Standing In The Shadows Of Motown
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Standing In The Shadows Of Motown
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The film is a documentary about Motown's unsung heroes, their session musicians, otherwise known as "The Funk Brothers". The programme is a sympathetically produced collage of presentations intricately interwoven into a very entertaining film. The lynchpin around which everything else whirls is the re-union of the musicians back in Motown's studio A, affectionately known as "The Snakepit". Each member is given a short testimony by other members of the group and allowed to indulge in their own personal reminiscences. Photographs and film, where available, are used in tribute to those members of the Funk Brothers who are sadly no longer with us. The story is put into context by using footage of historical events from the time. Civil Rights and Vietnam had a profound effect on Marvin Gaye, but his seminal masterpiece "What's Going On" was a milestone for the Funk Brothers also. It was the first time Motown had ever acknowledged their contribution on a sleeve cover, despite the fact they had, in total, played on more hits than Elvis, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined. Only now with the making of this film are these talented men truly starting to receive their dues. In order to present significant moments in their history actors play out a series of short cameos, each one cleverly interleaved within the framework of their story. To add to the sensory appreciation we are not only shown archive footage of Motown's greatest moments, but also modern day artists performing live versions of some of the label's finest songs. All do credit to the original artist, but in my view Gerald Levert does a particularly good job. And who are the musicians playing behind them? Answer - The Funk Brothers, admittedly looking a little greyer, but if their music is anything to go by their skills are continuing to defy the test of time. It has been a year which has seen the release of several music documentaries, but without doubt this has to be the best I have seen. If the number of copies stacked amongst the music films of HMV are anything to go by then big sales are expected. It is about time too. Who would deny these men their just rewards a moment longer?
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