Product Details

• Actors: Marvin Gaye
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Eagle Rock Ent
• DVD Release Date: May 20, 2003
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000094J89
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,961 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Marvin Gaye might not have been the obvious invitee to the 1980 Jazz Festival in Montreux, but this DVD of his appearance there is as good a document as any currently available of the soul sage at the height of his talents. Gaye is joined on stage by a full band replete with backup singers and horn section, all resplendent in their late-'70s fashion statements. While the continual onslaught of overhead lighting is reminiscent of a concert in a high school gym, Gaye isn't letting anything get in his way as he lays down groove after groove of his most beloved material. He fights to keep "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" fresh even if it's his zillionth time plaintively administering that age-old news. The whole concert brims with an energy that only climbs higher in the finale as Gaye electrifies with "Mercy Mercy Me" and takes his sweet time with his classic "What's Going On," in which he even includes a soul-searching monologue that answers with some finality that nagging question: what's it all about? Live at Montreux is a must for fans and connoisseurs of soul alike. --Karl Wachter

Product Description

Marvin Gaye blazed the trail for the continued evolution of popular black music: moving from lean, powerful R&B to stylish, sophisticated soul to finally arrive at an intensely political and personal form of artistic self-expression.

His work not only redefined soul music as a creative force but also expanded its impact as an agent for social change.

Marvin Gaye recorded at the Montreux Casino on July 7 1980, during the Montreux Jazz Festival. This DVD includes such classics as "Let's Get It On", "Ain't That Peculiar", "Inner City Blues", "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "What's Going On" and of course "I Heard It Through The Grapevine".

The companion DOUBLE CD "Live In Montreux" is available on Eagle Records

Track Listing:
1. Time
2. Got To Give It Up
3. Funky Space
4. After The Dance (Hellos)
5. Come Get To This
6. Let's Get It On
7. After The Dance
8. If This World Was Mine / Ain'tNothing Like The Real Thing / Ain'tNo Mountain High Enough
9. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
10. Ain't That Peculiar
11. I'll Be Dog Gone
12. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
13. Trouble Man
14. Distant Lover
15. Inner City Blues
16. Mercy Mercy Me
17. What's Going On

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT Performance, minor audio flaws, October 25, 2004

By 

Glenn Fink (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marvin Gaye - Live in Montreux 1980 (DVD)

This DVD starts off (after an intro piece) with the best version of "Got to Give It Up" you'll ever hear. As a previous reviewer mentioned, there are some minor audio flaws at the very beginning of the concert - almost all during this piece. It doesn't matter to me. They were all taken care of as they arose within a half minute, and frankly, except for missing the first 20 seconds or so of David Li's sax solo, they don't bother me. But the *performance* - man! What an amazing show. Of course since it happened in 1980 there are some dated fashions displayed onstage, and some funny moments, but this band is having a good time and the show is stupendous. You just couldn't ask for a better group to back Marvin.

I've brought this disc over to friends who aren't that up on Marvin Gaye, and I've made them fans. The man is on fire on this night, and appears completely at ease with the audience and keeps them in the palm of his hand throughout the evening. There's a version of "Come Get to This" which I think is superior to the version on Let's Get It On, a great medley of Tammi Terrell duets preceded by Marvin grabbing a stool to sit on only to have it come apart, a moment handled beautifully and with a lot of humor, and a great extended "Inner City Blues" with Marvin soloing on a Rhodes, and the show-ending "What's Going On" complete with extended sermon about what's going on in life, what's the purpose? he asks...and answers to the best of his ability.

I can't recommend this disc enough. It's a great time and the flaws can be overlooked - after all, most shows from that era don't sound as good as the stuff that's come out since the digital revolution really took hold in the late 80's. If you're a dyed-in-the-wool Marvin fan, you HAVE to own this.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MARVIN THE MASTER! LIVE AND INIMITABLE., November 26, 2008

By 

Kevin Mattingly (Harrisburg, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marvin Gaye - Live in Montreux 1980 (DVD)

"Live In Montreux" is one of the best concerts that I've ever seen by ANYONE. Of course that goes with the territory when you're watching and listening to Marvin Gaye.

I've got news for some of you folks; it isn't about a slight audio section not sounding as pristine as you might have wanted it to. It's about the fact that Marvin delivers straight up SOUL in a huge way on this dvd. If you're wanting perfection in the content, however, and not the two seconds of audio that you didn't like you should purchase this dvd immediately.

All you have to do is check the track listing and imagine Marvin pouring his guts into these songs and you have an inkling of what this concert is all about. I didn't see anyone there complaining!

Marvin performs a large variety of his hits and some that are a little more obscure with his utmost passion which is still unrivaled to this day. His banter with the audience is classy and entertaining. He dances with two women in a very sweet way which was probably the high point of their lives. And after a prop malfunction he does the most touching tribute to Tammi Terrell that I've ever seen. I had tears in my eyes and I'm a man.

Marvin is backed by an incredible orchestra and even takes a bit of time to play the drums which, if you know anything about Marvin, takes it back to the beginning of his career with Motown.

I would give this dvd 10 stars for any music lover.

The only negative aspect to this dvd is that it quickly reminds us of what we're missing in music today.

Kevin W. Mattingly

Harrisburg Times

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This must be heaven - to hear and see Marvin - WOW!!!!!!!, April 8, 2005

By 

Julie MacNeil "iowajewel" (beautiful iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marvin Gaye - Live in Montreux 1980 (DVD)

When I found out about this DVD I couldn't wait to see it and it was more wonderful than I could have imagined! The improv in this concert and his interaction with the crowd is incredible! (What I wouldn't give to have that dance with him!) I saw him in Boston on his Midnight Love tour, shortly before his death, and as great as it was to see him perform in person, it didn't compare to this. He does some songs from Here my Dear and I Want You, that I have never heard live before, which is so awesome. I was brought to tears at times by just the sweetness of his voice, if you love Marvin, don't hesitate one more moment to buy this DVD. Yes, the sound quality isn't perfect, but Marvin is!