Motown

CCdrums · Post by **CCdrums** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:15 am

I know I'm probably only going to get responses from the "older" cats on here, but anyone else besides me majorly influenced by Motown music? I just watched an infomercial on hits of the Motown era and it inspired me to post this thread. Man.....what great music...melodies, harmonies, lyrics, musicianship, groove...awesome. Fortunately for me, when I was a kid my uncle was heavily into Motown and had alot of the great group's records from back then. The Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops...man, I just loved that stuff growing up. I know Moxham will chime in, anyone else?

homerski · Post by **homerski** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:54 am

Clint,

Motown was a huge part of the soundtrack of my life, as well as most folks who grew up during the '60s and early '70s.

If you love motown, you won't want to miss this:
http://www.rockpage.net/phpbb2/viewtopi ... 906#167906

John H.

CCdrums · Post by **CCdrums** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:47 am

Cool! Thanks for the link!

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:38 pm

This is probably my favorite genre. Love to sing this stuff. I've always been heavily influenced by the vocal grooves and harmonies of Motown. It's all just so damn smooth. Love it. r:>)

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:01 pm

I love The Temptations. If you're a singer/vocalist you have to at least appreciate motown.

DrumAndDestroy · Post by **DrumAndDestroy** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:04 pm

DirtySanchez wrote:If you're a singer/vocalist you have to at least appreciate motown.

agreed

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:15 pm

Clint,

The Motown artists, as well as the Memphis Stax Studios and Philadelphia Soul sound were simultaneously changing the music scene in the 60's and 70's. They all had the right formula of excellent musicians, great songwriting with catchy riffs and lyrics, fantastic singers who could harmonize and sing as well live as on record, and danceable songs with a memorable groove. Motown had the terrific Funk Brothers musicians and Stax had Donald Duck Dunn, Steve Cropper, Booker T. and more. In many cases, these musicians wrote the songs as well as played on them.

There is a wonderful movie that came out in 2002 called Standing In The Shadows of Motown about the Funk Brothers; the musicians who performed on the Motown songs. It is worth watching for any band member, no matter what styles of music you like.

http://www.standingintheshadowsofmotown.com/

CCdrums · Post by **CCdrums** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:46 pm

Yeah, I saw that movie. It's awesome. Gives me chills. That tambourine player is incredible. Who would have thought that the tambourine would be such a big part of that sound? He took tambourine playing to another level man...incredible. The bass player, James Jamerson was just a monster on bass. So many good grooves, can't count them all. Some of the best American music ever IMO.

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:01 pm

As a gesture of appreciation to Motown, Bad Daze Rob and I will play and sing one complete set of Soul/R&B tunes this Monday night at Pellys. Get there early for a seat!

Plus, we'll be drinking shots of Jamerson!

Hawk · Post by **Hawk** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:47 pm

The Funk Brothers.

EXTRAordinary musicians

The documentary film (2002) was one of the greatest documentaries I've ever seen. After watching the DVD a few times. I have the greatest respect for each of the great "Funk Brothers" !

If you haven't seen the DVD, get it ASAP, you will love it.

The Brothers:
http://www.standingintheshadowsofmotown ... nksbio.htm

The Film:
http://www.standingintheshadowsofmotown.com/index.htm

I was not a big Motown fan until I saw what went on in the background with perhaps some of the greatest studio musicians ever to collaborate and contribute to the sound we know as Motown

BassFinger · Post by **BassFinger** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:31 am

The 'Funk Brothers' were a huge influence on my musical style. It's also amazing that early Motown recordings were done with a 4-track and that all the rhythm tracks required one take with no overdubs in order to fit all the other musicians on.

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 1:39 am

Love the music and the movie. What really got my attention was that when the Funk Brothers were making all of that classic music, they were paid a standard $10 per day. These songs were bringing millions of dollars and these musicians were paid relatively peanuts compared to the worth of their songs.

Like someone said earlier, if you grow up in the 60's, this music was part of your life. It was always on am radio those days.

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 3:55 pm

PBS TV has a Great Performances show that came out in 2007 called RESPECT YOURSELF: THE STAX RECORDS STORY. This is another music documentary that is definitely worth watching and makes you appreciate what went on behind the scenes to make these great songs.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/stax/index.html

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:49 pm

Motown and mostly Marvin Gaye has always been an influence in my life, from growing up singing in the church choir to singing in the shower. Can't say that it spills over in my stage performance but I like to think the "mojo" does. ~SnOOge!!