This song became a hit for a second time when the Rolling Stones recorded it. … Biggest take away for me is the Lynyrd Skynyrd sessions that were shelved for many years and is now available on 2 different cd's. The Aretha Franklin songs that were backed by the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and some even recorded in NYC sound completely different and ever BETTER now. Man! That sound! (Although, strangely, the film presents no evidence that U2 ever recorded there.) As I continue digging around for songs that were recorded in the Muscle Shoals area, I have found myself listing to them differently now that I know. In addition to Muscle Shoals' impact on R&B, it also shows the city's role in the development of Southern Rock in the 1970s. By far this is my favorite. I saw this documentary for the first time in April 2019 - a little late to the party. Also hearing Alicia doing "Pressin' On"- Really good stuff. Our tour guide, Spencer, works as a recording professional and is very enthusiastic... Read all 88 reviews. Intriguing Portrait of a Recording Studio and the Man Behind It, Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2014, "Muscle Shoals" tells the fascinating story of Rick Hall and the Fame Studios is Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Muscle Shoals is an excellent documentary on the iconic Fame Recording Studio located in Muscle Shoals, AL. Directed by Greg 'Freddy' Camalier, the film was released by … There's a problem loading this menu right now. This movie was so educational (I just learned what "muscle shoals has got the swampers" meant in the hit Sweet Home Alabama...and I've been listening to Lynryd Skynryd for YEARS). Muscle Shoals Muscle Shoals – review A magnificently soundtracked documentary showcases the town in segregationist Alabama that became an oasis of mixed skin colours and … Enjoy! Muscle Shoals is an excellent documentary on the iconic Fame Recording Studio located in Muscle Shoals, AL. Founded and operated by Rick Hall, this recording studio turned out hit, after hit, after hit! Most fans of '60s soul know of Muscle Shoals, the tiny Alabama town that produced huge hits. What is "the Muscle Shoals sound"? Muscle Shoals (2013) is an American documentary film about FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Founded and operated by Rick Hall, this recording studio turned out hit, after hit, after hit! Muscle Shoals is the story of Rich Hall, who brought black and white together in a cauldron of racial hostility to create music for the generations. Muscle Shoals is a triumph, though. This documentary is so well done from both historical and filmmaking perspectives. Greg Camalier pays tribute to an Alabama city that holds a prominent place in music history. Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2017. While “Muscle Shoals” and its presentation doesn’t reinvent the wheel—this is your standard talking heads documentary—the treasure trove of stills and found footage makes for a compelling … A few examples of songs that I was previously indifferent to: Loves Me Like A Rock, Take A Letter Maria and One Bad Apple (guilty pleasure song!) There was the diversity in the studio group members from both areas that was similar, but they are also different in that the Muscle Shoals sound seems to cover a wider range of music genres. Sledge, who grew up in the area and was working as a hospital orderly, recalls fondly how he was shaking like a leaf when he walked into the studio to record "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1966. I've now watched this thing several times, and wind up tearing up every time! With Rick Hall, Aretha Franklin, Keith Richards, Candi Staton. Overcoming crushing poverty and staggering tragedies, Rick Hall brought black and white together to create music for the generations. Muscle Shoals is an excellent documentary on the iconic Fame Recording Studio located in Muscle Shoals, AL. I'd get close to my window late at night and listen to all kinds of Music. There are fascinating anecdotes and warmhearted memories from a … Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Robin's Review: B. I thought I was familiar with all of the major music centers across the country from Nashville to Detroit and LA but I was surprised to learn about the star-making empire and its distinctive clientele and style, the Muscle Shoals … The movie never quite captures the magic of Muscle Shoals, but it's still fun to hear old pros like Aretha Franklin and Keith Richards trade tales. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. If you like music, Muscle Shoals is MUST!!! Full Review | Original Score: B Christy reviewed films for The Associated Press for over 14 years. … Brings back lots of memories...as great music always does. The film is very well produced and directed, in my opinion and does an excellent job of telling the stories of Rick Hall and his FAME studios and it's offshoot (and competitor) Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. 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 … Overcoming crushing poverty and staggering tragedies, Rick Hall brought black and white together to create music for the generations. This affectionate and informative documentary muses on the origins of the " Muscle Shoals Sound " (the "river which sings" holds the key) and the legacy of its success, spending quality … This movie taught me how much I really do not know... An excellent documentary for anyone searching out where the real sound comes from... Great clips and history... A wonderful documentary by any measurement, Not perfect but still really worth seeing, Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2014. Hint: arguably the greatest Soul, R&B, Rock, and even Country music ever recorded was played buy a bunch of nerdy-looking white guys from Alabama. I was hooked from the beginning when Land of 1,000 Dances came blasting through and enjoyed every second after. He exhaustively researched his film and crammed it with vivid, intimate archival footage, to the point where he gets a bit too into the weeds over the split between FAME recording studio founder Rick Hall and the rhythm-section players who were crucial to creating its "greasy" sound, as Franklin puts it. And a little