By Isaiah (152.163.253.70) on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 - 09:31 pm:

I'm told that they had a unique and beautiful relationship, where the veteran drummer extraordinaire took the little blind wizard under his wings, and taught him how to be a consummate muscian... Does anyone have any insights to offer as to the truth of this legend???

Also, I remember reading somewhere, perhaps Ritz, that Marvin had a moment of silence during a concert upon hearing of James Jamerson's passing... Can anyone vouch for the authenticity of that story..?

Last question... Were there any special relationships between the Funk Brothers rhthym section, and particular artists... The Funk Brothers are often portrayed as a bunch of snobby guys who thought H-D-H wrote some weak S***! they had to forever compensate for... I tend to think tht this group was a little more loose, wild, and freer than they are sometimes portrayed... Can anyone confirm for us whether there were some special friendships between the Rhthym Section of Motown, and other artists??? Real friendships, not collegial type stuff...

Peace!
Isaiah

By BankHouseDave (195.93.34.12) on Thursday, April 01, 2004 - 11:15 am:

I heard they liked working with Shorty Long. Jack says on the SITSOM film that they were trying to help the kids (performers) out by using their experience. He also says the producers were all young back then. They were always making cracks about each other, like musicians do (oh, really?), but they must've taken it more seriously than that or they wouldn't have crafted such tracks. Earl is quoted somewhere as saying you play the best you can, doesn't matter if you call it jazz or whatever, it's the music that matters. I think it was quoted in the Det News on the occasion of his funeral.

By me (64.12.117.14) on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 04:55 am:

Every musician from the Funk Brothers to all of the great musician that came out of Detroit at that time who came in contact w/Stevie would take him under their wings and he would receive all that he could learn and take it in like a sponge.