Customer Reviews

What's Going On

5 star:		(230)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

In 1971 I lived in a very well integrated neighborhood. We had the Romants who were Puerto Rican who lived a few doors down from us, the Sakai's, who were Japanesese, lived next door to the Jones and the Jones who were a black family lived next door to us. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were my mom and dad's best friends'. we did everything together. I'm sure we got stared at quite a bit because I guess there were still a few people who couldn't handle seeing black and white people being friendly with each other and even letting their children play with each other. I can assure you, none of us were hurt in the process. In fact, we learned a real "silly thing". We learned that all people are pretty much the same. That no matter what you may look on the outside, your soul still looks the same to God who made you out of "His" Colorless Self...because as my mother would say, Love has no color...

But anyway, flashing back to 1971, we were at a barbecue at the Jones' house, and Alicia, their oldest daughter, who was 15 at the time (and who I had a mad crush on)came out of the house wearing this pretty yellow sundress and holding this record. She carefully took it out of its cover and put it on. I just remember it getting very, very quiet. It was like each and every song took our breath away. I remember after the record played, Alicia wanted to play it again, and Mrs. Jones wiped a few tears from her eyes simply said, "Another time, dear...another time..."

This album is heavy. It's not party music. It really makes you think and feel about your place in the world. We have become such a plastic coated society. It is like we are numb to everything that is going on in the world. Oh, I see North Korea has a nuclear weapon that they want to test, ho-hum...pass the butter...WHAT? PARIS HILTON GOT ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING! OH, THE INHUMANITY! It's a weird world in which we live in. There are somedays I am just thrilled to the bone to be a part of such a lovely world and then there are other days when I just want to stick my head in the sand.

I consider Marvin Gaye a prophet, a very unlikely prophet, but if you really think about it, all the truly great people didn't look like they would amount to much, at the time..."Oh, you didn't invite that Jesus kid from Nazareth over, did you? He's always making the water taste funny..." But Marvin sang about what we all wanted to sing about. He talked about the war, about the ecology, about people that felt oppressed and lost and confused and I don't think he was just singing to people of his own race, I think he was singing to all of us.

This record will be 36 years old in 2007 and it is still just as relevant. And even though I haven't lived in that old neighborhood of mine in years, I still feel very lucky that I lived in a "world" where I was exposed to different ideas, different beliefs, different ways of being in the world because it just makes me realize that the only thjing that we all have in common is that we are all so diverse and it's a beautiful thing.

Peace and Blessings

Marvin Gaye is without a doubt one of the greatest singing talents to ever grace the sound of music. His lyrics are poetic, philosophical, and quite simply, beautiful. I have no real way to describe this album other than to say in the four years I have owned it I make it a point to listen to it once a day. My day is not complete until I hear the sweet sounds of "Inner City Blues" or the painful lamenting of "What's Going On?" Marvin's message is loud and clear: "come on talk to me, so you can see, what's going on...." Those words from the highly emotional title track speak to generation after generation and screams that violence is NOT the way! Love, peace, and great soul music from my favorite singer of all time are the tools for a better future. Truly a concept album in every sense of the word, "What's Going On?" should be one of the albums that everyone on this earth should own, along with Johnny Coltrane's "Ballads", and Pink Floyd's "The Wall." An album like this only comes along once in a million years, and it's luster will never tarnish. Marvin Gaye was a beautiful human being, and he literally poured out every emotion onto this record. When listening to a concept album, one can usually see what is inside the artist's head. With this album, we see Marvin's mind, soul and emotions. We laugh with him, we cry when he sheds tears, and we get chills when he tells us of how simple and free peace is. Marvin Gaye is not just an artist, he is the single most important R&B singer of all time. Out of respect for him, and his evolution of soul music, you should own this record. Fans of hip-hop, soul, R&B, oldies, and pop will all love this masterpiece of finely crafted music. Marvin has truly enlightened me and expanded my world of music. I thank him so very much for creating, in my mind, the single most important album ever created. Yes "Sgt. Pepper" was influential, but "What's Going On" was a different kind of influence. Not to open your mind to drugs, and new experiences, but to open your mind to love and peace. If only people had listened to his tortued voice the world might be happier. Marvin's voice still brings tears to my eyes when I think of what was and what could have been. I am so sorry for rambling, but please listen to this record, I think that you will be extremeley satisfied. Don't just listen to it though, LISTEN to it!

