"Standing In The Shadows Of Motown"

Okay so... it's really hard for me to remember to watch things. Or be motivated to watch things.

And a lot of times, when I do get around to watching things, they still aren't worth recommending.

This is an exception. :)

I just finished this fantastic documentary. It's about a group of musicians, hand-selected by Berry Gordy (the founder of Motown Records) who became The Funk Brothers-- aka the driving force behind every major hit during the golden age of Motown.

These guys were so together, so en pointe from having played in a group for so many years, that when you listen to their tracks, you barely notice them. It's easy to take their artistry for granted because they were SO good at what they did-- being the accompaniment. They're like a machine. And they were, really. A hit machine, utilized by every major Motown artist.

Together, these 16 men are the heartbeat behind such classics as:

Do You Love Me

Heard It Through The Grapevine

Heatwave

Please, Mr. Postman

You've Really Got A Hold On Me

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Stop (In the Name of Love)

My Girl

The Way You Do The Things You Do

What's Goin On

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

Ain't Too Proud To Beg

Uptight

Dancin In The Street

Shop Around

Shotgun

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted

My Guy

Jimmy Mack

Tears of A Clown

Come See About Me

Baby I Need Your Lovin

Ain't Nothin Like The Real Thing, Baby

Ain't That Peculiar

Reach Out, I'll Be There

Just My Imagination

Get Ready

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours

And many others. A lot of these hits were written in one or two hours and recorded in ONE TAKE by these incredible musicians in a studio nicknamed the Snake Pit. And you know the craziest thing???

The Funk Brothers played on more number one hits than The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and Elvis Presley-- COMBINED.

Yet most people have never even heard of them.

Get your name OFF that list.

"Standing In The Shadows of Motown" is the documentary that tells their story. If you've ever bobbed your head to any of the songs listed above, you should check it out. It's not just a really entertaining history lesson-- the film also features are some excellent live covers performed by artists like Ben Harper, Joan Osborne, Bootsy Collins & Chaka Chan, accompanied by the Funk Bros.

So... find it and  watch it! You really should. 

It's better than most of the crap that's at Blockbuster right now.