Time is Tight

7/8/20 - "Time Is Tight" is an instrumental recorded by Booker T. & the M.G.'s for their soundtrack to the 1968 film UpTight.
The group recorded two versions of the song - the shorter (3:14), slower version was released as a single in 1969, and became one of the biggest hits of the group's career, peaking at #7 R&B and #6 Pop. The longer (4:55) version, the one I'll play here, which was included on the official soundtrack album is played at a faster tempo than the single version, and features an extended introduction and an instrumental 'breakdown' section, neither of which were included in the single version.
Booker T. & the MG's were the house band for Stax Records, but they released albums under their name. They first recorded this in the mid-'60s and reworked it in 1968 for the James Coburn movie Duffy. When the band learned they would have to give up their publishing rights to the song, they killed the deal. It ended up getting placed in another 1968 film, Uptight, directed by Jules Dassin. They didn't want to name the song "Uptight" because of Stevie Wonder's 1965 hit "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," so they went with "Time Is Tight."
This song is driven by the Hammond B-3 organ played by Booker T. Jones. He played guitar, saxophone and a variety of other instruments when he joined Stax, but the organ is where he made his mark. "The first time I saw a Hammond organ I just got a feeling inside about it and I was comfortable," he said in a Songfacts interview. "I'm more comfortable at that than any other instrument."
After the demise of Booker T. & the MG's, band members Steve Cropper and Donald Dunn joined The Blues Brothers (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd), who used this in the introduction to their live show.
A famous cover of the song emerged by UK punk band The Clash, who would often use the song as a live warm-up. The Attractions' Steve Nieve contributed some piano lines in the recorded version, which was done at Marquee Studios in March 1978 before being completed by producer Bill Price in August 1979 during the London Calling sessions for inclusion on the US rarities compilation Black Market Clash. It featured only once live for the band, as the set opener to a show in Los Angeles in April 1980.
Booker T. Jones played a Hammond M-3 organ on “Green Onions”; on "Time Is Tight," he played a B-3.
HAMMOND B3 ORGAN: Ed Alstrom
BASS: pedals, baby!
DRUMS: Yamaha keyboard
www.edalstrom.com

[@NeedtoSpeak]

Superb!

[@edwardwilliams2438]

Edward...you are smokin'!! Thanks for this classic and energetic rendition. You made Booker proud....there is nothing like a Hammond BIII.

[@rajeevbhatia9243]

WOW, I wish i was in his shoes. Sound so good.

[@Jestey6]

I keep on playing this, I just float along with your music. I had a Tyros 5, but you’re in a different world. Many thanks Noel🙏🙏🎹🎹🎹🎹

[@josuemontano9600]

Jesuschrist you really enjoy to play that song!!!

[@jonwatkins6497]

I love this

[@josuemontano9600]

Oh Man you make me feel so good your left han its wonderful... love this song since long time ago!!! You are great!!! Congratulations

[@valeriocecchi8492]

Non pensavo si potesse suonare questa canzone cosi con la mano sinistra con l'Hammond voglio provarci anch'io grazie complimenti un saluto dall' Italia ....Valerio

[@markmartin372]

Wow, great job of multitasking! Excellent performance!

[@Th30atTu6e]

Just Great! Excellent! Sound is superb, playing is more than cool! Love you bro! 😅

[@TerryMilesPiano]

Love the sound of your Hammond Edward. Great playing. I never thought of playing the left hand like that. Great idea. I think I shall try to learn this long version of Time IsTight and play it on my regular Thursday weekly Live-Stream. Subscribed old boy 👍

[@sharonconnell3914]

👍👍👍

[@lendavidhart9710]

Wow good job, nice. First time i ever heard this "song", i was in my mother's womb.

[@bradkeyboards]

Nice job and nice T-shirt

[@johnlong9534]

WOW !

[@karinsimpsonakapeel7099]

Excellent jam!

[@MrHyde-dt1sx]

Nice job!

[@keyboard49]

Nice job. You timed those fills just right. Nice sounding B3!

[@davidmoss6791]

Awesome job * Very enjoying.....Thanks :)

[@peterward8630]

Wow,you are so cool and thank-you for the educational low-down... I played this tune on Majorca,under the Tramuntana mountain sierra sunset,a harbour bar and two lonely-hearts got together this year in July

[@timothysobina6777]

This song, which you did a GREAT job on it, was my 95 year old Uncle's favorite Booker T song. My Uncle just passed last week. I played this song for him numerous times back in the day. Thanks for performing this selection. Brings back awesome memories! I LOVE your shirt too! Where did you get that? I need one! Stay safe and keep jamming my friend! 🎹

[@don4476]

Liked. Subscribed. Killin' it. The licks at the end!. Baaaaad boy.

[@plinthman]

Great job mate, loved it.

[@davisworth5114]

Great!

[@the195111]

Fabulous effort

[@Glcropper]

NICE.

[@christianbathge5927]

Yeah, great - good job. This is, what I’m looking for, additionely interesting Informations thereby. But can anybody help me? I’m looking for the notations of this song, especialy the second part from 3:57 on, of cause without the improvisation ?? This would be a great help, I can’t find it out it by ear, there are some special chords.

[@edwardalstrom1583]

If you wanna give me an email address, I can send them to you. Or email me at [e-mail].

[@joeymyopic]

Knew eddie would kill his one, after all he can make karma chameleon sound good