By the time 1970 rolled around, Marvin Gaye had grown tired of his singing career. Although he was a major star, having huge hits, he felt disenfranchised from the business. The death of his close friend and singer partner Tammi Terrill had thrown him into serious state of depression and anger. He became serious about football and tried out with the Detroit Lions and he also had a hand at boxing. He, of course, never made the cut with these activities. His brother Frankie had recently come back from Vietnam and the stories that he related Marvin, helped spur him out of his funk and into the recording studio. He turned those feelings of detachment, melancholy and anger into one of the landmark albums in musical history. Gone were the days of Mr. Gaye singing about love and happiness, What's Going On explored the situation and status of the black man in society as well as the problems facing the world as a whole. The title track opens the album and he ponders the question of what is going on in the world today. It was not just about the brothers dying in and mothers crying about the Vietnam War, but about the wars of everyday life in Urban America. The next five songs flow in and out of one another forming a musical suite. In "What's Happening Brother" he questions why the inner city is decaying while "Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)" is about Mr. Gaye's drug use. "Save The Children" asks for us to get together and make the world a better places for our kids and he provides a possible solution by looking to higher powers in "God Is Love". "Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)" is his take on the polluting of the world. "Right On" is a what one might call psychedelic funk and "Wholy Holy" is a sermon from the son of a preacher. The album closes back where it started with "Inner City Blues (Make Me Holler)" where Mr. Gaye rails against the problems of the ghettos. What's Going On was deemed so non-commercial by Motown, that they refused to release it and it sat in the can for almost a year. Mr. Gaye threatened to leave the label and they relented and finally released it in 1971. The album became a huge hit and Marvin Gaye was hailed for his ground-breaking work. The album is more than just music, it is a honest and open look at the ills of society. The album opened up many people's eyes and made them think about alot things they wouldn't have normally paid attention to. Unfortunately, most people didn't pay attention as most of the problems the album addresses are sadly still relevant today.

I was really surprised when I saw the deluxe edition of Marvin Gaye's 1971 magnum opus, "What's Going On". I asked myself, "How many times has this classic been remastered?" "Isn't this the 4th or 5th time it has been reissued?" After buying this and listening to the whole set, I have to say this is the definitive version of "What's Going On". This edition is split up in six different sections, with the first being the original album, which was released on May 21, 1971. The title track, "What's Going On", is probably one of Marvin's most widely-recognized song. This song creates complex, jazz elements with soulful harmonies and soft strings. Marvin uses social conscious lyrics to create a poignant, yet personal classic about our world. "What's Happening Brother" has Marvin talking about his brother coming out of the war and how and what he is doing. "Flyin' High In The Friendly Sky" has Marvin talking about the dangers of drugs. "Save The Children" is a sad, powerful, and deep song with Gaye using descriptive lyrics on how we are making a negative world for our children. "God Is Love" is where Gaye gets on his spiritual side, and lets the world know that God is his true friend and how we need more love in the world. "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" is the perfect example of an artist tackling the negatives of our environment. Marvin touches on nearly everything our environment lacks. "Right On" is an adventurous, musical journey with a deep latin feel in the song. Gaye discusses social issues such as poverty. "Wholy Holy" has Gaye using a more religious approach to cover an aspect on hate. "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" is the song that just sends chills up my spine. Marvin talks about both the personal and social issues people are going through in America. It is a spare, yet amazing piece of work that closes this brilliant song cycle of a man struggling in America with both personal and social issues of a nation, a revolution, and a state.

