Muscle Shoals Tribute Planned, Hear Steven Tyler and Nuno Bettencourt

Muscle Shoals… Small Town, Big Sound is due September 28th via BMG. The album will honor over a dozen musicians who recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama over the years.

Now we've got a cover of Steven Tyler and Nuno Bettencourt doing their version of the Rolling Stones classic "Brown Sugar." I dig it.

Here's a trailer for the full album:

Comments

[stu]

i’m sorry, but for once i feel sorry for nuno. tyler should stop while he’s ahead (if he still is).

[Metalboy!]

Daring to cover of The Stones iconic “Brown Sugar” is ambitious to say the least.

Though I was more than prepared to be disappointed, Tyler and Buttencourt pull it off, albeit with a little more sanitized and overproduced result than what I would prefer to hear. That said, I do like the slightly punched up 80’s-esque guitar that is Buttencourt even if it is a tad blasphemous.

Still, it’s not enough. The whole idea behind this album is ultimately a lost cause like trying to do a remake of “The Godfather”.

Sometimes, the original is just so damn good, it’s too pointless to try. No matter how honorable and full of integrity your intentions may be, you’ll NEVER be able to top it.

[Gogmagog]

I know I'm in the minority, but, as good as Brown Sugar is, it's my least favorite song on that album. I would have much rather have heard Tyler and Nuno do Sway or, better yet, Can't You Hear Me Knocking. My god, what an album Sticky Fingers is.

[Him]

When I think Muscle Shoals, the first person I think of is Nuno. Then I think of Kid Rock.

There are some good artists on this album (and that is me flicking link off my non-musician self as I prognosticate), even some that recorded there. I'd rather that Bloated Music Grabber (BMG) just release an album featuring the original songs recorded at Fame Studio. And I think Rodney's heart is in the right place, trying to honor his dad. But still.

Tribute albums are so hit and miss for me. I still think (for the most part) that _Nativity in Black_ hit the sweet spot (though to a band and not a place) as far as tributes go.

[Bob]

an honorable project to be sure, but how do you even pay tribute to a studio? sure, famous bands recorded there, but so much of the sound wasn't just from the room or the equipment. Let's not forget about cats like roger Hawkins, David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Beckett, Spooner Oldham, King Curtis, Duane allman, Etc who laid down so many amazing parts on so many famous records. You can't recapture that on a tribute album.

[Him]

Agreed, Bob. Agreed.

[Metalboy!]

You could pay tribute to Muscle Shoals by bringing back it’s session players that are still around and capable of playing and then getting the star power of legends who either recorded there and possibly soon-to-be legends who might be worthy of recording there.

That means bringing back The Stones, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Boz Scaggs, Bob Seger, Black Keys, The Osmonds and whoever is still around they could get.

Current performers they could add to the list would be Aerosmith (not just Tyler), GNR, Lady Gaga, Sturgill Simpson and any others who deserve entering through the front door.

Anything less makes it an endeavor of futility, which this apparently seems to be.