Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s rewind

Part 5: If you ever change your mind

If ever there was a heavy-hitter song written by a heavy-hitting legend, "Bring It On Home to Me" is that song. There are some mighty fine versions of this Sam Cooke instant classic out in the world, dear friends. None pierce my heart, though, the way Earnest Davis did a few weeks back with his Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s rendition.

The night was just getting started good when Earnest led the attack on my soul. Earnest, along with the Fiddleworms featuring James Counts on drums, had this song wired even before the first note was played. I can’t put my finger on the root of the heavy sentimental vibe I was feeling but I was choked up from the minute Earnest walked on stage. By the time James took his seat behind the drum kit, I was a goner. I think I cried a river during those two minutes or so.

On any given day, watching both Earnest and James perform really is something to behold. (Have you ever seen anyone dance with the drums the way James does? Have you ever seen a more sincere vessel than Earnest?) They both just have a heart and soul for music that is so very authentic. They are both so magnetic. That Saturday night, though, in Florence’s historic Shoals Theatre, I promise Earnest and James — and those world-famous Fiddleworms and funky Polyester Horns by association — were divinely enchanted.

Are you hearing what I'm saying? Witnessing this song performed live was moving — it was absolutely next level. It really was as if I was hearing “Bring It On Home to Me” for the fist time. I was so enthralled and engaged from the get-go, then Mitch Mann lured me in even more with those mischievous guitar runs. James snuck in and grabbed me with those strong, powerful beats. When Earnest took over, I was done for — his soothing voice assured me it’s never too late to go home no matter bridges that may or may not have been burned. Once those Polyester Horns kicked in, I knew it was time to loosen up and dance a little. Such is life.

Yes, “Bring it on Home to Me” is a simple but very complicated song. Do you know what I mean? It's a deep and meaningful dirty funky groove, y'all, that's also intimate, honest, and vulnerable and yet, it’s big and explosive. Just like life, this song is everything. Just holy wow at how the gifts Same Cooke left us are still filled with his spirt. In his honor, this MSM the 70s performance was literally a soul-stirring experience.

By the way, did you know Lou Rawls recorded "Bring It On Home to Me" here in the Shoals in the 1970s? Did you know Lou and Sam (Cooke) were best friends since childhood? Maybe that’s the root of all my feels during this performance — I was connecting with this song via our common Shoals roots. Hmm. It happens. After all, there is something in the water, ya know.

Stay tuned … more to come.

Dig worms.

Photo credit: Devona Hawkins