VOA标准英语2013-- 'Muscle Shoals' Documentary Tells Story of Small-Town Recording Studio

 

'Muscle Shoals' Documentary Tells Story of Small-Town Recording¹ Studio

Muscle Shoals, population 13,000, sits on the Tennessee River, "the river that sings," according to Native American legend.

Over the past 50 years, some of the world's top musicians have made hit records in Muscle Shoals.

"This is a rural spot in rural America, whereas when you think of other music meccas in America, they are more urban-based," explains filmmaker Greg Camalier.

It started with the vision and determination of Rick Hall, says Camalier. Hall started FAME studios in Muscle Shoals in the late 1950s.

"His first hit was a song by a local bellhop at the hotel there, and it was a guy named Arthur Alexander, and he recorded the song "You Better Move On," said Camalier.

Using old films and photos, the documentary shows how Hall developed a unique sound based on skilled studio engineering and the support of local talent, regardless of race. 

At a time when Alabama Governor George Wallace was fighting efforts to end racial segregation², black and white musicians in this corner of the state were working together, producing huge hits.

"As their songs became cutting-edge songs down there, people were hearing them around the world and were like 'I want that sound,'" said Camalier.

The British rock group, The Rolling Stones, also came to Muscle Shoals. Camalier interviewed Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for the film. "It was pretty funky³, that was the whole idea of it," recalled Jagger.

By that time Rick Hall's in-house musicians had started their own studio in Muscle Shoals, and today there are several in town.

The film tells that story and others that local people have been excited to learn about. 

"They had a screening of the film down there, and now people are embracing their past, their heritage and are learning more about it," said Camalier.

Muscle Shoals is now in movie theaters and will be broadcast on public television in the United States. 

1 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

2 segregation   

n.隔离，种族隔离

参考例句：

• Many school boards found segregation a hot potato in the early 1960s.在60年代初，许多学校部门都觉得按水平分班是一个棘手的问题。
• They were tired to death of segregation and of being kicked around.他们十分厌恶种族隔离和总是被人踢来踢去。

3 funky   

adj.畏缩的，怯懦的，霉臭的；adj.新式的，时髦的

参考例句：

• The kitchen smelled really funky.这个厨房有一股霉味。
• It is a funky restaurant with very interesting art on the walls.那是一家墙上挂着很有意思的绘画的新潮餐馆。