Five Star is not enough
Added 11/22/2009
No music lover can be disappointed in this - the real story from the guys that lived it, and turned out hit after hit in that little basement.
Someone in another review said, "If you watch nothing else watch and listen to Joan Osborn absolutely "nail" Broken Hearted."
I completely agree with this - one of the greatest performances of ANY song I have EVER heard - it will actually make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Once In a Lifetime
Added 11/15/2009
If you lived through this era, you need to see this film to understand the underpinnings of a musical/cultural phenomenon that will never happen again. The largely anonymous musicians who fueled this phenomenon are as you'd expect them to be: as reverently humble as they are abundantly talented. If you didn't live through this era, you need to see this film to understand almost everything you hear today. Either way, if you're not already hooked by the time scene 21 reveals the rhythmic origins of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" -- and if that scene doesn't induce glorious ecstasy -- call the embalmer. You're already gone. These gentlemen created a footprint that the tides of time cannot wash away.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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PURE JOY
Added 11/10/2009
Beyond a doubt, this is the most joyous DVD ever! To see these legendary and unsung (no pun intended) heroes of the music business is such a satisfying and wonderful experience. The production is flawless and the MUSIC? Oh, my! What great artists who enabled so many singers to achieve the highest level of artistry because of The Funk Brothers' backing. A couple of reviewers complained that there was not enough archival footage of Otis Redding, etc., but this documentary was about The Funk Brothers, who supplied most, if not all, of the backing for these awesome singers. It is touching as sad to see some people being asked if they knew who the Funk Brothers were. Not many could answer that question. It is a shame that so many great artists behind the super-stars are no acknowledged properly. Therefore, it was a pleasure to finally see these individuals, especially after so many years of obscurity. The now living performers who appear with The Funk Brothers in LIVE renditions of some of the classic songs do a masterful job of re-creating that power and beauty. This DVD brings back a time when music was filled with humanity and fun. It was impossible for me to keep still watching these people doing what they do best.Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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History of Motown
Added 10/21/2009
Great movie and I learned so much about Motown that I was not familiar with. I wasn't a huge Motown fan but, after watching this movie, I have a whole new appreciation for the artists of that era.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I was highly disappointed in this "film." I was totally expecting an in-depth look into the lives of the Funk Brothers, especially Jamerson...I thought there would be actors playing each of them, telling about their rise and struggle at Motown, what their relationship was like with the artists, Berry Gordy and each other (although I guess that's one thing that was made clear, those guys would take a bullet for each other)....but also, I wanted to see a depiction of Funk Brother's recording sessions, and hear some songs that I love that never get played (i.e. J5's darling dear and the Tempts' You're my everything)...I was expecting another Ray dang-it!!!!! I mean, after Ray, I felt like I knew Ray Charles, as a person and an artist; the same thing goes for how I felt after watching the Tempts' and J5 mini series. I still love their sound, but I still have very little idea WHO the funk brothers were/are as people. As many talented musicians and actors there are out there, surely they could've casted people to bring the Funk Brothers story to life. Instead, it was a bunch of interviews with some of the surviving members and some other random people...as well as some boring covers of Motown/Funk brothers hits...honestly, the frequent amateur-like covers really annoyed me...I dozed off a few times while watching it. Furthermore, the "film" looked very low budget. Good thing I only paid $7 for it! I would've been better off just buying the Funk brothers "best of" cd and using my imagination.
P.S- and this thing had the nerve to come as a dual dvd package! Why not have an actual motion picture on one dvd, and exerpts/mini documentary on another?? Why waste 2 dvds on...well, nothingness?
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Five Star is not enough
Added 11/22/2009
No music lover can be disappointed in this - the real story from the guys that lived it, and turned out hit after hit in that little basement.
Someone in another review said, "If you watch nothing else watch and listen to Joan Osborn absolutely "nail" Broken Hearted."
I completely agree with this - one of the greatest performances of ANY song I have EVER heard - it will actually make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Once In a Lifetime
Added 11/15/2009
If you lived through this era, you need to see this film to understand the underpinnings of a musical/cultural phenomenon that will never happen again. The largely anonymous musicians who fueled this phenomenon are as you'd expect them to be: as reverently humble as they are abundantly talented. If you didn't live through this era, you need to see this film to understand almost everything you hear today. Either way, if you're not already hooked by the time scene 21 reveals the rhythmic origins of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" -- and if that scene doesn't induce glorious ecstasy -- call the embalmer. You're already gone. These gentlemen created a footprint that the tides of time cannot wash away.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
PURE JOY
Added 11/10/2009
Beyond a doubt, this is the most joyous DVD ever! To see these legendary and unsung (no pun intended) heroes of the music business is such a satisfying and wonderful experience. The production is flawless and the MUSIC? Oh, my! What great artists who enabled so many singers to achieve the highest level of artistry because of The Funk Brothers' backing. A couple of reviewers complained that there was not enough archival footage of Otis Redding, etc., but this documentary was about The Funk Brothers, who supplied most, if not all, of the backing for these awesome singers. It is touching as sad to see some people being asked if they knew who the Funk Brothers were. Not many could answer that question. It is a shame that so many great artists behind the super-stars are no acknowledged properly. Therefore, it was a pleasure to finally see these individuals, especially after so many years of obscurity. The now living performers who appear with The Funk Brothers in LIVE renditions of some of the classic songs do a masterful job of re-creating that power and beauty. This DVD brings back a time when music was filled with humanity and fun. It was impossible for me to keep still watching these people doing what they do best.Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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