615 TO FAME (UK)

The way 615 to FAME was made reflects Steelism's progressive take on musical preservationism. Half of it was recorded at Club Roar, a multi-use space in the center of Nashville where punk rockers intermingle with folkies and country kids, making all kinds of creative work. The other half brought Fetzer and Cullum to Alabama's Muscle Shoals area and Fame Recording Studios, where so much fundamental rock and soul music was created by artists like Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett. Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes co-produced the Fame sessions, making sure some grit stayed in the mix. Tanner and Jimmy Matt Rowland add crucial depth on keyboards throughout the album, and the rhythm section of Jon Radford and Michael Rinne never let's the proceedings lag. Befitting music besotted by the swinging 1960s, there's also the occasional string section.