Standing in the Shadows of Motown
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Free Music Notes for Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Free Music Review: This is a learning experience
Hit: 5 Stars
I never thought I'd want to hear anyone other than Jimmy Ruffin sing "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" till I heard Joan Osburn's rendition. I must have listened to it at least 10 times and it still blows me away. "Pistol" Allen's shuffle on "Heatwave" should be required listening for any young drummer and while Tom Scott's solo on "Shotgun" may not exactly be Junior Walker's it's still very credible. I haven't bought a CD in months comparable to this.Free Music Review: Standing in the shadows of soul
Hit: 5 Stars
I was nine years old the first time my heart was broken and Motown's "What becomes of the broken hearted?" became my anthem. More than twenty years later I have found myself singing in the street to the same song, not because of a broken heart but in jubilation to the musicians of Motown and Joan Osbourne's voice. Standing in the shadows of Motown is more than just a phenomenal album, it is praise in church, a testament to the musicians that made Motown a hit factory. Hearing the funk brothers play behind some of this generations amazing voices makes you believe in every cliche ever written about the transformative effects of music. You'll believe that for love, "Ain't no mountain high enough", you'll understand how "Shotgun" could cause a spike in the birth rate and you will put your hand out to the lover who "Ain't to proud to beg." Every time you listen to this album you will shake your hips, stomp your feet, raise your voice and thank God that you're Standing in the shadows of motown.Free Music Review: esential soul album
Hit: 5 Stars
This cd is essential for any fan of soul music and for any bass player. James Jamerson is called "the greatest bass player of all time" in an introduction on the cd and that is not far from the truth. His bass lines were pure genius, the essence of many Motown hits and his influence remains many years after his death. This album presents great live versions of the some of the best of Motown plus a couple instrumental remixes from the Motown vault featuring The Funk Brothers rhythm section along with The Funk Brothers theme song. Every track is outstanding and the vocals by various artists are surprisingly good. Joan Osborne would not have been my choice but she does a super job as does Chaka Khan, Ben Harper, Gerald Levert, and Montell Jordan. Two of the best living bassists, Bootsy Collins and Meshell Ndegeocello, sing instead of playing bass, and pull it off quite well. The arrangements stay faithful to the style of the original songs and the live performance actually sounds better that the original version in many instances even though Marvin Gaye and the great Motown singers are missing. The song selection is the best of Motown soul--no Jackson Five lightweight pop. Many of the Funk Brothers, including Jameson, are no longer with us but their sound survives on this album. Bob Babbit, almost without exception, faithfully reproduces Jamerson's great bass lines and the band revives the Funk Brothers sound on this classic cd.Free Music Review: An absolute revelation!
Hit: 5 Stars
I learned of this soundtrack after viewing the film's trailer online. First off, I cannot believe that I missed an opportunity to experience the film in a theater. The trailer moved me to tears and the soundtrack is every bit as incredible. Who knew that the core of the Motown sound was the music so masterfully supplied by The Funk Brothers. Not to take anything away from any of the legendary singers of the original songs, but the truth is in the music. This soundtrack is a celebration of that. Meshell Ndegeocello's blues inspired re-interpretations of "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" and "Cloud Nine" capture the cautionary elements of those songs. Joan Osborne's rendition of "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted" takes us to church. She reaches deep inside herself towards the end and comes up with a emotionally charged performance that simply moves. Just when I didn't think it possible to do so, Chaka Khan and the Funk Brothers breathe new life into the once again relevant "What's Going On." Congratulations on the Grammy award for this song! Chaka and Montell Jordan's duet on "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is a near carbon copy of Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrell's classic version. My jaw just dropped from the opening cords of "Reach Out I'll Be There." The Funk Brothers and Gerald Levert are absolutely on point. On "Shotgun" Gerald Levert again reminds us what a real gut bucket soul singer sounds like. Tom Scott tries his best but comes up just a little bit short, but who can really compete with the memory of Jr. Walker's sax? After several listenings, I learn to love it though. You can hear in Gerald's voice the joy he must have felt in performing with such an unheralded, but truly treasured group of musicians that are now deservedly receiving their due.Free Music Review: It's the Music!
Hit: 5 Stars
Very early in the movie, Standing in the Shadows of Motown, the assertion is made that it was the music, not the performers, that made these tunes great. I was skeptical; after all, great performers did these hits originally. Then the movie started to roll, and we heard modern versions of the numbers, performed by Joan Osborne, Gerald Levert, and others. While they're not the originals, they might well have been! These tunes stand by themselves. And therein lies the point; it WAS, it IS, the music! If you're hesitant to try this CD thinking that it cannot possibly match the original songs, set your doubts aside. You're in for a real treat!