All the singers back then we're great can't take anything away from them but if it wasn't for the Funk Brothers, it makes you wonder if they would have hit the top tens on the charts .
You are absolutely right. The Funk Brothers were the lifeblood of Motown. I should have known long time ago that they played music for the various singing groups and artists.
That "galloping horse" intro was genius. Welcome to the genius song writing and arranging minds of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brian Holland. THE song writing team of the 1960's no doubt!!
Motown had a legendary Founder in Berry Gordy,legendary musicians,songwriters,producers,groups,and solo acts. They were legendary across the board. The backing band was phenomenal, but so was everyone else. These artists all had their own vocal sound, nobody can sing this song like Levi Stubbs and the Four Tops.
Me, too. I am sorry that Levi Stubbs is no longer with us anymore. The Four Tops were my first favorite Motown group since I graduated from elementary school in 1965.
"Still Waters" was big but "The Keeper of The Castle", album was phenomenal. The release dates where to close however and that discouraged sales. The Temptations released 2 albums within 12 months yearly and still out sold the other acts. Wow!
Jack Ashford "Black Jack", is a virtuoso on the tambourine which is something I would always wait in anticipation on a Motown record cut, backed by Eddie "Bongo" Brown...what an incredible sound. Earl Van Dyke on the 88 keys, James Jamerson on bass..all of the drummers. The music of my life and I never get tired of listening to the nuances. The songbirds, Adelantes.. beyond this galaxy. Jack Ashfords work with the vibraphone on the Supremes hits needs to be noted as well.
If you have never paid a visit to Hitsville, USA (2648 West Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI), please do. Spending a summer afternoon there with my sons was one of the highlights of my life. And if you can't make it person, then please rent/buy "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown". You'll see why The Funk Brothers ARE The Motown Sound.
+Bentom86 ABSOLUTELY! Saw the Funks live in London back in 2008? and immediately you knew what was Motown. It wasn't the Dianas and the Smokeys, it was the Funks.
Spent an unforgettable afternoon at Hitsville , a shrine to music , my Graceland from a Scottish man who was touched by the magic of the music that came out of that garage
you are so right Bentom86.... but what a pity pics are not allowed Inside.... MaKe a reservation for tour before or it is often sold out. Amazing when you hear the artists who started through Motown. Jordan the guide was great and kept things moving. There is a 20 minutes video but otherwise you are moving through the house which is where everything happened and then you end at the recording studio - which has held some greats. Be sure to visit Berry Gordy’s house which is nearby, but not for touring.
and the sad thing about that documentary they were supposed to get paid for it and never did. also Martha Reeves was the only singer who agreed to be on the film, the rest of the singers contacted wouldn't do it-that is reallllly sad
they are such geniuses yet no one knows who they are its so sad anyone can sing but to master an instrument and play it so well it is truly a blessing and its so sad that no one knows of there extroadinary talent theyre truly gifted and they have not been put to fame yet
100% agree , look what happened to Motown when it was moved to Los Angeles, it was a shell of its formal self , the funks were Motown , they were the Motown sound , the worst thing to ever happen to music is when Motown left Detroit, I cant listen to 70s Motown because it just makes me so sad knowing what it became compared to what it use to be
The Funk Brothers played some genuine graceful music. I wish I had known about them in the 1960s. Then there could have been more Motown records with their music played separately from the original artists. I can mention that the Funk Brothers worked too much at Hittsville, U.S.A.
@@iamladeegee8032 so glad u put me up to date!!! I hv a 45 of his, that no one seems to remember. DO THE CHOO CHOO part II, is on the B side. From 73 or 74. Its on a dark blue label. Dont hv a computer, so maybe u cud do a research. I dont know why Tom Moulton didnt do an extended version of this great song???
I love The 4 Tops & I've been a forever fan of theirs & Motown since the 60's - but man, you just could not go wrong on any recording when The Funk Brothers were supplying the groove & feel for you !