sad...I can't think of anything like this today--session musicians...the magically creative musical process...the diversity. As lovely as these shots are, though, they do make you wonder: What is it about this unlikely, rural town that produced so much great music? Jim Tudor October 28, 2013 2013 Current Reviews M. A Documentary Trip to Sweet Home Alabama. This is one of those "truth is stranger than fiction" stories about a recording studio featuring mostly white musicians recorded some of the best R&B records of the 1960s. The end credits acknowledge how many musicians who contributed to the famous "Muscle Shoals sound" couldn't fit into a two-hour film (the scene's history is rich enough for a miniseries… Muscle Shoals, a small Alabama town with no more than 8,000 residents, would seem like an odd place for a gazillion classic hit records to be recorded, but with artists like Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, … But only the genre's most studious followers will be able to watch Muscle Shoals without being … When this film simply presents the … "Muscle Shoals" feels a tad overlong and redundant after a while—yes, it's a mythical and historic place, we get it—and it might have functioned even better as an hour-long TV documentary. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. So touching...I didn't want the movie to end. It features interviews with a seemingly endless number of singers and other artists who worked at the studio. I went to Florence AL because of this documentary, Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2020. A documentary that celebrates Rick Hall, the founder of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, … Or steal it (just kidding about stealing it ... don't do that). He is responsible for creating the "Muscle Shoals … It's mandatory viewing for fans of the classic rock, soul and rhythm and blues of the 1960s and '70s. Camalier never tries to provide a specific answer, but rather allows us to gawk in awe at the prodigious output of the place. If you are a fan of 60s/70s Soul or Pop songs, Southern/Classic Rock, Country and even Gospel - you will likely dig this film and maybe even learn a thing or two. It's one of the few ways to see and hear a lot of the people who were involved in the Muscle Shoals recording scene, through interviews and some great old photos. Located alongside the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals, Alabama has helped create some of the most important and resonant songs of all time. Fell asleep both times. They mastered a signature, soulful sound, heavy on drums and bass, making fans worldwide think they were listening to black R&B musicians. And in the process, the classic tunes they produced helped fortify the mythology of the Muscle Shoals Sound. Twists of fate and fortune for 2 groups of people that can lay claim the Muscle Shoals Sound. Buy it! It's … The film is an excellent companion piece to another music documentary that came out in 2013, "20 Feet from Stardom. The documentary Muscle Shoals uncovers how one small town is uniquely responsible for so much of America’s best pop music. MUSCLE SHOALS is an excellent documentary. Located alongside the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals, Alabama has helped create some of the most important and resonant songs of all time. And while Alabama remained segregated—or at least fraught with tension in terms of race relations—throughout the '60s, a sense of camaraderie prevailed within these walls that knew no color. Read full review Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2020. I didn't realize this small town, the Swampers and Rick Hall had such a massive impact on music. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. The hits just keep on coming in Muscle Shoals, a hugely entertaining, perhaps overlong, documentary about the renowned recording studios in the small Alabama town of the film's title. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2013. One is an edited version of the sessions (First and Last) and one is complete (The Complete MS LS sessions). And feast on some of the best music to come down the road in nearly 60 years! First-time filmmaker Greg "Freddy" Camalier explores how a tiny Alabama town on the southern edge of the Tennessee River served as the source of some of the greatest American music of the 1960s and '70s. The film also highlights the many tragedies and disappointments in Rick Hall's life as well as his triumphs. Founded and operated by Rick Hall, this recording studio turned out hit, after hit, after hit! Of course I knew the line from Sweet Home Alabama about "The Swampers", but this documentary helped me understand and appreciate the who behind the what. Great job all around! 2,071 global ratings | 1,237 global reviews. The "Muscle Shoals sound" was the foundation of a lot of the best music from the sixties all the way through modern times. At two competing recording studios, artists as varied as Percy Sledge and Wilson Pickett, the Rolling Stones and Traffic, Paul Simon and Jimmy Cliff discovered and honed their sounds. This film is the story of the so-called Muscle Shoals Sound. Don't get me started because I have been going on and on about Muscle Shoals and driving my friends and family crazy with my new "regional" music obsession. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here. Some Music sounded way better than others, but I couldn't tell you why. MUSCLE SHOALS – Film Review. Contact. But with such great music coming, one hit after after another, it's always a joy to watch. I live in the desert Southwest now, and get incredibly homesick each time. Many of the better R&B songs, as well as rock songs, from the 60's were recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Is it the vibe, the history, the players, or the remoteness from pop-culture hubs like New York and Los Angeles? The story of the origin of "Freebird"—a song you could probably never hear again and that would be totally fine—also has plenty of amusing moments. Even better, it has a moral, redemptive worldview with some positive messages… 603 Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals… The very first recording at Fame, written and sang by Arthur Alexander, " You better move on" was a world-class hit! I just ordered the various soundtracks. I just wonder now how the ABB would have done if they had broke out from Muscle Shoals instead of Macon! After renting this documentary twice, I finally purchased my own copy and have curated custom playlists covering both Muscle Shoals and Memphis Soul. Sweet home, Alabama. Visiting FAME has been our wish list since seeing the "Muscle Shoals" documentary, and our visit did not disappoint. Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time, Jules Goes to Therapy in Her Own Special Episode of Euphoria, HBO's Painting with John is a Magnetic Celebration of Arts and Artists, The Nostalgia of Epix's Bridge and Tunnel is Filled with Wrong Turns, The Sister Sacrifices Logic, Tension as Its Twists Unravel. The Music is fantastic! At once overstuffed with interviews and intellectually underdeveloped, the movie charts the area’s music industry and what is lyrically if elusively called the Muscle Shoals sound. Those who have never heard the story of Muscle Shoals recording but love music absolutely MUST watch this video. Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2019. I've seen many and enjoyed them all...and I'm just your regular person that enjoys music. Fast forward to January 2020 and I found myself in Memphis with a rental car, tour tickets and directions to both the FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Florence and Sheffield, AL respectively. … Music from Muscle Shoals and Memphis, to me, always seemed to be loosely related. He is responsible for creating the “Muscle Shoals … Bono rhapsodizes early and often about how magical this place is—how the songs seem to come from the mud itself, full of sass and soul and grit. You can find Christy's writing at ChristyLemire.com. Whatever you do, watch this great video. New interviews with music superstars including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Steve Winwood and Alicia Keys provide some insight and eye-opening anecdotes. DIRECTED BY GREG ‘FREDDY’ CAMALIER/2013. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2018. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2017. Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Cher, Bob Seger, and a host of others recorded their best material with these guys. This page works best with JavaScript. Alright, I'm outta here! You can still see all customer reviews for the product. So I'm already onboard with that. Kinda seen this twice now. Our tradition is to watch documentaries about music and the music industry. Those musicians, who became known as "the Swampers," broke off and created their own recording studio—hence, the line in Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama": "Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers. Since the Beatles went onto the Ed Sullivan Show I was almost obsessed with Music. Full view. The movie is beautifuly shot and captures the feel of the river and the area. The hits just keep on coming in Muscle Shoals, a hugely entertaining, perhaps overlong, documentary about the renowned recording studios in the small Alabama town of the film's title. Camalier buys into the hype with picturesque images of the swamps, the sunflowers, the sun setting over a forest at magic hour like something out of a Terrence Malick movie. And they've been known to pick a song or two.". Borrow it! First of all, it's Alabama. Christy Lemire is a co-host of the YouTube film review show "What the Flick?!" Directed by Greg 'Freddy' Camalier. If you have any interest at all in the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, or the history of '60s-'70s music in general, you should certainly check this out. "Muscle Shoals" feels a tad overlong and redundant after a while—yes, it's a mythical and historic place, we get it—and it might have functioned even better as an hour-long TV documentary. These include Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter, and Wilson Pickett. What was so astonishing to so many acts visiting for the first time was the discovery that these musicians were white, guys with names like Norbert and Peanut and Spooner, "guys who looked like they worked in the supermarket around the corner," as Bono puts it. I don't usually write reviews, but I have to with this one. We open … Read Full Synopsis ... Movie Reviews Presented by Rotten … Enjoy a wonderful, true story. I was just a spud living near Mobile with a transistor radio (I think was stolen). Just background noise before then. Add to it that it includes some of the best music made in the 60's, and you have a winner here. Muscle Shoals Synopsis. ★★★☆☆Whilst never quite reaching the compelling heights of recent rockumentary offerings Beware of Mr. Baker, Crossfire Hurricane or Searching for Sugar Man, Greg Camalier's Sundance select Muscle Shoals … Songs you've heard a million times before and think you know by heart—Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird," Aretha Franklin's "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses"—might just fall on your ears in an entirely fresh and new way, thanks to the documentary "Muscle Shoals.". It has a seamless mix of archival footage, interviews, music, and shots of the town and countryside of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. All personal bias aside, present day interviews with music luminaries, expertly deployed found footage and stills, and the greatest soundtrack a movie could hope for, all make Muscle Shoals one of the finest music documentaries … Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Watch the movie. Location. I can "hear" wind in the trees, I can smell the mud of the river, etc. Great photography just takes me back there. She's also on Twitter @christylemire and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christy.lemire2. Tip of the hat to the reviewer here that mentioned The Complete. Visiting the Tennessee river is now on my bucket list. The documentary film Muscle Shoals is a beautifully shot and edited film directed with sensitivity and class by Greg “Freddy” Camalier.Muscle Shoals is a town on the Tennessee River in … If you like American music, you'll like this documentary. I ordered the complete last night. 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