 Marvin Gaye True to the contradictory impulses which drove Marvin Gaye from straight crooning to social commentary to guttermouth sex talk, this 1974 live album is somewhat confusing to listen to, even as it is rapturously enjoyable. Here you have Marvin on stage singing about taxes or the ecology, but he sounds sexy (orgiastic female screams burst out at many points througout the album), and then when he speaks, he sounds shy! Live! is an excellent demonstration of the utter mastery Marvin Gaye had over every aspect of his music. Recorded after a four-year absence from the stage during which he recorded virtually all of his classic albums, this electrifying performance almost makes you as giddy as the audience that was present. Opening (after an "Overture") with "Trouble Man," Marvin then moves (bewilderingly but not in a bad way) into "Flyin' High (in the Friendly Sky)" medleyed with "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"not the most obvious choice for the second song of the show, especially given that "Mercy Mercy Me" is performed in a much more deconstructed way than the famous What's Going On version. By the time he goes into "Inner City Blues" it hits you that he's doing social protest songs, yet he's still sounding very seductive. The first high point (climax) of the album is definitely "Distant Lover," which must be one of Marvin's most perfect vocal performances. About two-thirds of the way through this slow-brewing ballad, he shouts out "Lord, have mercy" and the crowd goes NUTS. I can not imagine a performer capable of greater magnetism, except maybe Elvis. Imagine them on stage together around 1974 doing "Are You Lonesome Tonight" or something. The amount of diamond studs needed to pull that show off in itself would be very impressive. "Jan" gets into that slightly uncomfortable "Marvin's singing about his day" kind of groove that would reach its peak with Here, My Dear, and "Keep Getting' it On" takes you straight to bed. The panties are off and flying toward the front of the stage. But Marvin's still teasin', as he goes into a "Fossil Medley" of six early Marvin classics (fortunately, "Grapevine" is not accounted for). By the way, I believe that only Marvin Gaye could sing the line "I want to sing a medley of my hit songs for you" and make it work. Not even Elvis could do that. The second climax occurs when Marvin does "Let's Get it On" which, while pretty much the same song as "Keep Getting' it On," receives absolutely inhuman howls of approval. The audience might as well be performing Carmina Burana. The set closes with the responsible "What's Going On." Overall, an excellent show, one of the most enjoyable live albums I've heard. The voice is in great form, and Marvin's stage presence is fantastic. He was so sincere about all of it – the hits, the sex songs, the "statement" songs – and the studded denim, too, no doubt. That we'll have no more shows like this saddens me, but what a treat that this was preserved, mic feedback and all. Not a perfect album, but a must anyway.
Review by Fiso Knuckler |