Customer Reviews

Very Best of (Dig)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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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.

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!!

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)

This comprehensive collection contains all Marvin's important American hits as well as highlighting other aspects of his music, including his political songs of the seventies. His British hits were sometimes different from his American hits. Three UK top ten hits are missing, though as this is an American compilation, there is no reason why they should have been included. Abraham Martin and John was an American hit for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - perhaps it was felt that Marvin's version was better for the UK market. You are everything, a duet with Diana Ross, made the UK top five. Onion song, a duet credited as being with Tammi Terrell but recorded with a stand-in, made the UK top ten.

The classic American hits (not all of which charted in Britain) are all here including Can I get a witness, How sweet it is, I'll be doggone, Ain't that peculiar, I heard it through the grapevine, Too busy thinking about my baby, That's the way love is. What's going on, Mercy mercy me, Trouble man, Let's get it on and Got to give it up. Some of his duets are here, too, including Ain't no mountain high enough, Your precious love, If I could build my whole world around you, Ain't nothing like the real thing, You're all I need to get by (all with Tammi Terrell) and It takes two (with Kim Weston).

Marvin always considered himself a balladeer like Frank Sinatra or Nat King Cole rather than a typical R+B singer, but his early attempts to establish himself in this role were not a success. Eventually, he did gain acceptance as a balladeer after proving that he could do the R+B material - compare his definitive version of I heard it through the grapevine with the Gladys Knight version, released a year earlier. Marvin actually recorded the song before Gladys but Berry Gordy initially rejected his version. It shows what perseverance can do.

Marvin once again had Berry Gordy worried when he completed his anti-Vietnam album, What's going on. Motown had always been primarily a singles label so this album was completely alien to the marketing department, although it appears that many people at Motown loved it. Once again, Marvin was right. The album was a huge success and three of its tracks are here - they are the first three on CD 2.

This double-CD is a nice introduction to the music of Marvin Gaye, one of the finest soul singers of the twentieth century.

Marvin Gaye wrote the book of Motown. He brought style. He brought millions of fans to his side, and to Motown. His music has come in handy lately in the hard times America is going through right. His song "What's going on" was done by twenty or so artists in different ways and made into a cd benefiting victims of September 11. Remember the crazy clothing, the high platform boots. Remember his music. Remember him. Think what one song has done to help our nation. This cd brings out all his qualities. His first disc of the pair portrays the love appeal with 'Ain't no mountain high enough', "I heard it through the grapevine' and 'To busy thinkin' 'bout my baby' and others. The second disc has more insightful, deep songs like 'Inner City Blues' 'Where are we going' and 'What's going on'. It has the sex appeal in 'Let's get it on' and 'Sexual Healing'. And of course the a girl-heartthrob song 'Distant Lover' This awesome album brings out the best attributes in the legendary Marvin Gaye.

Slice'n'dice seems to be the order of the day for record companies. Universal is certainly no stranger to this game, so now here comes ANOTHER two-disc Marvin Gaye set to butt heads with the still-available _Anthology_, released in 1995. Aside from its lower price tag, _Very Best of..._ does hold some advantages over _Anthology_ : you get the full-length album versions of "What's Going On" and "Inner City Blues", you get all six glorious minutes of "Distant Lover" (live), you get a couple of rarities, and of course, you get the wonderful "Sexual Healing". The bad news is that this set skimps somewhat on 60's material, omitting such classics as "Baby Don't You Do It", "Chained", and the ultra-slinky "Try it Baby". So, what to do, what to do... If you have the funds, buy _Anthology_ and augment it with a copy of _What's Going On_ (an album that everyone should hear anyhow). If not, maybe you could ask your neighbors for some money, or set up a tollbooth in front of your house...

....a new Marvellous Motown Marvin Gaye compilation.

This updates all the others in that it includes the great "Sexual Healing". It is outstanding in that it also boasts the eleven plus minute version of "Got to Give it Up" and "You're The Man" pts I AND II...and it is a Motown endorsed product. There are many greatest hits CDs which do not represent any love or respect for the artist--just a not too subtle way of making $$$ off an artist's name. This has been composed and reprocessed with avoiding that in mind. It comes off very well. Don't be fooled by imitation Marvin Gaye products. Evvy Marvin Product is not authenticated--it's got to be either Motown, Motown endorsed, Columbia or Columbia endorsed.... My advice is to always, always try to find the original album in CD form and then go to the various compilations. This is a good collection of a great artist. And it is priced right.

Marvin Gayes' untimely death in 1984 left a big void in music. Marvin Gaye had become one of the most influential singer and songwriters in soul music history. His diligent work had tremendous depth, making profound political statements and social commentary as well as having a poignant and spiritual edge.

