Marvin Gaye's landmark album 'What's Going On' was primarily recorded between June 1970 and May 1971. The main rhythm tracks and vocals were recorded, at Hitsville U.S.A. (Studio A): aka "The Snakepit". Strings, horns, and some vocals were recorded Golden World Studios (Studio B), also in Detroit. When Marvin delivered his self-produced master tapes to Berry Gordy, he and his Quality Control team unceremoniously rejected it, claiming it didn't have the Motown polish.
So Marvin feeling dejected, and also feeling like he needed a change of scenery took his master tapes along with recording engineer Larry Miles to The Sound Factory in West Hollywood, California. In a single afternoon, they did overdubs, a remix, and by all accounts a mountain of cocaine. Marvin was more than happy with the results, resubmitted it to Berry Gordy, and 'What's Going On' was given the green light for release, and the rest as they say, is history.'What's Going On' was released on May 21, 1971, by the Tamla Records subsidiary of Motown Records. Marvin's sweeping, street-level view of the horror of war and its impact on families, inner cities in turmoil, drug abuse, child welfare, and the environment in decline, made it one of the finest albums of the 20th century.
So what does the original Detroit mix sound like, you ask?
The mix captures a more immediate, studio-floor feel of Marvin’s legendary vocal performances, and has different often overlapping vocal takes, and additional unburied lyrics like in "Right On".
There's a more organic feel to everything, with more prominent drums, bass guitar, guitar, piano, and horns, and less prominent choral vocals and orchestra, which makes this record sound so different even though it's the same songs. The bass lines by James Jamerson and Bob Babbitt are more prominent, featuring connecting passages that were either muted and or removed in the final L.A. mix. The bass also fills my music room with rich, full and warm bass on heard on the "L.A. mix".
Overall The Detroit Mix's songs float wistfully on Marvin's socially conscious laments that almost bring the work closer to the singer-songwriter genre.
Freeload it, and play "spot the difference".
For the freeload, what are some of your favorite Marvin Gaye songs?
It's not the most socially relevant songs, but the arrangement and the way he sings on "That's the Way Love Is" just hits me.
ReplyDelete"That's the Way Love Is" is such a cool song.
DeleteSpeaking of socially relevant songs, after 'What's Going On' Marvin had a serious case of writer's block, and It was interesting to see him reinvent himself from socially conscious, to his dance floor "pussy hound" persona.
I saw him live several times, including a tour where the stage had a bed on it and he performed in silk pajamas. Kinda put a different feel to What's Going On. But, that is one of my all time favorite recordings, and everytime I hear it, I just bust out singing along (to the chagrin of anyone in ear shot).
DeleteHe also did a little known lp that is a Nat King Cole tribute, which has fantastic covers of Cole's canon.
Marvin's 'A Tribute To The Great Nat King Cole' is sublime!
DeleteI'll post a link to the 2019 expanded edition later today.
A Tribute To The Great Nat King Cole (Expanded Edition)
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https://workupload.com/file/BMaYVDRzvjC
gracias, amiga!!!!
DeleteDisfruta de mi amigo!
Delete"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" right there with Gladys's.
ReplyDelete"What's Going On" natch.
"Sexual Healing" superior baby-making music.
"Got To Give It Up" disco-adjacent yet groovy enough to get the most feeble dancing.
"Ain't That Peculiar"
ReplyDelete"Inner City Blues"
...and, of course, "...Grapevine."
D in California
ANON RF: My favorites are his early recordings: Can I Get A Witness; How Sweet It Is; Wonderful One; Baby Don't You Do It; Ain't That Peculiar; Doggone... Magnificent stuff!
ReplyDeleteWhen I started making cassettes of my all-time favorite songs in the 1980s, few artists were represented more than once. 'Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)' and 'What's Going On' were both on those tapes. The ending of 'Mercy', with the harmonizing vocals and instruments, never ever fails to send chills up my spine. Still one of my favorite-sounding records of all time.
ReplyDeleteC in California
Stubborn Kind Of Fellow, Mercy Mercy Me, Let's Get It On, Ain't That Peculiar, and in first place Distant Lover (lover, lover, lover...)
ReplyDeleteNot gonna lie, if I get only one, "Hitch Hike." Most all of the above are a close second.
ReplyDeleteAlong with the aforementioned songs, "I'll Be Doggone", with its classic Tamla sound.
ReplyDeleteWell just to add to the impressive list already ~ Can I get A Witness, How Sweet It Is, Let's Get It On and not forgetting the duets You Are Everything, and It Takes Two...
ReplyDeleteAnd his duets with Tammi Terrell.
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ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/HXvzaahzTmJ
When Can I Get A Witness came out I'd never heard anything like it. Talk about a fat sound. And One More Heartache was likewise unique and years ahead of its time. They're the two. Take This Heart of Mine, too.
ReplyDeleteI recall an evening years ago when my I-Pod (on permanent shuffle) played Can I Get A Witness (Stones version) followed immediately by Marvin's original. Not bad for random selections of over 12,000 tunes. Was it close? Nope...
ReplyDelete"Trouble Man"- the triumphant swagger of a man beat down by the world. Marvin's self-penned encomium, an obituary set to a shimmering, of-kilter rhythm. The sound of 3:00 AM with the cigarette stub burning between your fingers. Maybe the first Rap breakdown. Maybe the last.
ReplyDelete"After the Dance" always held a special place for me. --Muzak McMusics
ReplyDeleteThank you, Babs. Can't wait to hear the Detroit Mix.
ReplyDeleteIf allowed only one Marvin song -- "Got To Give It Up". If I can have two -- "Inner City Blues". Two incredible bass-driven tunes.
Thanks Babs, truly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteBat