Muscle Shoals (2013)

A documentary that celebrates Rick Hall, the founder of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and the signature sound he developed in songs such as "I'll Take You There", "Brown Sugar", and "When a Man Loves a Woman".

Director:

Greg 'Freddy' Camalier

Stars:

Rick Hall, Aretha Franklin, Keith Richards

3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen Badger	...	Self / Interviewer
Rick Hall	...	Self - founder, Fame Studios
Aretha Franklin	...	Self
Jerry Carrigan	...	Self
Alicia Keys	...	Self
Jerry Phillips	...	Self
Barry Beckett	...	Self
Jerry Wexler	...	Self
Bono	...	Self
Jesse Boyce	...	Self
Bryan Owings	...	Self
Jimmy Cliff	...	Self
Candi Staton	...	Self
John Gifford III	...	Self
Clarence Carter	...	Self

Storyline

Located alongside the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals, Alabama is the unlikely breeding ground for some of America's most creative and defiant music. Under the spiritual influence of the 'Singing River' as Native Americans called it, the music of Muscle Shoals changed the world and sold millions upon millions of copies. At its heart is Rick Hall who founded FAME Studios. Overcoming crushing poverty and staggering tragedies, he brought black and white together in Alabama's cauldron of racial hostility to create music for the generations while giving birth to the 'Muscle Shoals Sound' and 'The Swampers'. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Percy Sledge, Gregg Allman, Clarence Carter, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Bono, and others bear witness to Muscle Shoals' magnetism, mystery, and why it remains influential today.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to stax records | electronic keyboard | keyboardist | new york city | drug abuse | 

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Taglines:

The incredible true story of a small town with a big sound.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, language, smoking and brief partial nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Winner of the Grand Prize, Boulder International Film Festival, 2013.

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Quotes

David Hood: When Duane came here, he was on the Wilson Pickett session that we did.
Jimmy Johnson: There was always a slight problem when we would go out, all of us white boys with a black artist, that we'd get looks, okay? But there was nothing as bad as going out with a long-haired hippie with us white boys. They couldn't stand that, right? And so both of them stayed back.
Gregg Allman: So, they went on lunch break and my brother went up to Wilson and he said, uh, "Man, why don't you cut 'Hey Jude', you know, that Beatles song?"
Wilson Pickett: And at...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Although Steve Winwood is feature prominently, including with on-screen name identification, hie name is NOT listed in the end credits.

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Connections

Version of Muscle Shoals

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Soundtracks

Mustang Sally
Written by Mack Rice
Performed by Wilson Pickett
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp./Rhino Entertainment Company
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Entertaining, thought-provoking, and fun.

I just saw this at the George Lindsey Film Festival in Florence, Alabama -- right across the Tennessee River from Muscle Shoals. I rarely give 10/10 but this film is a gem. Photography, editing, sound values, emotional through lines, entertainment value -- this film has it all. Lots of great interviews and a kaleidoscope of personal memories from great entertainers, as well -- including Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Picket, and Alicia Keys, to name just a few. This film pulls you in and puts you there, back when a handful of friends got together and made music history in their own back yards. You'll be amazed at how many number one hits came out of humble little Muscle Shoals.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 2013 (UK)

Also Known As:

Muscle Shoals

Filming Locations:

Florence, Alabama, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,901, 29 September 2013

Gross USA:

$696,241

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$709,415

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ear Goggles

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Color:

Color