“At last” was the most frequent response to Ace’s long-awaited CD anthology of southern soul songsmith Dan Penn’s early 1960s sessions at Fame in Muscle Shoals. The long-rumoured but rarely heard gems contained within proved to be every bit as good as the privileged few who had heard them had claimed. Penn’s searing interpretations of self-penned classics such as ‘It Tears Me Up’, ‘Rainbow Road’ and ‘You Left The Water Running’ make a very strong case for the man as one of the truly great blue-eyed soul voices.
Now the spectacular contents of “The Fame Recordings” are available as a deluxe two LP set as part of Ace’s high quality vinyl release schedule. Programmed for maximum playability, in this format the package truly approximates a great lost southern vintage pop and soul album, with each compelling performance spilling from the grooves. As a gift for the soul fan in your life, or as a treat for yourself, “The Fame Recordings” LP set is not to be missed.
By Alec Palao
Pressed on 180g mulberry-coloured vinyl in heavy-duty gatefold sleeve
