Southern soul collection puts spotlight on quiet geniuses

Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham are legends in Memphis/Muscle Shoals music lore, but their names aren't usually the first to come to mind when discussing Southern soul and R&B from the 1960s and '70s. And that's a shame because their work writing and performing on some of the most dynamic songs of that era is as good as it gets. 

Ace Records, the terrific British reissue label, spotlights Penn and Oldham on "Sweet Inspiration - The Songs of Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham," a 24-track collection of soul, pop, country and gospel that's top-notch from beginning to end. 

Guitarist Penn and organist Oldham are capable musicians willing to stay in the shadows but it's their collaborative songwriting that shines here on songs performed by no names and big names, including Percy Sledge, Dionne Warwick, Etta James, Solomon Burke, The Box Tops, Ronnie Milsap, Patti Labelle, Irma Thomas and Tommy Roe. 

The best, however, may be Charlie Rich's version of "A Woman Left Lonely," a ballad that's epic in all aspects. 

What's scary is Ace had the choice of multiple recordings of these Penn-Oldham songs by different artists. Imagine the decision to favor Jeanne Newman's version of "It Tears Me Up" instead of Percy Sledge's take?

I have so much music that I don't have many albums on heavy rotation, let alone light rotation, but "Sweet Inspiration" is one that will get regular play. 

Rebuilding Malaco, the little studio that could

It's difficult to stomach the incredible devastation caused by the string of tornadoes that have swept through the South in recent days and weeks. And it's difficult for residents of those areas to be thinking about entertainment when their lives have been turned upside down. 

But it is heartwarming to hear stories like this "Soundcheck" episode describing efforts to rebuild little Malaco Records, a historic soul-music studio in Jackson, Miss. Small independent companies like Malaco have been a rich part of the Southern culture for decades, so it's fitting the soul and R&B music that transformed a region and its politics a half-century ago will again be part of the healing process.

"Open Wheel tribute"

I've been spending a lot of time lately studying racing history, particularly dirt-track racing in the 1950s and 60s. Many race fans consider that period the golden age of auto racing, when ever-growing speeds and technology ran head first into unforgiving tracks built for slower times. 

This video -- a mashup of Dick Wallen race video and musician Moby -- is a touching reminder of how cool those old cars and drivers were, and how many of those circle-track heroes left the track in ambulances.