Standing in the Shadows of Motown

4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (226 customer reviews)
Detroit, Michigan, 1959. Berry Gordy gathered the best musicians from the city's thriving jazz and blues scene for his new record company: Motown.
  • Starring: The Funk Brothers
  • Directed by: Paul Justman
  • Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
  • Release year: 2002
  • Studio: Lionsgate
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Standing in the Shadows of Motown
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Product Details
Synopsis: Detroit, Michigan, 1959. Berry Gordy gathered the best musicians from the city's thriving jazz and blues scene for his new record company: Motown.
Starring: The Funk Brothers
Directed by: Paul Justman
Genre: Documentary, Music
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
Release year: 2002
Studio: Lionsgate
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for language and thematic elements
ASIN: B000KHG020 (Rental) and B000KHI02I (Purchase)
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Rental rights: 24 hour viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Compatible with: Mac and Windows PC online viewing, compatible instant streaming devices, TiVo DVRs. System requirements
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)
Also available on DVD

Standing in the Shadows of Motown DVD ~ Richard 'Pistol' Allen

4.8 out of 5 stars (226) $6.99
Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: Feburary 13, 2002
  • MPAA: Rated PG for language and thematic elements
  • Production Company: Artisan Entertainment, Rimshot, Elliott Scott Productions
  • USA Box Office: $ 1 Million
  • Also Known As: Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Story of the Funk Brothers
  • Filming Locations: Baker's Keyboard Lounge - 20510 Livernois Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, USA | Belle Isle Arboreum, Detroit, Michigan, USA | Belle Isle Bridge, Detroit, Michigan, USA | Club Bo Macks - 281 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, USA | Detroit, Michigan, USA | Edisto Island, South Carolina, USA | Encore Recordings - 417 E Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA | Granda, Mississippi, USA | Park View Diner, Detroit, Michigan, USA | Roostertail - 100 Marquette, Detroit, Michigan, USA | Royal Oak Music Hall - 318 W. 4th Street, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA | Wonderful Music, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Customer Reviews

226 Reviews
5 star:
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 (19)
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 (4)
2 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (226 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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135 of 137 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars For those who questioned why......., April 30, 2003
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Standing in the Shadows of Motown (DVD)
I read a few reviewers questioning why the production didn't involve the original singers to sing the songs. Please note that this documentary is about Funk Brothers. By using contemporary singers to accompany the original rhythm section, the film proves to the viewers how Motown music is in it's musicians, especially the rhythm section. Also if Diana, Stevie, or Smokey would get on stage to sing a song or two, they'd definitely demand star treatment. This will DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.

For those who demand to know more about The Temps, Tops, Supremes, and Miracles etc., please either read their autobiographies, watch made-for-TV movies, or listen to their box sets. This movie is about the Funk Brothers, not Motown singers. This film is to celebrate the brothers' contribution to American pop music and to finally validate their hard work, creativity, and how they influenced generations of future musicians.

If you watched a documentary, at least be aware of the subject matter before you criticize the production.

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61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Got Soul...?, November 27, 2002
By 
Richard Wells (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
"Standing in the Shadows of Motown," is an absolute delight. It's the story of the "Funk Brothers," an integrated group of musicians who were the soul behind the soul. As the house band for Motown they were the sound that propelled more number one hits than the Beach Boys, the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and the great Elvis combined. These guys invented the groove. The movie is a straightforward collection of conversations, documentary concert footage, and reunion concert footage, with a few dramatized bits thrown in for texture and comic relief. At the beginning of the movie, someone said that "Deputy Dawg" would have sounded good backed up by the "Funk Brothers." The point is proven by the reunion footage that has good singers giving outstanding performances with the most laid back band in the world. By the end of the movie you not only like and admire these guys, you get to see how much they liked each other. They had to. Not only were a few of the personalities troubled, but it seems they never stopped working, and had to supplement their Motown payroll with gigs around town. See this movie, see who was standing behind the top soul singers of the 60's and 70's, and enjoy the groove.
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Untold Story, May 15, 2003
By 
Clark Johnson (Huntington, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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This review is from: Standing in the Shadows of Motown (DVD)
Finally, the story of the fabulous musicians of Motown is starting to be told. The movie spends a little too much time lamenting the fact that the Funk Brothers are unknown, but then spends the rest of the move celebrating the triumphs and challenges of the greatest hit machine the world has ever seen. Great stuff!

As a musician, I had two reactions to this movie:

1) Make it longer! I want to know and hear everything!

2) Wow, Motown music was MUCH more complex than I ever imagined when I was listening on cheap radios in my youth. These guys were basically jazz musicians, and the productions were very complex. If I had realized the level of musicianship that went in to these songs, I wouldn't have been so eager to do simple rock n' roll cover versions in my high-school and college bands. Doesn't mean the music isn't great, however.

Here's hoping that the Funk Brothers realize the fruits of the success that they obviously deserve. Enjoy the music!

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