The Funk Brothers

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 5 Jun 2004 9:30 am

I'm not exactly sure why I'm writing this, ( except that I like real music ) but on our recent little Midwest tour in April we had a chance to visit Hitsville USA in Detroit. Man, what a cool place; the museum tour is well planned and informative and all, but the real higlight is the original studio. Good grief, I felt the vibe!!! It's all original down to the tape marked microphone spots, recording consoles and all. So inspired by all this, last night I rented the movie "Motown" the story of the house band which played on all those legendary hits, The Funk Brothers; James Jamerson, Joe Messina, Earl Van Dyke and others. Really nice movie, you rarely see such a tribute payed to the musicians that actually created the hits, too often it's just about the singers and stars. If you haven't seen the movie, check it out, it's pretty good. And if you're around Motor City, go see the studio and museum, it's REALLY good!!
So, next I wanna see a movie like that about the Nashville A-team; Grady Martin, Bob Moore, Pig Robbins, Lloyd Green...

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 5 Jun 2004 8:45 pm

Hey Jussi, yeah I just hired it last nigth as well.
It's cool, .. it's the real deal and put together so well.

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 7 Jun 2004 6:13 am

The movie is called "Standing in the Shadows of Motown". As claimed, the Funk Brothers played on more #1 hits than the Beatles, the Stones and Elvis combined. There's no steel guitar but this is great great music and well worth watching.

Don E. Curtis · Post by **Don E. Curtis** » 7 Jun 2004 2:20 pm

Yes! I give this movie ALL THUMBS UP!
Don E.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 8 Jun 2004 8:09 pm

I love that movie. It almost made me cry!

DZ

seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 9 Jun 2004 10:31 am

I purchased the DVD after renting it once, it's an amazing story.

And I fell in love with Joan Osborne while she sings "what becomes of a broken heart" !
Powerful stuff
chris

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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"There is no spoon"
www.book-em-danno.com

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 9 Jun 2004 4:22 pm

Same here! A great story and the love of the musicians for one another without the least regard for race is inspiring and truly touching. Joan just nails heat wave too - such a joyful, swinging rendition.

Jussi Huhtakangas · Post by **Jussi Huhtakangas** » 9 Jun 2004 9:32 pm

Yeah, Joan was kinda my favorite in there too ( in addition to the short b&w clip of Joe Messina rippin' off some bob licks, ooo-weee ). Seriously guys, if you liked the movie, you really gotta see the Museum, it's cool!! Even the tour guide is one of the guys who used to hang around the studio, looking for a chance to "make it big"

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jussi Huhtakangas on 09 June 2004 at 10:33 PM.]</p></FONT>