Customer Reviews
Two hours of heaven 
2008-04-16
The documentary is being played on cable this week, and for anyone who's never seen this, you are in for a treat. The musicianship is sublime--the surviving Funk Brothers backing Joan Osbourne, 'cello --both of these ladies awesome angels--Bootsy Collins, Ben Harper, Chaka Khan...I was so absorbed that I think I actually went into the tv set and became part of the film. As incredible as the performances are the stories of the musicians, their devotion to their craft and their instruments, to playing well and playing for pleasure, to using all their creativity to produce the sound.
Of course, when you learn of their being abandoned by the dude that made money off them, learn that Jamieson bought a scalped ticket to watch Motown 25 Live then died two weeks later, you are both saddened and outraged. But I'm glad this work set the story straight.
great music 2008-04-06
This is a great cd, I enjoyed it very much. If your any kind of motown fan it's a must have.
Standing in the Shadows 2008-03-11
Music very well done as are most vocals. Enjoyed it very much. Anyone who grew up on Motown will enjoy it.
Greatest back up group of all time 2007-11-26
This cd mirrors the DVD of the same title. These guys did all the backround bandwork for almost all of the motown hits. Great sound and well done. I buy copies used for friends who are awestruck upon listening to them...the Funk Bros.
Awesome 2007-08-13
I viewed this program on HBO and knew I must purchase the soundtrack. It is awesome! The music is subperb and learning about the Funk Brothers is a real piece of music history everyone who loves Motown should know.
Some songs cant be redone, I'm open-minded but this is sad. 
2007-06-16
The phenomenal story of Motown has been told many times--so many in fact, that the notion of an untold part of its legacy seems far-fetched. But as the documentary film
Standing in the Shadows of Motown demonstrates, there was more to the success of the Detroit-based label than singing babes in gowns and founder Berry Gordy's business acumen. There was also the self-named Funk Brothers: the session players putting the unforgettable guitar sounds into "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and the creeping bass line behind "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." These guys were a crucial piece of the puzzle but have remained largely anonymous. While the
Standing documentary tells the Funk Brothers' story via interviews, stock footage, and still photos, the accompanying soundtrack takes liberties, pairing the surviving musicians with contemporary pop, R&B, and funk artists. Together, they faithfully recast Motown hits. What could have been a disaster--would you want to muck with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"?--works beautifully, thanks both to the Brothers' chops and the thoughtful artist selection. While enlisting a soul brother like Ben Harper was a no-brainer, the inclusion of Joan Osborne was especially astute. After all, Osborne's deep connection to R&B is why her production of the Holmes Brothers'
Speaking in Tongues disc was genius, and she acquits herself beautifully on "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" and "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted." Similarly, bass boss Meshell Ndegeocello gives Chaka Khan competition in the gospel diva department. Bootsy Collins, Gerald Levert, and Montell Jordan also contribute. Motown purists may balk at this concept, but they'd have to agree these readings are smart, respectful, and very, very soulful.
--Kim Hughes
I love this disk! 2007-05-25
Unlike most reviewers, I didn't much care for most of what came out of Motown during its heyday. In particular, I found the vocal styles overbearing and self-indulgent.
The covers of these classic tunes are, with two exceptions, far superior to the originals in my opinion, not least because the musicianship of the Funk Brothers is a stronger part of the mix and the vocals are much more to my taste. In particular, Joan Osborne and Chaka Kahn blew me away with the raw power and emotion of their interpretations of songs whose original versions didn't do much for me.
In my mind, this is the Motown album for those who think they don't like Motown!!!
best of all motown CD ever! 2007-04-06
arrive on time, perfect conditions, great music on top of it...
The Deluxe Edition is the version to go for....but this is still mighty fine!!! 
2007-01-22
The saying goes that the funk Brothers performances were so good that "Once The Funk Brothers had recorded the instrumental part of a song, it didn't matter who sang over it". Now there's a lot of truth in this statement, because the Funk Brothers layed down some of the most recognisable instrumentals over the last 30 years (although you won't realise it was their work at first). This disk features the performances by the Funk Brothers, with various artists's vocals completing the songs. "Me'Shell NdegeOcello" gives a typically impassioned live performance on "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", that truly is deserving of her position as one of the most accomplished female vocalists of recent years. The instrumental "Bernadette" is exactly the reason, why you'd buy this album, beautifully composed, impeccably performance, and completely reflective of the motown sound, at its creative peak.
Some Criticism's have been made regarding "Ben Harper's" contributions here, and I don't feel it's completely justified, just look at the songs that he's tackling ("Marvin Gaye's, legendary "I heard it through the Grapevine"), most artists would baulk at the idea of what is considered one of the greatest songs ever made. And Ben Harpers effort is by any means of fantastic effort, and worthy of praise. Is it comparable to Marvin's effort??.....Of course not!!, It'd be nearly impossible to match (or indeed improve) on the original, and Ben Harper in no way embarrasses himself here. Sure, he can't quite match the depth or emotion of Marvin's version.....but I ask you this "Who can???". Moving on this disk provides many highlights and all the contributions here (especially "Chaka Khan", "Bootsy Collins") are more than worthy of inclusion on this release, with many tracks providing interesting Covers/Spins on the original tracks.
Ultimately what you get here is a superior funk album, that is not only a tremendous document of the Funk Brothers work, but also a fantastic sounding album in it's own right. But as much as I wholeheartedly want to recommend this album (and it is superb), but I beg and implore anyone thinking of purchasing this, to shell out the extra dollars and pick up the `Deluxe' 2-cd edition of this release, for the instrumental disk, with features the tracks stripped of their vocals, and just featuring the instrumental work of the band. As it truly highlights just how sublime this group of musicians were....and just how much you lose by not having that second disk, and seeing how this release was fully intended. but for those that aren't prepared to pick up the deluxe edition, you'll still have a mighty fine edition of what is undoubtedly a great release.
standing in the shadows of motown 2006-11-11
This Cd is the sound track from a PBS programme of the same name. Excellent!
After hearing Joan Osborne on the one track - What becomes of the broken hearted, I bought 2 of her CDs.
