Today we pay tribute to the legendary Memphis producer and songwriter Chips Moman who died on 13th June one day after his 79th birthday.
Born Lincoln Wayne Moman in La Grange, Georgia where he died in a hospice after suffering from a disease of the lungs.
What a talent
His production credits include From Elvis in Memphis recorded at his Memphis studio American Sound Studio which he founded after falling out with Jim Stewart at Fame in Muscle Shoals.
Also an accomplished songwriter. Here are two absolute classics which he wrote with Dan Penn.
Obviously Do Right Woman is always associated with Aretha Franklin but I got a DMCA notice the last time I played her so here are Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham instead.
I've a CD with 19 versions of Dark End of the Street. It includes Dan and Spooner's version and THE definitive version by James Carr. They have both featured before so here is the next best thing The Flying Burrito Brothers featuring the golden tonsils of Gram Parsons.
Rest easy Chips
Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham - Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
The Flying Burrito Brothers - Dark End Of The Street
Is that Dark End Of The Street covers album on ACE?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately not
DeleteBurnt from a blog whose name escapes me a few years ago
Percy Sledge, Aretha, Frank Black, Afghan Whigs and Richard and Linda Thompson feature among others
I had missed the news about Chips Moman - very sad.
ReplyDeleteWe should co-ordinate a "Dark End of the Street" day some time. I have at least a dozen.
Chips Moman passes with just a whimper. How sad. A talent that deserves a lot more. I wouldn't have known had I not come here.... Memphis, Muscle Shoals...Classic American music. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLinda Ronstadt does a nice "Dark End..." on her great Heart Like a Wheel collection.
The Internet font of all useless knowledge lists 27 versions of Dark End of the Street in addition to James Carr but does not include Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham
ReplyDelete