Customer Reviews

What's Going On (Rarities Edition)

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Five HUGE Stars!! AWESOME historical performances!! Marvin Gaye's 1971 five-star masterpiece "What's Going On" has been ranked very high on most of the 'all-time greatest popular music recordings' polls such as those by Rolling Stone and Billboard magazines; in some cases it is ranked #1. And it has touched the hearts and consciences of millions who have heard it, becoming a true musical Magnum Opus mixing soul, jazz, R&B, and classical flourishes into themes and performances that still soar today. Originally rejected by Motown boss Berry Gordy Jr as too programmatic, serious, and not in the spirit of Motown music, this was Marvin Gaye's ultimate musical triumph sounding the 'alarm bells' to warn us about 'the state of the world': war (What's Going On), poverty (Inner City Blues), drugs (Flyin' High in Friendly Sky), social injustice (Right On), pollution (Mercy, Mercy Me-The Ecology), unemployment (What's Happening, Brother), and pointing out the importance of the real endangered species (Save The Children), and the real answer (God Is Love, Wholy Holy). It was all set to compelling music and verse in a song-cycle format, with song flowing into song. His career had already gone through several phases: as a member of the Moonglows, as an emerging Motown artist, and in the short-lived duo he formed with the star-crossed Tammi Terrell (who, suffering from an undiagnosed malignant brain tumor, collapsed in his arms on stage and passed away two years later at age 24). After secluding himself in grief for two years, when he finally recorded again the result was "What's Going On" which received instant acclaim, produced three #1 hits, crossed over into pop charts to reach #2, and has had a lasting impact on R&B, soul, and pop music in general. A rare case where Berry Gordy, Jr got it wrong but quickly recovered and backed the recording.

With this single Special Edition disc, Motown once again releases the "Rarities" material, which was the second disc of the 30th Anniversary Deluxe version of "What's Going On", and contains an intense Kennedy Center live re-creation of the entire "What's Going On" lineup of songs, along with interesting remixes and includes early versions of an improvised "Distant Lover" from the future "Let's Get It On" LP and a 'dop wop'-heavy "Sad Tomorrows" ("Flying High"-In The Friendly Sky) from "What's Going On". Plus it contains the radio mono versions of "What's Going On" and "God is Love". And the good news for those who only own a scratched-up old vinyl LP of WGO, this release in its mp3 format also includes the first-cut, raw, freer, original "Detroit Mix" recording of the entire WGO album, which was recorded on a wider soundscape with a more vivid bass, jazz solos more forward and strings farther back, and in the case of the title track: longer, with the friend's voices at the end of the recording. A true treasure trove of Marvin Gaye performances and history. Ironically, some of the very themes of "What's Going On" led to Marvin Gaye's own tragic death in 1984 at age 44. This single Rarities CD is Highly Recommended, and the double album mp3 download gets my Highest Recommendation. Five COLLECTIBLE Stars! (This review is based an Amazon.com mp3 album download.)

Not sure why someone would say the live performances sound bad. James Jamerson is killing that bass and this version truly illustrates that. The musicians sound terrific. For me (as a drummer) Jamerson live is well worth the cost.

If you like Marvin Gaye, then this has got to be added to your collection. What a great gift he has left us behind. Thanks Marvin!

After reading the reviews of the critics, it appears to me that a couple of point were left out. First, the sound quality of the bonus tracks is worst than bad, and the sound quality of the live performance leaves a lot to be desired. Secondly, There is no way the studio production of this superb performance could ever be matched in a live performance. It's nice to rehash great performances when the extra effort ofenhancing the sound has been incorporated but that doesn't appear to be the case here. They could have done a better job than this, I hope.

Don't get me wrong, I love Marvin's music, but as far as I'm concern this is a waste of money if you already have the original recording, and if not, you would make better time buying the old instead of the new.