Rating: 
Summary: About Time!!!
Review: Before the time when musicians got credits on pop albums these guys put there signatures on each song with their instruments.Substitue Ben Harper with anyone who can actually sing and Lenny Pickett for Tom Scott and you`ve got a almost perfect Funk Brothers rendition.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, the aces get their due!
Review: Playing on more number one hits than Elvis, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones combined, their grooves and melodies redefined the pop music lexicon, forever spinning in the jukebox of our unconscious. Yet somehow, they've lingered in anonymity.For those stumped by the decades-old mystery of who really supplied the sounds behind Motown Records' superstar singers, the answer is finally revealed. STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN is a film documentary about the Funk Brothers, the session musicians responsible for weaving the real magic of the label's "Sound Of Young America" during the 1960's. Even though they worked during a time when all supporting bands took a back seat to the famous front persons, it remains a travesty how one this essentially good could go for so long before gaining even a shred of notoriety. It was worth the wait. STANDING IN THE SHADOWS... is a warm and breezy account, not the bitter confessional of a VH1 Behind The Music feature, nor the somber history lesson of a Ken Burns series. Director Paul Justman casually shuffles the story back and forth, allowing the remaining members to wax nostalgic, amid rare photograph stills and hazy re-enactments from the group's carefree days. It's the modern-day footage which places their bond in perspective. In and around cold and snowy Detroit, they reminisce at a coffee shop, even gathering out in front of a condo complex which once was home to a stretch of clubs they frequented. When they return to the Motown headquarters' basement recording room known as "the Snakepit," the laughs and stories really fly. You're immediately charmed by their charisma, and it's evident that they're still as tight as the music they once crafted. If the commentary and historic visuals represent the heart of this film, then the live performances clearly provide the soul. Forty-one years after Motown's birth, the surviving Funk Brothers reunited for a concert in the Motor City, with the lead vocals delivered by an impressive cast of singers including Gerald Levert, Joan Osborne, Bootsy Collins, Ben Harper, Chaka Khan, Montell Jordan, and Meshell Ndegeocello. Aided by lots of sheet music, the Brothers sound tremendous, as if they'd never stopped jamming together. Their in-the-pocket grooving and sweetly-textured melodies are as perfect as in their heyday. Only this time, a contemporary set of vocalists are the beneficiaries. Levert is a dead-ringer for the Four Tops' Levi Stubbs on "Reach Out I'll Be There;" Osborne wails superbly like Martha Reeves on "Heatwave;" the flamboyant Collins spins colorful takes of "Cool Jerk" and the Contours' "Do You Love Me;" and a reverent Harper evokes the spirit of Marvin Gaye with a brassy version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." Hearing these classics is always a celebration; seeing their creators performing them one more time, as the centerpiece of their own documentary surrounded by adoring colleagues, is poetic justice. The Funk Brothers flourished in a period of extreme social and political tensions, holding their heads high and providing the vehicle for Hitsville, USA's classy, optimistic vibe. And at last they've received their props, in a showcase as befitting as the joy they brought to an entire generation, and beyond.
Rating:
Summary: What a blast and a fine tribute, too!
Review: I just had a blast watching the DVD, "Standing in the Shadows of Motown." Call it a documentary, call it a concert film, call it a reunion, call it a tribute, call it a lesson in soul music history, or call it a lesson on how to really put together a band; but I call it just plain fun! As a musician who grew up under the influence of Motown, I enjoyed all the musical background as much as did the music itself. My wife just enjoyed singing along. Here The Funk Brothers finally get the credit they deserve for being the driving force behind all of Motown's greatest hits. The fact that this film featured fine visiting vocalists, such as Joan Osborne, Chaka Khan and Ben Harper, actually proves the point that the Funk Brothers WERE MOTOWN! If you loved Motown music in its heyday, you'll love this film!
