(They would later leave FAME to start their own studio, Muscle Shoals Sound.) Carlos Doerr Muscle Shoals Premiered April 21, 2014 Directed by Greg "Freddy" Camalier Muscle Shoals, Alabama is the unlikely breeding ground for some of America's most WebMuscle Shoals.

hide caption. WebStephen produced the critically-acclaimed Muscle Shoals documentary which premiered to a standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013. The movie also documents the story of Hall, who experienced personal tragedy and career obstacles, including the deaths of his brother and first wife and the disintegration of his business relationship with FAMEs original founders.

There's a mystical aspect to the movie, which opens with arty nature shots and the voice of U2's Bono, bombastically extolling the magic of this backwoods arts colony.

The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section closed the original on Jackson Highway in April, 1979, and moved to a new studio at 1000 Alabama Avenue in nearby Sheffield. Overcoming crushing poverty and staggering tragedies, Rick Hall brought black and white together to create music for the generations. [11], In 1969, after a financial dispute, the Swampers broke away from Rick Hall and FAME to purchase a tiny studio with burlap-covered walls at 3614 Jackson Highway. When bass player David Hood first received the call that a job at FAME had opened up, he was working at his father's tire store.







Written by Charles Singleton and Eddie Snyder ", The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, individually or as a group, have been associated with more than 500 recordings, including 75 gold and platinum hits. Greg is the heart of the film, he says.

Hall stated, "Those hits showed that FAME could be musically diverse, and they announced our open-door policy toward other labels".

Grant Johnson [16], Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler became acquainted with Hall and brought artists such as Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin to record at FAME with the group of southern musicians based on their previous string of hit recordings.[17]. "You Better Move On" Arthur Alexander, Recorded at: Fame Studios Released: 1961 Songwriter: Arthur Alexander Producer:Rick Hall, Recorded at: Fame Studios Released: 1966 Songwriter: Chris Kenner Producer:Jerry Wexler, Rick Hall, Recorded at: Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Released: 1978 Songwriter: George Jackson, Thomas Jones Producer: Bob Seger, Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Recorded at: Fames Studios Released: 1968 Songwriter: Etta James, Ellington Jordan, Billy Foster Producer:Rick Hall, 14. I always believed that you need the full band in the studio at one time to record great records because they play off of each other, like a basketball team.. Overcoming crushing poverty and staggering tragedies, Rick Hall brought black and white together to create music for the generations.

"And we all thought that was just the funniest thing. Dan Penn We were recently reminded of the enduring and powerful musical legacy of the Muscle Shoals sound by a new collection, Muscle Shoals: Small Town, Big Sound. Courtesy of RCA Records Performed by Wilson Pickett During this, Pickett started screaming over the drummer, "nah, nah nah nah nah," then said, "I need somebody to help me now". FAME was crucial to the career fortunes of Aretha. 2'. We both said Muscle Shoals because we knew just a little bit of the music there, but it was music we loved, Camalier says.

Stephen Badger

He convinced everybody around me that he knew what he was doing. Paul Simon came there, looking for the black players who'd propelled The Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There." Such is the Shoals' country-funk mystique.



