The quantity and quality of work coming out of American Studios was mind boggling, and much of it was due to the efforts of Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham.

One distinct characteristic of the ‘American Group’ was their ability to work as a family, with a core group of musicians working with a few distinct producers. On the surface, it seemed that things could hardly be better, but over time, an underlying sense of discomfort and unfairness began to eat at some of the players. Newcomers would intrude on the intimate framework that had been established, and it bothered them that studio owner Chips Moman did not differentiate from those who there ‘paying dues’ from the beginning, and the new blood who started to mix things up. Worse, and although it went mostly unspoken, a feeling that compensation did not match effort seemed to set in.

For me, this is the saddest part of our story, because this is the point where we lose both Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham. Without ever giving a specific reason, both decided that perhaps it was time to move on, and with that, one of the most talented musician/songriting/production teams to ever work at American Studios were suddenly gone. The music in this episode covers the sounds of those last days.

Featured tracks include;

1. Shilo – Neil Diamond
2. Memphis Underground – Herbie Mann
3. Son of a Preacher Man – Dusty Springfield
4. Breakfast in Bed – Dusty Springfield
5. No Easy Way Down – Dusty Springfield
6. Don’t Forget About Me – Dusty Springfield
7. I’ve Been Down This Road Before - B.J. Thomas
8. Don’t Lose Your Good Thing – Dan Penn