What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

Advantages: See Op
Disadvantages: See Op (No imagination Left)

If it weren’t for a certain Mr Knowles, I would never have thought of buying What’s Going On and would have missed out on the smoothest album ever made. Of course, I had to go one better than him and buy myself the fancy Deluxe Edition: 2 CDs and a booklet containing lyrics, a ‘making of the album’ and many quality photos of the ‘Prince of Motown’ (as they in the sixties called him). The booklet is packed so the ...
...note to wear your specs and don’t read under boudoir lighting like mine. And now to the review of it all... The CDs: Disc One includes the original LP released on May 21st 1971, the Original Detroit Mix that was recorded in April 5th 1971 and previously unreleased, and What’s Going On (the single) Rhythm & Strings mix, also never heard before now. Disc Two includes Live At The Kennedy Centre (May 1st 1972) previously unreleased, Original ... Read review

Advantages: Lyrical perfection
Disadvantages: none

“Hey…what’s happnin’…what’s up…this is a kinda party that a brother digs…” are the opening lyrics to possibly one of the greatest soul albums ever produced. Now that is a HUGE statement, however it is one that I will always maintain. It is fitting to open this op with the line- What’s going on? So what is going on then. The answer is thirty-five minutes of blissful near perfection. This ...
...Marvin Gaye is a 60s soul icon. He stood for a black America- similar to that of the superbad Curtis Mayfield, only without his finger in so many pies! He was a superslick mutha of a man- just look at the album sleeve for an example of his individual style and vogue. His image was a representation of the quality of the music that he produced. The album is a collection of the finest soul ballads that can be found on a single album. The opening track ... Read review

Advantages: True genius of a soul legend.
Disadvantages: None

In the early 90’s Janet Jackson said of Marvin Gaye “He’s our John Lennon……The longer he’s gone the more young people appreciate his art. What’s going On was a work of genius far ahead of it’s time.” The similarities are recognisable, both had successful pop careers in the 60’s, Lennon with the all conquering Beatles and Gaye as an artist in the Motown records stable. As music drew away ...
...a political message into their music realising they could use their position of influence to comment about the current state of the World. Musically , both were innovative and they were both prepared to change vocal styles to differentiate their new work. Lennon was to use a much more coarse and rawkish sound on tracks like ‘Instant Karma’, whereas Gaye liked a new laid back style, evident on this album and later tracks such as ‘Let’s ... Read review

Advantages: Great album From A Great Artist
Disadvantages: Too Short

That Marvin Gaye had a troubled career and troubled private life is well documented. I is however for his music that he should best be remembered. Whats Going On was relaesed in 1971 but only after Motown boss Berry Gordy (his father-in-law) relented and agreed to release an album in which a black artist dared pass social comment in America. The title track referred to US involvement in Vietnam at the time but once recorded the acceptance of what ...
...been covered many times since and is a simple anthem against pollution. By travelling this path Gaye was turning his back on the standard love-song ethos of black musicians and Motown particularly. Whats Happening Brother questioned the role of the black person in America and dared question the acceptance of the black mans ‘place’ in society. On Inner City Blues he sang of the near-ghetto world of crime, drugs and poverty but ventured ... Read review

Advantages: one of the true greats
Disadvantages: none at all whatsoever in any way shape or form

...Not an easy one to approach ,a bit like trying to review the bible or Star Wars ,if you are one of the few people who havent heard "Whats Going On",then i can only urge you to try it ,this review will not make any difference as such but an idea of whats contained within may whet your appetite . The "masterpiece "accolades have poured thick and fast since this l.p was released in 1971 on the slowly fading Tamla Motown label,any expectations based on your knowledge of that once great label are non applicable ,this record was a one off and the first of its kind ,from the sax floated title track to its gospel infused conclusion of "Inner City Blues ",everything in between is linked like movements in a symphony as Marvin Gaye unleashes his own frustration and sadness on the state of America (circa1971) . If you are familiar... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Sublime
Disadvantages: none

...After brilliantly surveying the social, political and spiritual landscape with What's Going On, Marvin Gaye turned to more intimate matters with Let's Get It On, a record unparalleled in its sheer sensuality and carnal energy. Always a sexually-charged performer, Gaye's passions reach their boiling point on tracks like the magnificent title hit (a Number One smash) and "You Sure Love to Ball;" silky and shimmering, the music is seductive in the most literal sense, its fluid grooves so perfectly designed for romance as to border on parody. With each performance laced with innuendo, each lyric a come-on, and each rhythm throbbing with lust, perhaps no other record has ever achieved the kind of sheer erotic force of Let's Get It On, and it remains the blueprint for all of the slow jams to follow decades later — much copied, but never... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: "If There's Any Justice"
Disadvantages: Many duff songs!

...and dismisses any flow from the song. 12. All I Ever Do/Boo Part II - The second part of a song called "All I Ever Do, My Boo" which was a B side on the single Another Day which was on his last album. The verses in the song is pretty bland and makes you want to switch off but if you have the patience the chorus is pretty good though doesn't really compare to the first attempt at this song. Not particularly my favourite song but certainly not the worst. 13. I Believe In A Thing Called Love - Oh yes I hear you scream, isn't there a Darkness song called that? Yes this is a soulful acoustic cover of the most annoying rock song of 2003. This song has a mix of lyrics of the obvious "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" and some snippets from a Kci & JoJo song and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On". The song is a reasonable cover that is quite catchy while... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful