Barnes & Noble

Some unsung heroes of pop music get long-overdue recognition in Standing in the Shadows of Motown, a heartfelt documentary directed by Paul Justman. They called themselves the Funk Brothers, a talented group of a dozen or so musicians who were recruited by Berry Gordy from the jazz and blues clubs of Detroit to record the musical tracks for Gordy's Motown label. Although they worked in relative anonymity, these studio musicians were responsible for a staggering number of soul and R&B hits. The Funk Brothers backed up the Supremes, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and a host of other Motown luminaries, only to be all but abandoned when the label moved to L.A. in the early 1970s. Standing in the Shadows allows the surviving Funk Brothers to tell their own story, and they tell it well, anchored by the sheer charm of keyboardist Joe Hunter and percussionist Jack "Black Jack" Ashford. Together, they paint a vivid picture of the close-knit musical collaboration that churned out hit after hit in Motown's Studio A (a basement room known affectionately as "the snake pit"). But even more time is spent profiling those Funk Brothers who are now "here in spirit," notably drummer Benny "Papa Zita" Benjamin, keyboardist Earl "Chunk of Funk" Van Dyke, and, at the center of it all, the legendary bassist James "Igor" Jamerson. Jamerson's story may be the most moving: He's portrayed as the genius who, though largely responsible for the distinctive Motown groove, labored in obscurity while battling drugs and the personal demons that would ultimately claim his life. While Jamerson's story best exemplifies the film's tragic element, Standing in the Shadows is ultimately a celebration of these talented musicians, climaxing in a triumphant Funk Brothers reunion concert in Detroit at which a host of artists -- including Joan Osborne, Ben Harper, Bootsy Collins, and Chaka Kahn -- perform such Motown classics as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," and "What's Goin' On?" It's hard to imagine a more effective tribute to these legends than Standing in the Shadows of Motown: It's a family portrait made with love that's a feast for both the ears and the heart. Gregory Baird

All Movie Guide

Based on the book of the same name by Allan Slutsky, Standing in the Shadows of Motown is a historical tribute to the unsung heroes responsible for some of the greatest hits of pop music. Part documentary and part concert performance, this film is an introduction to the intriguing personas of the Hitsville studio band originally assembled by Berry Gordy in 1959. Over 40 years later, the remaining members reunited in their home base of Detroit, MI, to tell their stories, remember their departed bandmates, and put on a concert. The creation of the Motown sound is told through in-depth interviews, archival footage, and reenactments. Personal stories are intercut with live tracks from the concert performance featuring the Funk Brothers live on-stage along with popular vocalists interpreting some of their biggest hits. Some of the guest singers stick around for conversation with the musicians and offer a contemporary perspective, including Joan Osborne, Me'Shell NdegéOcello, and Ben Harper. The film follows the group's contributions through the '60s up until Gordy moved the label to Los Angeles in 1972. Andrea LeVasseur

Product Details

• UPC: 012236137801
• Source: LIONS GATE
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Surround, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Digital Theater Systems
• Subtitles: English, Español
• Time: 1:50:00
• Sales Rank: 13,899

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