#tamla

[sonicandvisualsurprises]

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Twistin' Postman - The Marvelettes

1961

Twisting straight through the mailroom

A sparkling bit of Motown joy with a playful twist and unstoppable bounce.

[sowhatifiliveinfukuoka]

The Temptations (1964)

[vintageblackandwhiteportraits]

The Marvelettes

[stealfocus]

ARTIST: Eduardo Luzzatti

[sowhatifiliveinasmalltowninjapan]

Tammi Terrell (1945-70)

[plus-low-overthrow]

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Diana Ross - Stone Liberty (Tamla Motown)

wrt. arr. & prod. Bob Gaudio, 1973.

[singeratlarge]

SONG OF THE WEEK: “What’s Going On” (a Marvin Gaye cover)—This week in 1971, the original and landmark 45 RPM single of this song was released on Tamla/Motown Records by the multi-talented singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye—the “soul music” pioneer who opened the genre to orchestral, jazz, and pop expressions while baring his raw soul in song. He was a prolific, very creative but tormented soul who spoke to so many and gave a voice to many more. The B-side of the 45 was “God is Love,” a riff on the Gospel of Mark 12:30-31. 

The lyrics were triggered by scenes of police brutality at Berkeley’s Peoples Park in California, witnessed in 1969 by song co-writer Obie Benson of The 4 Tops—who rejected it. “My partners told me it was a protest song,” but it was intended as an open question, to get clarity and know “what’s going on” in a world of confusion. Benson said, "I said 'no man, it's a love song about love and understanding. I'm not protesting, I want to know what's going on.’” The song was passed around before Gaye tailored it and created the trailblazing song we have today. The politically avoidant Motown president Berry Gordy hated it, saying it was the worst thing he ever heard, and he complained that Gaye’s Dizzy Gillispie-style scat singing made it sound “old” and unhip. Gaye went on strike, refusing to record anything else until Gordy recanted and released it. It’s now one of the cornerstones of popular music and a flashpoint for the Civil Rights Movement.

On that note I offer my live acoustic cover of this timeless song (I learned it to honor a request at a coffee house gig). Gaye’s lyrics were inspired by specific incidences which were fresh at the time, and he said this wasn’t a “protest song.” Instead, he was asking questions as to “what’s going on” out there. In that way, this song is a celebration of asking better questions and finding right solutions.

https://johnnyjblairsingeratlarge.bandcamp.com/track/whats-goin-on-live-2002

#marvingaye #tamla #motown #godislove #berkeley #policebrutality #obiebewnson #fourtops #joanbaez #berrygordy #dizzygillispie #johnnyjblair #coffeehouse 

[soulmusicsongs]

When I’m Gone - Brenda Holloway (When I’m Gone / I’ve Been Good To You, 1965)