The Best of You is an album by Booker T. Jones. It was released on the A&M label in 1980. It includes the hit singles "The Best of You", "We Could Stay Together" and "You Got Me Spinnin'". Background The album was produced by David Anderle.Record World, May 24, 1980 - Page 24 The Coast (Continued from page 21) Musicians that played on the album included, Dennis Belfield, James Gadson, Marlo Henderson, Michael Sembello, Luther Waters and Owen Waters.Session Days - 1980 Booker T Jones – The Best Of You Rita Coolidge performs on one song, "We Could Stay Together". Rita Coolidge website - [ https://ritacoolidge.net/music Music, Duets, “We Could Stay Together” – Booker T. Jones]45Cat - Booker T. Jones And Rita Coolidge - We Could Stay Together Reception The four Record World Picks of the Week for the week of 3 May were, Power by The Temptations, The Best of You by Booker T. Jones, Dream Come True by Earl Klugh and Un Poco Loco by Bobby Hutcherson. The magazine had mixed up Booker T. Jones' and The Temptations album pictures. The review of the album was positive with Jones' pleasant voice and the pop appeal being noted as well as seven of the compositions being originals. The reviewer also wrote that Jones was most effective on the slow ballads and gave the title track and "Will You Be the One" as examples.Record World, May 3, 1980 - Page 41 PICKS OF THE WEEK, THE BEST OF YOU BOOKER T JONES-A&M SP-4798
The album received a positive review in the 17 May issue of Record World. The reviewer indicated that listeners would possibly be surprised that after listening to "Green Onions" and the other instrumental hits of Booker T. & the MGs during the sixties that Booker T. Jones had a wonderful singing voice. The review was finished off with "Discover an exceptional talent again".Record World, May 17, 1980 - Page 20 Record World Album Picks, THE BEST OF YOU BOOKER T. JONES-A&M SP -4798 (7.98) Airplay It was reported in the 13 September issue of Record World that Booker T. Jones was currently on tour with Rita Coolridge. The album was steadily getting a hold in stations in the Midwest and it had a rapid progression towards the Northeast. It was also noted that in addition to the title track, other tracks on the album were of interest to other radio programming formats.Record World, September 13, 1980 - Page 107 Black Music Report (Continued from page 103)
Charts The album debuted at 185 in the Record World Albums 151-200 chart for the week of 30 August 1980.Record World, August 23, 1980 - Page 36 Albums 151-200Record World, August 30, 1980 - Page 67 Albums 151-200 August 30, 1980, 185 THE BEST OF YOU BOOKER T. JONES/A&M SP 4789 It peaked at No. 182 for the week of 6 September and held the position until the week of 20 September.Record World, September 6, 1980 - Page 31 Albums 151-200 September 6, 1980 , 182, THE BEST OF YOU BOOKER T. JONES/A&M SP 4789Record World, September 13, 1980 - Page 105 Albums 151-200 September 13, 1980, 182, THE BEST OF YOU BOOKER T. JONES/A&M SP 4789Record World, September 20, 1980 - Page 45 Albums 151-200 September 20, 1980, 182, THE BEST OF YOU BOOKER T. JONES/A&M SP 4789Record World, September 27, 1980 - Page 34 Albums 151-200 September 27, 1980
For the week of 20 September, The Best of You debuted at No. 49 in the Record World Black Oriented Album chart.Record World, September 13, 1980 - Page 103 Black Oriented Album Chart SEPTEMBER 13, 1980Record World, September 20, 1980 - Page 46 Black Oriented Album Chart September 20, 1980, 49. THE BEST OF YOU BOOKER T. JONES/A&M SP 4789 It peaked at No. 48 the following week.Record World, September 27, 1980 - Page 37 Black Oriented Album Chart September 27, 1980, 48. THE BEST OF YOU BOOKER T. JONES/A&M SP 4789Record World, October 4, 1980 - Page 74 Black Oriented Album Chart OCTOBER 4, 1980
Singles "The Best of You" was backed with "Let's Go Dancin'" and released on A&M 2234-S in June 1980.45Cat - Booker T. Jones - The Best Of You It was a Record World Single Pick for the week of 21 June. The reviewer wrote that he was in rare form with the song and his voice shimmering alongside the prominent guitar. The strong crossover potential of the song was also noted.Record World, June 21, 1980 - Page 12 Record World Single Picks, BOOKER T. JONES-A&M 2234 THE BEST OF YOU
A single, "You Got Me Spinning" bw "The Best of You" was released in New Zealand on A&M K 8946 in 1980.45Cat - Booker T. Jones - You Got Me SpinningOn A&M Records - The Best Of You/You Got Me Spinning - Booker T. Jones It was a chart hit spending a week in the New Zealand chart, peaking at No. 44.Hitparade.ch - Booker T. Jones – You Got Me Spinning
"We Could Stay Together" featured Jones and Rita Coolridge. Backed with "The Best of You", the single was released in Australia on A&M K-8030 in September.45Cat - Booker T. Jones And Rita Coolidge - 7" Singles Discography, Australia It was a chart hit, peaking at No. 60.Top 100 Singles - Every AMR Top 100 Single in 1980, We Could Stay Together Booker T. Jones & Rita Coolidge 27 OCT '80 #60
"Cookie" bw "Will You Be the One" was released on A&M 2279-S in October.45Cat - Booker T. Jones - Cookie It was one of the Billboard Top Single Picks for the week of 18 October.Billboard, October 18, 1980 - Page 69 Billboard's Top Single Picks Survey For Week Ending 10/18/80, Soul, BOOKER T. JONES- Cookie (3:51) It was reviewed in Record World the following week. The reviewer wrote that Jones' organ was kept to a minimum while he concentrated on what was described as smooth, warm tenor. The reviewer also noted the potential for several audiences.Record World, October 25, 1980 - Page 12 B.O.S./Pop, BOOKER T. JONES-A&M 2279 COOKIE Tracks Side A "You Got Me Spinnin'", (Booker T. Jones) - 4:02 "The Best of You", (Booker T. Jones) - 5:18 "Cookie", (Booker T. Jones) - 3:51 "Pride and Joy", (Booker T. Jones) - 4:43 Side B "Down To the Wire", (Booker T. Jones/Lenny Macaluso/Pat Summerson) - 5:27 "Stand", (Sylvester Stewart) - 4:33 "We Could Stay Together", (Booker T. Jones) - 4:54 "Will You Be the One", (Booker T. Jones/Mary Unobsky) - 3"32
References
External links Discogs - Booker T. Jones – The Best Of You TheRareGrooveMan channel, Mar 31, 2013 - Booker T. Jones - The Best Of You (audio) VinylRip Disco-Funk channel, Jan 31, 2015 - Booker T. Jones - You Got Me Spinnin' (audio) TheMaschis channel, Feb 14, 2009 - Booker T Jones - We Could Stay Together (with Rita Coolidge) (audio) VinylRip Disco-Funk channel, Jul 25, 2014 - Booker T. Jones - We Could Stay Together (Extended Edit) (with Rita Coolidge) (audio)