Trailer:
The Funk Brothers:
Keyboards - Joe Hunter, Earl Van Dyke, Popcorn Wylie
Guitars - Robert White, Eddie Willis, Joe Messina, Larry Veeder, Dave Hamilton
Bass - James Jamerson, Clarence Isabell
Drums - Benny Benjamin, Richard "Pistol" Allen, George McGregor, Clifford Mack
Percussion - Jack Ashford, Eddie "Bongo" Brown
Vibes - Jack Ashford, Dave Hamilton, James Gittens
Trumpets - Herbie Williams, John "Little John" Wilson, Marcus Belgrave, Russell Conway, Johnny Trudell
Saxophones- Hank Crosby, Andrew "Mike" Toney, Norris Patterson, Thomas "Beans" Bowles, Teddy Buckner, Ronnie Wakefield, Lefty Edwards, Eli Fontaine, Ernie Rodgers
Trombone - Bob Cousar, George Bohanon, Paul Riser *
Keyboards - Joe Hunter, Earl Van Dyke, Popcorn Wylie
Guitars - Robert White, Eddie Willis, Joe Messina, Larry Veeder, Dave Hamilton
Bass - James Jamerson, Clarence Isabell
Drums - Benny Benjamin, Richard "Pistol" Allen, George McGregor, Clifford Mack
Percussion - Jack Ashford, Eddie "Bongo" Brown
Vibes - Jack Ashford, Dave Hamilton, James Gittens
Trumpets - Herbie Williams, John "Little John" Wilson, Marcus Belgrave, Russell Conway, Johnny Trudell
Saxophones- Hank Crosby, Andrew "Mike" Toney, Norris Patterson, Thomas "Beans" Bowles, Teddy Buckner, Ronnie Wakefield, Lefty Edwards, Eli Fontaine, Ernie Rodgers
Trombone - Bob Cousar, George Bohanon, Paul Riser *
History
Biography by Steve Huey
The Funk Brothers were the brilliant but anonymous studio band responsible for the instrumental backing on countless Motown records from 1959 up to the company's move to Los Angeles in 1972. Woefully underappreciated as architects of the fabled "Motown sound," the individual musicians were rarely credited on the records that relied upon their performances, which downplayed their importance to the label. Motown's sophisticated, urbane brand of R&B certainly would have been difficult to achieve without the extensive jazz training that many of the Funk Brothers brought to the table. In order to keep that sound a distinctive brand name, Motown signed most of the group to exclusive, highly restrictive contracts during their tenure, although a few peripheral members were able to moonlight on sessions for other companies from time to time. In more recent years, the Funk Brothers' legacy has begun to receive proper attention, most notably in Allen Slutsky's 1989 book Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which focused on bass genius James Jamerson, and the 2002 documentary film of the same name, which covered the group as a whole.
Motown head Berry Gordy Jr. first assembled a studio band in 1959, culling its members from Detroit's fertile club scene. Most of the players came from a jazz background, although some had more experience with blues or R&B, and there was a great deal of crossover among working musicians of the time. Among the early members were pianist/bandleader Joe Hunter (not to be confused with blues balladeer Ivory Joe Hunter) and the rhythm section of bassist James Jamerson and drummer William "Benny" Benjamin, who would go on to become the backbone of the Motown beat. Other regulars who came onboard prior to 1962 were guitarists Robert White, Eddie Willis, and Joe Messina; alternate drummer Richard "Pistol" Allen; percussionists Jack Ashford (who handled the tambourine work) and Eddie "Bongo" Brown; and the aggressive pianist Earl Van Dyke, as well as numerous horn players. Eventually nicknamed the Funk Brothers, this aggregation would soon become an integral part of Motown's rise to prominence and its commercial dominance during the glory years of 1963-1967. By 1964, Hunter had quit as bandleader, paving the way for classically trained keyboardist Johnny Griffith to join and for Van Dyke to become the group leader; drummer Uriel Jones also became an active member around the same time. In addition to the numerous hit singles they played on, the Funk Brothers also played quite often around the Detroit club scene.
