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funny thing is that the recording has such a Philly vibe. as i've recounted before - seems everything i've said i've said before anymore - my HS sweetheart was a precocious singer who'd spent her middle school years in some serious choirs in the Philly area and her older best friend there was on the verge a becoming something in that scene. it was a great surprise when my girl's parents allowed me to accompany her to see her friend Margo solo at a choir event that was like 95% black. that got us to some more casual music events and, as much as we were gobsmacked by the music and the racial insouciance, the thing that still rattles my teeth is that these folks sang their meets & greets at each other, their calls for new takes, pretty much everything had a funky recitative to it. remarkable. and that's what i flashed to when i heard "What's Goin' On" a couple years later.
There's a whole section in the Bob Dylan thread we have out there that is dedicated to this album. It's probably, in my forties, my favorite album. The are two versions one can get, the L.A., finished version, or the more bass and drum heavy (not like the electronic music of today, no) Detroit mix. They're both fantastic to listen to. Can't really say enough about it. A voice for the ages backed by a backing band and orchestra for the ages at Motown.
As concept, it's miles more coherent than any Art Rockers of the time (ELP/Yes/PinkFloyd/Tull, et al) ever did on their LPs. It's ok to come right out and say it.
It's still the most beautiful album I've ever heard. The atmosphere is hypnotic and the musicians nail every part. But it's really the singing that makes the LP immortal.
Heard a great story about Marvin Gaye yesterday on NPR. "What's Going On" always just makes me feel good when I hear it. I even found the music sheets to the song yesterday after hearing the NPR piece so I can rip it on guitar.
I was 10 years old when "Heard it Through the Grapevine" was the #1 single for like forever.
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