Album review: MUSCLE SHOALS – Small Town Big Sound

February 9th, 2019 by petefeenstra

BMG Soundstage [Release date 28.09.18]

‘Small Town Big Sound’ is an ambitious attempt to update the famous Southern Muscle Shoals sound for the new generation.

A well received documentary led to this all star affair, on a musical meeting of roots rock artists and the original studio musicians who gave the sleepy Alabama town of Muscle Shoals its sound.

You could argue about the choice of songs, especially as they were apparently whittled down from a 100 to the 15 presented here. But the album is a laudable attempt at finding a musical equilibrium in which to fit all the disparate artists. And that might well be the reason for a pleasant, but not essential album. It’s partly successful in emulating the legendary Muscle Shoals sound, but ultimately fails to deliver any real excitement.

Rodney Hall, the son of Rick Hall – the original studio owner – neatly captures the essence of the sound thus: “It comes down to hooks, groove, quality and vocals”, though that doesn’t necessarily explain the place’s original allure for say The Stones or Dylan who recorded here and helped give the place its legendary status.

The 15 tracks may adhere to a marketing man’s dream, but in truth, the highlights are far and few between. That’s not to say this isn’t an enjoyable album, but it just lacks a bit of direction and spark.

Keb Mo starts things of promisingly, leading us into a big band, slide guitar and horn-led bluster. It’s a perfect foil for his nasal timbre, while Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed excitingly attacks ‘Steal Away’ with whoops and hollers and a startling vocal performance to make it something all of his own.

Michael McDonald is also the perfect choice for the soulful ballad ‘Cry Like A Rainy Day’, as he taps into the Muscle Shoals heritage, while the duet pairing of Vince Gill and Wendy Moten on ‘True Love’ is a triumph.

Then there’s a deep reading of Gregg Allman’s ‘Come and Go Blues’ by Allison Krauss, while Dylan fans won’t be disappointed by Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton and friends’ version of ‘Gotta Serve Somebody’.

But if the above are near highlights, then they are offset by Grace Potter’s dutiful rather than inspired ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’, and Steven Tyler and Nuno Bettencourt version of ‘Brown Sugar’ which is frankly a mistake.

While most of the material has something going for it, tracks such as Aloe Blacc’s version of ‘I’ll Take You There’ fails to emotionally engage us, and Brently Stephen Smith’s version of ‘Mustang sally’ is simply a obvious cover too far.

If the aim of the album is to update the sound and draw in a new audience then at best it smoulders before flickering into life intermittently. Too many versions play safe and sometimes miss the actual nuance of the original material. As a result ‘Small Town Big Sound’ is a pleasant reminder of a golden age, rather than a catalyst for a new era. ***

Review by Pete Feenstra

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)