Marvin Gayes' recording career spans back to the dawn of the swinging sixties when Motown Records was beginning to make its mark in the world by becoming commonly known as "the sound of young America". The fantastic Stubborn Kind Of Fellow was one of his very best early hits. The formulaic though enduring Motown sound is fully at work on this classic with Gayes' distinctive vocals seamlessly surfboarding along the somwhat complex musical arrangements.

Hitch Hike, Can I Get A Witness? and Too Busy Thinking About My Baby also encapsulates that familiar and distinct Motown sound of its golden era in the 1960's and all three are instantly contagious from the musical arrangements to gayes rocketing vocal performances that was in a class and style of its own.

During Motowns golden era of the 1960's, Gaye worked with many of the labels most talented female singers. His phenomenal duet with the underated Kim Weston on the sparse, It Takes Two, sounds just as fresh and as vibrant as it was back then. But it was the divine Tammi Terrell (who was married to David Ruffin, one-time lead singer of The Temptations) that he found his perfect duet partner.

Gaye and Terrell cut many albums and succesful hit singles together with their diverse blend of harmonies gelling neatly into the sexually sizzling productions. Some of their greatest duets include You're All I Need To Get By, Ain't No Mountain High Enough ( the latter being a total contrast to the more famous version Diana Ross took to the top of the charts in 1970), You Ain't Livin Till Your Lovin' and The Onion Song.

Gayes recording work in the late 60's vastly matured growing much more unique and phenomenal. He really hits his stride on the masterpiece, chart-topping mega-classic, I Hear It Through The Grapevine. The compelling opening interlude leads into a rocking and sparse production with Gayes stirring, soulful delivery complimenting the startling arrangements. Gaye really carries off I Heard It Through The Grapevine with style and finesse and this was but a mere taste of things to come.

Whilst his recording work progressed the sound of his music became more refined and stylized. He delivered what was possibly his greatest ever album in 1971 with What's Going On. That album neraly didn't happen as Motown boss Berry Gordy was unsure as to how his buying public might react to Gayes new, creative force. Well, if anything, this merely fuelled Gayes record sales and critics alike joined in to praise the genius. What's Going On completely shook off his more familiar sound of the 60's, exploring relevant environmental issues that also made some form of political comment as well as profound social commentary.

Gaye is put more in touch with his spiritual side on the timeless and poignant Mercy,Mercy Me which, with its rolling arrangements that has a really sharp, soulful edge, conveys Gayes vocal power which was simply going from strength to strength.

In 1973 he recorded a successful album of duets with the queen of Motown, Diana Ross. The highlight of this project was the breathtaking, You Are Everything. From that magical, exotic opening intro to the fittingly refined vocal delivery of Ross to Gayes more forceful, aggressive delivery, You Are Everything is THE ultimate love duet!

The evocative Lets Get It On taking from the excellent album of the same name, is one of my own personal favourite tracks. Gaye is in full romantic mood here with his exuberant delivery sounding highly sexually charged. This merley coats the smooth arrangements that features glorious saxophone interludes played at various points on the recording.

Gaye moved into funkier terriotry in the late 70's and reached its pinnacle on tracks such as the satrtlinglyeffective Got To Give It Up. With its multi-layered musical arrangements, dubbed crowd noises that sounds as though it was recorded live in a nightclub to Gayes impeccable delivery, it perfectly demenonstrated Gayes wonderful craft of versatlity.

One of Gayes last signature tunes had to be the timeless, sensual and utterly divine Sexual Healing. Gayes raw, earthy delivery rides along the state-of-the-art production and this was featured on his last studio album, Midnight Love which was his first (and last) for CBS Records following his departure from Motown records.

This two Cd collection collects together all of these classics that are all compelling musically and really give you an understanding as to why his work has remained unparralled and such an inspiration to todays new generation of wannabe soul/r&b singers. ESSENTIAL!

Ian Phillips

This is great. Every single Marvin Gaye hit spanning from 1962 up until his death in 1984, including five he did with Tammi Terrell. Gaye was one of the finest soul singers ever, maybe the best ever. His 1968 recording "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" is one of the finest performances in recording history. It sends chills up your spine every time. There are too many hits to mention. Every one of them is here. Outstanding and Essential!
Gaye was one of those very special talends like Elvis, in which his fame and legend were so great, no one could tell them what to do, and ultimately that was his downfall. Great sound and at a great price!

The title of this package of Marvin's hits suggests something was left out; I can't imagine what it was. I question whether his "Praise" or "Anger" are among his "very best", but I cannot find anything that was left out to fit those two in. This is probably the definitive collection of Marvin's songs. So many will evoke memories if you were around when they were first popular, from the light-hearted "Hitchhike" (he did the dance by that name when he sung it) to "heavier" tunes like "Mercy Mercy Me (the Ecology") and "Sexual Healing". There are other hit-laden collections around but this one seems to be his most complete. So many hits! Buy this one.