Pot Luck

Description

In September, Light in the Attic will reissue Spooner Oldhams sole solo album, Pot Luck, a collection of co-writes and self-penned classics first released in 1972. Julie Browns Forest gives you a taste: its a rich, resonant, ache of a song. If you dont know Oldham, make the effort to acquaint yourself with his genius: a sculptor of the Muscle Shoals sound, one of the most revered songwriters writing in the deep south during the soul music boom of the 1960s, hes responsible for tracks such as Im Your Puppet, A Woman Left Lonely and It Tears Me Up.

Legendary ivory-tickler Spooner Oldham is synonymous with the Muscle Shoals sound. The southern soul pioneer famously backed the likes of Etta James, Jimmy Hughes, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin, and many more, but his lone solo album, Pot Luck, finds Spooner in a rare role: front and center.

Oldham moved west in the late 60s when the patronage of bands like The Stones and The Flying Burrito Brothers made southern soul the in-demand sound. He joined the house band at Hollywoods Producers Workshop and was soon playing for The Lettermen and Liberace. While recording the latter, it was suggested that Oldham make his own album. I dont really think I wanted it so much, Oldham says now. I think it was shoved on me. Wed got all this stuff set up, and now what do we do?

Pot Luck is very much a record of two halves; Side A is an amalgamation of rarities penned with the likes of Dan Penn and Freddy Weller, while the B-side is a conceptual, seven-song medley covering some of the biggest hits Oldham played on, including Cry Like A Baby, Respect, and gospel standard Will The Circle Be Unbroken. The sessions were largely unplanned. We just went in, says collaborator Emory Gordy. Thats the best way Spooner works.

In 1972, the album was released and quickly sank. Before long, the Producers Workshop disbanded, too. Oldham carried on regardless, performing with The Everly Brothers, Bobby Womack, Gene Clark, Neil Young andwell, you name it.

With this deluxe reissue of his solo LP, its time for Oldham to get his own dues. I dont think anybody, anywhere, at any time, has ever heard it, he says. Im just happy someone wants to hear it now.

* First vinyl reissue.
* 24 bit / 96 kHz remaster from the original tapes.
* New notes by Andria Lisle interviewing Spooner Oldham.
* Expanded gatefold edition housed in deluxe Stoughton Tip-On gatefold jacket.