By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 02:30 pm:

The DVD File web site has published their advance review of the SitSoM DVD/ It is available at:

http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_6/standingintheshadows.html

It is generally favorable with a few strange criticisms. To put it in perspective, the reviewer thinks that Bootsy Collins is a woman, so administer your own grain od salt before getting too worked up about it.

Regards,
Ken

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 06:11 pm:

Thank you Livonia Ken.

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 06:15 pm:

They SAW the DVD and thought Bootsy was a woman? Can we thus take anything in the review seriously?

Bootsy would be one scary-looking girl ...

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 06:24 pm:

Everybody and their Momma should know who Bootsy is.

I liked this part: ".....modern pop music really does stand in the shadow of Motown."

I know the fans are really going to enjoy the "Interactive Virutal Recording Studio." I'm looking forward to that myself.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 06:29 pm:

I love to listen to the Funk Brothers tell their stories. That is the best part to me. It brings me closer to them, knowing they are some of the very people who brought so much joy to my soul. We are blessed to have been here to hear them speak.

Thank you again ALLAN SLUTSKLY!

By Lynn Bruce (65.60.202.214) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 07:00 pm:

Sis,listening to the Funk's sitting around talking about "used to be"is my favorite part.I know their music is great,but I love the stories.
When I first went on the road at 18,we had a duo playing across the street from us that had worked with Woody Herman and other big-bands.They were about30 years older then us and after the gig used to keep us "youngsters" laughing till the wee hours telling tales about life on the road in the 40's.Kind of like that Woody Allen picture with the comedians sitting around in that delicatessen telling tales.

By Livonia Ken (165.121.212.106) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 12:30 am:

Sis said everyone and their momma should know who Bootsy is and I couldn't agree more. My 6-1/2 year old daughter has known since she was 2. I would ask her "Who's gonna get on down?" and she would always answer "Bootsy". There was a stretch there where every man she would see with an afro and sunglasses she would look at me questioningly and say "Bootsy?", but overall, it's been a positive experience.

Regards,
Ken

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 12:48 am:

(Hahaha) That is cute Livonia Ken. My youngest son was not born when Sam Cooke died. But by the time he was 14, he played nothing but Sam Cooke. His favorite was "Tennessee Waltz" & "Teen Age Sonata." So, children watch and listen to the music we play. So the writer of the review on the DVD hasn't been around long.

By stephanie not very happy right now (66.54.1.38) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 12:50 am:

I went to Amazon and saw glowing reviews and then I saw this!! I was mad when I read it and wanted to put my fist through the computer. Me and Stubass and Sisdetroit should go apprehend this person and then when we wind up in jail ..Sue can write about it and Soulful Detroit will have to bail us out!!! Im standing up for my Funk Brothers....
Stephanie
Here is the only stupid review Ive seen of our greats........
Anyone who has appreciated the great records of '60s Motown has at one time or another given an earful of appreciation to the big brassy perfection of the studio back-up band. This documentary attempts to attribute the excellence of those wonderful records to the studio musicians known as "The Funk Brothers". However as accomplished as these musicians are, the great Motown records were truly the inspiration of the great record producers of the '60s who are sorely lacking in representation here. It needs be said these guys were merely session players for the Motown recording studio. Unsung heroes, no doubt, but not the guiding hands the movie alleges them to be. They would have never been left behind when Motown Records packed up their East Coast operation and moved West if they were the hitmakers the movie claims. Why for instance are the major artists of that era not here in this movie testifying and singing the praises of these musicians? Instead we're offered mostly lukewarm renditions of Motown classics by contemporary artists that seemed an excuse for a movie soundtrack recording, as the original hit records are heard here in only edited bits. Watching The Funk Brothers reminiscing and regretting came across as righteous sour grapes, however unfortunate the era was in reserving royalty checks for the record companies and not the musicians. They deserve their due and it is sad this film couldn't portray them as the strong backbone and not the curator of those wonderful records. As the movie ultimately and unwittingly reveals, The Funk Brothers were session players for Motwon Records. No more, and respectfully, no less. --This text refers to the Theatrical Release

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 01:09 am:

Stephani - Now you know you should not have let me read that. I'm counting to ten.

Ask the guy to meet us in front of Hitsville, and we'll convince him that this documentary is truly a work of art. By the time we finish with him, he will retract all that he has written. I guess he wanted lies and sensationalism, rather than the truth. Yes, they were session players, great jazz musciian, of whom were hand picked. The best there was. Berry and others have validated that on numerous occasions. But they also went on the road. Didn't he see Jamerson playing behind Marvin. The Brothers explained how they were on the road. Apparently, the dummy who wrote the review missed that. He sounds as if he has a bone to pick.

Don't worry guys, I'm counting to ten.

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 09:41 pm:

This man doesnt know what the heck he is talking about if there were MERELY studio musicians they wouldnt get the acclaim they get and they wouldnt have won a grammy OR be on the road. Im glad you brought up the fact that Jamerson played on the road and the other guys too. I guess he thinks Dennis Coffey is a coffemaker too...LOL

Dont worry Im going to apply for a position as a Funk Brother policewoman and criminals like this will have to do hard cold time!!! No one talks about the MFSB people or the funks and gets away with it..
Stephanie
Officer Steph that is!!! 10-4 10-4

By radiogoon (206.148.225.199) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 08:59 pm:

I'm watching the DVD now for the 3rd time! My local video guy got his copies early and rented me a one! EXCELLENT! I will be purchasing my copy on the 22nd! Got so inspired, after visiting my Uncle at a hospital at 96 and MLK Blvd., I thought...HMMMMMMMMMM Let's find Hitsville! What a great day! Stood on the steps, youngest son stood on the steps and we both talked about all the times the Funks had walked up and down those steps, And what might have just been laid down in the "Snakepit". What a gas! And double bonus, as some of you know, I play blues....and for an absolute blast finish to the day, I got to stand on Hastings and E Grand! Going back for pics and a full tour of Hitsville....what a trip.....I'm gonna go watch SITSOM again! It's good to be alive, and living in Detroit!

Dr.Z

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 09:44 pm:

radiogoon - When that reviwer watch the DVD, all of his questions will be answered. He would carry a different tune, retract his negative review, and apologize to Allen Slutsky and Crew.

By Sue (205.188.209.16) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 12:25 pm:

Just because you're elevating one subsect of Motown finally, after years of obscurity, doesn't mean you're denigrating the role of others. That you can still listen to Motown songs after all these years of overplay, shows what masters the songwriter/producers were ...

It IS a very cute scene on the DVD, the footage of director Paul Justman running in front of the little girls, showing them how he wanted them to do it. My favorite is the shots he took on a video camera in Craig's basement (maybe there should be a new club, Craig's Basement) of the Funks seeing each other for the first time in 30 years ...

By Eli (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 12:35 pm:

Steph..
Whosoever wrote that review should be burned at the stake!!!! How dare he say "merely studio musicians"
I wish I could find him and wring his neck.
I ve gotta employ Paulie 3 shoes to do a "hit" , capice.