The Muscle Shoals Sound could be defined by a handful of songs recorded in the mid 60's.
"When A Man Loves A Woman"
"I'll Take You There"
"I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)
 |
| Muscle Shoals, AL |
 |
| Not the original building in Florence, AL but now located in Muscle Shoals, AL |
This is where Rick Hall's (known as "the Father of the Muscle Shoals Sound") FAME Studios (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) and the rival Muscle Shoals Sound Studios Aretha Franklin (who became the Queen of Soul when she recorded "I Never Loved a Man"), found her groove, Paul Simon developed "Kodachrome", and Wilson Pickett cranked up "Mustang Sally".
A few others who cut iconic hits were Mick Jagger, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Winwood, Otis Redding, Duane Allman, Paul Anka, the Osmonds, Percy Sledge and Etta James. There were also songs cut by Tina Turner, the Beatles, Jet, Elton John, B. B. King, Tim McGraw, the Dixie Chicks, Leann Rimes and numerous others.
Keith Richards stated his opinion about Muscle Shoals simply: "It's rock 'n roll heaven."
No one can explain the magic. Some explain it could have been the Tennessee River, known to Native Americans as "The Singing River" in folklore over several hundred years ago.
Keith Richards stated his opinion about Muscle Shoals simply: "It's rock 'n roll heaven."
 |
| North Alabama Recording Studio (NOALA) Producer and Disc Jockey in Sheffield |
 |
| Hospital orderly Percy Sledge recorded in 1960 Sheffield, AL |
No one can explain the magic. Some explain it could have been the Tennessee River, known to Native Americans as "The Singing River" in folklore over several hundred years ago.
 |
| The Tennessee River looking toward Muscle Shoals, AL |
We've been to this area many times and noticed many large iconic aluminum sculptures throughout the Shoals area which were created to commemorate the Shoals musical heritage. A local Sheffield company, Wise Alloys, donated the aluminum for the project located in downtown Sheffield.
This 18' tall sculpture is one of several throughout the area. The sculptures are known to represent "The Singing River" and not any musician in particular.
A 25' tall aluminum sculpture is located in Muscle Shoals, AL near the library and the local high school.
If you're a baby boomer like us you feel you've been a part of this history. We could sing just about everyone of the songs I've mentioned above....maybe even dance just the way we did back then! Tomorrow is a travel day and we'll be heading northward and perhaps you'll hear us going down the road singing at the top of our lungs "On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, or "I've Been Everywhere", by Johnny Cash.
 |
| "The Singing River" Sheffield, AL |
This 18' tall sculpture is one of several throughout the area. The sculptures are known to represent "The Singing River" and not any musician in particular.
A 25' tall aluminum sculpture is located in Muscle Shoals, AL near the library and the local high school.
 |
| A Bass Player as part of "The Singing River" |
If you're a baby boomer like us you feel you've been a part of this history. We could sing just about everyone of the songs I've mentioned above....maybe even dance just the way we did back then! Tomorrow is a travel day and we'll be heading northward and perhaps you'll hear us going down the road singing at the top of our lungs "On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, or "I've Been Everywhere", by Johnny Cash.
No comments :
Post a Comment