Standing In The Shadows Of Motown

Dibble · July-7th-2004, 09:13 PM

OK I know its late but I have just seen this film about the wonderous session musician from Detroit before motown moved to LAand would appreciate any comments , suggestions, must haves etc from you more eloquent and experiened people here..I was amazed.

Tell me what you know!! please!!

It was a wonderfuly steep learning curve for me..

Squaredancecalling Steve · July-7th-2004, 09:41 PM

Great movie! I'm one of the world's biggest Martha and The Vandellas' fans, so seeing Martha was a kick, and Tom Scott blew a mighty "Shotgun!", and that gal who sang "What If God Was One Of Us" has turned into a serious vocalist (she's touring with The Dead now, I think),

but we already have a thread on this. I'm sure of it.

Gentle Giant · July-7th-2004, 10:18 PM

That gal was/is Joan Osborne. Her first album was total hot shit, then her label folded and she was held in limbo for three years. By the time her follow-up appeared, people ad forgotten her.

That kind of shit treatment is part of the dark underside of the music biz, explored in this fine documentary.

July-7th-2004, 10:21 PM

Ah, thanks for the reminder, I had been meaning to catch this flick.

GG, you talking the same Joan Osborne as in "what if god was one of us"?

Sergio Zamora · July-7th-2004, 10:29 PM

Great flick. Some fantastic interpretations, though to be honest, it's very difficult to not sound at least ok with these songs (just look at that Doobie brother). Joan Osborne was very impressive. I guess I never realized what a good singer she is. Gerald Levert was great too. And Bootsy was just Bootsy. And the musicians sound as good as they were when they first played those tunes.

Like most people, I love the music, though I didn't always. I think I used to feel the music just wasn't, you know, hard enough. Just shows to go ya what fuckin' idiot I can be.

jesus marion joseph · July-7th-2004, 10:41 PM

Great flick. James Jamerson was one hell of a bass player.

Enforcer · July-7th-2004, 10:50 PM

Representin', baby.

Larry

willy · July-7th-2004, 11:03 PM

BTW-Location: Hell is a suburb of Detroit.

SinginSumo · July-8th-2004, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dibble

Tell me what you know!! please!!

It was a wonderfuly steep learning curve for me..

Dibble - It is now on to OTIS REDDING, AL GREEN and some SAM & DAVE for you! Enjoy! (PM me if you'd like specific CD recommendations.)

Richardo Caerleoni · July-8th-2004, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesus marion joseph

Great flick. James Jamerson was one hell of a bass player.

AMEN ! And with rusted strings...MAGIC!

On future listening (soul)...Don't forget James Carr...

Gentle Giant · July-8th-2004, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Ah, thanks for the reminder, I had been meaning to catch this flick.

GG, you talking the same Joan Osborne as in "what if god was one of us"?

Yes indeed. My favorite tune off that first album is called Spider Web, and it's about a dream she has where Ray Charles suddenly gets his eyesight back, but in return he's no longer able to sing. By song's end, she realizes she'd rather he stay blind.

July-8th-2004, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

Yes indeed. My favorite tune off that first album is called Spider Web, and it's about a dream she has where Ray Charles suddenly gets his eyesight back, but in return he's no longer able to sing. By song's end, she realizes she'd rather he stay blind.

Selfish bitch.....................

Sergio Zamora · July-8th-2004, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinginSumo

Dibble - It is now on to OTIS REDDING, AL GREEN and some SAM & DAVE for you! Enjoy! (PM me if you'd like specific CD recommendations.)

Not to mention my favorite soul singer, the great Curtis Mayfield!

Root Doctor · July-8th-2004, 01:41 PM

O.V. Wright, baby!

SinginSumo · July-8th-2004, 03:38 PM

Ann Peebles

Aretha (on Atlantic)

Sergio Zamora · July-8th-2004, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

O.V. Wright, baby!

I'm not familiar with this name, but I looked it up at AMG. Sounds like someone I need to hear.

Gentle Giant · July-8th-2004, 05:03 PM

Ron Thorne · July-8th-2004, 06:00 PM

What stunning beauty to match her considerable talents.

Tell Me Somethin' Good ...

patricia · July-8th-2004, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinginSumo

Dibble - It is now on to OTIS REDDING, AL GREEN and some SAM & DAVE for you! Enjoy! (PM me if you'd like specific CD recommendations.)

Al Greene's version of "Unchained Melody" is the only version.

Dibble · July-8th-2004, 08:18 PM

Stunned by Joan..Bootsy I would agree with..yeah just Bootsy..but didnt realise he wa such a good singer..after all the yeeeaaahhhhs..etc..and James Jamerson IS a god..liked Chaka Khans version..immensely

Overall I am so pleased that some of these musicians are getting their just desserts..I have to confess that I hadnt really given the motown musicians a thought until I heard rumblings about this film..I got tickets to see the Funk Bros in Manchester recently but at the last minute was unable to go..kid thing..gave tickets to a friend whothen was also unable to go so never got any first hand feedback

Thanks to all for your recommendations..most of which I know about already..but not Joan..

Extraordinary talent..hope these guys enjoy the fruits of the the pleasure they have given me

Dr Dave · July-8th-2004, 08:25 PM

All respect to Jim Jamerson. But props also for Bob Babbit, who created a lot of great lines, too.

Ron Thorne · August-5th-2004, 03:37 AM

My copy of this apparently scrumptuous DVD is on the way, since I couldn't resist the cost of $10.33, including S&H.

Thanks, SS!

Deke · August-5th-2004, 07:30 AM

I'm not convinced that Stax/Atlantic is the right way to go for someone who's just discovered the fabulous furry funk brothers via 'Standin' in the shadows...'. Curtis Mayfield, certainly. Al Green, maybe... but it seems to me that what's got Dibble all fired up is seeing this group of aging sessioneers playing elderly pop tunes that we all know, and kicking butt in the process. I may be on the wrong planet here, but I think I'd be recommending things like Chicago or Tower of Power, performing live. I haven't checked, but I'm guessing that both of them will have at least one live vid to their name.

Actually Dib, living in Manchester, do you never get visits by the stars of the 'Northern Soul' circuit? If someone can persuade the Spyders to reform I'll be right up there to watch them with you!

VIBEr · August-5th-2004, 08:46 AM

I would like to recommend the DVD called "Back To Stax", which is an early 90's European concert featuring many of the Stax stars. Although not a documentary like the Motown DVD, it still has some excellent performances and I think that Stax represents another side of the 60's crossover-soul story.

Dr Dave · August-5th-2004, 09:32 AM

Here's a link to Amazon for reviews of "Back to Stax." You can get a used copy cheap!

Stax at Amazon

Deke · August-5th-2004, 07:26 PM

That's not the show with the Phil Upchurch guest shot is it?