The Musicians Behind The Motown Sound


Yesterday HDNet presented an incredible 2.5 hour documentary on a group of musicians known as the Funk Brothers, who are primarily responsible for creating the Motown sound. These were the guys playing the instruments behind such legends as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes etc. etc.

It was a fascinating story about a group of guys who rotated in an out of Motown studios (one in particular) creating some of the most recognizable and lasting music of the 20th century. Over the years enough of a core developed to actually give them a name (Funk Brothers). These musicians were both black and white; a comradere still exists to this day. The documentary discussed the evolution of this group and highlighted each individual musician and their contribution to the Motown sound.

Hopefully, they'll replay it... a marvelous piece of music history, the best I've ever seen.
128x128dawgbyte
Just another recommendation for Standing In The Shadows Of Motown. You can find it in the $5.50 dump bin at many Wal-Marts.
I'm an electric bass player, and Jamerson is my one true hero! He plays such ridiculously difficult lines, and they just flow out of the instrument. Most underrated player in the universe. The part about him laying on the ground drunk and playing the bass line to "What's going on" was a big crack-up! -Fish
James Jamerson the funk bros main bass player played a near symphony in counterpoint on every motown track
anyone going to detroit should visit the motown museum. the songwriting team of holland/dozier/holland get overlooked as well...talk about prolific.
check out the DVD 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' which is also about the Funk Brothers and very good