Very Best of (Dig) [Original recording remastered, Import]

Marvin Gaye | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 17, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Universal UK
• ASIN: B00005LZT9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,643 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #45 in Music > Imports > R&B
  • #77 in Music > R&B > Classic R&B

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Another Marvin Gaye overview/introduction? Why not? Pulling together the usual hits from "I'll Be Doggone" to "Grapevine," "What's Going On" to "Let's Get It On" to "Sexual Healing"--all musts for any R&B or pop fan--this two-CD set also offers treats for the Marvin connoisseur. Foremost are the previously unreleased "Where Are We Going?" which marries Nixon-era (and beyond) social concerns to a lilting groove that brings to mind Spinners records of the period, and an alternate mix of Gaye's rare version of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." Very Best also pays proper tribute to Gaye's final years at Motown with the full 11-plus minutes of the intensely, casually funky "Got to Give It Up," Here, My Dear's smoldering "Anger," and several tracks from the under-heard Love Man/In Our Lifetime sessions. More than just a profit-generating package from the parent company, it's a loving, rounded selection that's sure to widen newcomers' perceptions of a great artist's creativity and spirit. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

This generous two-disc compilation does an excellent job oftracing soul legend Marvin Gaye's career. It moves from hisearliest, most pop-oriented recordings ("How Sweet It Is", "I'll Be Doggone") to his famed duets with Tammi Terrell ("Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing") and his later, more socially conscious work from the What's Going On era. Other stops along the way include songs from the ultimate make-out album Let's Get It On, the latter-day glory of the subtly sensual "Sexual Healing", and of course the immortal "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", the scorned-love anthem whose ominous intro alone is enough to secure Mr. Gaye a place in pop heaven. Universal. 2006.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Definitive, Fantastic the best ever Compilation, July 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Very Best of (Dig) (Audio CD)

What can I say. There has never been such a beautiful Marvin Gaye compilation. I've owned every LP, CD and DVD. This is the nicest thing I've ever seen on Marvin. But nuff about me. The sound quality on this-the remastering-is sensational in every way. I hear things I never heard on songs like "Grapevine," "Hitch Hike," "You," "What's Going On," "Inner City Blues," the list goes on. Also offered here for the first time are two previously unreleased songs. The newly discovered "Where Are We Going?" and the alternate version of the rare gem "His Eye Is On The Sparrow." Plus other rarities like the single only releases "You're The Man" and "Ego-Tripping Out." Another MAJOR point is that aside from the out-of-print boxed set "The Master," the is the only Motown compilation that has the CBS track-and final masterpiece from MG- "Sexual Healing." So you get EVERY HIT on these double CD set. Deluxe, beautiful digipak packaging (with photos I have never seen before) done by the same guys who brought us the other jewel of the year, "What's Going On (Deluxe Edition)." These are by far the best Marvin Gaye releases ever. Pick the latter up if you haven't done that yet. You will LOVE the unreleased, new song "Where Are We Going?" It sounds like it was recorded yesterday. The wonderful essay by Gaye biographer (and "Sexual Healing" author) David Ritz should not be overlooked. very refreshing. This CD is for all ages and colors.

41 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars They Forgot To Include 'After The Dance' & More!, September 4, 2001

By 

chakasworld "chakasworld" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Best of (Dig) (Audio CD)

While the music on this latest compilation is great, it's missing A VERY ESSENTIAL MARVIN CLASSIC....'After The Dance'!! This 2 CD set (nice packaging though!!) is a MAJOR FAILURE without 'After The Dance', and THERE IS enough room for it's inclusion (I remastered the set myself to include 'After The Dance' & more!!).

Also, instead of too many 'filler songs' from the so-so 'Here My Dear' CD, they could've (& should've!) included masterpieces like 'Save The Children', 'Flying High In The Friendly Sky', and Marvin's awesome 'Till Tomorrow' from his Midnight Love CD (1983). The rare track 'Where Are We Going ?' is nice, BUT by releasing this incomplete collection, Motown missed the boat AGAIN! (F.Y.I., the recently released Marvin Gaye 'Gold' 2 CD set is the EXACT SAME collection as this one, with new & terrible cover art!!)

I advise everyone to remaster this set (with the proper software) & do Marvin some justice, since Motown continues to miss the mark!!! In the end, you'll have a CD set to REALLY be proud of!

GRADE for 'The Very Best Of Marvin Gaye'
Cover Art/Packaging...5 Stars!!
Tracklisting gets...2 Stars!!
OVERALL GRADE...3-3.5 STARS!!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "how sweet it is to be loved by you...Marvin Gaye", July 21, 2001

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Very Best of (Dig) (Audio CD)

Remember it, as though it was yesterday ~ "I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE", an song and album from the late '60s...played it till' I wore it out...couldn't go anywhere back then and not hear this being played on the radio, local music stores or jukebox...a personal favorite of mine was ~ "AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH" and AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell blending their voices like angels, tunes that are still going strong even today...then this beautiful hymn ~ "HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW", is so inspirational (gives me chills everytime I hear it)...the first disc has duets with Kim Weston and Tammi Terell that are priceless...the second disc has classic recordings of ~ "MERCY MERCY ME(THE ECOLOGY)", "INNER CITY BLUES(MAKE ME WANNA HOLLER)" and "LET'S GET IT ON", back then a very suggestive title for its time...and the triumphant hit ~ "SEXUAL HEALING", once again Gaye proved he had his sensual romantic soulbound style intact, he was the man...this 2-CD-release shows the passionate and exuberant side of the artist and man ~ MARVIN GAYE...a must have for all fans young and old!

Total Time: Disc One 54:05 on 19 Tracks & Disc Two 76:09 on 15 Tracks ~ Hip-O 440-014-367-2 ~ (2001)