The Best of Motown
 

OK, yeah sure we're mostly a bunch of white people here but we do exhibit a hint of enlightened sophistication from time to time. ;) So, who is a fan of Motown and what song / group do you particularly enjoy?

I can't resist swaying whenever I hear the Temptations or Smokey Robinson.

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Grew up in Detroit in that era and have a soft spot for Aretha and Marvin Gaye, but never really grasped the whole vibe. Was more of a rock and roll kid from the burbs.

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If you get a chance watch the documentary "Hitsville:The Making of Motown.

That is a great movie. We didn't sit down until the credits rolled.

I can't say which is my favorite song. Put ten on the record changer and I'll say, "Oh, that's my favorite" every time a new song drops.

I bought this album set in 1975.

Still have it...any of you guys collect vinyl it is yours. I'll never play it again. I have lots of other vintage stuff as well.

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No dance party is ever complete without at least one spin of Shotgun

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My fave Motown group.

Levi Stubbs voice stands out like no other.

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I'm a big fan of the Funk Brothers - they were the studio band that provided the sound of Motown.

Bigtime Motown junky and fan!

Motown is some of the best music. The "go to" studio band at that time and location was The Funk Brothers. The bass player, James Jamerson, is considered by many to be the best of all time. He played bass on the majority of songs produced by Motown Records. He is one of the reasons you like Motown songs so much. For anyone interested:

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These are cool!

I had the pleasure of going through the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in September of last year. They had a small, comparatively speaking, display for Motown as you walk through their hall of history tracking the evolution of Rock and Roll.

People don't realize just how talented the artists, musicians, recording engineers, producers, etc were at that time. They had to be perfect all of the time. No computers to autotune those that can't sing or play on time for musicians that can't keep a beat. And the quality of the recordings still stomp on most of what is considered excellent today.

Another good documentary is Muscle Shoals. Lots of unexpected Motown history there.

James Jamerson is legendary but so is the guy who took his place as a Funk Bro, Bob Babbitt. A white guy with soul. Watch " Standing in the shadows of Motown" some great insight on motown, the Funk bros, Barry Gordy et al. And some current artists performing faithful renditions. Fantastic documentary

Link to Hitsville documentary.

https://vimeo.com/419289693

If you are near Detwaa visit the original houses and neighborhood.
https://www.motownmuseum.org/

:D

According to legend, they had a hard time finding him when it was time to lay down the bass track for What's Going On (arguably his bess bass line of all time). They found him in a bar quite inebriated. So much so that he could not stand or sit reliably. And so, according to legend, he played that bass line lying on his back.

Motown was a big part of growing up in Oakland/ Bay Area for me. Marvin Gaye's What's Goin' On is in my top 3 favorite albums and still as relative today as it was when it came out.

My Wife met Smokey Robinson at Burbank Airport. She walked right up to him and told him how much she loved his music growing up in Germany.

He asked her "What's your name baby?" and she replied "Monika" and he said "This is for you Monika!" and kissed her on the cheek.

I've worked with a lot of stars and big names but I still tell her she has me beat with that one!

It was the third of September