def unpack_table(rec,param_columns,amp_column):
    """
    Unpack initial fitting parameters from a table

    Parameters:

    * rec           Records array (table) holding parameters.
    * param_columns List of column names which hold lineshape parameters.  
                    See fit_NDregion for format.
    * amp_column    Name of columns in rec holding initial amplitudes.

    Returns: params,amps

    """
    params = zip( *[zip(*[rec[c] for c in dc]) for dc in param_columns])
    amps = rec[amp_column]
    return params,amps