The Muscle Shoals Movie is on Netflix

[alexdingley]

Just watching this movie this morning... it's great! Not nearly as gear-talk heavy as Sound City, as it's mostly about the musicians / the culture / the in-house band... but it's a decent watch.

[supafuzz]

Good so far, nice history, didn't realize that they played on the Staple singers record!
Just that was worth the price of admission.
I love the story about the river. I moved to a river town and understand the power of the river and how that affects everything. Can't wait to watch the rest tomorrow.

[ott0bot]

I started watching after I finished the Big Star doc. So far very interesting. Will probably finish it later this week.

[roygbiv]

yeah, this a really great show.

Even my wife really liked it, and she not a musician (but likes music, especially the blues/roots).

Its a bit slow/long, but highly recommended.

An excellent story line/flow, and is interesting on a human element. The music is just an extra bonus for us. Those of you who haven't finished it, make it all the way to the end, because it really ends strongly (I think, anyway).

[Jeff White]

I loved it!

Jeff

[digitaldrummer]

I'll have to look for that one. I watched "20 Feet from Stardom" recently and that one is great too! Actually I watched it twice...

Mike

[A.David.MacKinnon]

Just watched it and liked it but I feel like there should be a memo sent to all people making music docs that says -

#1) stop talking about how some place/studio/town/etc had magic in it and maybe talk about how a bunch of talented people managed to find each other and then worked really, really, really fucking hard. Stress the working hard part.

#2) for the love of god stop interviewing Bono and Sting. They were in no way involved in what-ever your subject is (punk, soul music, Bill Withers, etc, etc, etc) and it's obvious that you only interviewed them because their name looks good on the poster. They're wankers and only bring down the quality of your film.

[percussion boy]

Just watched it and liked it but I feel like there should be a memo sent to all people making music docs that says -

#1) stop talking about how some place/studio/town/etc had magic in it and maybe talk about how a bunch of talented people managed to find each other and then worked really, really, really fucking hard. Stress the working hard part.

#2) for the love of god stop interviewing Bono and Sting. They were in no way involved in what-ever your subject is (punk, soul music, Bill Withers, etc, etc, etc) and it's obvious that you only interviewed them because their name looks good on the poster. They're wankers and only bring down the quality of your film.

+1 on all that . . . although dragging in Famous Boomer Cadavers to endorse your subject (and, yes, to get their names on the poster) may be a necessary marketing evil.

I do wish the filmmakers had sought out the real story (what you said in #1, group effort of talented people -- as widely documented in many books and articles over the years) instead of constructing a different narrative that appealed to them but doesn't totally fit the facts, i.e., Rick Hall as the hero of the story. Yes, Hall's bio is fascinating, but Muscle Shoals Studio was founded by musicians *fleeing* Rick's operation at FAME -- and MSS is at least as big a part of the story as FAME is, when you look up what was cut where.

Nonetheless, glad to get any kind of serviceable doc on Muscle Shoals, Stax, Motown, Tom Dowd, Bob Moog, etc.. This stuff's important.

[KennyLusk]

Loved it. The footage of Duane Allman was priceless.

[drumsound]

Just watched it and liked it but I feel like there should be a memo sent to all people making music docs that says -

#1) stop talking about how some place/studio/town/etc had magic in it and maybe talk about how a bunch of talented people managed to find each other and then worked really, really, really fucking hard. Stress the working hard part.

#2) for the love of god stop interviewing Bono and Sting. They were in no way involved in what-ever your subject is (punk, soul music, Bill Withers, etc, etc, etc) and it's obvious that you only interviewed them because their name looks good on the poster. They're wankers and only bring down the quality of your film.

Agreed. Especially #2. I'm glad they didn't spend too much time with Bono.

I liked the doc quite a bit, and I really makes me wonder if that business model, or a label whit a house bands and a sound could work in today's market. Muscle Shoals, Motown, STAX, they all made it work and made great music. I'd love to try it, but I'm poor enough just keeping a studio open. I can't get into a label and salaries.

[A.David.MacKinnon]

makes me wonder if that business model, or a label whit a house bands and a sound could work in today's market. Muscle Shoals, Motown, STAX, they all made it work and made great music.

Daptone says yes.

[drumsound]

makes me wonder if that business model, or a label whit a house bands and a sound could work in today's market. Muscle Shoals, Motown, STAX, they all made it work and made great music.

Daptone says yes.

I'd like to do it without the "retro sound" but not sound like typical LA/Clear Channel BS either.

*sigh* I can dream.

[A.David.MacKinnon]

I think it's do-able with or with-out the retro sound. If Booker T & The MGs, The Swampers, The Meters, The Wrecking Crew, The Funk Brothers, The Skatalites, and the Studio One band could do it so can you. All you need is the best players in the world and an affordable day rate. No problem.