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Jazz pianists unpack the GENIUS inside Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On'

You'll Hear It

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Jazz pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin unpack Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' track-by-track. They reveal what their trained ears hear in the music so you can discover something new in this remarkable album, even if you've heard it 1,000 times. They also dig into the story behind the album, and how a protest record became a timeless masterpiece. A must-listen for anyone who loves Marvin Gaye, Motown, soul, jazz, or just wants to understand how great records are made.

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00:00 - Intro
01:55 - Rolling Stone ranked it #1
06:00 - Breaking Free from Motown’s Control
11:35 - What's Going On
20:50 - Eli Fontaine’s Accidental Sax Solo
25:20 - James Jamerson's Bass & More
32:42 - Marvin Gaye's Layered Vocals
40:16 - The Detroit Symphony Orchestra
49:00 - "What’s Happening Brother"
57:20 - "Flyin’ High (in the Friendly Sky)" & more
1:03:33 - "Mercy Mercy Me"
1:15:10 - "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Hollar)"
1:23:55 - Up Next: Dorothy Ashby Shout Out
1:31:37 - ‪@OpenStudioMusic‬ Plays "What's Going On"

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20 Comments

@YoullHearIt Creator 3 months ago Pinned

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@tylermoore4388 1 month ago

“Father, father we don’t need to escalate.”

Haunting lyrics given how he died.

@percyvolnar8010 11 months ago

"Father, Father.... We dont need to escalate.. " When you know how Marvin Left us, that lyric sends chills down your spine..

@backbay2242 1 year ago

It's hard not to cry when you listen this record.

@ProgressiveTruthSeekers 4 weeks ago

The most beautiful and greatest music ever written and performed was in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 90s. Talent meant something then. Back when talents mattered. And African American music was respected all over the world. Teaching the world that, "BROWN" skin humanity, cares about us ALL!

@SunyattaAmen 1 year ago

If you listen to this whole album and you don’t tear up, your soul is broken.

@middlepassage7023 1 year ago (edited)

the chatter heard at the beginning of 'What's Going On' is actually members of the NFL Detroit Lions whom Marvin invited to the recording session. being a huge fan of the city's professional sports teams.

@slimdugger99 1 year ago

At the time this album dropped this country was in the darkest days of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. It served as a beacon for our community and helped us to come to a concensus on what we should be doing. This album plus James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James album with, “Fire and Rain”, helped move us out of that low period in our lives. Just hearing that music now brings back a sense of foreboding with our current national discourse and dissolution. I wonder what music will help us through these difficult days ahead? Love your program.

@tonygoodtimeboyz 3 months ago (edited)

“What’s Going On” is a PERFECT album. My favorite of all time….
Congas enhance just about every groove. So many songs used this in the 70’s from Marvin Gaye to James Taylor. We need more of this in today’s music…

@AlfredCleveland-c7d 11 months ago

My late father was Al Cleveland one of the cowriters of what's going on Save the children and wholey Holy it was a blessing seeing my father uncle Marvin and Ronaldo Obie Benson of the Four Tops work on this record and album. Thank you sir for choosing to high lite this incredible piece of work. Daryl Cleveland

@forensicaccountant259 1 year ago

The scatting in What's Going On is absolutely jazzy.

@dainb5783 1 year ago

I need this pod to stay forever it's great. Such a good format to go over classic albums and still keep the essence of the old pod with covering the musical "theory" and ideas going on in the music. Appreciate you guys !

@ericvanjames8395 1 year ago

'What's Going On' was co-written by Renaldo Benson of The Four Tops!!

@nelsono4315 1 year ago

so happy I found this channel. You guys are right up my alley. It's like being in music school. Kudos gents!

@ArunKonanur 1 year ago

Something I’d not previously noticed is that I’d always read the album’s title as if it were asking a question: “What’s going on?” — but in fact Marvin isn’t asking, he’s making a definitive statement: “What’s going on”

Thanks for another great episode.

@TranquiloTrev 1 year ago

Well done Adam for defining the record, early on in the podcast, as "Black American Music" generally, and "Soul Music" specifically. That is exactly correct.

@forensicaccountant259 1 year ago

I love Flyin' High (in the Friendly Sky) because it's a CONFESSIONAL.

@5Jays1952 11 months ago

This is my favorite album. I listened to it non stop while traveling in the 70s. Its messages still ring true today.

@Squirrelconga 3 months ago

Love the shoutout to Eddie "Bongo" Brown!!!
And yes, they're congas!🤷‍♂️

@TruthMatters22 11 months ago

40 minutes in and they are still breaking down this masterpiece of a song in What’s Going On. A song that is so good you can listen to it over and over and his voice and melodies are so beautiful all set to some of hard hitting lyrics with such a profound message. So great!