What's Going On [EP]

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 30, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 23, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005QJDH
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,471 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In 1985, "We Are the World" sold 4 million singles and 3 million albums with an inclusiveness that allowed Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers, and Cyndi Lauper to share space on the same charity anthem. Another African crisis 16 years later--the spread of AIDS across the continent--and the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks prompt this well-meaning remake of Marvin Gaye's 1971 Vietnam-era protest. Rather than the pop unity of the earlier record, however, this 48-minute EP breaks down into nine separate mixes and mix-and-match rosters aimed at different radio and club formats. After all, global village or not, Bono, Nelly, Jennifer Lopez, Scott Weiland, and Moby couldn't possibly coexist for four minutes, right? (Hearing Michael Stipe ride Jermaine Dupri's pop/hip-hop track for even a line raises intriguing possibilities for the R.E.M. singer.) The record's handful of lyric substitutions are clumsy, with "Picket lines won't block our way" forcing the listener to ponder just who's protesting in favor of the disease. But coexecutive producer Bono's political sharpness continues to be on point. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good CD, Great Cause, December 8, 2001

By	the AnSWer (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

This CD is pretty good and for a very good cause. Whether you like R&B, Rap, Rock, Pop, Dance, etc. There's something for everyone.

1. Dupri Original Mix (5 stars) - This is the one heard all over the radio and TV. It's getting played out now, but it's still a good song.

2. The London Version (3 stars) - Not a bad version, but not the kind of music I like to listen too. I am sure there are a lot of people that like this song, but I'm not one of them. Chris Martin and Bono are the only 2 artists on this one.

3. Moby's Version (3 stars) - Also not a bad song. I don't like the way it is mixed (The artist's and the background). Has a dark feeling to it.

4. Fred Durst's Reality Check (2.5 stars) - Not really a big fan of rock, listen to it sometimes, but not a lot. Basically has the same lyrics as the original, only rock background and rock artsits.

5. Magini/Pop Rox Mix (4.5 stars) - Nice Beats. Same lyrics as the original.

6. Mick Guzauski's Pop Mix (5 stars) - Background sounds like Marvin Gaye's original "What's going on". Usher, Monica, Jagged Edge, TLC, and Pat Monahan(Train) all make appearances on this one. No rap, Gwen Stefani, Backstreet Boys, or Mary J Blige.

7. Dupri's R&B Mix (4.5 stars) - Exact same background as the original only some of the artists are different. Usher, Monica, TLC, JE, and Lil' Kim are all on this one. Usher's part is good. Lil' Kim's part at the end ruins the song.

8. The Neptunes This One's For You Mix (5 stars) - Good song. Nice beats and good lyrics. All R&B and Rap. LL Cool J, Fabolous, Da Brat, Queen Latifah, NORE, Mobb Deep, and Faith Evans are just some of the people on this track.

9. Junior Vasquez's Club Mix (5 stars) - Very good dance mix. It's good the whole 9 and a half minutes.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Individal Track Review, November 24, 2001

By	Mike (Summerville, SC) - See all my reviews

Individal Track Review
1/What's Going On (Dupri Original Mix)
Fantastic version. This is the version you hear on the radio and watch on Television. (5 Stars)
2/What's Going On (The London Version)
Only Bono and Chris Martin appear in this song, but it is an excellent piece! (4 Stars)
3/What's Going On Reprise (Moby's Version)
Fantastic orchrastration and strings! (4 Stars)
4/What's Going On (Fred Durst's Reality Check Mix)
I am not a major fan of this type of music. But, someone into metal might like this version. (1 Star)
5/What's Going On (Mangini/Pop Rox Mix)
Fantastic is all to say! (4 Stars)
6/What's Going On (MG's Pop Mix)
Wonderful piece. I especially love the part from JC from *NSYNC. (5 Stars)
7/What's Going On (Dupri R&B Mix)
This is the R&B version. I contains the original background music, but has different artists.
8/What's Going On (Neptunes One's For You Mix)
Bad version! (1 Star)
9/What's Going On (Jr. Vasquez's Club Mix)
The Best of the CD is this song! Nine and a half minutes of "What's Going On" is this! The entire price is this song!!! (5 Stars)

***All star amounts are out of 5. 5 is the best.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice idea for a good cause..., October 30, 2001

By	HMJ (Maine) - See all my reviews

The line-up Bono has amassed is amazing and they do a pretty good job of updating the Marvin Gaye classic for today's current politcal landscape. It seems a little stupid to have so many versions of one song, but I guess Bono really wanted to show how various forms of music can transcend itself for a greater cause. Overall, a very good effort with nice results.