Stop and think about it - how many archival clips or segments from TV Variety shows of the Sixties have you seen of the top singing groups of the day? Did you ever wonder who made the music behind singers like The Temptations, The Four Tops or The Supremes? "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" at least partially answers that question, by bringing out the story of The Funk Brothers, a loose collaboration of roughly a dozen studio musicians who played on more Number #1 song hits than the biggest acts you can call to mind - combined! Individually, the Funk Brothers have no name recognition to speak of, unless you're a musician yourself, in which case you might have heard of Motown pioneers like James Jamerson or Earl Van Dyke.
Considering all the musical styles that came out of the Sixties era, the Motown sound left a singular impression that still entertains and inspires today, and a lot of it is due to the musical mastery from behind the scenes, unheralded names that even today remain mostly anonymous. "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" is a good starting point to begin learning the back story to some of your favorite music from back in the day.
Many of these talented players migrated North to escape poverty and find jobs in the auto factories of Detroit during the late Fifties and early Sixties, and by virtue of their talent and creativity, many were discovered and offered studio work by legendary producer Berry Gordy. There were even a couple of white musicians in the mix, and in that regard, it's quite moving to hear the surviving members speak in reverential tones of their friendship for each other and how color was no barrier to their playing, traveling and getting along together over the course of the next four decades.
Considering all the musical styles that came out of the Sixties era, the Motown sound left a singular impression that still entertains and inspires today, and a lot of it is due to the musical mastery from behind the scenes, unheralded names that even today remain mostly anonymous. "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" is a good starting point to begin learning the back story to some of your favorite music from back in the day.
Many of these talented players migrated North to escape poverty and find jobs in the auto factories of Detroit during the late Fifties and early Sixties, and by virtue of their talent and creativity, many were discovered and offered studio work by legendary producer Berry Gordy. There were even a couple of white musicians in the mix, and in that regard, it's quite moving to hear the surviving members speak in reverential tones of their friendship for each other and how color was no barrier to their playing, traveling and getting along together over the course of the next four decades.