The making of a #1 Hit at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio w/ The Swampers, Mary McGregor Part II

Here is a rare glimpse into a session at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio during a 1970's recording session that produced Mary McGregor's #1 hit song "Torn Between Two Lovers." Pete Carr, Lead Guitar for Muscle Shoals Sound says: "
Peter Yarrow, who heard of us from Paul Simon, brought in a young lady named Mary McGregor which he and our piano player Barry Becket were to produce. Peter narates the video and we studio guys go through our usual setup, tuning, working out the song and recording etc. You can probably tell we were nervous with cameras on us the whole time. It is a little intimadating when you are trying to work and don't want to make a fool out of yourself. It all turned out very well I thought. I good one look in the studio where we made hundreds of records but just a small look at the varied styles of music we could do from week to week."

[@kenperk9854]

The Swampers were the best studio musicians in the world during the 70s and into the mi 80s.

[@tomthefunky]

What a blast to see the guys at home in their own studio. It's funny watching Roger Hawkins playing so mellow when the guy was a beast of a drummer when he had to be. Wilson Picket's Land Of A Thousand Dances is still my all time favorite from Roger. Thanks for this Mick. I always wanted to know how they positioned themselves seating- wise in that room. Now if only some Stax footage could surface showing those guys working in the studio.

[@paulrevelli]

Man, I'd swear that Barry Beckett and Larry Knechtel were cut from the same cloth. They just play the right stuff, consistently.

[@mickatmidnight]

Yes, at 3614 Jackson Highway Sheffield, AL. It's all set back up a lot like it was then with pretty much the original equipment as a historical site and actual recording studio. Check it out if you're in the Shoals.

[@jasperjenkins7729]

Was there 2 weeks ago. That black yamaha piano is still sitting right there. Im a drummer and i sat in Rogers drum both and it gave me chills. Holy Ground. Great up load.

[@ishiyama333]

This is a great video. I learned how they recorded this song at Muscle Shoals Studio by watching this . Thank you very much for share this very important video.

[@starlandandmore]

Barry Beckett produced Starlands 1979 lp 4x4,we had a great time at Muscle Shoals,we had all the great players

[@ASTROHOTROD]

The MASTERS at work. Never again will there ever be.

[@kenperk9854]

Pete, Roger, David, Jimmy and the Bear. Rest in peace Barry Beckett. I wonder if Steve Melton or Gregg Hamm was engineering.

[@readyeddy101]

Nice piece of music history that most of use would have never seen. Very captivating. Thank for uploading this.

[@ASTROHOTROD]

That is correct. I reconed speakers and built tube lights in the basement.

[@TroyCastellano]

I just recorded a song here!

[@mickatmidnight]

Torn Between Two Lovers by Mary McGregor

[@scottrogers2831]

Listen closely to the 45 record and in the entro you will hear someone’s chair squeak. I always envisioned it to be the drum throne.

[@TonyBeazley]

man where did you find this??? wow!!!!!

[@bramley1001]

Brilliant. Look kiddies, no guitar tuners!

[@dennistrouble9971]

The worlds biggest instrument tuner is hiding in the corner behind the bass player. That is their reference. You can see it in action in part one. If anyone know what kind of tuner it is , please let us know.

[@dennistrouble9971]

Sorry, behind Jimmie Johnson, playing the electric guitar - not the bass player

[@jopjopjop]

@@dennistrouble9971 Some kind of Peterson I would guess. A strobe tuner of some sort anyway!

[@jopjopjop]

Actually, it's a Conn most likely.

[@danielgrandy3033]

Cool!

[@ASTROHOTROD]

Wonder what ever happened to all the autographs on the bathroom wall wound up.

[@kenperk9854]

Boby Womack made them clean up! LOL

[@ASTROHOTROD]

Wasn't this recorded at Jackson Highway later Big Bear Audio ?

[@aarfeld]

Well, actually not, Mr. Yarrow. In fact, they were closing in on the end of Muscle Shoals' most productive years and the big change in popular music was about to arrive in the form of a slap to the face with the arrival of Punk. But, if you didn't like that you could always retreat to the Disco. Not that I'm advocating those two developments, but with historic hindsight we now know in what form change was about to come. Sigh . . . :-(

[@kenperk9854]

If the future could have been seen, puke or no wave would have never happened and 70s music would have cruised right on into the 80s with Muscle Shoals in the lead.

[@Staylogical]

What's so impressive is that these guys put as much effort into this lame song as they did for Aretha,Wilson Pickett,Paul Simon or the Rolling Stones.

[@kenperk9854]

What's so UNIMPRESSIVE is you saying a song that went to #1 is "lame." 😆

[@frankiebutler2894]

oleole52 Obviously, you weren't old enough to be in love when this was out. You must be going by names only. Don't mean anything mean to you, because you really missed out.

[@yourhomeisyourbusiness2221]

I was around when this song came out, and I would rather seen the “making of” Land of a Thousand Dances. I don’t think this particular song has held up too well.

[@kenperk9854]

A "lame song" that sold millions.

[@kenperk9854]

@@yourhomeisyourbusiness2221 that would have been at Fame. This was at the studio in Sheffield, Alabama.