Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The phenomenal story of Motown has been told many times--so many times in fact that the notion of an untold part of its legacy seems far-fetched. But as the documentary film Standing in the Shadows of Motown demonstrates, there was more to the success of the Detroit-based label than singing babes in gowns and founder Berry Gordy's business acumen. There were also the self-named Funk Brothers: the session players putting the unforgettable guitar sounds into "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and the creeping bass line behind "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." These guys were a crucial piece of the puzzle but have remained largely anonymous.
While the Standing documentary tells the Funk Brothers' story via interviews, stock footage and still photos, the accompanying soundtrack takes liberties, pairing the surviving musicians with contemporary pop, R&B and funk artists. Together, they faithfully recast Motown hits. What could have been a disaster--would you want to muck with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"?--works beautifully, thanks both to the Brothers' chops and the thoughtful artist selection. While enlisting a soul brother like Ben Harper was a no-brainer, the inclusion of Joan Osborne was especially astute. After all, Osborne's deep connection to R&B is why her production of the Holmes Brothers' Speaking in Tongues disc was genius, and she acquits herself beautifully on "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" and "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted." Similarly, bass boss Meshell Ndegeocello gives Chaka Khan competition in the gospel diva department. Bootsy Collins, Gerald Levert and Montell Jordan also contribute. Motown purists may baulk at this concept, but they'd have to agree these readings are smart, respectful and very, very soulful. --Kim Hughes
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Listen to this cd just to hear the fidelity of the live sound capture. This is up there with Live Bob Marley.
Then listen to the performances. If you dont have a mirror or ability to feel for a pulse and are concerned if someone is actually dead - it is not a problem now. Play Heatwave, or indeed any of the tracks and if the body doesnt display rhythmic twitching - they are dead (or not worth keeping alive)
To say the band is tight is a huge understatement. Collective playing at its best dozens of players acting in funk unison.
The rhythm section is foregrounded to splendid effect - but then they bring in guest artists which I suspect their history will say gave some of the best perfmorances of their life. My friend said he would hold a party just to hear this CD at it.
Bought the book the film was based on (sic) and am searching for the concert DVD. A lot of the players were dying of cancers, heart problems and plain ol age but my goodness all you hear is life on this CD. Dont waste precious time get it now. I am 53 and never got into Motown the first time round .
Then listen to the performances. If you dont have a mirror or ability to feel for a pulse and are concerned if someone is actually dead - it is not a problem now. Play Heatwave, or indeed any of the tracks and if the body doesnt display rhythmic twitching - they are dead (or not worth keeping alive)
To say the band is tight is a huge understatement. Collective playing at its best dozens of players acting in funk unison.
The rhythm section is foregrounded to splendid effect - but then they bring in guest artists which I suspect their history will say gave some of the best perfmorances of their life. My friend said he would hold a party just to hear this CD at it.
Bought the book the film was based on (sic) and am searching for the concert DVD. A lot of the players were dying of cancers, heart problems and plain ol age but my goodness all you hear is life on this CD. Dont waste precious time get it now. I am 53 and never got into Motown the first time round .
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The record is absolutely amazing, its worth it just to hear Joan Osborne's version of what becomes of the broken hearted, I can not remember the last time I heard so much passion and raw being put into a song. It's a better cover than the original; much more powerful and moving, words just cannot express how good a version it is, amazing. On the whole the album has some fantastic reworking of old Motown songs and is well worth having in your collection
Definitely worth it
Definitely worth it
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having seen the film at a cinema and bought the DVD, I bought the CD on the strength that the DVD cut the songs sharply, when playing the songs only. The star guest singer is Joan Osbourne, particularly with "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted". It's good to see most of the Funk Brothers in action, while they were still alive. Sadly, many have passed on since this album was made. Either way, if you love the music Motown played at Hitsville, Detroit, this is a recommended purchase, as you will not get this opportunity again.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
NOt just Soul, but music and life
This fantastic soundtraxck from an even more fantastic documentary, is a one-shot compilation of fantstic performance recorder right for this event, to celebrate not only the... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by Luca Piccirilli
in the shadows
a brilliant new album that revisits classic tracks with artists like Ben Harper and Joan Osborne it really is great music , i thought that covering heard it through the grapevine... Read more
Published on 11 July 2009 by K. J. Judge
What a disappointment
Am a huge fan of Motown and decided to purchase this purely on the basis of the Funk Brothers involvement. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2003 by swoodwa
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
