Which Motown tracks light your fire?

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• 1. At 10:40pm on 06 Jan 2009, Reynarda wrote:

  Thank you Martin Freeman and BBC (and my license money!) for a wonderful programme about Motown and music and Michael Jackson. I am still smiling! Cheers Zorro

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• 2. At 11:17pm on 06 Jan 2009, wannabe-pinklady wrote:

  Thanks You Martin for reminding me why I love Motown. I have been a fan of Motown since my friend introduced it to me too many years ago when I was about 13. We used to listen to her parents LP's. I was singing "Tears of a Clown" all around the house. My favourite is "I'll be There". My son would sing this from the back seat of the car when he was about three years old. I stayed Detroit in 1981, unfortunately I wasn't aware of the music at the time as I was only ten,I would love to go back to where it all began. Thanks again for a great show. Helen

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• 3. At 00:01am on 07 Jan 2009, -ZER07 wrote:

  Hello good people of BBC2,
  
  Wishing you, from Holland, the very best for 2009 and onwards I like to comment on the program,
  '50th anniversary'.
  
  I zapped to BBC2 quiet by chance(the show was not
  announced in my tv guide) and have seen just a last 5min moment of my life long favorite backing band "The Funk Brothers". So my Q is; is there a chance that this episode will be shown again on BBC2? The music; What tracks light my fire? I own the DVD copy of the documentary "Standing in the Shadow of Motown". From that there is also a CD album. On that album there is a
  James Jamerson(bass guitar)
  instrumental baseline cut of the song 'Bernadette'
  That cut and the song, 'Whats going on by Marvin Gaye' sets me on fire.
  My TV broadcast tip for BBC2 would be: May it be possible for the BBC to Air
  "Standing in the shadow of motown" and the 1973 movie "Save the children" with Marvin gaye in concert?
  
  Hope to hear from you.
  
  Kind Regards,
  
  ZER07

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• 4. At 10:14am on 07 Jan 2009, EllenW-web_producer wrote:

  @ ZERO7
  
  Martin Freeman Goes to Motown will be repeated this Friday at 11.35pm. The BBC has actually shown Standing in the Shadows of Motown a few times, both on BBC Two and BBC Four, within the Storyville strand. I've no idea whether there are any plans to repeat it or show Save the Children.
  
  Don't miss the Motown season on Radio 2, it includes a programme in which Smokey Robinson pays tribute to Marvin Gaye: Stubborn Kind of Fellow.

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• 5. At 1:49pm on 07 Jan 2009, songndanceman wrote:

  With such superb material I was bitterly disappointed by Freeman's vacant chattering. This show could have been stunning - direction, camera work and editing were all excellent Freeman's inability to speak intelligently or perceptively, emabarrasing - "I really like Motown" seemed as lofty as his diagnostic or nostalgic was able to reach. These Motown greats deserved much, much more. Please, Culture Show, sort out your presenters.

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• 6. At 1:51pm on 07 Jan 2009, songndanceman wrote:

  With such superb material I was bitterly disappointed by Freeman's vacant chattering. This show could have been stunning - direction, camera work and editing were all excellent Freeman's inability to speak intelligently or perceptively, emabarrasing - "I really like Motown" seemed as lofty as his diagnostic or nostalgic response was able to reach. These Motown greats deserved much, much more. Please, Culture Show, sort out your presenters.
  
  

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• 7. At 2:06pm on 07 Jan 2009, EllenW-web_producer wrote:

  @ songndanceman
  
  Pity you didn't enjoy it. Who would you rather have seen as the presenter?

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• 8. At 8:39pm on 08 Jan 2009, LyleFox wrote:

  25 Miles (Edwin Starr) is the greatest Motown track bar none.
  
  Tracks of my Tears (Smokey Robinson) is a close second.

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• 9. At 11:47am on 09 Jan 2009, matnichol wrote:

  Anything by Smokie R. - Tears of a Clown or Tracks of my Tears. Sam & Dave too - who had a couple of their hits written by Smokie R. (Hold On, I'm Comin and Soul Man)

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• 10. At 2:09pm on 09 Jan 2009, EllenW-web_producer wrote:

  I think that I incline towards the more upbeat tracks - Hold On, I'm Comin' is terrific. Unfortunately I first heard Soul Man on the soundtrack of a 1986 teen film of the same name and it slightly carries the taint of reverse nostalgia. I didn't really like the Eighties.

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• 11. At 6:45pm on 12 Jan 2009, garryco wrote:

  I have never been a fan of "celebrity presenters" and this has been proved by Martin Freeman's performance on a show that had so much potential.How can someone,who, by his own admission does not know that several major artistes were Motown stars be chosen for such an important(and historic) broadcast.But,this was only a slight irritation in what was a great showcase for some unsong heroes of this splendid era.
  Favourite track? These things will keep me loving you - Velvelettes(but there are so many more that evoke the 60's and teenage memories of a magical time.

