Vulnerable

Marvin Gaye | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 1997)
• Original Release Date: April 22, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B000001ANM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,965 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In the late '60s, Sinatra fan Gaye commissioned arrangements of several standards from pop-jazz composer Bobby Scott. Neither Gaye nor Scott was satisfied with the performances (though a number of the vocal tracks he cut at the time appeared on the posthumous album Romantically Yours), but in the midst of personal turmoil a decade or so later, Gaye returned to the tapes. Spinning a web of overdubbed voices, he found something in the likes of "I Won't Cry Anymore," "Funny, Not Much," and "Why Did I Choose You?" that transformed the songs into a corollary to Here, My Dear, the 1978 concept album that traced the tale of his shattered first marriage. As pained and beautiful as that set, if much less angry in its essential assumptions, Vulnerable is a brief (seven three-minute tracks plus three alternate versions) but potent document of Gaye's vocal mastery and emotional incisiveness. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Japanese only SHM paper sleeve pressing. The SHM-CD [Super High Material CD] format features enhanced audio quality through the use of a special polycarbonate plastic. Using a process developed by JVC and Universal Music Japan discovered through the joint companies' research into LCD display manufacturing* SHM-CDs feature improved transparency on the data side of the disc* allowing for more accurate reading of CD data by the CD player laser head. SHM-CD format CDs are fully compatible with standard CD players. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite, masterful, poetic, timeless, majestic, September 23, 2004

By 

Reginald D. Garrard "the G-man" (Camilla, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vulnerable (Audio CD)

There are not enough adjectives in the English language to adequately describe this lost gem from one of the greatest talents of the twentieth century. Marvin Gaye, recognized as an innovator, always wanted to release an album of ballads, and these tracks were recorded over three decades ago. Contrary to common perception that Motown didn't deem them commercial enough, deviating too much from Gaye's trademark R & B renderings, the singer himself chose to keep them hidden from his audience.

Following his tragic death in 1984, they seemed to be lost forever. However, Candace Bond and Amy Herot, compiled and released this ten-cut collection in 1997 and it is a major addition to the artist's discography.

With the current trend toward singers doing their interpretations of standards from the past, "Vulnerable" finds its place among the best. Each of the tracks is a feast for the ears, with Gaye providing his own background vocals, thus, confirming his place among the best of his or any generation.

Although it's short at just less than thirty minutes, "Vulnerable" is nothing short of a masterpiece, highlighted by two awe-inspiring versions of "I Wish I Didn't Love You So."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unreal, Jazzy, Perfect., May 1, 2006

By 

Lars Tackmann (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vulnerable (Audio CD)

I usually consider myself a Jazz/Rock head, carefully avoiding any unnecessary contact with R&B and soul music - Erykah Badu was the only exception prior my encounter with this fantastic record which really has pushed my musical awareness towards soul town. This is one of those rare pieces of music where you can listen to every number on it again and again and just feel in touch with life, the artist and generally complete.

Every composition has a dreamy timeless jazzy feel, very unlike the Marvin the radio usually plays and I am beyond baffled as to why I had to pick this CD up second hand - one would think that record people should know true art when they encounter it and release it for the rest of us to enjoy. I usually write my favorite tracks in a Amazon review but I am gonna skip this, because I simply love the entire record, it goes perfectly for a home evening, with a Gin/Tonic, a nice girl and a couple of candles. Enough said.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvin, Marvin, Marvin - Never heard you better, January 13, 2006

By 

Jessica Parnell "jazz connoisseur" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vulnerable (Audio CD)

My favorite song on this hauntingly beautiful, jazzy work of music art is, Why Did I Choose You. But wait! All of the songs on this here mesmerizing album are my favorites. You can just hear the aching longing in his voice and, by the way, he had heaps of aching in his life. These songs are a testament to his range of vocal ability - from the heights of joy, to the depths of his wracked soul. He sang all the vocals - you can just hear him coming through - clear as a bell! I can't gush enough about this album! Though short and sweet - Marvin . . . we've never heard you better.