Before the Words, There Was the Funk

By -
In my life, I have taken exactly one "selfie" and it is posted below.
I took it because there was no one else around and I was on musically hallowed ground -- Hitsville USA -- where all of the great original Motown hits were recorded in what was Barry Gordy, Jr.'s dirt floored garage. The complex is two homes, joined together, on Grand Avenue in Detroit. It is now the Motown Museum and I urge you to visit if you are ever in Detroit. I reported on my trip here.

Today, Leonard Pitts had a fun column about how The Temptations' My Girl reached the top of the charts 50 years ago this week. He correctly noted that before David Ruffin's voice chimed in with "I've got sunshine, on a cloudy day," there was James Jamerson's bass thumping out, "da da da, da da da" and then Robert White's guitar joined with one of the most famous riffs in history.

Jamerson and White were two of the Funk Brothers, Motown's incredible in-house band, responsible for the "Motown Sound." So, by all means, read Leonard's column and then get the backstory of the creation of My Girl by watching the wonderful documentary, Standing in the Shadows of Motown which will play on Encore Black at 4:10pm (CST) Friday and 9:40pm Saturday. You will not be disappointed.

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 2, 2015 at 10:03 PM

    My admiration for you has grown by another order of magnitude. Now, if we could only find a musical way to bring together the disparate views on climate!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mike SmithMarch 3, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    Hi Gene, thanks for the comment.

    Agree, I will welcome you to my views on climate at any time! :-)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The East Coast Severe Weather Threat is Over

By -
Image
Midnight: The East Coast Threat for Tornadoes and Severe  Thunderstorms Has Ended 3:50pm. Tornado watch for the Middle Atlantic Region. 2:30pm Tornadoes are also forecast in the South. 2:20pm. A couple of tornadoes, hail and wind gusts to 65 mph are possible with these storms. This includes NYC and Philadelphia.  1:05pm. The tornado risk has been extended northward into New York. The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. Remember: if a tornado warning is issued, go to your basement and get under heavy furniture like a pool table. Of, if your basement is finished, get into the bathroom. Go ahead an put a couple of water bottles and, if appropriate, diapers in your shelter area. Wear shoes.  If you don't have a basement or safe room, go to the lowest floor and get into a bath or closet in the middle of your home. Children should be put in the bathtub.  I'll update later today. 
Read more

Today's Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Outlook - 9:30pm

By -
Image
After 65 mph winds went through Wichita, we have been without power for 35 minutes. So, I am going to have to end coverage for the night (using backup systems to write this). Scroll down for the forecast of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms for Sunday and Sunday night.  Please read down for the latest forecasts regarding this dangerous tornado and damaging wind situation! 5:40pm, a new "regular" tornado watch has been issued for north central Kansas.  Note that wind gusts to 80 mph are likely in this storm in addition to tornadoes and giant hail. Please make sure friends and relatives in the area are aware of the danger in the area outlined in red below plus the red area outlined at 2:50pm  In addition to "several strong tornadoes," hail to 4.8" in diameter is forecast along with wind gusts to 80 mph. Now is the time for persons living in mobile homes, manufactured homes and those with mobility issues should be making plans!!  Do not wait until a tornado warn
Read more

Updated Freezing Rain and Heavy Rain Forecast

By -
Image
Note: An Updated Forecast is Available HERE Freezing Rain The National Weather Service has now issued winter weather advisories, two warnings and a watch. It may be a bit too large but, when it comes to freezing rain and slick roads, caution is usually the better course of action.  Here's a color code: Deep purple is an ice storm warning; serious condition where power outages are possible. Pink is a winter storm warning for significant icing. Deep green is a winter storm watch. I don't know why this is still a watch. If I were on the forecast desk I would have a winter storm warning for icing.  Dark blue is a winter weather advisory, a lesser condition, for icing.  Here is a view of the entire watch/warning/advisory area. The small area of green in Illinois is for flooding and, in Nebraska, for snow.  Here is a forecast of freezing rain amounts; totals to 6am Tuesday.  Color codes: Yellow is 0.25 to 0.50 inches. Power outages may occur in this areas. Deep blue is 0.1 to .25 inc
Read more