Wednesday, October 31, 2012

American Recording Studios ... The other Historic Memphis Studio

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http://historic-memphis.com/memphis/american-studios/american-studios.html

“American Sound Studio was a recording  studio at 827 Thomas Street.  Almost no one remembers it as they remember Sun and Stax Records.  But more than one hundred hit songs were recorded there between 1967 and 1972 and also listed in Billboard's Top 100.  During a one week span, 25% of Billboard's top 100 not only came from this studio, but featured the same house band backing a variety of artists.  During its brief lifespan, American produced in excess of 40 gold records.  Among the artists who recorded at there were Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield, B. J. Thomas,  Joe Tex, Roy Hamilton, The Box Tops, and Bobby Womack.  Perhaps American is not well known because most of the hits produced there were not for the American label, but for major labels who hired the studio for its excellent team of producers, musicians, writers and arrangers.  American was different because it excelled in the production of multiple styles of music, including Rock, R&B, Pop, Jazz, and Country.”

Monday, October 29, 2012

Nice Message Thread from TheElvisForum.com

Nice posts about American from TheElvisForum.com – lots of good pictures so be sure to scroll through all six pages:

http://www.theelvisforum.com/the-american-sound-studios-t5168.html

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Sunday, October 07, 2012

Traveling The Americana Music Triangle, “Bourbon, Beale, Broadway & Back” – Back to Memphis .

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http://scarlatiblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/traveling-the-americana-music-triangle-bourban-beale-broadway-back-back-to-memphis/

Great essay and photos from Anthony Scarlati’s blog:

Sometimes in life you head down the road in a direction that at the time seems right.  You have a destination in mind, you have a plan.  Well guess what, plans and destinations don’t always work on a roadtrip such as the one that I have found myself on.  As I head East in search of Jackson, Tn, I can’t help but feel that I have forgotten something.  Something really big and yes I had.  In a  few days the city of Memphis was going to be filled with Elvis fans from all over the world to pay their respects to the King.   It was 35 years ago that Elvis Aaron Presley had passed on and in the wake of his untimely death an almost cult like worshiping has occurred in honor of the man and his music.  A worshiping that seems to grow each year in proportions that just don’t seem possible.  I am so close to throwing myself head first into this phenomena, with that twinkle in my eye that means only one thing. Hang one this will be fun.  So with all that I turn the car around and start to make a few calls.  Back to Memphis, and don’t worry Jackson I will be there in just a few days, their is something I just have to do.