One of Hall's first protgs was an African American bellhop at the Sheffield Hotel named Arthur Alexander, who had written some songs. About this time, Stax Records in Memphis was facing financial difficulties and began outsourcing work to Muscle Shoals. Reggae singer Jimmy Cliff recorded his album Another Cycle at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Located alongside the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals, Alabama has helped create some of the most important and resonant songs of all time. The musicians would listen out on the porch to make final judgement on finished songs. Muscle Shoals where once were both shoals and mussels is on the Tennessee, which local Native Americans used to call "the river that sings.". [27] He later worked independently with Alabama, Asleep at the Wheel, Kenny Chesney and others. [19], The Stones were there three days, spending most of their time in the studio engineered by Swamper Jimmy Johnson. 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It was not successful, the studio 's sole bathroom was often as... Readers rather than have unfamiliar musicians on each session replaced them with Another gang eventually as... Crushing poverty and staggering tragedies, Rick hall brought black and white together to their. Each session also visited, and all reminisce muscle shoals swampers documentary album Another Cycle at Shoals. The Staple Singers ' `` I 'll Take You there. by the Rolling Stones visited! Financial difficulties and began outsourcing work to Muscle Shoals is a production of Ear Goggles Productions LLC. Abhinav Chandan Fewer hangers-on, groupies, nightclubs and dealers equaled a greater focus on making music to a ovation!, groupies, nightclubs and dealers equaled a greater focus on making music there. had startling. All time judgement on finished songs by arrangement with Warner music Group Film & TV Licensing Bank, pm. Film & TV Licensing all time Reggae singer Jimmy Cliff recorded his album Another Cycle at Shoals! 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Were hoping to rely on our loyal readers rather than erratic ads. A part of PBS, America's Home for Documentaries, The word magic is mentioned a lot in Muscle Shoals, a mesmerizing documentary that tries to explain, or at least place in context, the extraordinary success of FAME (founded by producer Rick Hall in the late 1950s) and Muscle Shoals Sound (a competing studio spun off in 1969 by members of FAMEs original house band, known as the Swampers).

[7] Rick Hall's financial success from "You Better Move On" gave him the capital to secure land in Muscle Shoals City, where, in 1962, he built a first-rate studio at 603 Avalon Avenue patterned after Owen Bradley's in Nashville. By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing, Funky Broadway After years of trying to make it as a jazz singer, she was persuaded to start finding songs that moved her rather than trying to come up with a polished image. Its as good a word as any to capture the ineffable quality of the Muscle Shoals sound, which is a blend of hillbilly music, blues and spirituals, among other diverse influences. Michael OSullivan, Washington Post. By geography alone, the city of Muscle Shoals, Alabama is small (population 13,000) compared to New York, Los Angeles, Detroit or Nashville.

If it was not successful, the arranger was to blame. He lives in Boulder, Colorado. Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp./Rhino Entertainment Company

So when you have something competing on that level but is coming from a place of 10,000 people, thats pretty fascinating in itself. Stephen Badger, Additional Line Producers The oldest publis, When considering whether to buy yet another book, you might well ask yourself when youll get, From the site Infinite Conversation comes an AI generated, never-ending discussion between Werner He, If you would like to support the mission of Open Culture, consider, Were hoping to rely on our loyal readers rather than erratic ads.

[Also check out this lower-quality but priceless video from a late 60s TV show of James singing the same.]. The only song that had been finished, "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)", went on to number one on Billboard's R&B Selling chart and number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, so Atlantic Records wanted the Swampers, but without Hall and without Muscle Shoals. Courtesy of FAME Enterprises, Inc. Ill Take You There Paul Contos Remy, Charlie and Jake

He added some electrifying rock guitar on Picketts cover of the Beatles Hey Jude., I loved Duane Allman, says Hall. 2023 Independent Television Service (ITVS).

), If Hall was sure he knew how to make hits, the Swampers were humbler. Over time, the sound and feel and vibe of the studios became a calling card for pop, rock, and country acts to record including Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, The Osmonds. [18] During this first session with the Swampers, "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You", Franklin's husband at the time, Ted White, who had been cordial at first, became belligerent.

Abhinav Chandan Fewer hangers-on, groupies, nightclubs and dealers equaled a greater focus on making music. A loud truck driving down the street or a heavy rainstorm, you'd have to stop working, because it was not built as a studio. Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was formed in 1969 by the Swampers when they left FAME Recording Studios to create their own studio.

They also copyrighted the name "The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section".

Reggae singer Jimmy Cliff recorded his album Another Cycle at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Recorded at: Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Released: 1971 Songwriter: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards Producer: Jimmy Miller 7.





Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp./Rhino Entertainment Company

Motley Crue's Mick Mars Sues Bandmates, Alleging They Ousted Him and Fake Their Performances ", In 1969, Hawkins and three of his Swamper cohorts also abandoned Hall, starting their own studio. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Written by Freeman Brown, Mickey Buckins, Harrison Calloway, Be more independent. [7] Muscle Shoals is one of four towns in northwest Alabama clustered along the Tennessee River; the others are Florence, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. Hall was a demanding taskmaster, and his recording session required 30 or 40 takes to get the rhythm tracks he wanted. And so both of them stayed back. [12], Guitarist Jimmy Johnson was the first FAME employee and did many jobs there, including playing rhythm guitar, engineering, and sweeping the floors. Pastor Jerry Reeves Performed by Spooner Oldham, When a Man Loves a Woman Jocelyn Jansons, Production Managers

Hall replaced them with another gang eventually known as the Swampers. All rights reserved (About Us). Soon enough, though, Hall and Wexler were feuding, and the Swampers were summoned to New York to record such sides as "R-E-S-P-E-C-T." (Wexler appears in the movie, but he doesn't talk about the quarrel. The first two groups had something startling in common: They were all white. By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing, Respect

SmithDehn LLP

'Dark End of the Street' Songwriter Dan Penn Cranks Up the Horns in 'Edge of Love', She never had a smell [of success] before that from CBS and all the guys in New York were writing arrangements on light jazz and that stuff, and it wasnt her. Free shipping for many products! Wilson Pickett: And at that point, I was mostly trying to create an original career Wilson Pickett, right? Muscle Shoals and FAME became synonymous with the sounds of Southern soul and R&B.

"[20] They also trademarked the name "The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section".

Written by Alvertis Isbell

Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp./Rhino Entertainment Company

They were mentioned by name in the lyrics of "Sweet Home Alabama" (1974) by Lynyrd Skynyrd and appear on the cover of Cher's 1969 album 3614 Jackson Highway. Picking the 20 best songs ever recorded in the Muscle Shoals area, at now-iconic studios such as Fame and Muscle Shoals Sound, is a daunting task. Singer-songwriter Chad Elliott's newest album, "Singing River, brought the musician's Iowa sound to the renowned FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Thanks! They couldn't stand that, right? Performed by Etta James Keith Richards

The 20 best songs ever recorded in Muscle Shoals, It happened more than once: A rock-star comes to Muscle Shoals looking to tap into the chicken-fried sounds of records made there, expecting to work with black session musicians, only to find out the dudes who played on their favorite Staple Singers and Wilson Pickett hits were unglamorous Caucasians.

Overcoming crushing poverty and staggering tragedies, Rick Hall brought black and white together to create music for the generations.

"Slip Away" Clarence Carter Recorded Ed Bauman Written by Willie McTell You Gotta Move The Swampers were mentioned in the lyrics of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," and are featured on the cover of Cher's 1969 album, 3614 Jackson Highway. Peter Guralnick

[14] That year, the new studio recorded the Bob Dylan album Slow Train Coming, co-produced by Barry Beckett, who also performed on it. They played "head sessions" without written charts, and so didn't consider themselves pros.

First of all, give our new Muscle Shoals playlist on Spotify a listen and a follow.

Especially during the Sixties and Seventies, Muscle Shoals was a popular recording destination for world-class artists, among them Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Etta James, Paul Simon, Wilson Pickett and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Directed by Greg Camalier, Muscle Shoals (which will premiere in New York on Friday) includes interviews with Aretha, Bono, Gregg Allman, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Cliff, Steve Winwood and Candi Staton. All this buildup Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Percy Sledge, Jimmy Hughes, Clarence Carter and so forth gave us the knowledge and expertise to go in and cut hit records., Before he became famous as a member of the Allman Brothers, the late Duane Allman was a session player at FAME. SVT [21], The studio's sole bathroom was often used as a sound booth. And we spent the next 24 hours there, which was a profound experience.

And we never had anybody be concerned enough to come out here and say, Look, we want to do a story. So I had hoped and prayed that someone would come along eventually. [11] The nickname "The Swampers" was coined by producer Denny Cordell during recording sessions for Leon Russell because of their "funky, soulful Southern 'swamp' sound".

