Standing in the Shadows of Motown.(Artisan, 2002) Uriel Jones Uriel Jones (born 13 June 1934 in Detroit, Michigan) is an African-American musician. Jones was a recording session drummer for Motown Records' in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers, during the 1960s and early 1970s. , Joe Messina Joe Messina (born in Detroit, Michigan on 13 December 1928) is an American guitarist. Dubbed the "white brother with soul", Messina was one of the most prolific guitarists in Motown Records' in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers. , James Jamerson, Earl Van Dyke Earl Van Dyke (July 8, 1930, Detroit, Michigan – September 18, 1992) was an African American musician, most notable as the main keyboardist for Motown Records' in-house Funk Brothers band during the late 1960s and early 1970s. , Benny Benjamin, Robert White ... and so many, many more. It's the impoverished fan and ignorant musician who asks, "Who are they?" They were the Funk Brothers, the Motown house band during its glory years, who played on every single Motown hit from The Miracles' "Shop Around" to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. " and everything in between. The Marvelettes, The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas Martha and the Vandellas (known from 1967 to 1972 as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas) were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and was one of the label's most signature acts. , Junior Walker, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Four Tops--all monster acts. All used the very same band in Motown's infamous Studio A, the snake pit. Standing in the Shadow of Motown assembles the survivors for a stirring and affectionate tribute, interspersing vintage video with interviews and live performances. The brainchild of Alan "Dr. Licks" Slutsky, the guitar and bass technical writer, Shadow exalts in the magic chemistry, especially the musical acuity and improvisational virtuosity that characterized the Funk Brothers' performances. Ben Harper, Mechell Ndgeochello, an utterly transported Joan Osborne, the magical Bootsy Collins, Gerald Levert, and Chaka Khan provide guest vocals on a teasing sample of the soundtrack to a generation: "Heat Wave", "Reach Out, I'll Be There", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" is a 1966 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label, produced by Norman Whitfield and written by Whitfield and Edward Holland, Jr. ", "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", "What's Going On", and more. The list of guest musicians: Phil Chen, Seth Justman, Tom Scott is equally impressive. For those of us who cut our musical teeth half on Motown, half on Stax/Volt, and half on the Beatles, Standing in the Shadows of Motown is compulsory as first communion. And if you've never heard of them, sit down in the shade of the tent and prepare to witness. Say: amen. |
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