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Marvin Gaye

The title track in particular is gorgeous. No other word will do. The vocal is....words fail me. Any album opening with such a silky smooth, spine chillingly beautiful vocal as this.....has got to be good. The rest of the album isn't too bad either! A concept album in the sense that all the songs flow together. I can listen to the title song over and over and never get bored of that voice and groove. The vocals are so superbly judged they get me in the heart every time. A wonderful song. 'What's Happening Brother' adds to the albums concept when initially it seems a continuation of 'What's Going On'. The lyrics come in and the harmonies really add to this. Marvin’s vocal on 'Flyin High' matches the beauty of the title song. A slower meditation this tune. Still, those vocals! The music benefits from harmony vocals and a bass beating softly. 'Save The Children' is less of a highlight than any of these opening songs. Melodically it doesn't do anything very interesting and the vocal even doesn't sound as affecting. 'God Is Love' features important lyrics and serves as a linking track to lead into the wonder of 'Mercy Mercy Me'. It gets boring to keep saying this, but yes, another great vocal! So warm and tender sounding. Full of conviction and ably supported by the musical backing. Sweet mellow bass grooves and drums beating in time.

'Right On' adds a piano into the musical mix and it's noticeable here as a lead instrument. A longer song, this stretches out. The bass groove is great! After the rather disappointing 'Wholly Holy' 'Inner City Blues' ends the album on a high note. Spiritual vocals and impeccably performed, soulful musical parts. This was the first Marvin Gaye album I bought. I bought it on the strength of it's reputation. I haven't been disappointed. It creates an atmosphere that is held right through to the end of the record. And, when you do reach the end, you may just find yourself winding back to the beginning again... :)

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Readers Comments Ricardo nunez101@hotmail.com This album is absolutly gorgeous. One of the greatest (if not the greatest) soul albums of all time. The grooves and the lyrics are inspiring, you can dance to it, you can chill out to it (it's a great album to get laid to also)you can even start a revolution with it :). R.I.P. Marvin. Ross rupchurch@agric.wa.gov.au Bit disappointed with this one. Perhaps it's a little dated. Of similar music, Innervisions by Stevie Wonder rates higher in my opinion, and that would only be a 7-8, so as good as this album must have been on it's release, it has faded with time and I consider your rating here inflated. GAZZA garyhess44@hotmail.com Ross is right in saying "innervisions" is a great album but the rest of his post is nonsense. Whats going on just never ages , its musically incredibly beautiful and in places (inner city blues) incredibly funky . Whoever was playing bass here deserves to be bought a drink every day . No matter whats happening in the world or in your personal life youll find something to respond and relate to here , its almost like marvin channeling all the sadness of what the world is then with his voice and music showing us what it can be instead. I heard this playing in a record shop the other day and had to stay there to the end (buying more music in the process) driving my girlfriend nuts in the process -( oh well such is life:) A stonewall classic adrian. John john.j.doyle@nuim.ie I felt an obligation to post a comment on this album. It's the kind of work that transcends not just social upheaval and the quest for some kind of spiritual stabillity, but in terms of crossing over without ever losing sight of its own genesis and sense of development, "What's Going On" is worthy of a perfect 10. The fact that the music is absloutely magnificent does tend to help as well.