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• 12. At 12:02pm on 13 Jan 2009, EllenW-web_producer wrote:

  @ garryco
  
  Martin Freeman actually is an expert, rather than a celebrity presenter - he's really knowledgeable about Motown. I'm not sure which moment in the show you mean, but he is obsessive about Motown. Interested at any rate to hear who you would rather have seen presenting the show. Glad that you enjoyed it otherwise - did you watch the longer 45-minute version?

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• 13. At 4:03pm on 13 Jan 2009, swingband wrote:

  Great Show Martin Freeman and BBC did and brilliant job.
  Martin's knowledge of Motown is incredible.
  Well Done
  Dominic Halpin

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• 14. At 6:52pm on 13 Jan 2009, garryco wrote:

  I'm pleased to get such a reaction from my first ever blog,but, I suppose that's the general idea.I have just revisited the iplayer and sure enough,1min 36 secs(approx) into the show MF states that he found out about great Motown artists from compilation albums ?! Bandwagons and jumping comes to mind!
  Does he know what it felt like to walk around town ensuring that everyone noticed the brand new orange and white sleeve holding the latest release? I think not.
  Alternative presenter? If I'm not allowed an opportunity,what about Andy Peebles? If he's still around.

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• 15. At 12:22pm on 14 Jan 2009, EllenW-web_producer wrote:

  @ garryco
  
  As Martin Freeman was born in 1971 you're right that he wouldn't have been walking down the street with the original singles ;-)
  
  That doesn't mean that he's not a massive fan and knows the music inside out. I think that what he was saying in the comment you mention is that as a teenager he realised that all of these artists were connected through the Motown label by seeing compilations.

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• 16. At 7:02pm on 14 Jan 2009, garryco wrote:

  
  The shuffling of feet as the ranks close behind MF is starting to deafen me. Call me pedantic(and I'm sure you will)but I still think he was a bad choice.
  No mention of Andy Peebles or myself yet,perhaps the PC/AGEISM card needs to be played.
  I look forward to your next musings.
  
  PS How about a documentary about the musical tastes of the over 50's.
  I attend many soul,blues,new country nights/tours and quite frankly the average audience age is astounding.
  We still know how to rock!
  
  GREY POWER !

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• 17. At 03:58am on 15 Jan 2009, detroit_leanin wrote:

  Hi Ellen W,
  
  Just a note to say how excited I am to see this program, although it seems I missed the 7 day window and additionally being in the US am I right in assuming that the feed is unavailable? In any event my name is Nathan and I'm in LA and my good friend Brad runs the record store in Detroit that I believe was featured on the show. Is there any way possible for us to see this show or heck even just Brad?
  
  Their website is: http://www.peoplesdetroit.com/
  
  and well, if you wanna hook me up too maybe there's a way?
  
  yours,
  Nathan Lee

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• 18. At 09:25am on 15 Jan 2009, EllenW-web_producer wrote:

  Hi Nathan
  
  Thanks for getting in touch. You're right about the iPlayer being UK only, but there is a thing called contributor access in the BBC, where people can get a copy of a programme they appeared in. I'm not sure how it would work in this case, but I'll investigate.
  
  Best wishes
  
  Ellen

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• 19. At 09:35am on 15 Jan 2009, EllenW-web_producer wrote:

  @ garryco
  
  Hey, you're entitled to your opinion ;-) I was just arguing that MF knew what he was talking about.
  
  I was never a huge Andy Peebles fan myself, but the whole team do look at the comments, so you never know! Not having seen your work, I can't really respond to your other suggestion but I can say that presenting is harder than it looks.
  
  Agree that the music tastes of the over 50s is interesting, and the profile of gig goers has changed a lot. I also agree that there's no reason why presenters shouldn't be older rather than younger. I've just put in a pitch myself that would have a 'grey' presenter. I might make the whole issue a blog topic tomorrow...

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• 20. At 09:16am on 21 Jan 2009, SomborneAndy wrote:

  Have to say I absolutely loved it, especially the laid back style to presenting, just trying to let the characters and the music do the talking. It was the Detroit section that fascinated me the most, as I'm off out there in two weeks time. It's one of the great American cities that's always held a bit of fascination for me, and although it's not one of your more regular tourist places and it's going through a bad time right now (more than most) I really want to go see it and get a feel for the culture. I'll certainly be taking in the Motown Museum, but just wondered if anyone out there has any particular tips on certain areas, places to stay or even bars that you found particularly interesting.

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• 21. At 4:12pm on 24 Jan 2009, pauldandrew

  This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.

• 22. At 01:15am on 26 Jan 2009, Alanlamont wrote:

  Thanks for posting this thread. My favorite Motown track is "I want you back" by the Jackson 5. I like the Motown old school stuff more than the new stuff. My top 3 would be:
  
  1. I Want You Back
  2. The Love You Save
  3. Dancing Machine
  
  AlanLaMont
  The Motown Greats
  http://www.MotownGreats.com

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• 23. At 02:01am on 04 Feb 2009, grumpyoldredbeard wrote:

  It has to be the atmospheric Temptations Number One:
  "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"!

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