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

^^^^^^Possibly the best documentary.........on any subject.........ever^^^

https://youtu.be/cm7xt4Gzsdc
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_in_the_Shadows_of_Motown

5tanding in the Shadows of Motown. I highly recommend the soundtrack

Miss Diana Ross.

1960's. Small Sears transistor radio.

I was living in an "inner city" environment. Elementary school age.

Tears of a Clown became my favorite song for a while, then more, more, more Motown.

My cousins were living only a few miles away.

Four boys in that family.

Two highly interested in music.

One became a pro musician. He still is a pro musician.

Last summer Smokey joined a family Zoom call to wish his mom a happy 90th.

About 15 minutes before they went on stage (my cousin included).

I appreciate his kindness, especially to my family members back stage.

I appreciate the art he has shared with us.

Also appreciate the kindness of his colleagues-- those on stage and off.

And I appreciate my cousin who followed his dream.

I watch this video once or twice a year!

^ me too. I love the tributes by today's artists. Joan Osborne doing Jimmy Ruffins "what becomes of the broken hearted", her few lines of "heard it through the grapevine" in the cafe, chilling. Bootsy Collins, Ben Harper, Meshell what's her name all backed by the real Funk Brothers. Fantastic

I had the good fortune to see David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Dennis Edwards perform together as "The Voices Of The Temptations" back in the mid/late 80's.

It was great watching them take turns singing lead on their hits. I even got to "slap five" with Eddie Kendricks as he danced down the aisle of Ventura Theater singing "Keep On Truckin' Baby". Their band was really tight and they were all in good form that night.

Interesting. I've been to plenty of dance parties and i do like Motown a lot, but I honestly don't think I have ever heard that song before!

This Smokey song always gets me tapping my feet!!

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I like 3 kinds of music...

1) Punk/metal/hardcore
2) Surf music (Beach Boys, Jan and Dean)
3) Motown. Any and all Motown. I love me some Earth Wind and Fire, I stole my parents Motown vinyl collection including an album from Mandrill, who was pretty much unknown, but they saw them playing live at a pride parade in 1970 when my dad was stationed at the Presidio.

Meanwhile, over in Philly...

Philadelphia International Records (PIR) was an American record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1971 by songwriting and production duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff along with their longtime collaborator Thom Bell. It was known for showcasing the Philadelphia soul music genre (also known as Philly soul) that was founded on the gospel, doo-wop and soul music of the time. This sound later marked a prominent and distinct era within the R&B genre.[1] During the 1970s, the label released a string of worldwide hits that emphasized lavish orchestral instrumentation, heavy bass and driving percussion.

Some of their most popular and best selling acts included the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, MFSB, Billy Paul, Patti LaBelle and Lou Rawls. Between 1971 and the early 1980s, the label released more than 170 gold and platinum records.

This instrumental cover of Back Stabbers is a lush delight:

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+1 on that! It's on youtube and it is a great documentary.

This thread brings up memories.

Growing up on the farm we didn't have a lot of influence from the greater society - until the first fair week when I was old enough to stay overnight in the barns with our cattle. I remember as a 9 year old showing my calf at the fair and the radios of the bigger kids were playing Top 40 radio. OMG! My strongest memories of my preteen years are of the Supremes, Orlons, the Tokens singing "The lion sleeps tonight" and The Springfields singing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."
After the fair that year I bought a Motorola transistor radio that was locked on the local top 40 station for years.

I moved to Detroit in 1998 to go to CCS, and lived there for ten years. Around 2002 I saw a Motown musical at, I think, the Hilberry Theater in midtown/Cass Corridor and it featured the Funk Brothers playing live in the orchestra pit. That was just fantastic.

BTW, it's not 'earth, wind and fire it's......."EARF!......WYYIND........and.......FII-YAR!!!!

Please pronounce it correctly everyone, with R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Originally a Chicago Southsider --in the age of AM
WGCI got me started --love the Motown sound.
Temps
4 -Tops
Chi-lites
Stylistics
Delphonics
Blues Magic
Bobby Womack --especially 110th street

Might be a trend - listened to this stuff tons --AM radio in my original Mopar.

Rick James was with Motown for a little bit. My mostest favorite funker.

Recognize any riffs from Jake and Elwood's movie?
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Paul, ever the gracious gentleman, mailed this four album set to me at no charge. Even refused shipping! Listening to it right now. Thanks again, Paul!

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Dang, is that a Pioneer receiver? If so which model? Brings back memories.