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Not too sure how much this film will mean to those who didn't grow up with Motown songs as a soundtrack to his or her life- I myself discovered the catalogue in my late junior year when the label was beginning its slow decline through all of the "Greatest Hits" compilations.
This film addresses the inequity (still surviving) of no sidemen credits on Motown records. I had frequently wondered who played the instruments, but figured it was a series of faceless sidemen in Detroit. Well, the sidemen were remarkably constant, and were known as the "Funk Brothers", and this film is based on the book of the same name that tells their story. Lots of talking heads- though they tell fascinating stories- intermingled with the survivng band members backing up a number of young contemporary singers and semi-oldsters like Bootsy Collins, Chaka Khan and Joan Osborne singing to the old arrangements, and a few re-enactments.
Most of the men lived lives of fulfillment playing the jazz they loved, but there was always an edge of melancholy as they realized that their contribution to one of the greatest catalogues of American popular song was not noted. Some of them died sad and addicted, but happily not alone, for the love the band members had for each other survived the years. Two of the men in the film died before its premier. Berry Gordy was given thanks in the credits for his cooperation. It's interesting to wonder if he would have cooperated had the book not preceeded the film. By all accounts he was a real [pick your expletive] and Motown succeeded despite him- and apparently largely due to the efforts of the "Funk Brothers".
This is a great movie, one of the best rock and roll films of all time, and if you remember this era at all you should not miss this picture. It is an enormous emotional experience.
This film addresses the inequity (still surviving) of no sidemen credits on Motown records. I had frequently wondered who played the instruments, but figured it was a series of faceless sidemen in Detroit. Well, the sidemen were remarkably constant, and were known as the "Funk Brothers", and this film is based on the book of the same name that tells their story. Lots of talking heads- though they tell fascinating stories- intermingled with the survivng band members backing up a number of young contemporary singers and semi-oldsters like Bootsy Collins, Chaka Khan and Joan Osborne singing to the old arrangements, and a few re-enactments.
Most of the men lived lives of fulfillment playing the jazz they loved, but there was always an edge of melancholy as they realized that their contribution to one of the greatest catalogues of American popular song was not noted. Some of them died sad and addicted, but happily not alone, for the love the band members had for each other survived the years. Two of the men in the film died before its premier. Berry Gordy was given thanks in the credits for his cooperation. It's interesting to wonder if he would have cooperated had the book not preceeded the film. By all accounts he was a real [pick your expletive] and Motown succeeded despite him- and apparently largely due to the efforts of the "Funk Brothers".
This is a great movie, one of the best rock and roll films of all time, and if you remember this era at all you should not miss this picture. It is an enormous emotional experience.
