Arthur Alexander (Born 10/05/1940, Died 09/06/1993)

Arthur had the honour to produce the first hit recording out of the fledgling Fame studios started by Rick Hall - 'You Better Move On' became a hit in the US in 1962 and helped establish Fame (and Muscle Shoals) as the hotbed for soul and R&B talent.
Alexander went on to have a number of minor successes but he rarely did more than dent the lower reaches of the US pop charts, despite the quality of writing and performance on such tracks as 'Go Home Girl', 'Anna' and 'A Shot Of Rhythm and Blues'. A record industry that tried to pigeon-hole him as a country singer didn't help, but when you revisit these tracks it is still difficult to fathom why Arthur's own versions of his songs didn't sell by the truck load. Get hold of "The Ultimate Arthur Alexander" (Razor and Tie) and listen for yourself. If you can locate the Ace release simply titled "Greatest", then even better - it's more comprehensive but more difficult to find.

In 1972 he signed to Warner Brothers and released the Tommy Cogbill produced "Arthur Alexander" (re-released as "Rainbow Road - The Warner Brothers Recordings"). Some have argued that this album is inconsistent and to be avoided, but it has some great moments and gives an insight at least into his true abilities. Sadly, it failed to sell and he drifted back into obscurity.

In 1993, Alexander arrived back on the scene, seemingly from nowhere, and released the absolutely storming "Lonely Just Like Me". New versions of old favourites mingle with superb new tracks such as 'If It's Really Got To Be That Way' and 'All The Time'. Produced by Ben Vaughn, Arthur has the likes of Donnie Fritts, Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham and Reggie Young as his backing band - it couldn't fail and it doesn't. An essential purchase!
Tragically, before he could capitalise and gain the credit and popular acclaim he undoubtedly deserved, he collapsed and died at the start of a planned tour to celebrate his return to the recording studio.

Alexander wrote songs that helped to shape 1960s music - most people will know at least one Alexander composition, even if it's not his version. Much of his material has influenced and been covered by a range of artists - the Beatles ('Anna'), Rolling Stones ('You Better Move On'), Bob Dylan ('Sally Sue Brown') and Otis Redding ('Johnny Heartbreak') spring immediately to mind.
Never a household name, he should be remembered as one of the truly great influences on the development of R&B - a pivotal artist.

"A lot of people ask me 'How can you write these beautiful songs when you don't play an instrument?' They really find it surprising. All I can tell them is that it's a gift, it is a gift from God. I hear a melody and lyrics in my head, and once they get in there they just won't go away.".
Arthur Alexander - 1993