Surely everyone can agree that these musical performances range from great (Gerald Levert, "Reach Out") to superb (Ben Harper, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg") to epochal (Joan Osbourne, "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted"*). Of course, all are made what they are by the breathtaking grooves of the immortal Funk Brothers.
Gentle readers who have never viewed Standing in the Shadows of Motown in its entirety must do so this weekend.
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*As the horns stab through the pain, Osbourne moans with lonely agony, and we almost wish we could be broken hearted ourselves.
3 comments:
" Surely everyone can agree that these musical performances range from great (Gerald Levert, "Reach Out") to superb (Ben Harper, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg") to epochal (Joan Osbourne, "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted"*)."
Not everyone. While Joan Osbourne is a pleasant surprise here, Levert's cover of Reach Out pales in comaprison to the original by the late Levi Stubbs.
We agree that as a vocalist, Levert is not as stunning as the others. But those grooves are so fine that, as one of the talking-heads in the movie notes, Deputy Dog would sound good singing over them.
We think Joan Osbourne's own recordings are twaddle, but we're amazed every time we hear this cover. What's more, we understand that it's in regular rotation on some hardcore blues shows on NPR affiliates. Now that's something!
Ben Harper has us from the second note.
I hope Joan gains a greater respect, which she most definitely deserves...in her lifetime. Truly, a great talent.
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