ALL TIME STONE COLD CLASSIC

When is it an apt time for Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On"? Now. Always. For the past five decades it's never lost it's relevance and never sounded dated. The LP really is a masterpiece. Sound wise is is a huge step up from the feel good Motown pop factory, and it was socially concious. Motown owner Berry Gordy didn't like it a bit. Released almost behind his back, when it became a hit Gordy asked for an LP within 30 days. Gaye did in ten.

There are a lot of ingredients in the song, how it was written, why it was right for Gaye, the initial rejection by Gordy, the accidents kept and adopted, the weed and liquor that made the sessions more leisurely. James Jamerson, the bassist, showed up so liquored he was unable to sit on a stool, so he played laying on the floor. That said, the weed vibe is dominant. This is one of those songs, and LPs, that it really is worth learning more about. The talk by DJ/filmmaker Don Letts goes into detail and there's more on the Wiki page.

~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~

Listen:
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On mp3 at Muzik World
Marvin Gaye - Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology) mp3 at Michael Axx
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (vocal isolated) (streaming) at YouTube
Video:
Klipsch x CAS: Don Letts presents "What's Going On" at YouTube
Visit:
What's Goin' On - Album entry at Wikipedia