FUNK BROTHERS and DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

I guess we can all thank the inimitable Paul Riser for the fantastic string arrangements on these songs, not to mention the thousands of others he wrote throughout his career.

[@johnbrocklehurst3570]

The legendary institutions that are the incredible Funk Brothers and the awesome Detroit Symphony strings.

[@Musicradio77Network]

John Brocklehurst Paul Riser was the guy who did the DSO for many of their Motown hits during the 1960’s and early 1970’s along with the Funk Brothers. If you look at the Motown singles and albums, the names are not credited on all of the releases, only producer’s names are listed on singles and albums with no arrangement credits.

[@paulnash1810]

Wow!! Sends shivers down my spine listening to the fabulous Funk Brothers and what with the orchestra backing I can't stop listening.

[@mikaelbergstrom6195]

Leaves you speechless, so beautiful!

[@theboyfromxtown]

I love that first song - vocalised by Jimmy Ruffin - Shake Hands With A Dreamer

[@Sherfirelabs]

You are correct -- Paul Riser was a visionary who changed the sound of popular music. Thank you for posting this.

[@falanajerido875]

Jameson

[@johnbrocklehurst3570]

Two iconic institutions -Motown-A Lifetime of incredible music and beautiful memories.

[@kingbee1500]

One thing about the Detroit Symphony strings...when asked to rock out on Paul Riser's (or Earl Van Dyke's, "Choker" Campbell's or Ivy Jo Hunter's) arrangements, they could handle that as well as the more symphonic songs.

[@falanajerido875]

And james Jameson

[@denisboswell2935]

I could listen to this all day long

[@markwest6503]

its like going to heaven just BRILL.

[@ganymeade5151]

God Given talent

[@Musicman55]

Very good music the famous back up band that started the Motown sound that has played music for all the major Motown stars I have their DVD the History of the Funk Brothers a must see thank you for the great music

[@captainkeyboard1007]

I imagine that the Funk Brothers worked almost around the clock at Hittsville. They played music for several Motown groups, all in one house.

[@REbullet1954]

intro sends shivers down my spine....

[@bennyadler5882]

I can only think of 12 voices who could sing to those strings so vividly, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Louvain Demps, Marlene Tate-Barrows, Jackie Hicks, Hank Dixon, Walter Gaines, CP Spencer, Freddie Gorman, Barbara McNair and Levi Stubbs.

[@naeemrashada1009]

Personally I would include Paul Williams also in that group of 12 voices.

[@bennyadler5882]

Paul would be that “12th”!

[@davidhutch8880]

Shake hands with a dreamer ✨️ 🎶 💛 💖

[@Musicradio77Network]

Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra are a winning combination. DSO was at Motown during the entire 1960's where they had a lot of big hits with a help from the Funk Brothers by so many Motown acts. At the time, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra was still under contract with Mercury's Living Presence label where they did so many albums of classical music and then back to Motown and back to Mercury as well. They continued them until 1972 when Motown moved out of Detroit to LA, they went back to do classical music and DSO are still around today.

[@louisrocca55]

Brilliant piece of information there. As well as Tamla/ Motown records I have always wondered how so many Detroit sounds came out so perfectly synchronised with strings, bass and vocals when the Funk Brothers were so few, but the sound was so big. The players are legendary, encapsulated for ever, but the behind the scenes are not so well known, especially on this side of the pond. I thank you for sharing that.

[@Musicradio77Network]

The guy who did the string section for DSO was Paul Riser who did the overdubs for many of Motown’s biggest hits.

[@tropicalpancake56]

First Class music...

[@sandrasanders706]

What is the second song it is absolutely beautiful never heard it before need to know the name... Four Tops Maybe?

[@cov11]

It's the track to Jackson Five's version of 'Standing in the shadows of love'

[@michaelwilks6353]

Beautiful Music.

[@jankove2]

He is a true Legend

[@stevenatkinson582]

Not heard this before is it available on cd or vinyl , awesome post thanx for sharing

[@cov11]

Two of the three are available at www.hayleyrecords.co.uk Thunderbird Sound.

[@kathleenmatagulay1462]

@@cov11 Thank you so much 🥰🥰🥰

[@falanajerido875]

Have to study our music to make it great job

[@bradleyscarton3931]

Does anyone know what the third track is?

[@cov11]

At last (I found a true love) Chuck Jackson.

[@ganymeade5151]

@@cov11 Thank you very much.

[@westwoodensemble4529]

can I get these arrangements?

[@pathorne1]

Very beautiful songs! What is the name of the second song, who sings to that instrumental? I did not know Paul Riser was that important of a person for Motown. I new he was a arranger, but it seems he really worked hard and played a large role in building Motown. We also cannot forget about Gordon Staples, I think he worked for the symphony orchestra and conducted many songs (when they recorded the violin segments over the original band instrumental-he was conductor I believe) Motown had a good MUSIC operation running in the 60's and 70's, and it seems that they had the best instrumentals (band tracks)!

[@cov11]

pathorne1 Second song is 'Standing in the shadows of love' by Jackson 5. Paul Riser usually conducted orchestra, particularly if he had written the charts.

[@Musicradio77Network]

pathorne1 while on the subject, Detroit Symphony Orchestra was putting more albums of classical music under Mercury's Living Presence label which was outside of Motown. While they were working on more classical albums at the time, they went back to Motown to do more hits with the Funk Brothers and back to do classical. DSO did a lot of double shifts at that time.

[@peterbarber5769]

Wowzer! What fabulous music, the strings and violins are exceptional.

[@innocenteventiorbetello]

this is just awsome! Brilliant choice..

[@phillip6408]

Was there an album recorded by the group with the orchestra?

[@AntonioTonyNewtonMusic]

Paul has always been a genius as a musician/trombone and arranger! He is also a great human being! We grew up together.

[@cov11]

Standing in the shadows of love

[@mick5080]

Who is doing the drumming please.

[@FSQofficial]

Can we get track ID’s for all these ?

[@cov11]

Shake hands with a dreamer, Standing in the shadows of love, At last I found a love.

[@FSQofficial]

​@@cov11 Yeah but these are instrumentals and it doesn't seem to match up what we are searching. You sure that's the order?

[@cov11]

Absolutely certain .

[@FSQofficial]

What song is this ?

[@REbullet1954]

Can anyone tell me what the first number is please?

[@cov11]

Scroll down comments.

[@bradleyscarton3931]

Jimmy Ruffin’s “Shake Hands With A Dreamer.”

[@REbullet1954]

Thanks Bradley ...yes, same number but the drum on this version is really great!

[@leohawkins3363]

These string arrangements are Beautiful. Superb. Brilliant! Majestic! Ethereal!

[@mildredwilliams8107]

This sounds great in 2023!🎶😊👍