From: Stimp (stimp@aei.ca)
Date: Sun Dec 22 2002 - 05:03:47 CET
I saw this movie as well, about 3 weeks ago, and really liked it. I'd
say, however, that the movie would possibly only appeal to those who like
watching music documentaries, and not to the public in general, as it's a
fairly detailed film about musicians that are:
1- Virtually unknown
2-For the most part, don't have that many "Behind The Music" or "True
Hollywood Story" type dirt to tell us about.
The movie really is about the process that went into the writing,
recording and performing of some of the best R&B songs ever written, and the
backgrounds of the musicians who worked on them.
I totally see where Myrna's complaints about the performers covering
these timeless classics. I mean, Chaka Khan is one of my favorite soul
singers, but she's gotta be outta her mind to try covering Marvin Gaye's
"What's Going On" As far as I'm concerned, there are very few songs which
are 100% perfect and should never be covered by any artist, this one being
one of them. I really enjoyed the tunes that were covered by Levert, wish I
could remember which ones they were.
I'm also with Myrna in her opinion that the movie did a poor job of
putting the subject matter in it's proper context. It really doesn't do
much to tell the viewer how this era of music came about, choosing instead
for a role-call type of scenario, where every musician is introduced and
given his 5-10 minutes. For example, I was hoping that the director would
at least briefly mention the fact that other record companies (Atlantic,
Watt-Stax, etc...) were trying like mad to produce the same type of success
that Motown had. Also, the movie fails to mention fairly important
information like the fact that Berry Gordy wanted nothing to do with "What's
Going On" and that Marvin Gaye had to fight like mad to have it recorded.
Gordy apparently didn't think that a political record would sell..... For
me, these types of tidbits would have done alot to provide a little
background. For comparison's sake, VH1's documentary on early black music
did a far better job.
This being said, I'd still say that "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" is
essential viewing for any fan of R&B. The one stat that hit me most was
that The Funk Bros. were responsible for more number 1 hits that the
Beatles, Stones, Elvis and Beach Boys combined. Who knew???!!!
Stimp
----- Original Message -----
From: "** myrna **" <medea_13@hotmail.com>
To: <acid-jazz@ucsd.edu>; <FLFutureJazz@topica.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2002 10:14 PM
Subject: [acid-jazz] standing in the shadows of motown
> just got back from seeing the documentary "standing in the shadows of
> motown." i would recommend seeing it. it's based on the book "standing in
> the shadows of motown" by Allan "Dr. Licks" Slutsky. it features the
> unrecognized musicians called the Funk Brothers, who played all of the
music
> behind practically every popular Motown hit. the film tells the stories of
> these musicians through archives of video and still photos, footage of
> detroit and the musicians' hometowns, re-enactments, tales told by the
> musicians, and some live performances by the remaining members. the live
> performances featured contemporary singers Chaka Khan, Ben Harper, Bootsy
> Collins, Montell Jordan, Meshell Ndegeocello, Joan Osborne, and Gerald
> Levert.
>
> my complaints:
> 1) the contemporary musicans. everyone did a decent job apart from ben
> harper and everyone knows meshell and chaka are phenominal artists. but i
> think they could have chosen many more artists and some even better ones.
> the background singers were better at times. who chose them? why didn't
> stevie perform at least one track with them?
> 2) i would have like to have seen more developed on the issues of race and
> class. let's face it, these musicians were predominantly black in a time
> when there were riots and movements against some of america's fucked up
> racist traditions and norms. it's always bizarre to me when people examine
> music, a huge part of any culture, and do not look at it through the lens
of
> race, class, gender, etc.
> i find it hard to believe that the funk brothers would not have more to
say
> on these things. it's interesting because some of the musicians'
narratives
> were set against snowstorms and images symbolizing obvious hardship, but
the
> issues were not explored enough for me.
>
> my praises:
> 1) the stories told by the musicians were great. i think meshell said this
> in the film as well--these people were not just great musicians, they
> are/were amazing human beings with intense experiences. the pure love of
> music shines through and is really moving.
> 2) a brief scene where meshell asks bob babbitt (one of the few white guys
> in the group) to talk about his experience of being a minority.
> 3) the shots of the present members in all types of settings.
>
> that's a very long description, but it's fresh in my mind.
> enjoy and tell us what you think.
> myrna
>
>
>
>
>
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