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Review

This remarkable film is really two movies for the price of one. The core of the film is a documentary about the studio musicians of Motown Records - the uncredited guys who played the music for an unprecedented string of hits from stars such as: The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves & The Temptations. The extra added bonus are the remarkable performances by The Funk Brothers with guest singers: Chaka Khan, Ben Harper, Joan Osborne and Me'Shell NdegéOcello.

Beginning in the early sixties, Motown Records (Motor City) out of Detroit, Michigan ruled the pop radio airwaves. They took "race" music and transformed it into a formula that sold more records than anyone could imagine. While the stars of Motown are household names, the musicians who played on their records were never credited and largely unknown. This film seeks to correct that injustice and does so. These men had a rhythm section that more resembled a symphony orchestra than a rock-n-roll band in level of precision and depth of sound. When Motown moved to LA in the late seventies, many of these outstanding musicians became an unfortunate footnote to musical history.

The performances by the current stars prove that The Funk Brothers were and are an outstanding band. As entertainment, Standing in the Shadows of Motown soars, as a documentary it's totally compelling - you won't listen to your Motown CDs the same away ever again.

Scott Cranin

Songlist:
"Reach Out, I'll Be There"
Performed by Gerald Levert
"(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave"
Performed by Joan Osborne
"You've Really Got a Hold On Me"
Performed by Me'Shell NdegéOcello
"Do You Love Me"
Peformed by Bootsy Collins
"Ain't Too Proud To Beg"
Performed by Ben Harper
"Shotgun"
Performed by Gerald Levert
"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted"
Performed by Joan Osborne
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
Performed by Ben Harper
"Cool Jerk"
Performed by Bootsy Collins
"Cloud Nine"
Performed by Me'Shell NdegéOcello
"What's Going On"
Performed by Chaka Khan
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
Performed by Chaka Khan and Montell Jordan