Say what you will, but there are places in this world that have their own soul. I’ve never been, but I can imagine one of those is the FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals. Bi-coastal songstress Alice Howe certainly felt it the first time she recorded material there in 2019. The presence of all those previous greats moved her to come back two years later and finish additional songs that together form her upcoming release, Circumstance.
Produced by bassist and musical partner, the iconic Freebo, the album covers a wide span of styles. Most of them owe at least a small debt to that sound room by the Tennessee River, from the horn-drenched 70’s soul of You By My Side to the organ and jangly guitar on Somebody’s New Lover Now. Something Calls To Me mixes a touch of dirty and swampy with soulful vocals. Line By Line brings a little of the Bakersfield pop sound from Howe’s previous record.
The biggest rock and roll song on the new album is What About You, with Howe’s country-soaked vocals providing a nice contrast to the driving instrumental. It’s a nod to everyone’s deep desire to find not just a lover, but a best friend and soulmate, or as Howe says, “a soul connection”. Lest you think it’s some angst-ridden anthem, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Howe keeps it playful with references from sharing a Sunday afternoon soundtrack to a lifestyle escape. We’re extraordinarily proud to be premiering the song and video here on Twangville. Watch it and see for yourself the talents of Alice Howe.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.