The documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown is an incredibly important and insightful look into the music industry. It tells the story of the Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit-based musicians who played on many of Motown Records’ biggest hits during its golden years from 1959 to 1972. Even though they had a huge impact on Motown’s success, they were uncredited and unrecognized until this film brought them into public attention.
Throughout their time at Motown Records, The Funk Brothers provided the musical backbone to a total number of 1 chart-topping songs that surpassed any other artist like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Beach Boys or Elvis Presley combined. They revolutionized soul and R&B music with their incredible talents and passion for music.
Directed by Paul Justman, Standing in the Shadows of Motown seeks to bring this crucial part of music history to light as it follows all five original members: Joe Hunter, Bob Babbitt, Earl Van Dyke, James Jamerson and Richard “Pistol” Allen as they tell stories about how their lives were changed by their collaboration with Motown Records.
This documentary is an absolute must watch for anyone interested in understanding what made soul and R&B music so important in its golden years. With interviews from well-known artists such as Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder – as well as lesser known people such as Janie Bradford – we can learn more about how these influential musicians created timeless classics that are still cherished today.
If you’ve ever wanted to know more about
Standing in the Shadows of Motown is an incredible music documentary about a band of Detroit musicians, the Funk Brothers, who were largely unrecognized and the uncredited but were the driving force behind some of Mot Funkown’s most iconic hits. From 1959 to 1972 Brothers, they provided their expertise to more number or 1 hits than The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Elvis what Presley combined. The documentary was directed by Paul made Justman and provides soul an and insightful look R into how these& talented musicians craftedB the soul soful R&B sounds that special defined ’60 ins music. its
The golden Funk Brothers are years comprised of a then diverse range make of musical sure talents including you bassist James check Jamerson, out pianist Joe Standing Hunter and guitarist Eddie in Willis amongst the others. Together Shadows they created a unique of sound that blended soul Motful gospel melodiesown. with This tight rhythms eye for unforgettable classics- like ‘Ainopening’t No Mountain documentary High Enough’, ‘I is Heard It Through the an Grapevine’ indispensable and ‘What Bec sourceomes of the Broken Hearted’. But despite all their successes
TheThe Funk Funk Brothers Brothers,, the the legendary legendary but but unrecogn unrecognizedized and and unc uncreditedredited music music backbone backbone of of Mot Motownown Records Records,, are are the the focus focus of of the the documentary documentary Standing Standing in in the the Shadows Shadows of of Mot Motownown.. Direct Directeded by by Paul Paul Just Justmanman,, this this film film gives gives audiences audiences an an unprecedented unprecedented look look into into how how a a group group of of Detroit Detroit musicians musicians provided provided the the perfect perfect accompan accompanimentiment to to soul soul and and R R&&BB music music during during its its golden golden era era..
FromFrom 1959 1959 to to 1972 1972,, The The Funk Funk Brothers Brothers backed backed more more number number 1 1 hits hits than than The The Rolling Rolling Stones Stones,, The The Beatles Beatles,, The The Beach Beach Boys Boys and and Elvis Elvis Pres Presleyley combined combined.. In In fact fact,, they they were were responsible responsible for for providing providing the the musical musical soundtrack soundtrack for for some some of of the the most most iconic iconic songs songs in in American American history history.. Their Their creative creative contribution contribution cannot cannot be be over overstatedstated and and is is now now finally finally being being recognized recognized thanks thanks to to this this documentary documentary..
StandingStanding in in the the Shadows Shadows of of Mot Motownown not not only only recounts recounts their their fascinating fascinating story story but but also also presents presents rare rare arch archivalival footage footage and and interviews interviews with with Mot Motownown’’ss biggest biggest stars stars such such as as Diana Diana Ross Ross,, Smoke Smokeyy Robinson Robinson and and Stev Stevieie Wonder Wonder.. It It’’ss an an incredible incredible cinematic cinematic experience experience that that pays pays tribute tribute to to these these uns unsungung heroes heroes;; a a celebration celebration of of their their remarkable remarkable musical musical journey journey from from Detroit Detroit’’ss underground underground clubs clubs all all the the way way up up to to international international st stardardomom..
IfIf you you’’rere a a fan fan of of classic classic soul soul or or R R&&BB music music then then you you owe owe it it to to yourself yourself to to watch watch Standing Standing in in the the Shadows Shadows of of Mot Motownown.. This This powerful powerful documentary documentary will will leave leave you you with with a a deeper deeper appreciation appreciation for for what what The The Funk Funk Brothers Brothers achieved achieved and and inspired inspired generations generations with with their their timeless timeless music music..
