Aside from the late, great bass player, James Jamerson, I'm ashamed to say that I couldn't tell you the name of one of the cats who played behind all of the Motown hits.  Paul Justman has rectified that by directing a tremendously moving documentary called "Standing in the Shadows of Motown."

It tells the story of the Funk Brothers - an "unheralded group of musicians who played on more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined." It's currently making the film festival circuit and will hit regular theaters before the year's out.  The CD is available now. 

This is the only film project that's finally going to get me to break down and buy a DVD player. If you've got either Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or Real Player, check out the trailers on the film's official site.

Speaking of Soul Music, I'm fortunate enough to have recently received a copy of "Soul Spectacular" -- a 4-CD box set that is hands down the best collection of Soul Music I have. Take a look at the track list.