I knew my favorite Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett songs were recorded there, but I didn't know my favorite Paul Simon song was recorded there.

That's a good one -- watched it a couple of weeks ago on Netflix.

On a similar note, keep your eye out for The Wrecking Crew, which is finally nearing limited theatrical release, and will be available on DVD shortly thereafter. These guys (and at least one gal) were the instruments behind so many hit songs, it'll make your head swim. I saw an early cut of it last summer -- it's must-viewing for any music fan who grew up in the 60s or loves 60s rock & roll.

And here's a sleeper, available on Netflix: A Band Called Death. Despite the unfortunate name they chose, it's a great (true) story of 3 African American brothers who came up with an odd combination of early punk with a little metal thrown in. The document chronicles their struggle to make it, and it's a touching story of family values, hard work, perseverance, and love. And there's not a single 'cuss word' in the whole film. I found it refreshing.

Famous quote (that I'll mis-quote) about the Wrecking Crew, "My six favorite drummers were Hal Blaine."

watched this a couple weeks ago, completely awesome....

Watched Muscle Shoals twice in the same weekend, which is something I rarely do. Fascinating.

thanks for the heads up. awesome!

That's what I like about The South.

Thanks for the heads-up, I massively enjoyed the film!

When I was a budding young drummer in 1964, I would go with my older brother to recording sessions around my home town of Columbus, Georgia. My brother was very much in demand as he was an accomplished guitarist, had been everywhere and played with everyone. Back then, musicians would record in radio and television studios on nights when there was no local programming, usually on Sunday evenings. I vaguely remember tagging along with him to many sessions at WRBL TV with many different groups.

In the wee hours one Monday morning while returning to Columbus from Montgomery, Alabama after one of those sessions at radio station WBAM, I remember someone mentioning that they wanted to do the next session up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why at the time.

I was never to find out personally. By Christmas Eve, 1964, my brother and I had gone on the road with a traveling band. That took me to California (and many other places) and I’ve never been back to the South for more than a week or two in the last sixty years.

I still remember the conversation about Muscle Shoals after all this time, though.