Description

Personnel includes: Cher (vocals).
Recorded at Muscle Shoals Studio, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, 1969-1970.
Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.
Astute pop/rock music fans might note the familiarity of 3614 JACKSON HIGHWAY as the former home of the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. As the Atlantic Records production team: Jerry Wexler (executive vice president), Tom Dowd (vice president in charge of engineering), and Arif Mardin (director of A&R) had done six months earlier on DUSTY IN MEMPHIS, they chose to juxtapose their pop diva with a band affectionately known as the Swampers–yes, the same ones immortalized in Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” This quintet includes the talents of Eddie Hinton (lead guitar), Jimmy Johnson (rhythm guitar), Barry Beckett (keyboards), David Hood (bass), and Roger Hawkins (drums). These men were directly responsible for the sound of such timeless classics as Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman,” Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved a Man,” and Arthur Conley’s “Sweet Soul Music.” Throughout 3614 JACKSON HIGHWAY they are able to create a similar seminal R&B vibe. The track list readily suggests the incongruity of Cher covering the likes of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” Dr. John’s “I Walk on Guilded Splinters,” and not one, but two Bob Dylan tracks: “Lay Lady Lay” and “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You.” However, a closer examination reveals that not only does Cher have soul, but the Swampers are the quintessential foil for her decidedly unique style.