Booker T. Finds a Groove in the Potato Hole
New Album on Anti- Records featuring Drive-By Truckers and Neil Young Out April 21
Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Booker T.'s new album Potato Hole will no doubt inspire hip-shaking and toe-tapping, but also some head-scratching over the disc's intriguing title.
In fact, the expression "potato hole" dates from the days of American slavery. Explains Booker: "people dug holes into the dirt floors of their slave cabins to hide, cool, and store food. These people rose above their circumstances not only to survive but to thrive."
He continues, ""potato hole," for me, stands for a funky place or joint where people go to groove to the music, let go of their worries, and have a good time. When I was in college in Indiana, there was a joint in the basement of a house in the 'hood where we would go to drink, play records and party. We called it "The Hole." Potato Hole is dedicated to that spirit."
Potato Hole, featuring the Drive-By Truckers as Booker's backing band and Neil Young on guitar on 9 of 10 tracks, will be released April 21 on Anti- Records. Booker T. is confirmed for JazzFest and Coachella performances in April with additional tour dates to follow.