As has been mentioned in the past the funk brothers played on more hit songs than the beatles, stones ,beach boys and Dylan combined.Lets not forget all the tracks that weren't hits and all the thousands of album tracks.How the hell did they have the time for anything else?
as a singer and harmonica player I could'nt agree more with you! without a good(in this case great) band behind you you cann't take two steps. ( BTW this song with the tops singing is one of my 12 year old sons favorite oldies!
I've been listening to this very candidly & sounds like all three guitars are alternating with the chord parts during the verses..pretty unique way of playing those different chords if you ask me..like Popeye's four nephews alternating when they talk in a sentence
I just discovered this, these guys are great, they should have been their own thing instead of the backing band for other people, one of them should have been the singer and have all the hits for themselves!
So how would they have hits? lol They couldn't sing like the artists and they didn't write and produce the songs, that's why they were the band, that was their specialty, playing the instruments.
@@Tunes342That’s a defeatist attitude to take! It doesn’t matter if that their specialty…If they were still around record companies would’ve capitalized on their talent’s & probably produced separate music for the Funk Brothers…!
I am with you on this one. When I began to listen to this music, the rest of Motown, and other soul music, I never knew a thing called listening to the lyrics. I loved the way the vocals and the instruments sound. That is how I choose my kind of music. Even at 68-years-old, I am enjoying this music in the privacy of my home.
They are far too good for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The best music is never heard on the radio. Many Motown fans since the 1960s are just learning the Funk Brothers were Motown.
This might be the best musical comp upload ever! I will say that the Beatles would honestly be embarrassed hearing this and claiming #1 in pop music. If not, they should be.
+Jay Toomuchhustle I don't think the Beatles ever claimed to be the greatest themselves. They in fact idolized Motown (if that wasn't already obvious by how much they covered them). Hell, Paul's bass playing was influenced largely by James Jamerson.
Thanks for posting. Where did you acquire the performance of this without vocals? This is great. I was blessed to meet Uriel Jones on a gig in summer of 2007. Super nice guy. Forever the Funk Brothers
killer arrangement. does anyone know who arranged this? and is that a flute playing on the chorus doubling the organ? thanks for posting this. my band played this for years. i think we sounded good... but not like this!
I believe Eddie H was the primary lyricist & Lamont D & Brian H were the music arrangers, but the Funk Bros would take their chord sheet then do a bit rearranging.
The drummer usually counts off the song. I'm guessing it was one of the two drummers on the session. Other than that, it could have been the defacto leader of The Funk Brothers, keyboardist Earl VanDyke.
It was the great druimmer William "Benny" Benjamin counting off. According to the session sheet, he played on the base (rhythm section w/some horns, no vocal) tracks, and Uriel Jones came in later that same evening to double-track the drums for more punch after Brian Holland listened to the base tracks as producer. It was Benny's turn to go with the road band, which left later that day.
All the singers back then we're great can't take anything away from them but if it wasn't for the Funk Brothers, it makes you wonder if they would have hit the top tens on the charts .
Even without the vocals these songs stand on their own! So proud that Motown is from my hometown!
You are absolutely right. The Funk Brothers were the lifeblood of Motown. I should have known long time ago that they played music for the various singing groups and artists.
Ditto
Motown music will always stand the test of time. No wonder why it is my speed.
Of course you can be very proud. The Funk brothers are one of the finest Bands in history.
These guys played a HUGE part in the success of Motown, never realized how much till now.
That "galloping horse" intro was genius. Welcome to the genius song writing and arranging minds of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brian Holland. THE song writing team of the 1960's no doubt!!
Smokey Robinson move to VP opened the door for Norman Whitfield who kept the Motown sound flowing after HDH.
Motown had a legendary Founder in Berry Gordy,legendary musicians,songwriters,producers,groups,and solo acts. They were legendary across the board. The backing band was phenomenal, but so was everyone else. These artists all had their own vocal sound, nobody can sing this song like Levi Stubbs and the Four Tops.
The Funk Brothers WERE the souln of Motown
I can hear Levi Stubbs singing to this in my mind. This stuff used to and still does make me smile.
levi 4 eva
Levi fabulous man...
Levi was the perfect voice for this song.
