We're back at it again here at BWLM and we're going to take you behind the scenes. Well before talkies introduced integrated sound, music has always been a key element in moving pictures. It has been the purveyor of both theme and emotion throughout it's existence as a form of entertainment. However, today we won't be pulling back the curtain on your favourite movie soundtrack but the soundtrack of LIFE itself. Today I will cover three documentaries that any cross genre music fan would appreciate. Only one of the films is actually a new release, but all three are worthy of your time and attention. Though I won't be offering a review rating, I will say that each film serves up a wealth of information and tidbits that make good for future viewings and sharing. Let's get it on.
STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN (2002)
If you ask the average fan of the Funk Brothers who they are, they likely couldn't tell you. If you ask them about Motown, you'd find out that they're VERY familiar with the Funk Brothers catalogue. Hand picked by Berry Gordy, the Funk Brothers were a studio band that powered the Motown machine cranking out hits for more than a decade. Though they wrote and produced scores of songs, dozens of which were hits, they were famous only to those familiar with the workings of Motown. Never touring, signing lavish contracts or receiving much deserved press for their innovation, dedication and excellence these musicians built a mighty empire note by note.
The documentary, based on the best-selling book by the same name chronicles the legacy created by Band Leader Earl Van Dyke, legendary bassist James Jamerson, Eddie Brown and several others who would never be mentioned in the liner notes of songs that shaped and defined entire generations and eras of music. I'm moved to say Black music, but Motown's influence was universally polarizing and can't be contained to Black, R&B or any other genre. Director Paul Justmann takes us back in time with historical footage and first hand accounts from the players themselves revealing a series of funny stories, little known facts and intimate confessions about the backbone of the movement that was Motown from the people that fueled it. The cherry on top? Footage of the Funk Brothers Reunion and concert with current (at the time) stars/artists. As a note, you can download or stream it, but the DVD/BluRay has significantly more footage. Grab some popcorn and make it a family affair...
THE WRECKING CREW (2008)
California in the 60s was a hotbed for music. Band after band was cranking out album after album which contained hit after hit. There was one catch. Many of them couldn't play. Sure, SOME of the musicians of that era were capable of playing instruments but FEW were capable of producing (or reproducing) the music featured on their albums. That honour and those hits belong to the Wrecking Crew. If you started at the top of this post, then you already read about the Funk Brothers. Well, the Wrecking Crew were their west coast constituents. From commercials to TV to movie soundtracks to albums, there was little that the hardest working band in California didn't touch.
The story starts with director, Denny Tedesco's intrigue about his father Tommy, a member. Filmed over the course of eight years, Denny finds players, footage, family and friends that spill the proverbial beans about how some of the biggest acts of an era of American music fooled us all. High demand and countless sessions weave a tale of finance, family and fraud. Most importantly though was the music. Music was king and the Wrecking Crew was it's royal court, serving the masses making the pretty faces up front sound even prettier on the radio. The documentary also follows the paradigm shift that occurred as acts that did play their own instruments entered the fray. All in all this doc is a nice walk down a memory backstreet. You might not know them when you hear them, but if you've ever grooved to music between 1960-1970, chances are you were listening to The Wrecking Crew. The documentary is available on DVD and streaming services such as Netflix & Amazon. Enjoy...
THE ART OF ORGANIZED NOIZE (2016)
What you know bout that Dirty South? Honestly, there are a LOT of people that KNOW, but DON'T KNOW. Names like Outkast, Goodie Mobb and the Dungeon Family come to mind, but those who DO know will tell you that at the core is Organized Noize, architect. Most commonly referred to by it's stage name the Dungeon Family, Organized Noize is producers Sleepy Brown, Ray Murray and Rico Wade. 'The Art Of' chronicles their rise, fall and resilience as the backbone of a Hip-Hop movement.
Birthed out of need, The Dungeon was an unfinished basement at Rico Wade's mother's home, named such because of it's dirt floors. The move was originally made so that the youngsters would have a space of their own and cut down on disturbances associated with their previous address. Filtering in and out of the space were many teens with dreams of being, doing, having and seeing more. Mainly though, they just wanted to tell their story THEIR way and the Dungeon gave them that. At that time, Organized Noize was just a way to describe their SAMPLE FREE sound. Behind their most popular alum, Outkast, they would eventually grow into a multi-million dollar hit machine that transcended what Hip-Hop could be on their terms. Fame, egos, inner turmoil, money and Industry Rule 4080 helped to ground the high flying trio but didn't prevent them from moving forward. The Art of Organized Noize is a Netflix Exclusive available for streaming now and is an interesting ride for those who are in to Hip-Hop history. Welcome to the Dungeon...
