By conrad72 (207.69.79.37) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 09:50 pm:

Trick question--of course it's a tie between them all!!!

But I must say that even though I play bass, and the book about "you know who" got the whole thing started, my favorite Funk Brother is...PISTOL ALLEN!

I'm sorry he couldn't be around longer to enjoy the spotlight but like Mr Babbitt said "he was already in heaven."

I've watched the DVD about 25 times already and my eyes well up every time. Long live the Funk Brothers!

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 10:24 pm:

My favorite funk brother is ....ALLOFEM
Stephanie

By SeanS (67.83.160.82) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 10:41 pm:

Trick question is right hehe! How could you not like all of them!!! They are all great guys!
It is ashame that Pistol didnt make it nor did Johnny Griffith.

If I had to pick a favorite it would be Eddie Willis, Since Im a guitar player.

The DVD is awesome, Well worth getting! If anybody has not bought it yet they need too, If you dont know much about the funks you will after you see SITSOM!

Sean

By conrad72 (207.69.79.37) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 10:54 pm:

Here Here! (or Hear Hear!)...I was lucky enough to get into the book just a few months before I found out the movie was actually being made so a gradual hype was being built up in my heart/soul/mind...They were/are all great!!! and I think Joan Osborne and Carla Benson(the background singer) could be considered modern day Funks in my 31 year old mind anyway. And of course Alan Slutsky...Like Mr Babbitt said, if it wasn't for him the world would have never known who these men were.

By Caleb (171.75.84.247) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:00 pm:

This is a tough question.Joe Hunter,Pistol Allen,Johnny Griffith,"Black Jack"Ashford,Eddie Willis,Joe Messina,Uriel Jones,and Bob Babbitt.All of the finest stock no longer available!Personally I couldn't choose.

By conrad72 (207.69.79.37) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:23 pm:

I feel bad that I even named one because they are/were such strong, funny, interesting personalities and a TEAM! Can't wait for the next round of DVDs/CDs, whatever--bring it on, I'm buying them.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:35 pm:

HEY...THE "FUNKS"!!!...THIS IS DEFINITELY A "TEAM" CONCEPT...AND UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ALLAN SLUTSKY...HAVE ADJUSTED AND PICKED UP MUCH SLACK FOR EACH OTHER WITH EACH AND EVERY LOSS THEY'VE ENDURED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS!!!...JOE MESSINA HAS GIVEN MUCH TO MY BROTHER OVER THE YEARS...AND I REMEMBER SEEING HIM AS A TINY TYKE...AND HE WAS ALWAYS THIS NICE!!!...SO DA "FUNKS" BE DA "FUNKS"...AND THAT BE DA WAY IT IS!!!...STUBASS

By :oD (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:43 pm:

Bill Clinton! He went on to become President!

By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:08 am:

Bill Clinton that was hilarious!!!!
Stephanie

By soulboy (213.105.242.198) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 04:31 am:

They all seem like great people to be around, i couldn't possibly choose, they are all individualy my heroes. I can't wait for the tour to come to the UK. I suspect they will have a huge welcome!

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 05:31 am:

Once again gotta agree w/the majority on this one...I LUV'M ALL after seeing SITSOM...and I'm sure just like everyone else, now whenever I hear a classic motown song, I listen out for their signature sound, almost more than listening to the singers. But if I had to mention just one, I don't know why but guitar player Robert White kind of stood out to me throughout the film. He seemed like a really kind, gentle soul.

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 10:43 am:

JOB: THE LAST SENTENCE IN YOUR POST SUMS UP ROBERT... PERFECTLY!!!...STUBASS

By Bassn for God (24.158.71.34) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 02:13 pm:

I must say that I have the book, just about wore out the two CD's getting those licks (my favorite is Road Runner - just cool), the sound track stays in my SuperDuty (my kids 7 & 11 can sing every song), saw the movie in a 50 seat theater in Columbia SC, bought the DVD last week, my favorite Funk will be all of them. Babbitt is close to my heart, because we both started playing bass the same way, even the 7th grade. Joe Hunter is a man I could sit and listen to for hours, just talk. But I truly believe that these fine gentlemen would not care too much for any recognition without the entire group being mentioned, they were and still are a family permantly bonded together. As I have viewed the dvd over and over again watching Babbitt, Uriel, Pistol and Jack weave their magic on the bottom end of the beat, I hear so many guitar licks and little touches that just amaze me, and then Joe and Johnny on the keyboards just fill every available hole in the air. It is just so awesome, I get chills just thinking about it. Boy did I go on, they all mean that much to me. Thanks, you are all my favorites, each and every one of the Grammy Winning Funk Brothers.
Robert

