Standing in the Shadows of Motown

[sfbeary]

hey discopeople,

i just saw an advance screening of *Standing in the Shadows of Motown*, an incredibly moving documentary about The Funk Brothers, the Motown house band that played on all of the label's Detroit-era hits of the '60s and very early '70s. it was a real eye (and ear)-opener to meet the musicians behind the stars. i won't reveal anything in the movie, because part of the fun was the surprise of learning what went into creating such familiar sounds. i think it hits theaters in america mid-november. look for it!

take care,
barry

[markydefad]

Hey Barry,

I read about that film...and was gonna post...BUT "You beat me to the punch" so to speak!!! Any dirt on Miss Ross???? Inquiring minds NEED to know!!!!

I read that they had a post-screening party somewhere (NY or here in LA) and a lot of the old Motown stable of performers entertained. I think I read that Miss Mary Wilson was there--interrupting her cross-country tour of "Street Fairs", no doubt (or is that just in LA???) Feelin' Bitchy!!!! :razz:

_________________
Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-10-15 03:59 ]</font>

[markydefad]

OK, I found the article I previously read about the Funk Brothers. They performed right near me at the Knitting Factory after a screening of their film at the Egyptian Theatre down Hollywood Blvd. a few blocks.

The surviving members are Uriel Jones, Eddie Willis, Bob Babbitt, Joe Messina, Joe Hunter, Jack Ashford and Johnny Griffith (5 black and 2 white guys).

Sinbad is quoted as saying.."After seeing this movie, I feel like I did when I saw "Roots" back in college. I've gotten a real education about life and music. These songs made some of you all dance. But it also changed lives and made this boy from Michigan walk with pride."

AND, "YES" Miss Mary Wilson sang some Supremes songs with The Funk Brothers. Well, Miss Ross is probably in rehab again...AND BIG D wouldn't be performing at the Knitting Factory, I doubt.

The movie opens November 15--BUT the soundtrack was supposedly released Sept. 24. Also, plans are being discussed for The Funk Brothers to tour the U.S. this fall.

[sfbeary]

hey marky,

sorry to disappoint you, but no miss ross dirt. in fact, i'm not sure if she's mentioned. berry gordy doesn't even appear besides old photographs. to its credit, the film focuses tightly on the stories of the musicians and their reunion performances. they're joined by non-motown singers who do a good-to-great job i thought. the soundtrack is already released, but i think, like most good soundtracks, it holds more meaning once you've seen the film. particularly impressive are the instrumental versions of "bernadette" and "you keep me hanging on," which are vintage recordings that have been remixed to accentuate the musicianship and various elements of the arrangements.

take care,
barry

[NickNack]

Thanks for the info Barry. I had also read about this and was waiting anxiously for a release date. Don't know if it'll make it out here in 'cornfield' country but, have car, will travel.

Can't wait to hear that music!!

[DISCODISK]

[quote]
On 2002-10-15 01:07, sfbeary wrote:
hey discopeople,

i just saw an advance screening of *Standing in the Shadows of Motown*, an incredibly moving documentary about The Funk Brothers


hey SFBEARY youre making the faraway people very jelous ! im dying to see that,
without earl van dyke, james jamerson and the gang motown would never have been what it was its a pity they are not all still around to get the appreciation they deserve.
earl van dyke the subject of the biggest rumour ever in the u.k that a vocal of "6x6" exists!! were sill waiting but you never know,just when everybody thinks they know everything about motown a u.s stock copy of "a little more love" kim weston turns up in the u.k !!previously only thought to exist on english stateside theres many more surprises to come im sure! BTW has the english book guitars,bars & motown superstars by dennis coffey hit your shores yet? its been out a few weeks now i managed to grab a signed copy last week in the u.k havnt had chance read it yet but it looks great.

[DanceMan]

On 2002-10-15 01:47, markydefad wrote:

I think I read that Miss Mary Wilson was there--interrupting her cross-country tour of "Street Fairs", no doubt (or is that just in LA???)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[markydefad]

Glad you liked my little joke (at the expense of the career of Miss Mary Wilson). Am I too mean???? :lol:

Well, I previously had noted to sfbeary that at the Castro Street Fair--there were NO DISCO DIVAS present!!!! (The headliners were a current incarnation of Menudo--I kid you NOT!!!) I asked why they couldn't scrounge up at least One Ton or a Sledge Sister or a Jones Girl or hell, get Debra Dejean out of rehab (I'm being cruel to be kind)--just to give guys of a certain age (ahem)...some musical memory pleasure!!! I then noted that, at least in LA, we get Mary Wilson at the Sunset Junction Street Fair--EVERY YEAR!!!!! So, I was kinda speculatin' that Mary was on a circuit Street Fair Tour--just a-funnin'!!! :razz:

[zeca azevedo]

Hi everybody,

when I knew about this movie, I was thrilled! The FUNK BROTHERS are the greatest soul group ever, period. You can say whatever you want, but the fact is these guys did pop history like no other group before or after. The MG's and MFSB are wonderful, magnificent, and produced some of the most beautiful music of the 20th century, but when we see the musical legacy of the FUNK BROTHERS... WOW!

