the '60s in fact."

-Alan Taylor, Pipeline Magazine

The Wildebeest Records album Chinese Checkers: A Tribute to Memphis Soul Instrumentals is a compilation of fantastic bands from around the world, including McLemore Avenue, performing their rendition of the Booker T. and the MGs classic Melting Pot.


"...the band to watch is McLemore Ave., whose extended rendition of Melting Pot is like witnessing Booker T. and co. jamming just to groove each other.” -emusic.com

Texas has long been a breeding ground for garage-punk-rock-n-roll, and this comp captures the best bands from across the state. All proper rock and roll topics are covered here: Parties, drinks, ladies, misbehavin', and above all FUN! It's gonna build you up, and shut you down! Spit in your face, and ask you to dance! Hitmakers include: The Stepbrother, The Ugly Beats, The Hotrails, The Dragstrip Bros, The Crack Pipes, The Golden Boys, Jesus Christ Superfly, The Hard Feelings, The Sunday Drunks, The Ravens, The Deadites, McLemore Avenue, 00 Spies, White Heat, and The Ka-Nives!


"The first time I heard McLemore Avenue it was on a Wildebeest Records CD. Most all the songs on the album were instrumentals but I remember their song stood out from the rest. They were smooth beyond description. Memphis soul stew is what they're cooking and you'll love every second of it. If songs like Fubar or A Toy Robot! don't get your foot a tappin' then you better check your pulse ‘cause you just may be dead. Patrick Barker-Benfields B-3 is like a B-12 shot and the guitar work of Landis Armstrong would put a grin on the face of Steve Cropper as well as Carlos Santana. Then there's Chris Johnson's bass and Eric C. Hughes drums locking the whole thing together and moving it on down the road."

-J.R. Oliver, Ear Candy Magazine