What's Going On Hampton VA

Originally written in a time where there was something to rebel against, a time of radical changes so deep that most of the participants didn't e ...

Local Companies

COSMIC PUTT CAFE
757-817-0064
2002 Nickerson Blvd
Hampton, VA
Wesco Distribution Inc
(757) 826-6730
418 Aberdeen Rd
Hampton, VA
Graybar Electric Co Inc
(757) 827-5210
616 Regional Dr
Hampton, VA
Abb Inc
(540) 562-3399
3013 Peters Creek Rd NW
Roanoke, VA
City Electric Supply
(804) 414-1395
2201 Magnolia St
Richmond, VA
Nationwide Electric Supply Co Inc
(804) 232-3005
27 E 2nd St
Richmond, VA
Southern Electric Corp of Staunton
(540) 434-9907
242 E Water St
Harrisonburg, VA
Hagemeyer North America
(804) 520-7798
16425 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Colonial Heights, VA
Commonwealth Controls
(804) 271-7700
7630 Whitepine Rd
Richmond, VA
Foster Electric Company Inc
(434) 528-4100
1420 Campbell Ave
Lynchburg, VA

Provided by: 

Provided By:The Daily Vault

What's Going On

Marvin Gaye

Motown, 1971

REVIEW BY: Benjamin Ray

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 12/02/2006

What's Going On is the finest record to come out of Motown and perhaps one of the best protest records of all time.

Originally written in a time where there was something to rebel against, a time of radical changes so deep that most of the participants didn't even know what they were causing, Gaye's masterpiece immediately spoke for an entire generation, the first record by a black artist that spoke for the entire country.

It works so well because the protests are human and intensely personal. Dylan could write a protest album, sure, but he did not suffer nearly the kind of injustice Gaye went though during this time in his life. Sick of the Motown hit factory that robbed artists of their integrity and creativity, fueled by sadness from his own disintegrating marriage and the death of Tammi Terrell, his duet partner, Gaye isolated himself and created this record.

Its genius is in its air of hope, the underlying optimism that undercuts Gaye's soaring voice, one that is equal parts sadness, hope and romance. The title track is the most recognized masterpiece, as it should be; Gaye's brother Frankie had just returned from the war, and in a way this record uses him as the narrator to address a country torn apart by war and social strife. Starting with some happy studio banter, the song uses a sensual sax beat and sparse production, putting the emphasis strongly on Gaye's lyrics, which are simple but direct: "Picket lines and picket signs / Don't punish me with brutality / Come on talk to me / So you can see what's going on." The background vocals (courtesy of two Detroit Lions) and the occasional handclaps and scat singing just bring the point home, as does the soul underpinning.


Click here to read complete Review

Featured Local Company

COSMIC PUTT CAFE

757-817-0064
2002 Nickerson Blvd
Hampton, VA

Related Articles
- '89 Live In Japan Hampton VA
By 1989, Quiet Riot was a band that was barely treading water. They had undergone the stigma of having lead singer Kevin DuBrow badmouth anyone withi ...
- "Hours..." Hampton VA
- "Hours..." Hampton VA
- '74 Jailbreak Hampton VA
- (818) Hampton VA
- #447 Hampton VA
- #3 Hampton VA
- "Weird Al" Yankovic Hampton VA
- () Hampton VA
- #1's Hampton VA
Related Articles
- '89 Live In Japan Hampton VA
By 1989, Quiet Riot was a band that was barely treading water. They had undergone the stigma of having lead singer Kevin DuBrow badmouth anyone withi ...
- "Hours..." Hampton VA
- "Hours..." Hampton VA
- '74 Jailbreak Hampton VA
- (818) Hampton VA
- #447 Hampton VA
- #3 Hampton VA
- "Weird Al" Yankovic Hampton VA
- () Hampton VA
- #1's Hampton VA
Related Local Event
5th Annual LHR Tournament of Leaders Golf Outing
Dates: 7/22/2009 - 7/22/2009
Location: Sewells Point Golf Course
Norfolk, VA
View Details

Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin

Topics:
Advertising Family Home Services Real Estate Resources
Business Services Fashion Industrial Goods & Services Retail & Consumer Services
Career Financial Services Insurance Software
Cars Food & Beverage Internet Technology
Computer Hardware Franchise Legal Telecommunications
Construction Health Miscellaneous Trade Shows
Education Holidays Nightlife Travel
Entertainment Home Appliances Online Database Weddings
Environmental Home Electronics Pets World History