The second section, which is the "Detroit Mix" of the whole original album, is really a treat because it gives you a first glance of how this album was going to sound without some of the special overdubbing and multitracking effects that was done on the album you're familiar with. This mix is different because the bass is richer and the production is more raw. The third and final section of disc one is called, "The Foundation", which is a simple rhythm and strings instrumental mix of the title track, "What's Going On". The fourth section opens disc 2 with a 12-track live concert that took place at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center. What is special about this section of this disc is that it showcases Marvin doing a live concert for the first time in four years since his beloved friend, Tammi Terrell died in his arms on stage. It also showcases his stagefright since those four years passed. Over the course of the concert, he sings not only all of the songs from the "What's Going On" album, he does a memorable medley of some of his 60's hits with Tammi Terrell. Marvin and his backing band sounds unfocused here, but they seem to put on a good show. The fifth section, are single versions of the songs, "What's Going On", "God Is Love", and "Sad Tomorrows", which is a different version of "Flyin' High In The Friendly Sky". All of the songs on this section are very differnt from the ones you heard on the original album. The final section called, "In The Meantime...", is a song that is the earlier version of his 1972 hit, "Distant Lover". The lyrics are completely different from that song. It is crucial because it shows his transition from being a social political artist to a timeless balladeer. Overall, this edition of "What's Going On" is certain a set you will treasure forever because it is a revolutionary and timeless soul classic that is made better. This lavish, detailed package comes with a 28-page booklet with insightful essays from Smokey Robinson and Ben Edmonds, rare and unseen pictures, and detailed recording information. The remastering that has been done to this set is top-notch and this is probably the best packaging I've ever seen done to a reissue. This is definitely a package every fan or listener of music should have, even if you're not a soul music fan. It is a historical album that is worth every dollar and worth every bit of your time becuase it is not only one of the greatest soul albums of all-time, but it is certainly one of the greatest albums of all-time. A+

Every now and then a selection of music comes along that begs me to set aside my (sometimes) petty concerns and just to review it as I see it. An important piece of music, such as this, really demands total focus. If not, you will not know how very special it is. Or how it all matters in all our trials here on earth. It is soul music (perhaps), but it cuts through to our heart and, collectively,our spirit that very few achieve. Even after so many years, it remains a milestone.

Indeed, what is going on here? This is Marvin Gaye's ultimate plea- to God, to Jesus, to humanity to finally bring some semblance of coherence and something better within all our lives. It is not enough that it is so pivotal for it's time (so unlike the soul and rythmn and blues preceding this), but it delves into harder edged issues that cut through generations. It was relevant then, is relevant now, and will be relevant for the future. That is because it is universal. The urgency here, and what is at stake, is very important. It pertains to our survival and overcoming pain, in whatever form it appears to you. This effort is a treasure and definitely worth your time.

First off, Marvin employs many various shades of musical excursions and motifs throughout. You'll hear the sax, piano, bells, guitar riffs and drums (and much more) weave in and out of musical themes in most creative ways. Using the orchestra to full effect - it weaves in magical waves to compliment his voice. And Marvin is up to the task and then some. On some songs it is difficult because just when you thought it moved in some coherent pattern, it changes and then you get some augmented about face in another direction. I think that, with anything new (at that time) acceptance is a hard road. But do not forget you are talking about an incredible, innovative talent here. There are not many that measure up to this.

He starts off with "What's Going On" whereby he gives you the main theme of the album, "You know we've got to find a way, to bring some lovin' here today". And, from that point on, he will relate, or reveal to you, the hard truth of life and how to go about changing it. Certainly, these songs relate on an individual, personal basis. And, how wise that is. For, if any real, effective change is to take place, it begins within yourself. I like this song also for the lyric "Don't punish me with brutality, Talk to me so you can see". A plea to connect to a better level of understanding.

"What's Happening Brother", is about a man returning from war who is faced with good news from the newspaper but is faced with a bad economy, no jobs, and bleak prospects all around. He asks, but probably knows, that he's returned to a darkness, instead of the heaven he wanted when he arrived. This song morphs into the heavy laden "Flyin' High", whereby a way to deal with the pain is drug addiction. But, with that, we learn that the pain is real and does not go away.

Marvin then connects this to a plea to "Save the Children". "Who really cares?", he asks. The music here comes in certain strains and stanzas, varying the mood and leading to, hopefully, an upswing of hope. "God is Love" escalates towards a higher purpose. In a way, Marvin creates his own soul gospel sound here. Love, here, is not just a word. It is the answer. And it comes across as pure and not contrived in the least.

The groove then gets slowed down just a notch with the nexus of "Mercy Mercy Me" which is an ode to the abuse of our environment. Marvin covers alot of ground here - but indeed, he asks the tough questions of the world. After cruising through this song, notice the dread and flat chords and notes at the end. An ominous warning so take heed.