Things began to change over 1967-1968. The Motown hit factory was forced to reinvent its sound to fit changing trends, and with producerNorman Whitfield's brand of psychedelic soul guiding the label's fortunes, guitarist Wah Wah Watson came onboard to update the Funk Brothers' sound. Moreover, the groundbreaking rhythm section of James Jamerson and Benny Benjamin was coming apart due to substance abuse problems. Benjamin passed away in 1969, and Jonestook a much greater role in the aftermath of his death. Meanwhile, the massively influential Jamerson had grown unreliable; while he still performed, white bassist Bob Babbitt picked up much of his slack, and did an excellent job of replicating Jamerson's unpredictable melodicism. This core group remained together until 1972, when Gordy moved the Motown offices to Los Angeles, unceremoniously abandoning the Funk Brothers. Still, the group did get one glorious last hurrah in Marvin Gaye's 1971 masterpiece What's Going On, which made full use of the band's jazz training (and listed full musician credits).
Some of the Funk Brothers went on to other session and backup gigs, while others soon drifted out of the music business; regardless, most of them remained in Detroit. James Jamerson passed away in 1983, and only received wider recognition posthumously; he was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 in the sideman category. Eddie "Bongo" Brown also died in 1983; Earl Van Dykepassed on in 1992 and Robert White did the same in 1994. The surviving core members of the Funk Brothers reunited for Paul Justman's documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which was released in 2002 to generally excellent reviews; the same year, however, Richard "Pistol" Allen and Johnny Griffith both passed away. **
Biography by Steve Huey
The Funk Brothers were the brilliant but anonymous studio band responsible for the instrumental backing on countless Motown records from 1959 up to the company's move to Los Angeles in 1972. Woefully underappreciated as architects of the fabled "Motown sound," the individual musicians were rarely credited on the records that relied upon their performances, which downplayed their importance to the label. Motown's sophisticated, urbane brand of R&B certainly would have been difficult to achieve without the extensive jazz training that many of the Funk Brothers brought to the table. In order to keep that sound a distinctive brand name, Motown signed most of the group to exclusive, highly restrictive contracts during their tenure, although a few peripheral members were able to moonlight on sessions for other companies from time to time. In more recent years, the Funk Brothers' legacy has begun to receive proper attention, most notably in Allen Slutsky's 1989 book Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which focused on bass genius James Jamerson, and the 2002 documentary film of the same name, which covered the group as a whole.
Motown head Berry Gordy Jr. first assembled a studio band in 1959, culling its members from Detroit's fertile club scene. Most of the players came from a jazz background, although some had more experience with blues or R&B, and there was a great deal of crossover among working musicians of the time. Among the early members were pianist/bandleader Joe Hunter (not to be confused with blues balladeer Ivory Joe Hunter) and the rhythm section of bassist James Jamerson and drummer William "Benny" Benjamin, who would go on to become the backbone of the Motown beat. Other regulars who came onboard prior to 1962 were guitarists Robert White, Eddie Willis, and Joe Messina; alternate drummer Richard "Pistol" Allen; percussionists Jack Ashford (who handled the tambourine work) and Eddie "Bongo" Brown; and the aggressive pianist Earl Van Dyke, as well as numerous horn players. Eventually nicknamed the Funk Brothers, this aggregation would soon become an integral part of Motown's rise to prominence and its commercial dominance during the glory years of 1963-1967. By 1964, Hunter had quit as bandleader, paving the way for classically trained keyboardist Johnny Griffith to join and for Van Dyke to become the group leader; drummer Uriel Jones also became an active member around the same time. In addition to the numerous hit singles they played on, the Funk Brothers also played quite often around the Detroit club scene.
