Music and Mystique in Muscle Shoals (Guest: Christopher M. Reali)

Heartland’s Tim Benson is joined by Christopher M. Reali, assistant professor of music at Ramapo College, to discuss his new book, Music and Mystique in Muscle Shoals. They chat about the Muscle Shoals music scene in the 1960’s and 1970’s, what exactly is the “Muscle Shoals Sound,” and how that sound became such a potent cultural power that still means something even up to the present day. They also talk about the overlooked history of Muscle Shoals’ impact on country music and describes the region’s recent transformation into a tourism destination and something of a pilgrimage stop for musicians from all over the world.

Get the book here:  https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=45zfd3qs9780252044519

Blues Blast Magazine: Mark Thompson – “Christopher M Reali – Music And Mystique In Muscle Shoals | Book Review”|
https://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/christopher-m-reali-music-and-mystique-in-muscle-shoals-book-review/

Deep South Magazine: Erin Z. Bass – “Music and Mystique in Muscle Shoals”
https://deepsouthmag.com/2022/07/19/music-and-mystique-in-muscle-shoals/

Southern Review of Books: Lacey Lyons – “Music and Mystique in Muscle Shoals” Chronicles a Legendary Music Scene
https://southernreviewofbooks.com/2022/08/08/music-and-mystique-in-muscle-shoals-christopher-reali-interview/