"Right On" musically percolates along with a piano and flute journey that allows Marvin to soul cruise. That no matter where you are in the spectrum of life, to have pride in the gift of love you have been given. "Wholy Holy" then becomes an ambient, slow ethereal blessing and ode to God. Filled with tenderness and heart.

Finally, "Inner City Blues" harkens back (with insistent groove) towards the harshness and trials of life. But, this time he is sure that love is the answer to the madness. Again, he knows, "we've got to find a way, to bring some lovin' here today", and thus, the theme comes full circle.

In closing, this album was a bold move back in 1971, yet I can see why it remains extremely high in any list of the best popular recordings of all time. He changed the course of this genre and influenced alot of great artists along the way. Beautiful, eloquent and superb. To be without it, your vast musical archive will suffer dearly.
Highly recommended!

Mery mercy me - Seers ain't what they used to be ---LOVE --- Metamorpho ;)

Always in the upper echelons of the greatest LP's of all time lists, and deservedly so.

One of the few benefits of getting old(er) is the historical perspective that comes with the privilege. For instance, it is one thing to read that this record was, in its time, unique - that it was the very first of its time - a full length soul album dealing with social issues. Curtis had, if I recall correctly, released a couple of great singles. But there was no album. However, when What's Going on was released it was a revelation and a revolution, and to think that Marvin had to fight Motown in order to get it done! Over the last forty-seven year there are many special moments that I recall as special. Obviously the first time I heard the Beatles stands out. The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, Clapton, Jimi, the electrified Dylan on Like a Rolling Stone, Pet Sounds, Pepper, Kind of Blue, Led Zeppelin, In Utero and Thriller - milestones all. What's Going on belongs with these as a moment of great importance in the history of popular music. Remember, this was 1971. Less than a decade earlier popular R&B consisted of Stubborn Kind of Fellow and I'll be Doggone. Fabulous songs but miles away from the brilliant relevance of the title track, Mercy Mercy me, Inner City Blues, Right on or Flying High. What's Going on constitutes a 90 degree turn for Marvin and for popular urban black music. If you are reading this you do not need me to describe the music! Two years later Marvin released Let's Get it on. That's another story.

Some quick thoughts on the Deluxe Edition:

1) The previous "deluxe edition" of the album (the one with the slipcase and the David Ritz essay) still may be the ideal issue, although I've noticed the remastering on the newest edition de-emphasizes the bassiness of that remastering (of the released mix.) Some may find this a step backward, but it's my feeling that this time around the technical team was aiming for a more "authentic" mastering - U.S. engineers watched the levels more closely in the early 70s!

2) The Detroit mix begins and ends brilliantly; I prefer the title track, "What's Happening, Brother", and "Inner City Blues" to the released versions; they have more grit and wit than the released mixes, and causes me to wonder if applying a given production strategy to an entire album is always preferable. However, some of the material in the middle simply sounds unfinished, and the mix of Marvin's voices with the instrumental tracks can be uncomfortable.

3) If there's any single reason to buy this set, it is Disc 2. Marvin was reportedly never comfortable in live situations, but his 1972 Kennedy Center show displays some remarkable vocal bits; and the songs sometimes benefit from the skeletally-rhythmic nature of the band's performance. Marvin's pianistic skills are also highlighted, and the entire show sounds more like Trouble Man than What's Going On, which is interesting and, for me, a good thing.

4) The nascent "Distant Lover" is hilarious.

This is considered the first concept album ever released by Motown, but it did not come out of the blue. Other producers had tried before Gaye: Holland-Dozier-Holland attempted to create a sort of "love concerto" in The Supremes's "I Hear a Symphony"; Norman Whitfield began to experiment with the idea in The Temptations' "Cloud Nine", and Frank Wilson almost made it a year before Gaye with the Four Tops' "Still Waters Run Deep", and he even tried to reproduce the soundtrack of a musical with "Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations", with "overture" (a terrific version of Gaye's hit "Try It, Baby"), and grand finale included. Marvin Gaye not only came with the stronger album from a thematic point of view (war, drugs, poverty, unemployment, racism, religious faith, ecology, politics), but also because of its urban-drama feel, --later found in Stevie Wonder's "Innervisions"--, and its lyrical proto-funk musical treatment. For the first time the session musicians known as The Funk Brothers, and the resident backing vocalists The Andantes were given credit on a Motown album, and Gaye had full control of his production. A great album that conveys one of the most intense moments of the United States cultural life.