Me, too. I am sorry that Levi Stubbs is no longer with us anymore. The Four Tops were my first favorite Motown group since I graduated from elementary school in 1965.
"Still Waters" was big but "The Keeper of The Castle", album was phenomenal. The release dates where to close however and that discouraged sales. The Temptations released 2 albums within 12 months yearly and still out sold the other acts. Wow!
A lesson for today's producers :
it's not the kick, almost unhearable here, it's the tambourine that sets the groove !
"Yes it does!"
Jack Ashford "Black Jack", is a virtuoso on the tambourine which is something I would always wait in anticipation on a Motown record cut, backed by Eddie "Bongo" Brown...what an incredible sound. Earl Van Dyke on the 88 keys, James Jamerson on bass..all of the drummers. The music of my life and I never get tired of listening to the nuances. The songbirds, Adelantes.. beyond this galaxy. Jack Ashfords work with the vibraphone on the Supremes hits needs to be noted as well.
The Funk Brothers made Motown possible.
Hitsville, USA.
Point Blank. Period!
That's right!
LONG LIVE THE FUNK BROTHERS...........
From a kid I said the band in all of these Motown songs were great!!
Motown and The Funk Brothers lived up to the brand....”The Sound of Young America!”
Pride of America. Bless you all God
If you have never paid a visit to Hitsville, USA (2648 West Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI), please do. Spending a summer afternoon there with my sons was one of the highlights of my life. And if you can't make it person, then please rent/buy "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown". You'll see why The Funk Brothers ARE The Motown Sound.
+Bentom86 ABSOLUTELY! Saw the Funks live in London back in 2008? and immediately you knew what was Motown. It wasn't the Dianas and the Smokeys, it was the Funks.
Spent an unforgettable afternoon at Hitsville , a shrine to music , my Graceland from a Scottish man who was touched by the magic of the music that came out of that garage
you are so right Bentom86.... but what a pity pics are not allowed Inside.... MaKe a reservation for tour before or it is often sold out. Amazing when you hear the artists who started through Motown. Jordan the guide was great and kept things moving. There is a 20 minutes video but otherwise you are moving through the house which is where everything happened and then you end at the recording studio - which has held some greats. Be sure to visit Berry Gordy’s house which is nearby, but not for touring.
Funk Brother Eddie Willis met his wife in England. sadly of this recording only two of the origional Funks are still alive. along with Jack Ashford
and the sad thing about that documentary they were supposed to get paid for it and never did. also Martha Reeves was the only singer who agreed to be on the film, the rest of the singers contacted wouldn't do it-that is reallllly sad
they are such geniuses yet no one knows who they are its so sad anyone can sing but to master an instrument and play it so well it is truly a blessing and its so sad that no one knows of there extroadinary talent theyre truly gifted and they have not been put to fame yet
A prodigious output of pure talent ❤
There's a vibe that just exudes out into your body. It's sensual.
I said it before >No funk brothers , no motown....Gordy was lucky
Couldn't agree more...nuff said👍
100% agree , look what happened to Motown when it was moved to Los Angeles, it was a shell of its formal self , the funks were Motown , they were the Motown sound , the worst thing to ever happen to music is when Motown left Detroit, I cant listen to 70s Motown because it just makes me so sad knowing what it became compared to what it use to be
He wasn’t lucky. He was smart enough to point Mickey Stevenson as head of A&R who put the Funk Brothers together.
You said it big dawg!!!!
Most magic is visual - this is aural. Simply stunning arrangement.
Why not both?
@@kensmechanicalaffair I think that was the point I was trying to make. (Over a year ago now!)
The Funk Brothers played some genuine graceful music. I wish I had known about them in the 1960s. Then there could have been more Motown records with their music played separately from the original artists. I can mention that the Funk Brothers worked too much at Hittsville, U.S.A.
If only these players could have lived to see what a legacy they each have created.
Jack Ashford is still living he's on Facebook
100% agree with you !!!!
@@iamladeegee8032 so glad u put me up to date!!!
I hv a 45 of his, that no one seems to remember.
