Book Review: Land of a Thousand Sessions

My first knowing encounter with the writing of Rob Bowman came when I bought a used paperback copy of his 1997 book Soulsville USA. That book was and remains a definitive chronicle of one of music’s most important record labels, Memphis-based Stax Records. What I learned thanks to Bowman’s deep research and keen insight broadened my understanding of Stax’s cultural significance, its successes and its eventual demise. If I had one quibble – and only one, mind you, it was that text in the edition I owned was minuscule.

Decades later, I understand why. I recently received a hardcover edition of Bowman’s latest, in which he applies his formidable skills and talents to a related subject. Land of a Thousand Sessions: The Complete Muscle Shoals Story 1951-1985 is a weighty tome indeed. In the hands of any responsible author, it would have to be, as the Alabama city’s music scene has made an indelible mark on our culture. But Bowman’s exhaustive approach means that the book measures 9×11 inches, and at 762 pages is nearly 2 ½ inches thick. I’d characterize it as a coffee table book while warning that said table had better be very sturdy: the book weighs a full ten pounds. Ten. Pounds.

But you, gentle reader, likely don’t come to this site to learn the weight of books. And it’s important to emphasize that Bowman’s exacting and (here’s that word again) exhaustive approach leaves no stone unturned; if it happened and it was related to Muscle Shoals, it’s almost certainly in Land of a Thousand Sessions. One can only imagine the time and effort it took to research and author this work.

Casual fans may not need this level of detail, but for those who want to know the story of the recording studios and their stunningly talented and creative denizens – as well as the experiences of countless artists and others who entered their orbit to create some of music’s most enduring works – Bowman’s latest is assuredly the only place to look.

Perhaps surprisingly, about the only detail missing from Land of a Thousand Sessions is a discography: a listing of every session that took place at Fame and Muscle Shoals Sound. It seems inconceivable that in the course of his research that Bowman didn’t uncover and compile that information. But including it would have added a few hundred more pages, so let’s count our blessings.

Muscle Shoals music doubtless deserves the depth of coverage given by Rob Bowman’s latest book. And most any superlative one might care to toss its way – definitive, authoritative, etc. – most assuredly applies. But yeah, ten pounds is a lot. The book’s price tag is in line with that, setting readers back about $75. I don’t customarily recommend Kindle editions over physical books, but at roughly half the price, the digital version of Land of a Thousand Sessions may be the best choice for many readers. Getting through the book will take most readers quite some time, but the experience will be a rewarding, enlightening one.