Land Of 1,000 Dances, a photo from Alabama, South

Photographer's Note

Just south of Tennessee is a little city called Muscle Shoals. Tucked into the northwestern corner of Alabama, this city of just over 12,000 holds a very special place in American music history. For whatever reason - quirks of fate, history and geography - it became the biggest name in soul music, with recording studios that helped to define the genre.

FAME Recording Studios is tucked away in a row of strip malls, next to a pharmacy and across the street from an auto parts store. Without fanfare, looking just as it did during its late 1960s heyday, FAME is still an active recording studio. 50 years ago, however, it was part of the center of the soul world. Legendary artists like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Candi Staton and others recorded their work in this very building.

We almost missed it, driving down Jackson Highway through the center of town. We didn't have time for a tour, and really all that could be done was a quick stop for a photo. With Nashville behind us and the great city of Memphis ahead, this one recording studio was the odd man out on our trip. Still, so much incredible music was recorded on that very spot, and in the surrounding town. As Wilson Pickett sang in his 1966 hit - recorded at FAME - Muscle Shoals really was the Land of 1,000 Dances.

"Land of 1,000 Dances", Wilson Pickett, 1966

Got to know how to pony
Like Bony Maronie
Mash potato, do the alligator
Put your hand on your hips, yeah
Let your backbone slip
Do the Watusi
Like my little Lucy
Hey! Uh!

Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na
I need somebody to help me say it one time
(Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na)
Wo--ow!

Wow! Uh! You know I feel alright! Huh! I feel pretty good y'all
Uh! Huh!
Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na
Come on y'all, let's say it one more time
(Na na-na-na-na na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na na-na-na-na)
Ooow!

Playing, it is a habit
With long tall Sally
Twistin' with Lucy
Doin' the Watusi
Roll over on your back
I like it like that
Do that Jerk-uh
Watch me work y'all
Ow! Do it!
Wow! Do it!
Just watch me do it

Aah help me

Larger version on Flickr, here.

holmertz, bukitgolfb301, krzychu30 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snunney (130967) 2013-03-21 5:05

Hello Andrew,
Not a very prepossessing building despite all that is associated with it. A well framed documentary image with good colours and clarity. I like the presence of the arrow in the foreground.

holmertz (92724) 2013-03-21 8:22

Hello Andrew,
It's funny to realize that this desolate place had some importance to me when I was around 15 to 25. I listened to a lot of music from Muscle Shoals in those days. Well, almost everybody did. It looks far from fame now, but the diagonal grey line and the curved arrow, pointing straight at the recording studio, do their best to make the view more exciting. Somehow the grey sky seems to suit this place well.
Kind regards,
Gert

No_One (4) 2013-03-21 10:11

Hi Andrew,
I seen the thumbnail and I wondered what this could be, but clicking in telle me more. Fame, (I'm gonna live forever!!) That thought brings me back to my childhood. I wonder where those people who starred in that are now! Nice documentary shot.
Cheers
Noel

Miguel82 (47106) 2013-03-21 12:30

Acl,
A very nice street view of outside
Good sharpness, excellent colors
You wrote an excellent critique about the city and the story
Regards

Nicou (193806) 2013-03-22 7:55

Hello

Gйniale compo et image avec l'effet de la flиche superbe image et captage avec ce bвtiment trиs original.
Bravo et amitiй

Nicou

bukitgolfb301 (53894) 2013-03-23 2:05

Hi dear Andrew!

Another your original iamge by your unique and humor sense. So sharp and clear image as usual.
Thanks a lot and have a nice weekend!

Takero from Tokyo

krzychu30 (15512) 2013-03-23 3:37

Hello Andrew,
the building from outside looks rather inconspicuous.So itґs really amazing for us to realize its importance for the development of soul music.Good documentary photo with very interesting note about the city and the studio itself.
Well done!

Have a nice weekend
Krzysztof

abmdsudi (88423) 2013-03-23 10:26

Hi Andrew
Click the thumbnail to appreciate this shot. Your well written notes make us admire this image better, a simple looking shot with speck of vivid colors to brighten the grey day, Of all I like the strong pointing arrow as if inviting us to venture deeper inside the building. Now I know the recording studio that made the 'In the midnght hour' and 'funky broadway' hits of the 60s when i was a teenager, in fact i had the EP then. The fiery soul singer popularly known as the wicked Wilson Pickett !!
Well done, meaningful shot.
Kind regards