Last week was Marvin Gaye’s birthday. He would have been 75.
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| Brother was so cool... |
Marvin’s music is the type that is so popular, so big, so
universal, you are tempted to ignore it. I did for most of my life. Only
started paying attention when I noticed that all these young RnB cats are pretty
much trying to be Marvin Gaye. Just listen to Miguel’s “Adorn” and tell me
you don’t hear Marvin, particularly in the bridge. I can only imagine how much more eargasmic his
music must have been for those who didn’t hear versions of him first. Still
eargasmic today, don’t get me wrong.
So, the album that has been on repeat for a week now is what
many argue to be his seminal work, “What’s going on?” I first got a real taste
of this masterpiece when I stumbled upon a podcast on the BBC (which I will
forever advertise freely) a few years ago. They were discussing the ins and
outs of the making of the album and why it is still important today. First thing you need to know is that this was the first
concept album in the entire RnB genre. Marvin had to fight to make this album because Motown were not willing to hand over creative control to him. Well, they
finally did and he made it in 10 days. I guess when the muse arrives it doesn’t
take forever to produce your life’s defining work.
I love concept albums. When artists
limit themselves to a particular narrative, style, message or storyline, they
can’t be lazy. They have to be concise and still blow minds…or at least fire a
few synapses. It really tests their ability. The question was a simple one, “Just what in the hell are we
(human beings) doing to each other?” It was inspired by the social upheavals
that were going on in the states at the time; The Vietnam War, police brutality
etc. Musically, the vibe was captured perfectly. The atmosphere created by the
exquisite strings, slow, subtle drums, heavenly harmonies(I live for the
harmonies on this album), the church-like adlibbing and most importantly, Marvin’s
lead tenor that rang heavy with emotion was in a phrase, a Spiritual Revival. The
orchestration is the best I have heard in my life (Big up Dave Van dePitte). This
is music that makes you want to repent and be healed. Maybe that’s just my
pseudo-christian sensibility showing itself but I doubt anyone could truly say
they don’t feel God when they hear that tense Marvin wail over a flute solo. Marvin grew up in the Pentecostal church and needless to say, this influenced
his style greatly. Lyrically, he wove seamlessly from the more direct messages
(What’s going on) to the abstract (Flying high). The loose structure of the
album made it feel a little jazzy. One couldn’t really tell when some songs
started and others ended. This added to it's euphoric element.
What Marvin was trying to say was noble and a little naïve, which
made it all the more special; Let's just love each other. His sensitivity as a human being was
tangible in this album and his willingness to strip himself bare for the work
only made it richer. He was all soul and truly magical.
This album is a sweet incantation that helped a generation conjure,
confront and exorcise its demons. If you haven’t had a listen, your life has a
gap that will only be filled by this.
R.I.P. Marvin.
K.
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