Great album by a singer who crossed the boundaries of soul/r&b and made his way into the top 40 pop charts. When I was in highschool, the songs "What's Going On" and "Mercy Mercy Me" were being played in heavy rotation alongside the hard rock and heavy metal that dominated the charts during that time. Although I'm basically a rock fan, I loved this album, mainly because of it's use of congas and heavy percussion, and other instruments you don't normally hear on a r&b record. It was really a breakthrough sound at the time. Besides all the top 40 music on here, this album is loaded with other great songs. A couple of my favorites are "What's Happening Brother", which kinda continues the "What's Going On" sound. I'm surprised this song didn't hit the top 40 also. It's great. Also the 7 minute "Right On", with the cool flute, sounds a lot like the great west coast music being made at the time, made even better by Marvin Gaye's soulful singing. I've never heard anything quite like "What's Going On". It's unique, and I think it's one of the great pop gems of the 70's.

The best way that that I can describe this album in a nutshell is basically as, an airy journey through the heart and mind of an observant soul searcher as he responds to his social surroundings... for the most part anyway :-). This album is unbelievably coherent both sonically and thematically, and just incredibly even in tone all throughout. "What's Going On" is a true concept album in every sense and is the first great one that Motown produced. It is probably the first great one in all of soul music. This particular piece of work is special even when compared to most concept albums because while most great concept albums present a strong, unified statement or vision, few embody such a grand idealism. Gaye is the ultimate idealist all throughout, which is really what defines this album, and why it still resonates so well today. It is almost unbelievable that Barry Gordy did not want to release it. I guess that Gordy didn't think that this album was kitschy enough for the public; "oh no, oh no, all of these unfamiliar words and grand ideas, not on my label!" (Note: this is not an actual quote from Gordy, just my own feeble and unapologetically sarcastic attempt at regressive mind reading). I've read that Mr. Gordy asked Marvin Gaye, "what in the world is Ecology"? (Now that really is close to an actual quote). Well Mr. Gordy, Ecology is basically the study of how organisms interact and interrelate with their environment, and it was brilliant of Gaye to use that as the core idea for a song here because the idea fits into the album's concept perfectly. The lyrics of "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)", all of the lyrics on this album in fact, are so incredibly effective because they are so convincingly heartfelt. It is a blessing to all of us that Gaye finally got this album released. Story has it that Marvin Gaye had recorded the first version of this album, but decided to change it because he was unsatisfied with the final results. There was just something missing. That "something" was bass virtuoso James Jamerson. James Jamerson was simply B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T, and he could embellish within a set song structure magnificently enhancing the melody, all while being absolutely impeccable rythmically. Story has it that Gaye went out looking for Jamerson, and found him playing in a local club in Detroit. He convinced Jamerson to come back and play on the album, and he ended up giving some of the best performances of his career. Legend has it that on the title track, Jamerson plays bass on the whole song while lying on his back on the floor in the studio because he was simply more comfortable there !!!!!(Listen to the title track picturing that, focus on the bass, and simply sit back and marvel at Jamerson's genius). It should also be noted, and this is something that I rarely hear mentioned, that this album is probably the greatest example of the influence that the influx of jazz musicians crossing over to the soul and R&B scenes had on the increase in the level of sophistication of the musicianship, and the overall spike in the quality of the material coming out of these scenes in the 60's, with their influence remaining strong throughout the 70's. The Funk Brothers (the in house musicians for Motown), we're all local jazz musicians who used the skill and savvy that they had acquired in that arena, to become an almost immeasurable influence on popular music in general; from R& B to Soul, and from Funk to Rock & Roll (a certain well-known British invasion group spent a large portion of the early part of their career trying to imitate these guys). This album is their greatest single work. And last but certainly not least, Marvin Gaye is one of the greatest pure vocalist ever. His extra smooth tenor is one of the most distinct voices that I have ever heard, and it adds immensely to the effectiveness of his interpretations of the material here. This album works brilliantly as a cohesive whole, and the sum total is about the most genuinely transcendent album that I've ever heard. This is one legendary album that truly does live up to all the hype, and it should be a part of every music lover's collection!