I had the chance to photograph a recording session recently in Sheffield, AL and witness David Hood in his natural habitat. Mr. Hood is a charter member of The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section / The Swampers, he co-founded the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and fathered a human named Patterson Hood (The Drive By Truckers). He has also played on albums with Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Percy Sledge, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Willie Nelson, Simon & Garfunkel, Lynyrd Skynyrd, James Taylor, Cher, Merle Haggard, Jimmy Buffett, Levon Helm, Boz Scaggs, Clarence Carter, Linda Rondstadt, Steve Cropper, Klaus Voorman, Albert King, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, Duane Allman, Glenn Frey, Julian Lennon, Frank Black, Jason Isbell and many others. He’s clearly good at what he does and yes, I’m bragging a little that I got to watch him work in North Alabama… you would, too.
Here are but a few recordings on which David Hood plays bass:
Tell Mama – ETTA JAMES (1967)
I’m Your Puppet – JAMES & BOBBY PURIFY (1967)
I’ll Take You There – THE STAPLES SINGERS (1972)
Kodachrome – PAUL SIMON (1973)
Loves Me Like a Rock – PAUL SIMON (1973)
Thank God For Kids – THE OAK RIDGE BOYS (1982) (a persona fave)
Old Time Rock n’ Roll – BOB SEGAR (1984)
Also in on the session was the talented Dylan LeBlanc, recording a few tracks of his country songwriter-father James LeBlanc.
Here’s what I got:
Dylan LeBlanc (below)
The visually pleasing studio bathroom sink:
Around downtown Sheffield, AL:
James LeBlanc:
David Hood:
