Standing in the shadow of motown

TJBass · #1 02-15-2009, 09:01 PM

I just watched the VHS version of this, picked it up for a buck in a dollar store about a ear ago. Man I should have watched this sooner.

Jamerson and Babbit, two fantastic players that were so under-rated at that time before motown moved to Hollywood but they were so in demand.

I'm glad they finally have the spotlight, even if it is too late.

RIP James

SixString · #2 02-15-2009, 09:06 PM

yeah last time i checked you could get the DVD copy for like $3.00 on amazon.

GM60466 · #3 02-16-2009, 08:35 AM

Disc 2 is just as good as the program disc.

G

**Thor** · #4 02-16-2009, 08:36 AM

Should be required viewing for every bassist.

9mmMike · #5 02-16-2009, 01:44 PM

I finally watched this last night. I had DVR'd the thing but never got around to watching. It was terrific. Those guys had me laughing aloud with some of their stories. The payment/pistol story and the spying stories come to mind. Very good stuff. I am so glad they made this film. I will be buying a copy for sure.

PS. Babbit's emotional interview was also amazing.

kesslari · #6 02-16-2009, 03:15 PM

Saw it for the first time last week. It was really an eye opener.

RobJ · #7 02-16-2009, 05:02 PM

I have no idea how many times I've watched that movie, hands down it's my favorite. It really gets my emotions going and inspires me as a musician and bass player. I grew up near Detroit in the '60s and '70s listening to this incredible music, song after song, coming out of Hitsville on the radio everyday, for this I am eternally grateful.

One Drop · #8 02-17-2009, 01:16 PM

I could listen to Pistol talk all day.

fantastic movie, I agree every bassist should see it, whatever their musical preferences.

The original book with recordings mixed so you can play along to the other instruments by panning to one stereo channel is a fascinating resource, and includes a great history of jamerson and Motown, and real eye-opening recordings of various bassists' versions of his classic lines.

middlebit · #9 02-17-2009, 01:46 PM

The interviews and the performances are truly outstanding...however, I just can't stand the poorly acted dramatisations of some of the old stories. I found that stuff cheesy, awkward and dated, even when it first came out. Long live the skip function!

RobJ · #10 02-17-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by middlebit

The interviews and the performances are truly outstanding...however, I just can't stand the poorly acted dramatisations of some of the old stories. I found that stuff cheesy, awkward and dated, even when it first came out. Long live the skip function!

Interesting point and yes the "acting" isn't stellar. I find those bits to be part of the charm of the movie, they certainly add some levity. Anyway, I'm more interested in the stories behind these scenes and the poor acting doesn't bother me any.

Terry Funk · #11 02-17-2009, 02:52 PM

The performances were outstanding. Joan Osbourne doing "Heatwave", Meshell Ndegeocello with "You Really Got a Hold On Me" and Bootsy doing "Do You Love Me" (not well sung, but as is everything involving Bootzilla, fun as hell) particularly stand out. What a great group of men/musicians. Beautiful flick.

TJBass · #12 02-17-2009, 05:51 PM

eah the re-enactments could have been left out, but a great find at a dollar store, thats for sure. I'm going to watch it again tonite!

ZonGuy · #13 02-18-2009, 05:14 AM

The original Dr. Licks book and CD should be everybody's Bass 101 Text.

middlebit · #14 02-18-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobJ

Interesting point and yes the "acting" isn't stellar. I find those bits to be part of the charm of the movie, they certainly add some levity. Anyway, I'm more interested in the stories behind these scenes and the poor acting doesn't bother me any.

That's cool, I have no problem with that. I guess it's not really about good or bad acting but about whether those segments should have been conceived at all. Speaking of charm, I, personally, would much rather hear "the survivors" tell the stories without having them cartooned out like that for me. I found those scenes condescending to the viewer, whereas the bantery interviews were most pleasant to watch.

One Drop · #15 02-18-2009, 11:59 AM

I thought the reenactments were okay. They certainly widened the potential public for a a movie like this, which was a big part of its intent, namely to make the Funk Brothers known to all for their part in making musical history.

markjazzbassist · #16 02-18-2009, 10:50 PM

i love the movie, songs, bob babbitt (come on now, that cat jams!), and all the guest artists.

great movie

scatman · #17 02-19-2009, 12:54 PM

It is sad that the DVD is relegated to the dollar stores. Not surprising, though. I saw it in the movies and there were about 10 people in the movie theater. The other Detroit movie, "8-Mile", starring Eminen, was out at that time, and folk were around the block to see that one.

TheVoiceless · #18 02-19-2009, 02:47 PM

How can you not get choked up at the end when James Jamerson is in the crowd hearing all of his music. It was gut wrenching for me.

Jluckie3 · #19 02-19-2009, 10:56 PM

joan osborn, what becomes of the broken hearted un-f#*&ing believeable. still one of the most incredible performences i've ever seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA0GcXV2njY

i tell you that is music and those cats are true capitol M Musicians.
so sad that so many of them are gone, even some of the singers who paid tribute are gone (gerald levert) three of the brothers have passed since the movie's release.

on another note anyone ever notice that a lot of the motown guys had similar first and last names? james jamerson, benny benjamin, bob babbitt

MixBass · #20 02-20-2009, 07:37 PM

Great film and Chaka's version of What's goin on is amazing. Babbit nails the tune and I love how Chaka reinvents the phrasing of a tune I've heard/(sang) 1000's of times by scads of people. Pino's bit at the top is stellar as well.