By NISH (128.239.202.115 - 128.239.202.115) on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 08:15 pm:

Hi everyone again,

I just purchased "What's Going On? Marvin Gaye and the Last Days Of The Motown Sound", I'm reading it (I probably should be reading Contracts!) and came across this little comment about how Marvin Gaye's vocals are in a LOT of Originals' songs, and it was so great to know that because I've always gotten that impression while listening to "Baby I'm For Real" especially, but also in some of the other Originals songs he produced. Does anyone hear him in the Miracles' beautiful "I Love You Secretly"?

By HW (68.37.217.106 - 68.37.217.106) on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 09:20 am:

He's not on it, despite my own hopes that he was. Marvin rehearsed with the group at that session so you can imagine they followed his inflection and tone; that's why sometimes a passage sounds like him. Pick up the Deluxe version of the Let's Get It On album for more on all that.

By Davie Gordon (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 09:53 am:

Marvin's definitely singing on the Originals'
"I'll Wait For You"

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Sunday, September 22, 2002 - 10:54 am:

I did a number of Originals vocal sessions that were produced by Marvin Gaye. (I have no idea of the titles.)

At that time, he was very into recording leads phrase by phrase and had a very focused concept of exactly how he wanted each phrase to be sung. As a result the vocals have his stamp all over them but I never saw him record even a demo vocal himself.

By Eugene Brown (64.7.167.66 - 64.7.167.66) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 10:28 am:

I had the pleasure of spending a day with Original member Freddie Gorman and his family for a day out in LA this past summer and he let me listen to some things that Marvin did on the group. Freddie was surprised that I picked Marvin's voice out of several tracks that he had written especially "I'll Wait For You".

By Nish (128.239.202.115 - 128.239.202.115) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 08:18 pm:

This is a pretty belated reply, Mr. Ohlsson, but thanks. The Originals did have Mr. Gaye's phrasing down cold, a tribute to what a fine set of singers they are!!!!

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 10:08 pm:

Nish,
Also...what a great producer Marvin was.

By SisDetroit (67.25.216.83 - 67.25.216.83) on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 10:13 pm:

HW - Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" Deluxe Edition.
Listening to Disc 1, Tracks #15 & 16: "You're The Man" It is really amazing, the difference in the bass lines, and styles. Michael Henderson was the main bass on Version 1, and Jamerson second bass. Michael is really jazzy, and constant, never taking a rest. He was really good. And Jamerson was kinda laid back. I can tell the difference. (I wish I knew the musical terms.)
Question: Was it the producer's decision as to how the lines would be played? And (2) was Version 2, the one released without Henderson?

By Nish (128.239.202.115 - 128.239.202.115) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 01:44 am:

Ralph - Right you are! Marvin Gaye was a master producer! I really think the Motown artists who went on to produce in the 70s really benefited from the producer-ruled 60s. They got to see the meticulous nature of record producing and who better to learn it from than the likes of HDH, Frank Wilson, BG himself, etc.

And Sis, don't make me pull out my "What's Going On" Disc 1. I'll stay on track 14 FOREVER. LOVE that song! Might as well get Disc 2 out and play track 9... I swear, if you want to talk about beautiful group harmonies, the Originals' "just to keep you satisfied" is IT! What a soul-drenched track.

By SisDetroit (64.157.170.131 - 64.157.170.131) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 12:22 pm:

Nish - As I was listening to this last night, I thought of you when that song came on. And Track #10 was pleasing. That is the voice of Richard Street which I remember back in the day. He had a great voice. You may as well pull your cd's out now, and listen to track #1 on disc 2, that DEMO makes my heart pound. It is outstanding. Marvin, and the Funk Brothers.
Sis

By KevGo (64.115.26.80 - 64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 02:02 pm:

While we're on the subject of amazing Marvin Gaye/Originals tracks how about the two versions of "Just To Keep You Satisfied." The Originals cut it first but the single wound up in the can (it was later released on The Best Of The Originals CD that HW & Co. reissued a few years back) and of course Marvin cut it (with the Originals background vocals intact!) for the Let's Get It On album.

Both versions - Priceless.

KevGo

By SisDetroit (67.25.206.78 - 67.25.206.78) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 02:28 pm:

KevGo - You bet. And Michael Henderson's bass playing on that cd, sounds similar to Ralph Armstsrong's style.

Sis

By Nish (128.239.202.115 - 128.239.202.115) on Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 03:06 pm:

I'm still tripping over the 2 versions of "Just to Keep You Satisfied" done by the originals, the original single mix included on the deluxe "Let's Get It On" set, and the Alternate stereo mix issued on "Very Best Of." I'm not sure which one I like more! And to think this song takes on a totally different tone when done by each of the 3 acts (marvin, monitors, originals). Wow.