The Art or Craft of Motown

Professor Early mentioned that Berry Gordy perceived music as a craft and not as an art and how this viewpoint was instrumental in how Gordy structured the “Motown Sound” to appeal to the commercially oriented audience rather than an artistically oriented audience. This caused me to give more thought to the difference between a craftsman seeking to attain excellence through the design of a product and an artist stressing expression through natural ability.

As a craftsman, Gordy systematically used his skill and intelligence to craft preconceived products (groups) through which he was artfully manipulated the emotions and beliefs of his audience to achieve his intended result. He understood how music worked as a craft and, as Professor Early explained, learned that the urban audience was not interested any longer in jazz and wanted R & B.  Gordy was also successful in his mission to limit the racial identity of groups such as the Supremes in order to achieve his objective of “crossover” music and the promoting the ideal Black American Princess. So we know that he achieved the intended commercial and financial success. But where was Mr. Gordy’s race consciousness?   We read about and discussed the successes Mr. Gordy achieved with various Motown groups, but I question at what point, if any, many of those groups realized their true artistic achievement. Did Gordy’s crafting of the groups and the music stifle the artistic spirit?  When, if ever, did the groups he crafted become true artists?

What an artist produces is natural and usually transpires through an expression of his emotion. This is what I sensed as we discussed John Coltrane. The artist explores the unknown and the emotional possibilities of his work. The art itself nurtures the human spirit and can often stand alone.  The work the artist produces is as much for himself as for his audience.  Personally, I have enjoyed the music of Motown for the feel good factor and for the entertainment. However, as I reflect on the readings, the creative process was controlled by Mr. Gordy and emanated from the writers and producers, not the musicians who performed. I did not get the impression that most of the artisst were allowed the freedom of expression.  So I question that there were many Motown musicians who attained a personal sense of artistic success beyond the crafted persona designed by Gordy.  Perhaps Berry Gordy was the real artist.

-- Rose Mary Brown