Lost somewhat in the bounty of previously unreleased material distributed across the deluxe editions of Marvin Gaye's 1971-1981 studio albums, this performance appeared in totality on the second disc for What's Going On. Eighteen years later, newly mixed by John Morales, it gets an appropriate, separate release with in-depth contextualization from Gaye biographer David Ritz. Context here is crucial, and there's a lot of it. For starters, the occasion was Washington, D.C.'s Marvin Gaye Day, the events of which culminated in ...
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Lost somewhat in the bounty of previously unreleased material distributed across the deluxe editions of Marvin Gaye's 1971-1981 studio albums, this performance appeared in totality on the second disc for What's Going On. Eighteen years later, newly mixed by John Morales, it gets an appropriate, separate release with in-depth contextualization from Gaye biographer David Ritz. Context here is crucial, and there's a lot of it. For starters, the occasion was Washington, D.C.'s Marvin Gaye Day, the events of which culminated in the reluctantly present singer's first concert in four years. Struck with stage fright, still deeply affected by the death of duet partner Tammi Terrell, and resentful of his hometown, he took to the stage of the then-new Kennedy Center to perform the entirety of What's Going On, backed by most of the album contributors, including the Funk Brothers and the Andantes, and locally sourced musicians for strings and horns. The star begins with a 13-minute medley of nine hits from the '60s. The tempo on some of the hits is slowed, setting the tone for the run-through of Gaye's year-old masterpiece. He erroneously starts with "Right On" instead of the title song, so the second side is played first. The set's emotional peak is therefore reached early with "Wholy Holy," one of many instances where Gaye's voice sounds unaffected by years away from the stage. Rather than end the set by promoting Gaye's new single, "You're the Man," Gaye and company roll through second renditions of "Inner City Blues" and "What's Going On." That's when it sounds like a proper celebration. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi
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Add this copy of What's Going on to cart. $18.15, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2019 by Motown.
Add this copy of What's Going on to cart. $21.91, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2019 by Motown Records.
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