Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios is the companion CD to Roben Jones’ great book on Memphis’ American Studios. American Studio created a unique sound between 1965 and 1972. The American Studio sound is just as recognizable those of Stax. The legends who created the American Studio sound are guitarists Reggie Young and Bobby Womack, bass player Tommy Cogbill, keyboard men Bobby Emmons and Bobby Wood, drummer Gene Chrisman and songwriters Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham, Wayne Carson Thompson and studio-founder Chips Moman. If you love soul music as much as I do, you’ll love this CD. It’s full of great music, both classic and obscure.
TRACK LIST:
1. MEMPHIS SOUL STEW – King Curtis
2. SON OF A PREACHER MAN – Dusty Springfield
3. SHAKE A TAIL FEATHER – James & Bobby Purify
4. THE LETTER – The Box Tops
5. BORN A WOMAN – Sandy Posey
6. YOU’VE GOT MY MIND MESSED UP – James Carr
7. KEEP ON DANCING – The Gentrys
8. NINE POUND STEEL – Joe Simon
9. ANGEL OF THE MORNING – Merrillee Rush
10. I’M IN LOVE – Wilson Pickett
11. SUSPICIOUS MINDS – Mark James
12. I’VE BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD BEFORE – B J Thomas
13. FUNKY STREET – Arthur Conley
14. FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE – Oscar Toney Jr.
15. SHAME ON ME – Solomon Burke
16. THE DARK END OF THE STREET – The Glories
17. SKINNY LEGS AND ALL – Joe Tex
18. THE POWER OF A WOMAN – Spencer Wiggins
19. MORE THAN I CAN STAND – Bobby Womack
20. LET’S DO IT OVER – L.C. Cooke
21. SUZY DO IT BETTER THAN YOU – Clay Hammond
22. I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU GOT (BUT IT’S GOT ME) – Percy Milem
23. GOOD TIME CHARLIE’S GOT THE BLUES – Danny O’Keefe
24. I’M MOVIN’ ON – Elvis Presley
What a great line-up! (My personal favorite is “Skinny Legs and All.”) It’s going on the Christmas wish list for sure!
You’re right about the great line-up, Deb. There’s plenty of good music on this CD!
Nice. I’ve always loved the drumming on “Keep on Dancing” by The Gentrys.
And I’ve always liked the drumming on the Boxtops’ THE LETTER, Jeff. Plenty of enjoyable music on this disc!
It’s really hard to believe all these songs came from the same team. “Preacher Man” and Keep On Dancing”? Miles apart!
Yes, it’s hard to believe the diversity of music from this team, Rick. Astonishing range of material! MEMPHIS BOYS: THE STORY OF AMERICAN STUDIOS by Roben Jones is a great book on this whole Chapter of soul music. Well worth reading!
I’ll check the library…