Post by Jonel on Aug 6, 2002 11:33:19 GMT -5
As the film of the Funk Brothers played on, the Motown memories unwound
By Susan Whitall / The Detroit News
SOUTHFIELD -- Bob Babbitt and other members of the Motown band will be seen in all their wise-cracking, funk-playing glory in the forthcoming documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," when it goes into general release later this fall. The film, which tells the story of the Funk Brothers, the unsung heroes who played on every Motown song, was shown to the Detroit press last Wednesday at the Star Southfield.
Motown star Martha Reeves was on hand to offer commentary. "They got Joe to talk, Joe never talks!" she exclaimed at the screen, as reserved Funks guitarist Joe Messina described how he and the band worked in Motown's Studio A, in the basement of 2648 W. Grand Blvd.
The movie will be an emotional experience for anyone connected with Motown, especially the scenes with drummer Pistol Allen, who died last month. One moment that provoked tears from former Motown staffers at a Los Angeles screening was when surviving members of the Motown band come out to perform on the Royal Oak Theater stage carrying pictures of the Funks who have passed on, including Earl Van Dyke, James Jamerson, Bongo Eddie and Benny Benjamin.
Funks keyboard player Johnny Griffith watched the film at the Star Southfield, and was surprised afterward when a theater staffer asked for his autograph. "I'm going to have to go touch up my makeup in the bathroom," he joked.
As always, singer Reeves expressed herself in a direct and succinct way.
"Where was Johnny Trudell? Where was Dennis Coffey?" Reeves demanded. Trudell and Coffey were two frequent Motown players she counts as Funk Brothers. Guitarist Coffey was interviewed briefly but didn't perform; trumpet player Trudell wasn't in the film at all.
But Reeves conceded that, omissions or not, the movie was a labor of love for producer Allan Slutsky, who first wrote a biography of bassist Jamerson, and has spent years getting the Funk Brothers film funded and shot.
detnews.com/2002/entertainment/0208/05/e01-553754.htm
By Susan Whitall / The Detroit News
SOUTHFIELD -- Bob Babbitt and other members of the Motown band will be seen in all their wise-cracking, funk-playing glory in the forthcoming documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," when it goes into general release later this fall. The film, which tells the story of the Funk Brothers, the unsung heroes who played on every Motown song, was shown to the Detroit press last Wednesday at the Star Southfield.
Motown star Martha Reeves was on hand to offer commentary. "They got Joe to talk, Joe never talks!" she exclaimed at the screen, as reserved Funks guitarist Joe Messina described how he and the band worked in Motown's Studio A, in the basement of 2648 W. Grand Blvd.
The movie will be an emotional experience for anyone connected with Motown, especially the scenes with drummer Pistol Allen, who died last month. One moment that provoked tears from former Motown staffers at a Los Angeles screening was when surviving members of the Motown band come out to perform on the Royal Oak Theater stage carrying pictures of the Funks who have passed on, including Earl Van Dyke, James Jamerson, Bongo Eddie and Benny Benjamin.
Funks keyboard player Johnny Griffith watched the film at the Star Southfield, and was surprised afterward when a theater staffer asked for his autograph. "I'm going to have to go touch up my makeup in the bathroom," he joked.
As always, singer Reeves expressed herself in a direct and succinct way.
"Where was Johnny Trudell? Where was Dennis Coffey?" Reeves demanded. Trudell and Coffey were two frequent Motown players she counts as Funk Brothers. Guitarist Coffey was interviewed briefly but didn't perform; trumpet player Trudell wasn't in the film at all.
But Reeves conceded that, omissions or not, the movie was a labor of love for producer Allan Slutsky, who first wrote a biography of bassist Jamerson, and has spent years getting the Funk Brothers film funded and shot.
detnews.com/2002/entertainment/0208/05/e01-553754.htm