Before today, I never realized that the late, great Marvin Gaye was murdered one day before his 45th birthday in 1984. I remember being in pre-kindergarten when it happened and that being one of the first occasions when an artist's death affected me because I absolutely loved--and still do love--his voice and his music. Marvin Gaye could give you silky smooth and semi-rough all in one record. He truly sang with soul because he had such a troubled spirit, so you felt every emotion with which he sang and could relate to his joy and pain. Furthermore, he's one of the few artists that could adjust with any change in the musical climate, and that's part of what makes him such a dope and unforgettable artist.
Now I had every inclination to post "Just to Keep You Satisfied", one of my all-time favorite Marvin Gaye songs. Truth be told though, that song is quite depressing and I want to be a bit more celebratory. Hence, I've picked the one song that's guaranteed to get folks hand dancing, stepping and all of the above: "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", a classic mid-60s Motown groove written and produced by the legendary songwriting team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland (not listed as a producer). Lyrically, it's an undeniably genuine gem of a love song. However, it's Marvin Gaye who brings this song to life and is arguably at his smoothest, weaving through this signature sound with incomparable finesse. So Happy 74th Birthday to D.C.'s #1 Soul Brother, and may he rest in peace...
Although I appreciate the Early Motown " MARVIN " ... I feel his best works were : 1971 What's Goin' On ( the album Berry Gordy refused to release at first ) ..He was at his best when he was ' in full artist mode ' ... 1973 's Let's Get it On .. He just oozed sensuality and it was raw and real .. 1976's I Want You ... creative , honest and the pain ..Wow !! 1978 Hear , My Dear ..So ahead of his time ..A lot of peple sleep on this one ..The brother had quite a few songs that came out posthumously ..but , Hear, my Dear is one you have to listen to r e a l closely ..
ReplyDeleteHe was a LEGEND .. I agree ..RIP Marvin ...
I agree, Mom. (I had a feeling it was you before you said anything :-)!) I've come to greatly appreciate Marvin's early Motown work, but those albums that you named are prime examples of what Andre 3000 once said about 70s music: "...the 70s had the most 'organic' sound out of all the eras." He had more creative control by that point of his career, so when you get to What's Goin' On, Let's Get It On and I Want You, it was clear that the Gordy machine didn't have its hands as much on his music anymore. It doesn't surprise me that Berry Gordy didn't want to release it at first because he never struck me as naturally "political" or "socially conscious" with music as, say, Gamble & Huff. I think some of the stuff that Norman Whitfield was cutting on The Temptations in the late 60s and early 70s wasn't initially greeted warmly by Gordy either. Now I've never heard the entire Hear, My Dear album, but I was reading a review about it recently that echoed your same sentiments. I'm gonna have to check it out very soon.
DeleteBy the way .. Anonymous aka Mom Yvonne ..LOL
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