Most
people today have never heard of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, but if they have, it’s
probably due to its incredible history in producing popular music in the 1960s
and 1970s. Known at the time as the "Hit Recording Capital of the World,”
a group of local studio musicians casually known as The Swampers (a name
derived from being hired help, or call-in musicians) cultivated a unique sound
that resonated worldwide, attracting famed artists who wanted the sound that
Mick Jagger described as being “pretty funky.” This Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section brought
black and white musicians together to share their influences and talents at a
time when doing so was unusual in America, particularly for a small town in the
South. However, time has passed, and the
Muscle Shoals legacy has begun to fade from the consciousness of today’s youth.
This year at Sundance Film Festival, the
world will be reminded of the Muscle Shoals Sound in a documentary featuring
interviews from the musicians and studio owners involved in “doing [music]
slightly differently.”
·
The Staple Singers: “I’ll Take You There”
o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY3vgBzgYn4
“I’ll Take You There” was number one on the US Pop Chart in 1971.
·
Paul Simon: “Kodachrome”
After hearing “I’ll Take You There” by The Staple Singers, Paul Simon
asked to have the same black musicians play on his songs. He was answered with
“That can happen, but these guys are mighty pale.”
·
Etta James: “Tell Mama”
At Muscle Shoals, producers were able to mix Etta’s vocal recording in
order for it sound stronger on her high notes, which previously sounded
distorted.
·
Aretha Franklin: “Chain of Fools”
This is perhaps one of Aretha Franklin’s most well-known and adored
songs.
·
Wilson Pickett: “Mustang Sally”
Aretha Franklin suggested the title when the song was going to be written
as a joke about a friend wanting a mustang.
·
Wilson Pickett and Duane Allman: “Hey Jude”
When the owner of FAME studios in Muscle Shoals was asked who played the
guitar solos on this song, Duane Allman, who later formed the Allman Brothers
Band, was described as "some hippie cat who's been living in our parking
lot."
·
Wilson Pickett: “Land of a Thousand Dances”
Pickett’s recording of this song was an R&B #1 and his most
successful pop hit.
·
Percy Sledge: “When a Man Loves a Woman”
Percy Sledge improvised this song as he was singing it, referring to the
melody and rhythm.
·
The Rolling Stones: “Wild Horses”
The Rolling Stones came all the way from England just for the “funky”
sound of the Swampers.
·
R.B. Greaves: “ Take a Letter Maria”
The Swampers provided a Latin influence on this song, which wasn’t
origionally characteristic of their sound
·
Carrie Underwood: “Before He Cheats”
This is one of the more recent hits from Muscle Shoals. I personally
think it has a much different sound than what made Muscle Shoals famous, but
the song was received well in terms of singles sold and chart rankings.
·
Lynard Skynard Sweet Home Alabama
o
This was not actually recorded in Muscle Shoals,
but Muscle Shoals is referenced in the lyrics, and Lynard Skynard recorded
often in Muscle Shoals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cyokaj3BJU
"Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two
Lord, they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feelin' blue."
And they've been known to pick a song or two
Lord, they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feelin' blue."
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