The Man From Muscle Shoals

Some places retain a quiet magic. This magic doesn’t announce itself, but you do feel it nonetheless. It’s in the air and among the denizens as if they’re keeping a secret they can’t wait to share—but hold onto tightly nonetheless. You can count Muscle Shoals, Alabama among those mythical places…

This recent release from Mayflower presents the sessions from 1969 through October 1970 generally known as Sticky Fingers Sessions (hence this collection s name) but that have songs that will end up further on in the Stones history from Exile through Goat s Head Soup.

As the title suggests, this is the definitive edition of Etta James' Tell Mama long-player. For this single-disc release the original album is augmented with five previously unissued tracks – documented during James' four Muscle Shoals sessions circa '67-'68. The question of why a rural Alabama town became a conduit for some of the most memorable and instantly identifiable grooves may still be up for debate. The evidence exists in droves and Tell Mama could certainly be considered exhibit A. These sessions feature the same impact that would redirect several first ladies of soul. Notable among them are Dusty Springfield's Dusty in Memphis, Aretha Franklin's I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) and to somewhat lesser acclaim, Jackie DeShannon's Jackie. Tell Mama showcases some of the unique and admittedly darker qualities of what might best be described as R&B noir. "I'd Rather Go Blind," "Steal Away," "I'm Gonna Take What He's Got" all exemplify the essence of the blues – making the best of a bad situation.

GRAMMY® nominated, CMA Award-winner, and soon-to-be newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, T. Graham Brown, is excited to announce a brand new studio album titled ‘From Memphis to Muscle Shoals,’ which is set to drop on Friday, August 2nd via Warner Music Group-ADA. The album is available for pre-order now and is packed with legendary collaborations, including Bettye LaVette, Sam Moore, Delbert McClinton, Dwight Yoakam, Eddie Floyd, Little Anthony, Randy Houser, Sammy Hagar, Tanya Tucker, Wynonna, and Zach Williams. The first single off the new album, "The Dark End of the Street," featuring Country Music Hall of Famer and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Tanya Tucker, was exclusively premiered by Whiskey Riff and is available now.