An excellent essay. An excellent rendition of American music heros. I was reading along and was going to suggest one of my favorite songs the Wilson Pickett/Duane Allman collaboration and you included it. Duane Allman began playing guitar at 14 and he never stopped. Amazingly he had only been playing 8 -9 years when he worked with Pickett. Eric Clapton wrote in his autobiography Duane Allman was the "musical brother I'd never had but wished I did." His solo on "Layla" was haunting and beautiful. Dead at only 24!
Great piece. The success of Muscle Shoals reminds my of how User Generated Content, such as on Substack, has given opportunities to people whom the leftists gatekeepers would have denied a voice.
I grew up about 20 minutes away from the quad cities (you forgot Tuscumbia) and loved the music that came out of there. It was 10 years after Anna was cut that my friends and I realized how close we lived to Music greatness.
I'm very jealous. Although Minneapolis where I'm from has a sound of it's own from the days of Prince and Jimmy Jam. I bet you know all the best places. I did leave out Tuscumbia. I wasn't certain if it had particular relevance to the main piece because it wasn't mentioned in my research. Maybe this would require a part 2?
There must have been a lot of research in this story, thank you. I remember seeing the documentary you mentioned and it was super fun. We are in need of more great art!
Jenna, thanks for this post. I've always loved that Stax/Volt and Muscle Shoals soul sound. Now I've got to dig out my old Otis and Wilson Pickett records.
As an aside, have you watched the documentary on ZZ Top, "That Little Ol' Band From Texas"? worth your time if you haven't.
I haven't so thank you for the recommendation! I'm a fan of their sound and any band that can rock Nudie Suits like those guys are good by me. Billy Gibbons was on an episode of Pawn Stars about it that was pretty cool, too.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the feedback and your subscribing to my Substack. I'll try to keep it worthy of your time and attention. I'm very grateful, Tom!
An excellent essay. An excellent rendition of American music heros. I was reading along and was going to suggest one of my favorite songs the Wilson Pickett/Duane Allman collaboration and you included it. Duane Allman began playing guitar at 14 and he never stopped. Amazingly he had only been playing 8 -9 years when he worked with Pickett. Eric Clapton wrote in his autobiography Duane Allman was the "musical brother I'd never had but wished I did." His solo on "Layla" was haunting and beautiful. Dead at only 24!
It cannot be overstated his talent and impact on the music world, even still today, for such a short career. A massive loss indeed.
Great piece. The success of Muscle Shoals reminds my of how User Generated Content, such as on Substack, has given opportunities to people whom the leftists gatekeepers would have denied a voice.
"Well I heard mister young sing about her
"Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
"Well, I hope Neil young will remember
"A southern man don't need him around anyhow."
Well said!
I grew up about 20 minutes away from the quad cities (you forgot Tuscumbia) and loved the music that came out of there. It was 10 years after Anna was cut that my friends and I realized how close we lived to Music greatness.
I'm very jealous. Although Minneapolis where I'm from has a sound of it's own from the days of Prince and Jimmy Jam. I bet you know all the best places. I did leave out Tuscumbia. I wasn't certain if it had particular relevance to the main piece because it wasn't mentioned in my research. Maybe this would require a part 2?
There must have been a lot of research in this story, thank you. I remember seeing the documentary you mentioned and it was super fun. We are in need of more great art!
It was so much fun learning about this and all the stories...I had to leave a lot out!
Jenna, thanks for this post. I've always loved that Stax/Volt and Muscle Shoals soul sound. Now I've got to dig out my old Otis and Wilson Pickett records.
As an aside, have you watched the documentary on ZZ Top, "That Little Ol' Band From Texas"? worth your time if you haven't.
I haven't so thank you for the recommendation! I'm a fan of their sound and any band that can rock Nudie Suits like those guys are good by me. Billy Gibbons was on an episode of Pawn Stars about it that was pretty cool, too.
I will definitely check out the film. Thank you!
A great essay: I've always heard about Muscle Shoals; but you taught me a lot. Thank you.
Thank you for taking time to read the post and for commenting. I really appreciate it!
Well Done , positive , and fun to read!!!
Keep writing ✅™️
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the feedback and your subscribing to my Substack. I'll try to keep it worthy of your time and attention. I'm very grateful, Tom!
Great read!
I appreciate it, thank you so much!