Various Cover Me - The Eddie Hinton Songbook (CD)

(Ace Records) 24 tracks, mono, 22-page booklet

British collection. The Ace Songwriter Series continues with a package of two dozen musical delights penned by the late Eddie Hinton.

A cult hero among those who know and love their Muscle Shoals music, Eddie was an integral part of the Shoals recording scene in the mid-1960s. Hinton was not only a productive and instantly recognizable session guitarist and a great singer who unfortunately recorded far too rarely, but also regularly wrote good songs with a peer group that included Donnie Fritts and Dan Penn at various times.

The album features a comprehensive selection of Eddie Hinton's best-known copyrights, many of which are now considered classics of the southern soul of the 1960s. Not all of his songs are as well known as his biggest hit, the much-recorded "Breakfast In Bed", but there are some others here that could and should have been just as commercially successful.

Artists would always be happy to record what Eddie submitted for their consideration. All you have to do is check out Cover Me's line-up, which includes Bobby Womack, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Mink Deville, Cher and Lulu, to name but a few, to see how much Eddie's copyrights are attracted.

This CD brings together songs from all periods of Eddie Hinton's career. It is certain to enhance the outstanding reputation of one of Muscle Shoals' favorite sons, and will be a welcome addition to any collection of packages from the Ace Songwriter Series.