"Baby love, my baby love..."
"Stop! In the name of love..."
"It's the same old song/But with a different meaning since you've been gone..."
"Take a good look at my face/You see my smile looks out of place/if you look closer it's easy to trace/the tracks of my tears..."
"Nowhere to run, baby/Nowhere to hide..."
"I'm doin' fine/On cloud nine..."

zeca azevedo, always the MOTOWN fanatic

[NickNack]

Just wanted to say that even without seeing the movie, the soundtrack is exceptional. Nice interpretations by the new vocalists and the Funk Brothers still got it! The instrumental of You Keep Me Hangin' On is worth the price of the CD. Outstanding.

BTW --- Who is Joan Osbourne? She covers Heat Wave and does a helluva job.

[Anonymous]

Nicky,

Joan Osbourne is a white girl who had a hit with a song called "One Of Us" ("what if god were one of us") in 1995. That record got 4 Grammy nominations...she's never had a big hit since, but is a rather respected in the Lilith Fair chick rock circles, I think. I have several of her CD's--I like--don't love them. Maybe I should give her another listen, hmmmm???

[NickNack]

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Nicky,

Joan Osbourne is a white girl who had a hit with a song called "One Of Us" ("what if god were one of us") in 1995. That record got 4 Grammy nominations...she's never had a big hit since, but is a rather respected in the Lilith Fair chick rock circles, I think. I have several of her CD's--I like--don't love them. Maybe I should give her another listen, hmmmm???

Thanks, 'Guest'. I remember that song ---

WHAT IF GOD WERE ONE OF US/JUST A STRANGER ON THE BUS...

I got into it but the version I have is by the group, Outta Control. Was Joan part of that or did they just cover her song?

[markydefad]

Hey Nicky,

I AM "Guest"!!!! This Fucker would NOT LET ME LOG IN!!!

Somehow I became "guest". Didja know it was me????

Outta Control covered it--it was dance version, right? Prince covered it also. Strangely, Joan didn't actually write that tune...but it was her big hit!!!

OH, and just in case I register as "GUEST" again...It's ME, MARKY. Totally inept at removing cookies or whatever the fuck is screwing up this goddamned computer. :oops:

[NickNack]

Originally Posted by markydefad

Hey Nicky,

I AM "Guest"!!!! This Fucker would NOT LET ME LOG IN!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Somehow I became "guest". Didja know it was me????

No. But I kept wondering how a "Guest" could make all these posts without logging in. Strange shit!

Outta Control covered it--it was dance version, right?

Yeah, kinda fast for me at 140+bpm. (It's marked, I didn't count them. :roll: ) I remember hearing a 'mellow' version in my car one day and thinking that must be the original. Couldn't tell you if it was Outta Control or Joan.

OH, and just in case I register as "GUEST" again...It's ME, MARKY. Totally inept at removing cookies or whatever the fuck is screwing up this goddamned computer. :oops:

If I were you, Little Bro ( :lol: still laughing as I type this :lol: ), I would use the auto sign-in option. That way, if you don't sign out, we won't be asking our mystery 'guest' to sign in, please. :D

[markydefad]

Last night, Ebert & Roeper said that they attended screenings of Enema's uber-gritty "Hard 8" (oops.... that was a decent Paul Thomas Anderson movie just before the splendid "Boogie Nights"--I meant "8 Mile"--DUH!!!) and this sweet Motown remembrance film ("Standing In The Shadows Of Motown") on the same day. Ebert acknowledged that Enema's movie had some good elements --BUT he was rather dumbfounded and amazed at seeing two movies in such close proximity, set in Detroit, that featured music as depressing and angry as Enema's and music as joyous and life-affirming as the Motown film.

Thank gawd Roger made that comment. I felt vindicated. Since when is spewing venom considered "music"???

I know. I'm a broken record. Just call me a pitbull with a mission: To discredit that asshole--that's my aim and "My Aim Is True" .