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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0044006402222 Format: Original recording remastered Label: Island Manufacturer: Island Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Island Release Date: January 27, 2003 Studio: Island Sales Rank: 397
064022
Amazon.co.uk Review: Sly & The Family Stone might have psychedelicised soul music, but Marvin Gaye personalised it. Although the powers-that-were Motown didn't even want to release the record, the unexpected success of What's Going On, issued in 1971, inspired Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, and just about every other black artist on the planet to take greater responsibility for their music and its meaning. Gaye co-wrote the songs and produced the album, flavouring it with layer upon layer of his own multi-tracked vocals, oceans of hand percussion, strings, flutes and jazzy horn solos. Spacy and loose as a spliff-fuelled Sunday afternoon jam in the park, the nine songs all played like hit singles. The title track-- inspired by his brother's return from the Vietnam War--and the obvious social commentary of "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" and "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" actually were hit singles. Two other tracks ("Wholly Holy" and "Save the Children") would inspire hit covers by Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross, respectively. Nevertheless, What's Going On sounds as fresh today as it did the week that it came out. --Don Waller
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - ~The Immortal Album by the king of Motown~
Motown released stunning singles by acclaimed stars,but Marvin Gaye(simply the greatest artist of all time) released this jem of an album in 1971 that stepped aside from all other albums of its era and became an international success because of its realism/surrealism/and pure personal effectiveness.
the songs here link into each other to create such a fabulous sound that no other album ever has managed to score.
on an album I love how sound can draw out the power of an artists lyrics ... Read More
Rating: - A work is genius is what's going on.
This album blew my mind when I first heard it 15 years or so ago. From the first to the last this album reaches the pinnacles that other artists just cannot. To think that it is over 30 years old to me it sounds fresher and more vital than most of the bland R&B that is being offered up today. Also it's political message still blows me away.
This album is so good that everyone should own it. Infact if you know someone who doesn't get them a copy. It would count as a genuine act of kindness ... Read More
Rating: - You can't afford not to own this record
Probably the best LP ever released by anyone, anywhere, and certainly the best on Motown.
Beautiful in it's conception, writing, recording and production. Simply beautiful.
Rating: - A Desert Island Disk
Sadly, when this album was released, Motown was "uncool", and I was listening to Mahavishnu Orchestra and Chick Corea's Return to Forever. Both good bands, but don't get played too often these days. However, since eventually buying it, it's never failed to get the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. The title track is as relevant today as it was when it was written (Vietnam and Iraq), and is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. It's just very sad that Marvin is no longer around to sing ... Read More
Rating: - Wonderful Marvin
The sign of a truly great album is if it stands the test of time and "Whats going on" certainley does.It still as meaningful now as it was in 1971 if not more today.Marvin was a truly great artist and this album is a testament to his greatness.Great songs that make you think.A brilliant album.
