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I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

When I watched this movie it was by accident on Netflix. Man what a great accident! This moving picture of art hit me right between the heart and soul. It put me into perspective of some true bones of music! Well made and great information. Every Musician or creative personality should watch this. My passion for music became more intense after a lesson in pure spirit. This is a prize and if you set your eye's on this you win! I have always been involved in some kind of music from the time I was born and this movie proved to me that there is always something to learn. A work of art with a groove of gold, it really does move you and if you are willing to be moved then strap in get your popcorn what ever and enjoy.

Of the several recent documentaries made about singers, musicians and producers of rhythm and blues, this 2013 production and the Pennebaker-Hegedus film, "Only the Strong Survive", are probably the best. Musically "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" has no equal, for it was conceived as a concert film, a record of a historical reunion of Detroit's jazz musicians known as The Funk Brothers, with guest appearances from great contemporary vocalists, all recorded with care; while "Twenty Feet from Stardom" is surely the weakest, a lost opportunity to make an outstanding documentary, starring some of the best background vocalists of yesterday (and a few from the present), due to an average approach, like an extended television report. Not that "Muscle Shoals" and "Only the Strong Survive" are cinematic masterpieces, but both cover controversial facts surrounding some of their subjects, including producer Rick Hall in the first case, or Sam Moore in the second. Their personalities and stories lift these works from the common place, and help to make them very fine achievements. Hall is indeed a very complex man, from his childhood in poverty, living in the wilderness, to his success as owner of Fame recording studio in Muscle Shoals, the city where Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Etta James and many others recorded hits. He omits nothing, revealing dark details from his family and work, and even making reflections about himself that reveal how the shortcomings and rejections he faced led him to achieve success. Due to the format there is fantastic R&B and rock and roll music that unfortunately is not enjoyed in its fullness (from Aretha to Duane Allman, among the many artists that recorded in Muscle Shoals), and very little live, new material, as the outstanding performance by Alicia Keys, several of the original session musicians and a gospel choir. But these are little complaints compared to the joy of seeing at last, a work on the fantastic music produced in those small recording studios in Alabama, and the group known as The Swampers. Don't miss it.

Fabulous.Quite different from Standing In The Shadows of Motown and The Wrecking Crew. To me, THEIR weakness was that the person responsible for creating them was missing.Berry Gordy created The Funk Brothers. Phil Spector created The Wrecking Crew.Each was AWOL in the documentary about their creation.Rick Hall created Fame Studio in Muscles Shoals Alabama. The Documentary is, essentially, about him. As it should be. And even after Jerry Wexler and Atlantic Records tried to destroy Hall by spiriting away his musicians to record in NYC and, later, building a studio for them in Muscle Shoals.......Rick Hall simply put together another group of musicians, without missing a beat......(pun intended)....and took The Legend of Muscle Shoals to The Next Level.The good news about that? The Muscle Shoals musicians are good friends today. They appreciate that the competition made each other better and Muscle Shoals as a destination....stronger.The Motown Documentary is about a "sound". The Wrecking Crew Documentary is about "Musicianship". Muscle Shoals is about a "Groove."A Groove that created Aretha Franklin where others had failed. A Groove that created The Allman Brothers where others had given up. A Groove that "rebooted" the careers of The Rolling Stones and other established "superstars".It's a remarkable story and an excellent documentary. Don't miss it.

I just saw this at the George Lindsey Film Festival in Florence, Alabama -- right across the Tennessee River from Muscle Shoals. I rarely give 10/10 but this film is a gem. Photography, editing, sound values, emotional through lines, entertainment value -- this film has it all. Lots of great interviews and a kaleidoscope of personal memories from great entertainers, as well -- including Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Picket, and Alicia Keys, to name just a few. This film pulls you in and puts you there, back when a handful of friends got together and made music history in their own back yards. You'll be amazed at how many number one hits came out of humble little Muscle Shoals.