Here we are, twelve shows in to our series dedicated to the ‘boutique’ studios of Memphis and Muscle Shoals, and it still feels like things are just starting to come together. The reason for that is that things really never did come together in the way that they did for larger studios such as Stax, or Atlantic, or Motown. The major difference is that those facilities were labels first, and studios second. If the larger studios were overbooked, they simply sent their overflow to the smaller studios (such as Fame or American), but the ‘boutique’ studios were always flying by the seat of their pants, making it up as they went along, but enjoying the freedom that their situation presented.

With this show, we take a look at all three of the studios that we’ve been covering to date. This shows helps us to ‘catch up’ with the current status of Fame, American and Hi Studios, with typically surprising results. Featured tracks include;

1. My Girl Josephine – Jerry Jaye
2. The Letter – The Box Tops
3. Too Weak to Fight – Clarence Carter
4. I Stayed Away Too Long – Solomon Burke
5. I Stayed Away Too Long – The Wallace Brothers
6. Take Me (Just As I Am) – Dan Penn
7. Take Me – Solomon Burke
8. Take Me Just As I Am – Mitty Collier
9. Jealous Love - Wilson Pickett
10. I'm In Love - Wilson Pickett