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

    Parameters
    ----------
    rec : recarray
        Records array (table) holding parameters.
    param_columns : list
        List of column names which hold lineshape parameters.  See
        :py:func:`fit_NDregion` for format.
    amp_column : str
        Name of columns in rec holding initial amplitudes.

    Returns
    -------
    params : list
        List of initial parameter in the format required for
        :py:func:`fit_NDregion`.
    amps : list
        List of initial peak amplitudes.

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