DO THE CHOO CHOO
part II, is on the B side.
From 73 or 74. Its on a dark blue label. Dont hv a computer, so maybe u cud
do a research. I dont know
why Tom Moulton didnt do an extended version of this great song???
I echo your sentiment.
Wow..pure gold...real funk ingredients..
JUST PURE GROOVE AND PASSION - JUST BEAUTIFUL!
The sound that you hear now oozes an insane amount of love. Whew !!!!
awesome talent and a blessing to every ear that could hear.
Heaven Sent
Today, they do not make them like they used to anymore.
After all these years I can finally hear those Guitars!
and sadly one two of them are alive, Joe and Eddie, who can no longer play
Apparently Eddie "Chank" Willis has now passed too. RIP
Good music has no age.
This is damn good.
Reach Out by the Funk Brothers is fantastic music.
I love The 4 Tops & I've been a forever fan of theirs & Motown since the 60's - but man, you just could not go wrong on any recording when The Funk Brothers were supplying the groove & feel for you !
The Four Tops was my first favorite Motown group since I was a little kid who graduated from elementary school in 1965.
As has been mentioned in the past the funk brothers played on more hit songs than the beatles, stones ,beach boys and Dylan combined.Lets not forget all the tracks that weren't hits and all the thousands of album tracks.How the hell did they have the time for anything else?
Everyone my age knows the song, even just the backing tracks. Add the Four Tops and this is greatness. Detroit.
Motown punches you in the stomach, & this is no exception!!!!!
Am so happy that the Funks are getting their overdue props!
I think it is about time. Their props have been delivered at least 30 years late.
It's about time.
as a singer and harmonica player I could'nt agree more with you! without a good(in this case great) band behind you you cann't take two steps. ( BTW this song with the tops singing is one of my 12 year old sons favorite oldies!
Man, what a great bass groove, I agree, nice to hear the instrumental versions of the stuff I grew up on with little tiny speakers and AM radio.
I've been listening to this very candidly & sounds like all three guitars are alternating with the chord parts during the verses..pretty unique way of playing those different chords if you ask me..like Popeye's four nephews alternating when they talk in a sentence
Gods gift to us.
I have been looking for this! much appreciated.
AND IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU CAN'T GO ON,
BECAUSE ALL OF YOUR HOPE IS GONE...
I'm working on the rest
Ultimate geniuses at work
a rare treat. superb...thank you
La bass de jamerson transperce ce morceau du lourd....
I just discovered this, these guys are great, they should have been their own thing instead of the backing band for other people, one of them should have been the singer and have all the hits for themselves!
So how would they have hits? lol They couldn't sing like the artists and they didn't write and produce the songs, that's why they were the band, that was their specialty, playing the instruments.
Check out the documentary "Standing in the Shadow of Motown".....it is amazing!
The best musicians tend to be modest
Check out the singles by Earl Van Dyke
@@Tunes342That’s a defeatist attitude to take! It doesn’t matter if that their specialty…If they were still around record companies would’ve capitalized on their talent’s & probably produced separate music for the Funk Brothers…!
Took them just two hrs to learn a track! ~and the rest is funk brotther's history.
@PianistDanny Yes, but it's nice to hear the backing track by itself for a change.
@funk231t Its a crying shame people don't know just how big of role they had in Motown.
LOVE this song!!!!!!! :)
I LOVE MOTOWN!
Your so right LEVI and the Topps doing it.
Levi had the perfect voice for this song.
The best.
@sprngh2o...."Props" is modern slang for 'kudos' or respect, recognition. (Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken.)
Correct. Shortened from proper, or propers. Meaning something is correct, or with-it.
brownhornitt brian holland
You are right. And I not so old that I cannot learn your slang.
This music is on 🔥!
Also, it would shock the control room in an [FM] radio station.
Funk bro. had more hits than Elvis and the Beattles together
and the Beatles loved the Funks especially Paul
Any bass player should love James jamerson
and Beach Boys and Rolling Stones too.
I am glad the Funk Brothers did.
Without the funk brothers there wouldn't of been motown6
That goes without saying.