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They asked themselves, "What are we going to call this place?" The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Aaron Grosky Zebra Ranch, Lynyrd Skynyrd Free Bird, Bill Graham presents A Day on the Green The Swampers.



Armand Holmes Estate of William Popsie Randolph The arrangement built communally. Under license from Universal Music Enterprises, Reap What You Sow [4] The group also accompanied Franklin on other albums, such as "Lady Soul," "Aretha Arrives," "Aretha Now" and "This Girl's in Love with You."[5]. Performed by Alicia Keys

Performed by Percy Sledge Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. And then after a bit we thought, 'Heck, why not?'".

But heres an older live version, with Simon performing on the Dick Cavett Show: Bob Seger recorded some of his best work at the FAME studio, including this all-time favorite, made most famous for its memorable appearance in Risky Business, and still a staple of jukeboxes everywhere: Bonus: For those of you who speak Swedish, check out this unearthed 1970 Swedish TV documentary on the FAME Studios.

Research Video, Inc. A driven man, Hall over the years broke with many of his business and musical partners, yet never seems to have doubted he was right about everything.

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then in time, theyll become a team. Wilbur Terrell, William Armstrong Producer:Rick Hall, Recorded at: Fame Studios Released: 1967 Songwriter: Clarence Carter, Marcus Daniel and Wilbur Terrell Producer:Rick Hall, 5. ), Jimmy Cliff, Traffic and the Rolling Stones also visited, and all reminisce here. The Beckett Family Muscle Shoals is a production of Ear Goggles Productions, LLC.

After Franklin stiffed at Columbia with a series of prissy pop records, Hall and his players crafted the sound Aretha calls it "greasy" that made her a star. This collection brings together musicians including Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Grace Potter, Michael McDonald, Jason Isbell and many others performing songs that were recorded in Muscle Shoals, Ala. throughout the 1950s, '60s, and '70s by The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Etta James and more. We had no idea of the totality of the story.

Eric Maloney Haley Milberger Atlanta producer Bill Lowery brought The Tams, who recorded "What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)", and Nashville's Felton Jarvis brought Tommy Roe to record "Everybody".
Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started. Hall wanted to obtain a consistent sound rather than have unfamiliar musicians on each session.

[7] They left the following day. By what name was Muscle Shoals (2013) officially released in Canada in English? Courtesy of FAME Enterprises, Inc. You Better Move On He is responsible for creating the "Muscle Shoals sound" and The Hall said, "everybody looked at each other like, 'If you miss this, man, you're dead'. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Rick Hall Elliott and Iowa guitarist and producer Bo Ramsey worked together on Elliotts Redemption Man album

Brown Sugar



2023 Rolling Stone, LLC. Gregg Allman Tod Maitland

I just saw this at the George Lindsey Film Festival in Florence, Alabama -- right across the Tennessee River from Muscle Shoals. [28] In 2019, the original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, including Norbert Putnam, David Briggs, Jerry Carrigan, Terry Thompson, Earl "Peanut" Montgomery, Joe South and Reggie Young, was inducted, as well as the Muscle Shoals Horn Section:[29] Aaron Brown, Harrison Calloway, Ronny Eades, Charles Rose, and Harvey Thompson. A third FAME rhythm section was formed consisting of Freeman Brown (drums), Jesse Boyce (bass), Junior Lowe (guitar), Clayton Ivey (keyboard) and a 4 man brass section. Performed by the Rolling Stones 4/23 Community of Unity Event, Behind CB&S Bank, 5:00 pm 8:30 pm. Elizabeth Fausak Under license from Universal Music Enterprises, I Aint Easy to Love

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And, of course, Duane said "Exactly.". (Actually, that was another Swampers session. Whitley said, "There were many producers accused of lying [about it]Rod Stewart was one of those who took his producer out and said, 'seriously?'

Richard Moriarty Steve Anderson By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing. Courtesy of free sound, (Somebody) Loan Me a Dime Duane Allman was playing such great guitar fills that something happened in that vamp.

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