Things began to change over 1967-1968. The Motown hit factory was forced to reinvent its sound to fit changing trends, and with producerNorman Whitfield's brand of psychedelic soul guiding the label's fortunes, guitarist Wah Wah Watson came onboard to update the Funk Brothers' sound. Moreover, the groundbreaking rhythm section of James Jamerson and Benny Benjamin was coming apart due to substance abuse problems. Benjamin passed away in 1969, and Jonestook a much greater role in the aftermath of his death. Meanwhile, the massively influential Jamerson had grown unreliable; while he still performed, white bassist Bob Babbitt picked up much of his slack, and did an excellent job of replicating Jamerson's unpredictable melodicism. This core group remained together until 1972, when Gordy moved the Motown offices to Los Angeles, unceremoniously abandoning the Funk Brothers. Still, the group did get one glorious last hurrah in Marvin Gaye's 1971 masterpiece What's Going On, which made full use of the band's jazz training (and listed full musician credits).
Some of the Funk Brothers went on to other session and backup gigs, while others soon drifted out of the music business; regardless, most of them remained in Detroit. James Jamerson passed away in 1983, and only received wider recognition posthumously; he was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 in the sideman category. Eddie "Bongo" Brown also died in 1983; Earl Van Dykepassed on in 1992 and Robert White did the same in 1994. The surviving core members of the Funk Brothers reunited for Paul Justman's documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which was released in 2002 to generally excellent reviews; the same year, however, Richard "Pistol" Allen and Johnny Griffith both passed away. **
Watch ''Standing in the Shadows of Motown''***
Some soundtracks:
"Reach Out, I'll Be There" by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland (as Edward Holland Jr.) Performed by Gerald Levert and The Funk Brothers Gerald Levert appears courtesy of Elektra Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" by Eddie Holland (as Edward Holland Jr.), Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland Performed by Joan Osborne and The Funk Brothers Joan Osborne appears courtesy of Interscope Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"You've Really Got a Hold On Me" by Smokey Robinson (as William Robinson Jr.) Performed by Meshell Ndegeocello and The Funk Brothers Me'Shell NdegéOcello appears courtesy of Maverick Recording Company Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"Do You Love Me" by Berry Gordy Performed by Bootsy Collins and The Funk Brothers Bootsy Collins appears courtesy of WEA Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"Shotgun" by Junior Walker Performed by Gerald Levert and The Funk Brothers Gerald Levert appears courtesy of Elektra Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by Norman Whitfield (as Norman J. Whitfield) and Eddie Holland (as Edward Holland Jr.) Performed by Ben Harper and The Funk Brothers Ben Harper appears courtesy of Virgin Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Norman Whitfield (as Norman J. Whitfield) and Barrett Strong Performed by Ben Harper and The Funk Brothers Ben Harper appears courtesy of Virgin Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" by James Dean, Paul Riser and William Weatherspoon Performed by Joan Osborne and The Funk Brothers Joan Osborne appears courtesy of Interscope Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved ****
"Reach Out, I'll Be There" by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland (as Edward Holland Jr.) Performed by Gerald Levert and The Funk Brothers Gerald Levert appears courtesy of Elektra Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" by Eddie Holland (as Edward Holland Jr.), Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland Performed by Joan Osborne and The Funk Brothers Joan Osborne appears courtesy of Interscope Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"You've Really Got a Hold On Me" by Smokey Robinson (as William Robinson Jr.) Performed by Meshell Ndegeocello and The Funk Brothers Me'Shell NdegéOcello appears courtesy of Maverick Recording Company Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"Do You Love Me" by Berry Gordy Performed by Bootsy Collins and The Funk Brothers Bootsy Collins appears courtesy of WEA Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"Shotgun" by Junior Walker Performed by Gerald Levert and The Funk Brothers Gerald Levert appears courtesy of Elektra Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by Norman Whitfield (as Norman J. Whitfield) and Eddie Holland (as Edward Holland Jr.) Performed by Ben Harper and The Funk Brothers Ben Harper appears courtesy of Virgin Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Norman Whitfield (as Norman J. Whitfield) and Barrett Strong Performed by Ben Harper and The Funk Brothers Ben Harper appears courtesy of Virgin Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved
"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" by James Dean, Paul Riser and William Weatherspoon Performed by Joan Osborne and The Funk Brothers Joan Osborne appears courtesy of Interscope Records Used by permission of Jobete Music Co., Inc. All Rights Reserved ****
RSS Feed