SENSATIONAL!
Incredible
Whoooo!!! These brothers were cuttin' up!!!! I like this version better than the vocal!!!
I am with you on this one. When I began to listen to this music, the rest of Motown, and other soul music, I never knew a thing called listening to the lyrics. I loved the way the vocals and the instruments sound. That is how I choose my kind of music. Even at 68-years-old, I am enjoying this music in the privacy of my home.
Amazing.
AWESOME........TUNE.
MFSB & FUNK BROTHERS , only the best¡¡¡
OOOOOOOOOOH YYYYYEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHH! THANK YOU!
It's a complete travesty, that they are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a group
They are far too good for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The best music is never heard on the radio. Many Motown fans since the 1960s are just learning the Funk Brothers were Motown.
If u saw the line up that are
in that hall, you wud think twice, about having these legendary musicians included!!!!
In hindsight, I would agree they are to good for it.
I agree with you. Also, it is an American disgrace.
You're listening to DJ Timmy T and WBLS 107.5 in stereo in NYC A WBLS tribute to the Funk Brothers
TELL THE WORLD!!!
i enjoyed it
I always like to hear the funk brothers without the singers.
Then I can concentrate on their sound.
And I can sing along if I can remember the words.
That is how I want to hear the music.
Genius.
спасибо!
Hellyeah !!
This might be the best musical comp upload ever! I will say that the Beatles would honestly be embarrassed hearing this and claiming #1 in pop music. If not, they should be.
+Jay Toomuchhustle I don't think the Beatles ever claimed to be the greatest themselves. They in fact idolized Motown (if that wasn't already obvious by how much they covered them). Hell, Paul's bass playing was influenced largely by James Jamerson.
they are a different style, this is great but for other kind of music, the beatles are the number one rock band, and they liked motown.
How True,.. Should've Been Said At The Time When It Actually Counted!!!!!!!!!!!
Music from God without the devil smallhat's
Thanks for posting. Where did you acquire the performance of this without vocals? This is great. I was blessed to meet Uriel Jones on a gig in summer of 2007. Super nice guy. Forever the Funk Brothers
From the bootleg cd 'In the Snakepit'
Yahoooo
J"aime cela
You can hear James Jamerson isolated, just type in his Name
ILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL BE THARRRRRE
The Business.......
Miss Danyas pretty tweety bird on here
what is a prop?
killer arrangement. does anyone know who arranged this? and is that a flute playing on the chorus doubling the organ?
thanks for posting this.
my band played this for years. i think we sounded good... but not like this!
No, I was playing the piccolo melody on my own, no doubling.
Dayna Hartwick , honored to see your post.
I believe Eddie H was the primary lyricist & Lamont D & Brian H were the music arrangers, but the Funk Bros would take their chord sheet then do a bit rearranging.
The TNO fans are coming
Anyone know who is doing the count-in? I don't recognize the voice
The drummer usually counts off the song. I'm guessing it was one of the two drummers on the session. Other than that, it could have been the defacto leader of The Funk Brothers, keyboardist Earl VanDyke.
It was the great druimmer William "Benny" Benjamin counting off. According to the session sheet, he played on the base (rhythm section w/some horns, no vocal) tracks, and Uriel Jones came in later that same evening to double-track the drums for more punch after Brian Holland listened to the base tracks as producer. It was Benny's turn to go with the road band, which left later that day.
No - it was the sound engineer that counted off the intro. In this case Russ Terrana.
didnt see your apology pianist boy?
slang for respect that is due. derives from "propers" i presume.
That bass, holy shit, the main main man and a P bass
Back when pop hits had urgency and talent not computer based.
And it aint getting better!!!!
Rick and Morty brought me here
S
I mean, this is kind of an amazing track. The musicianship and groove and arrangement stand out even more without the vocals.
Funk Brothers??? No way, it's backing track from Dr. Licks book.
This is definitely the Funk Brothers, recording in Motown's famed Studio A-i.e., "the Snake pit".
Funk Brothers was Motown
Drums right on time sounded like trash cans,