In a series of nondescript studios in tiny towns tucked in the corner of northwest Alabama, a small band of musicians, singers, and producers sculpted a sound that revolutionized rhythm and blues in the 1960s. Dubbed the "Muscle Shoals Sound" after one of those towns, this region gave birth to the grittiest and funkiest Southern soul music of the era. The 18-song compilation The Muscle Shoals Sound presents a cross section of some of the most influential grooves laid down in these studios during its golden decade (1962-1972). Besides hits by soul giants like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and Wilson Pickett, it includes influential sides by lesser stars like Percy Sledge ("When a Man Loves a Woman"), Etta James ("Tell Mama"), Arthur Conley ("Sweet Soul Music"), and Clarence Carter ("Patches"). It also includes the very first hit cut in the region, Arthur Alexander's "You Better Move On." Behind the scenes, songwriters and musicians like Spooner Oldham, Dan Penn, and Duane Allman were equally important in crafting a style distinguished by rock-solid rhythms and passionate performances. With thorough liner notes about the songs, performers, and musicians, this is a fine introduction to the "deep soul" music that was envied by such heavyweights as the Rolling Stones. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
The Muscle Shoals Sound
01/01/1993
All Music Guide Review
The Muscle Shoals Sound Track Listing
Credits of The Muscle Shoals Sound
- Arif Mardin
- Arranger
- Jerry Masters
- Bass, Engineer
- Cornell McFadden
- Drums
- Gene Miller
- Trumpet
- James Mitchell
- Sax (Baritone)
- Chips Moman
- Guitar
- Floyd Newman
- Sax (Baritone)
- Spooner Oldham
- Organ
- Jack Peck
- Trumpet
- Gary Peterson
- Research
- Susan Pilkington
- Vocals (Background)
- Bobby Purify
- Performer
- Norbert Putnam
- Bass
- Donna Rhodes
- Vocals (Background)
- Sandy Rhoads
- Vocals (Background)
- Forrest Riley
- Guitar (Acoustic)
- Charles Rose
- Trombone
- Mavis Staples
- Vocals
- Greg "Fingers" Taylor
- Harmonica
- Harvey Thompson
- Sax (Tenor)
- Terry Thompson
- Guitar
- Aaron Varnell
- Saxophone
- Phil Walden
- Tambourine
- Jerry Wexler
- Producer
- Mary Holliday
- Vocals (Background)
- Quin Ivy
- Producer
- Jerry Jemmott
- Bass
- Hershel Wigginton
- Vocals (Background)
- Yvonne Staples
- Vocals (Background)
- Geoff Gans
- Artwork
- Mel Hardin
- Vocals, Performer
- Tim McPherson
- Vocals, Performer
- James Purify
- Vocals, Performer
- Randy Poe
- Liner Notes, Executive Producer
- Sevie Bates
- Design
- Mel Lastie
- Trumpet
- David Briggs
- Piano
- Pete Carr
- Electric Sitar
- Carolyn Franklin
- Vocals (Background)
- Erma Franklin
- Vocals (Background)
- R.B. Greaves
- Vocals, Performer
- Jeanie Greene
- Vocals (Background)
- Marlin Greene
- Producer, Engineer
- The Memphis Horns
- Ensemble
- Mel & Tim
- Performer
- Sandy Posey
- Vocals (Background)
- Roebuck "Pops" Staples
- Vocals (Background)
- Dan Penn
- Engineer
- Duane Allman
- Guitar
- Joe Arnold
- Sax (Tenor)
- Barry Beckett
- Organ, Keyboards, Producer, Glockenspiel
- Al Bell
- Producer
- Harrison Calloway, Jr.
- Trumpet, Arranger
- Gilbert Caples
- Sax (Tenor)
- Jerry Carrigan
- Drums
- Ben Cauley
- Trumpet
- Charles Chalmers
- Sax (Tenor)
- Tommy Cogbill
- Bass
- Ann Davis
- Vocals (Background)
- Moses Dillard
- Guitar, Leader
- Tom Dowd
- Engineer
- Ronnie Eades
- Sax (Baritone)
- Jerry Eddleman
- Vocals (Background)
- Ahmet Ertegun
- Producer
- Rick Hall
- Drums, Producer, Engineer
- Jimmie Haskell
- Arranger
- Roger Hawkins
- Drums, Producer
- Dan Hersch
- Remastering
- Eddie Hinton
- Guitar
- David Hood
- Trombone
- Bill Inglot
- Producer, Remastering
- Clayton Ivey
- Organ
- Ken Laxton
- Trumpet
- Ed Logan
- Sax (Tenor)
- Albert Lowe
- Bass
- Arthur Alexander
- Vocals, Performer
- Clarence Carter
- Guitar, Vocals, Performer
- Arthur Conley
- Vocals, Performer
- Aretha Franklin
- Piano, Vocals, Vocals (Background), Performer
- Jimmy Hughes
- Vocals, Performer
- Laura Lee
- Vocals, Performer
- Wilson Pickett
- Vocals, Performer
- James & Bobby Purify
- Performer
- Otis Redding
- Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals, Performer, Producer
- Percy Sledge
- Vocals, Performer
- The Staple Singers
- Performer
- Travis Wammack
- Guitar, Harmonica
- Etta James
- Vocals, Performer











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