By Gordon (80.194.207.76) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 03:59 pm:

Just seen SITSOM for the third time in a row. One word WOW. I had always loved what these guys did musically, but after the first viewing I felt that I was watching friends, really good friends. As a drummer and guitarist it was wonderful to watch Joe Messina in that old footage, was that guy smoking or what? And Pistol, God rest his soul, describing how he, Uriel and Benny played, well you can not get lessons like that from anyone but the masters. These guys played on more hits than anyone, got no rewards for it, and yet are not bitter. They are a family of real brothers and to spend an afternoon in the company of any one of them would be an honour. They are an example to us all. To James, Benny, Eddie Bongo, Pistol, Earl, and Johnny, thank you for the wonderful music you have given us over the years. To the surviving Brothers, may your long overdue regonition continue. Gordon

By Jonel (172.154.46.95) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 05:34 pm:

I just watched my DVD last night...and I still haven't seen all of the biographies...my favorite Funk Brother is Jack Ashford...but I love them all. Jack Ashford is such a good storyteller and I love his contribution to the band. I love this documentary; this tribute to all of them and I'm sorry that they didn't get the recognition they deserved long before now. Several things that brought sadness to my heart: Robert White's hesitation to speak up about his guitar hook on "My Girl" to the waiter when the song played over the restaurant intercom...thinking that the waiter wouldn't believe him; James Jamerson scalping a ticket to attend Motown 25; Johnny Griffith speaking of them all as brothers, knowing what we know now that he would be in heaven soon. But seeing Pistol Allen play and the grin on his face...well, seeing all of them play and the happiness and joy on their faces of being together again and enjoying the music..the excitement, that was worth everything.

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 04:18 am:

Jonel...I don't think I could have put it better myself...

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 12:31 pm:

Gang:
To quote that Detroit legend Jackie Wilson - "I Love 'Em All!"
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Vickie (198.81.26.231) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 12:35 pm:

IMPOSSIBLE to pick a favorite...


they are a team!!

I love them all!!!

By Jonel (137.113.28.183) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 02:51 pm:

Today I listened to "HeatWave" with all new ears. I recognized "Pistol" Allen's shuffle beat! I thought that was too cool. A question for you. I don't remember that the documentary discussed the sax player. Did they mention the saxaphone player and I just missed it? Also, I remember visiting Studio A back in 1991 and there was a little toy piano that they said they used in some of the songs. Did Jack Ashford play that or was it left to the keyboard players?

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 04:28 pm:

Jonel:
I believe Earl Van Dyke used the toy piano on the Temptations' hit tune "It's Growing" from 1965.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By medusa9e (65.43.80.8) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 08:09 pm:

Was Earls' real Piano broken at the time or what?
I think they used 2 call it the "Gorilla Piano", maybe it felt a little Baboonish or Chimp - like that day.... LOL

By LTLFTC (12.210.76.205) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 08:37 pm:

I could never pick a 'favorite' Funk Brother, but since we're discussing them, didn't Johnny Griffith have a cool speaking voice ? Real pleasant and mellow - it seemed to really fit his personality. At times it reminded me of actor Don Cheadle or former A's pitcher Dave Stewart....

SteveK

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 08:47 pm:

JUST SPOKE WITH MY BROTHER BRUCE WHO HAD DINNER LAST NIGHT WITH *HIS* FAVORITE "FUNK BROTHER"...JOE MESSINA AND WIFE JOSIE... HERE IN LOS ANGELES!!!...NOW I HAPPEN TO KNOW THAT BRUCE LOVES *ALL* THE "FUNKS"...BUT HIS MENTOR AND GUITAR "HERO"...JOE M...CERTAINLY HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HIS HEART!!!...STUBASS