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. 

Stunning Southern soul collection

I’m a big fan of Southern Soul, particularly the Memphis and Muscle Shoals forms. But because there was so much fantastic music from those two areas, it’s easy to get stuck listening to Stax, Fame, Atlantic and Hi artists. Even their duds are better than most of the competition.

This year-old Southern soul collection from Ace Records is killer.But I’d encourage any fans of R&B and soul of that era to check out “Take Me to the River: A Southern Soul Story 1961-1977.”

It’s an absolutely brilliant three-CD set from Ace Records that collects 75 songs from artists and labels big and small. There's Aretha, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, William Bell, etc., but the emphasis is on the little-known tunes or one-hit wonders. Some of the production leaves a bit to desired, but the performances are top notch top to bottom.

To top it off, the packaging is superb. The CDs come in a similar-sized hardcover book that features full glossy photos and stories behind each song.

It's pricey (I paid $48, but notice Amazon's price is now $60) but highly recommend it for fans of Southern soul, classic R&B and the roots of rock.