Description: Detroit, Michigan, 1959. Berry Gordy gathers the best musicians from the city's thriving jazz and blues scene for his new record company: Motown. For the next 14 years these players are the heartbeat on "My Girl," "Baby Love," "Ooo Baby Baby," "Bernadette," "I Was Made To Love Her," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Dancing In The Street," and every other hit from Motown's Detroit era. By the end of their phenomenal run, the unheralded group of musicians plays on more Number One hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles combined, making them the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music. They call themselves the Funk Brothers. But no one knows their names...this is their story.
Amazon.com: Standing in the Shadows of Motown is a must-see film for any fan of the Supremes, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, or any other classic Motown stars. This swinging documentary celebrates the Funk Brothers--the team of studio musicians who powered dozens and dozens of hit Motown songs--by combining reminiscences, reenactments, and clips from a recent concert put on by the Funk Brothers, featuring singers like Chaka Khan, Ben Harper, and Joan Osborne on classic tunes like "What's Going On," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," and "Heatwave." This crafty gang of elderly musicians will charm your pants off with a slew of entertaining anecdotes. Though it seems that there's a lot of dirt they're declining to dish, the movie deftly outlines the history of Motown, surely the most significant music label in American history--the label that turned segregated "race music" into chart-topping success. A soulful delight. --Bret Fetzer
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - JOan Osborn
If you watch nothing else watch and listen to Joan Osborn absolutely "nail" Broken Hearted.
Rating: - Absolutely outstanding!
This is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen, musical or otherwise. (I admit to a strong bias, growing up madly in love with the music these gentlemen produced.) The historic, biographical, and concert footage here assembled brings these long-unsung musical powerhouses the recognition they richly deserve. Collectively, the Funk Brothers affected the course of American and British popular music every bit as much as did the Beatles, the Stones, or Elvis -- in fact, they directly influenced all three. Come meet the geniuses behind the Motown Sound, and watch them play in concert with undiminished ... Read More
Rating: - A Treat For The Ears And the Eyes!!
First off, let me say that musically I WAS stuck in the 60's and 70's. I've never paid much attention to anything after that period. Watching and listening to the wonderful performances on this DVD really opened my eyes and ears to a whole generation of new artists , but I digress, I think the main point of this production, telling the story of a wonderful and obviously, extremely talented group of musicians who never received their due is beautifully done. Listening to the recollections of these "unsung musical heroes" was very bittersweet for me, I can't imagine how overlooked and used they must have ... Read More
Rating: - MIndblowing
I heard of them, but never knew the real story. This is really spectacular stuff. The groove these guys have is awesome! There recognition was long overdue!! Respect, respect. If you want to see the guys in action, buy the dvd "live in Orlanda" That is even more swinging!!
Rating: - Standing In The Shadow Of Motown
There is a lot of well kept secret in this world and "Standing In The Shadow Of Motown" is one of them. This biography of Motown should be in all households, that is, all fans of the Motown Sound. Five Stars.
