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 ... Read review
What's Going On What's Happening Brother Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky) Save The ... more
Children God Is Love Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) Right On Wholy Holy Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) God Is Love (Bonus Track The B-Side) Sad Tomorrows (Bonus...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
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 ... ...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 with the title track then nothing on this album veers too far ... more
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 with the title track then nothing on this album veers too far away from that glorious floaty despair,each songs soul bleeds into the next song making it impossible to break it up into bite size chunks ,though "Mercy Mercy Me",does resemle a"hit single" ,it still doesnt isolate from the overall concept .which is a heavy stormy brew of Viet-Nam,racial tension,ecology,corruption and of course God.
Strangely absent from this record , the trademark overt sexuality present on later albums ,i guess he had more important things on his mind ,not so much religious in content more spiritual,but you can approach this record from two angles ,one its huge cultural relevance or as a piece of sublime uplifting soul/jazz,gospel music either approach will be equally as satisfying ,if you are not familiar with any of his work but are at least curious then i urge you to spend a few pounds on this wonderful record ,it wont change your life but it might make it a little easier at times.
The impact of great albums is not always instant and "Whats Going On"may well take a couple of listens ,but his angelic voice and knowing sincerity will win you over in the end i promise .
Product Information for "What's Going On [Remastered] - Marvin Gaye" »
Product details
Title
What's Going On [Remastered]
Performer
Marvin Gaye
Genre
R&B
Sub Genre
Motown
Release Date
27/01/2003
Recomended Retail Price
8.99 GBP
Original Release Year
1971
Label / Distributor
Motown / Universal Music
Producer
Marvin Gaye
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
44006402222
Catalogue Number
640222
Additional notes
Album Notes
Personnel includes: Marvin Gaye (vocals, piano); David Van Depitte (arranger, conductor); Robert White, Joe Messina (guitar); Johnny Griffith (celeste, keyboards); Earl Van Dyke (keyboards); Eli Fountain (alto saxophone); Wild Bill Moore (tenor saxophone); Jack Brokensha (vibraphone, percussion); Bob Babbit, James Jamerson (bass); Chet Forest (drums); Eddie Brown, Earl DeRouen (bongos, conga); Jack Ashford (tambourine, percussion). Recorded at Hitsville, Golden World and United Sound Studios, Detroit, Michican. Originally released on Tamla (310). Includes liner notes by Marvin Gaye and Ben Edmonds. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Originally released in 1971, WHAT'S GOING ON remains a landmark album, one that redefined music with powerful, anthemic songs that remain pertinent to this day. Up to that point, R&B albums were collections of singles, with secondary material rounding out the LPs. Marvin Gaye changed all this by releasing a concept album that went beyond the usual boy-meets-girl scenario, weaving together an aural collage of societal ills. "Crime is increasing/Trigger-happy policing," from "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)," is as potent a line today as it was over twenty years ago. With the country still divided over the Vietnam War, the title track became a rallying cry for peace. Layered with lush orchestrations, heavenly background vocals and traces of jazz in particular spots, WHAT'S GOING ON never sounds musically dated. The critical and commercial success of Marvin Gaye's opus also enabled other artists to break free from the creative shackles imposed by Motown, and experience more autonomy in the making of their music.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (1/23/03, p.68) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Revolutionary..." Vibe (12/99, p.164) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century Q (1/03, p.69) - Included in Q Magazine's "100 Greatest Albums Ever" Rolling Stone (8/5/71, p.44) - "...There are very few performers who could carry a project like this off. I've always admired Marvin Gaye, but I didn't expect that he would be one of them..." NME (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #4 in NME's list of the 'Greatest Albums Of All Time.' Rolling Stone (9/30/71, p.42) - "...there is no question that he has gotten progressively better...Gaye's multi-tracked lead vocals answer one another like a man talking to himself, finally enveloping the listener in a world view of incalculable intensity..." Q (10/99, p.161) - Included in Q Magazine's Best Motown Records Of All Time - "...one of the finest albums ever recorded.... gorgeous soulful settings, bewitching melodies and Gaye's magisterial singing." Mojo (5/01, p.97) - "...Stands as both a eulogy and testament to a spirit of co-operation, understanding and harmony. It's a vision of Utopia in words and music one could wander around in forever." Uncut (5/03, p.116) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...Global and personal anguish were never so exquisitely conveyed..." Living Blues (5-6/01, p.100) - "...A masterwork....Sumptuous packaging, insightful liner notes, and voluminous session information underscore the first-class presentation..." NME (9/11/93, p.18) - Ranked #1 in NME's list of The Greatest Albums Of The '70s - "...politicized music has never been done better....it's also infused with a beautiful spirituality..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
What's Going On
2.
What's Happening Brother
3.
Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)
4.
Save The Children
5.
God Is Love
6.
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
7.
Right On
8.
Wholy Holy
9.
Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
10.
God Is Love (B-side single version/bonus track)
11.
Sad Tomorrows (aka Flyin' high (in the friendly sky)/bonus track)
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
18/03/2006
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