Rating: 
Summary: Funk Brothers = 5 Stars, but 3 Stars for the Documentary
Review: "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" tells the great and virtually unknown story of the Funk Brothers - a collection of talented jazz musicians who rewrote musical history by providing the music for many of Motown's greatest hits. The Funk Brothers consisted of 10+ very talented musicians, and they definitely deserve to have their stories told. Unfortunately, despite their talent and contributions, the Funk Brothers apparently received little glory and compensation. The story is inherently interesting, but the documentary ultimately falls a bit short of greatness. First, their contributions to Motown are not given enough context. Most of the story is told by the remaining Funk Brothers, and very few Motown artists are interviewed. I guess that the documentary makers wanted the focus to be on the Funk Brothers, but praise from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, or some of the remaining Temptations would undoubtedly have added to the luster of the Funk Brothers. Second, the degree to which the Funk Brothers wrote the music they played was not addressed (at times, the doc makes it seem as though they wrote much of it). Third, some of the stories are told with cheesy re-enactments, which detract from their impact. Perhaps the best part of the documentary is that the Funk Brothers re-unite to play several songs throughout the movie. When and where these live songs were recorded is not made clear, but many of them are very good. The Funk Brothers team up with several singers, such as Ben Harper, Joan Osbourne, Montell Jordan, Gerald Levert, and (best of all) Chaka Khan. Your enjoyment of these sections will likely correspond to how much you like these singers, but the performances are all pretty good. Ultimately, I think that the makers of the documentary were a bit too timid and deferential in their approach. They seem intent on avoiding angering Motown, even though many of the Funk Brothers seem to have been treated poorly by the label. The Funk Brothers deserve 5 stars, but sadly I can give the doc only 3 stars.
Rating:
Summary: The Real Talent of Motown
Review: It took Alan Schlutsky over 15 years to get this story told. His goal was finally accomplished. These excellent musicians finally have a little slice of the notoriety that they have deserved since the '60's. I have known many of them and they are much more talented than the movie could possibly show. Rest in peace 'Pistol' Allen and Johnny Griffith. You finished the movie, and never had a chance to see how excellent it is, but your story was told.
Rating:
Summary: Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Review: 'Standing in the Shadows of the Funk Brothers' might be a more apropos title for this music documentary that covers the life and times of an evolving clutch of some of America's best musicians. Motown IS Motown largely because of this posse of little known studio musicians- The Funk Brothers -that came to work at Detroit's Hitsville U.S.A., studio A, each day and night, amazingly ready to hit it at the count of four, in sync, on time, and always groovin'. The DVD is moving, foot-shaking, heart warming, funny and completely entertaining. A full assemblage of all the remaining little known Funk Brothers studio backup band augmented with vocals by Joan Osborne, Ben Harper, Bootsy Collins, and Meshell Ndegeocello do modern justice to historical masterpieces, but be prepared when Chaka Khan changes the mood at the finale. The second disc is as much fun as the first and whether you are watching or just listening, this is a great DVD.
Rating:
Summary: The Untold Story
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding tribute to unsung musicians
Review: "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" is an outstanding tribute to the unheralded studio musicians who backed many of the 1960s Motown/Soul era's biggest hits. The group was known as 'The Funk Brothers' and consisted of Richard Allen, Jack Ashford, Bob Babbitt, Johnny Griffith, Joe Hunter, Uriel Jones, Joe Messina, Eddie Willis who were still alive for the filming of the documentary. Funk Brothers 'here in Spirit' were Benny Benjamin, Eddie Brown, James Jamerson, Earl Van Dyke and Robert White. I had to mention the names of these guys once more, just to give them the recognition they deserve. Together they made up a baseball-team-like rotation of guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists and utility musicians who backed countless tracks for star singers like Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, The Drifters and Marvin Gaye. I enjoyed the mix of interviews and band footage, along with the historical photographs of the musicians back in the day. There was a unique bond and chemistry between these players that transcended race, Babbitt and Messina are white, and there is genuine affection for those not around today. As a bassist, I was especially interested in James Jamerson's contribution to the way the instrument was and is played, and his influence on countless players who have never heard of him. Some of the new concert footage included performances featuring vocalists such as Joan Osbourne, Ben Harper and Chaka Khan. These guys had such an easy groove, and they've still got the chops all these years later. The two-disk set is loaded with extras, including plenty of jams, biographies, and more interviews. This is a must-see for any musician or anyone interested in the history of music, especially the Motown era.
Rating:
Summary: A fabulous documentary!
Review: This is an excellent and poignant documentary about the musicians responsible for the Motown sound. Before this film, I never gave much thought about the musicians behind the music. These guys deserved to be recognized years ago. I'm happy for them that this documentary was finally created. It's a fabulous documentary, filled with lots of great music. I was also really impressed with the selection of vocal artists they used for this piece. Excellent...a must see/own!
Rating:
Summary: Just the greatest!
Review: This documentary on the background musicians from Motown was just great. I felt like I was watching live performances. It provided a fresh look at behind the scenes musicians who worked so tirelessly yet did not recieve the public aclaim that was offered to their more "public" stars. I recommend it with NO reservations to all who love the Supremes, Temps and all the other dozzens of great groups from that era.
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