Muscle Shoals is a documentary that aims to do for recording studios located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama what The Wrecking Crew did for session musicians. Unfortunately The Wrecking Crew itself is a second-degree removed imitation of what 20 Feet From Stardom perfectly did for backup singers. Each iteration has more flaws than its predecessor or the original regardless of the innately interesting subject matter, captivating personalities and incredible wealth of knowledge, expertise and talent. Each documentary filmmaker clearly has nothing but love for the subject and knows plenty about it, but conveying that information in a clear way to viewers is tricky.
Everyone knows the music, but not everyone knows the stories, places and people behind the music. Unfortunately Muscle Shoals hits the ground running, and even though the story is told chronologically, there is not enough of an orientation to familiarize the viewers with each person and their job before leaping into the mystical, musical nature of the location and dramatic, personal tragedies of the men behind Muscle Shoals.
Muscle Shoals is many things, and before watching the documentary, it is helpful to know what those things are otherwise you will be confused. First, Muscle Shoals is a city in Alabama located near the Tennessee River where allegedly Native Americans believed that the area had songs bubbling up around it unlike other places. Second, Muscle Shoals is a raw, gritty sound that became popular in the 50s when Rick Hall created FAME Studios, and he used his band as session musicians in recordings for such famous musicians as Percy Sledge, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett. Third, Muscle Shoals is also the name of the first session musicians who worked at FAME Studios, who later became known as The Swampers. Fourth, Muscle Shoals is also the name of the studio formed by The Swampers when they eventually left FAME Studios-it was called Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. The Swampers’ studio recorded such famous artists as the Rolling Stones. Unfortunately Muscle Shoals, the documentary, assumes that you know all of this and rushes through these references, and I had to rewatch a few scenes to figure out which Muscle Shoals was being examined.
Muscle Shoals, the documentary, primarily focuses on Rick Hall and his determination to not be destroyed by external forces: childhood tragedy, death of his wife, being fired from his first job, being blacklisted by the powerful Atlantic Records’ Jerry Weller (to be fair, Hall did screw up), or being left by his session musicians. Muscle Shoals, the documentary, also revels in comparing and contrasting the turbulent racial prejudice with the harmony and excellence of musical racial integration in Alabama. Muscle Shoals, the documentary, falters when it tries to explain exactly why that particular neighborhood is overflowing with such much sounds. Cue Mark Twain Americana mysticism about river and mud.
Muscle Shoals, the documentary, is a must see for anyone who loves R&B, rock or soul, but don’t feel bad if you have to rewind a few scenes to get oriented. When the credits roll, stay because there are a few interview excerpts interspersed throughout.