Marvin Gaye - Here, My Dear

2008 two CD deluxe edition of the 1978 album, which was a deeply personal chronicle of his divorce from Anna Gordy. Though at the time it received mixed reviews, the album has since become recognized as a highly influential masterpiece of romantic anguish. Both Rolling Stone and Mojo magazines recently named it one of the best albums of all time. This expanded edition features the remastered original album, plus a complete alternate version of it featuring demo vocals and newly discovered instrumentation. For this unique project, the alternate version was created by a group of select artists and producers, who were asked not to overdub anything but to work only with the original multi-track session reels. These gentlemen delivered a breathtaking new vision of what Marvin put on tape. Their mixes illuminate the sketchbooks that produced a masterpiece. A bonus track rounds out each disc: This extraordinary collection is housed in a deluxe digipak with a 28-page booklet, packed with memorabilia, full lyrics, an essay by Gaye biographer David Ritz, and sidebar essays on the controversial cover and the creation of this edition. Album Description

A Very Personal Record

You could categorize this as a 'tough' listen because the theme is heartbreak. But that doesn't take away from the fact that this is an amazing listen, especially the alternate version. I'm not going to get into the theme since it has been so adequately described in so many of the other reviews.

Gaye had this ability to take events happening to him and around him and shape them into classic soul songs and Here, My Dear is no exception. The music is downbeat but there is a general groove running the length of the album. And once you put it on it's really hard to turn it off.

What I'm trying to say is this is just as great as 'I Want You', Let's Get It On', and 'What's Going On'. So, if you have everything else you owe it to yourself to check this out. September 17, 2008

you can't have no jewelry

A must for the fans. Peeling back the tracks to expose the harmonies is great. I don't have much to add that the other reviews haven't said, but I'll hit some high points:

The minimal, extended version of 'You can leave' is SOLID. Seriously. I think that the clarity of the drum track, complete with more cowbell, really brings the point home.

The way the drum track is introduced in the intro track is powerful, I was very happy with it and was also pleased to hear vocal nuances that cannot be heard in the final mix.

I'm sure that every person who is a fanatic for this album, much as I am, snapped it right up. I really want to suggest this album to newcomers of Marvin, not for his shallow ditties but for his soul and layered melodies.

September 7, 2008

You can leave (but first download this album!)

This would be the "response" review for the single 1-star review this album has been given thus-far. I have *not* been a huge Marvin Gaye fan over the years. I acknowledge that several of his popular hits were good songs, but I've never owned an album. Until now. I heard "You can leave" on the radio last night (the DJ also indulged the audience with a brief description of the Gordy/Gaye separation and the circumstances surrounding this album). Needless to say, I downloaded it from amazon, and it is SUCH A SOLID ALBUM. Period. I am blown away by it, the lyrics, emotion, arrangements. It has been years since I've heard anything so tight. Both discs are worth the $. August 3, 2008

Divorce and Pain

This album was created under the duress for alimony payment's from Gaye's ex-wife Anna Gaye(Berry Gordys sister)and was not a commercial success @ the time. Although publicly raised eyebrows. Listening to the haunting lyrics of "Met A Little Girl", Gaye takes you through the begining of his relationship with Anna. Almost the begining of his career with Hitsville/Motown. And ends with "Falling In Love Again" (his Romance with Janis Hunter/2nd wife), a year later would complete his final Motown album "In Our Lifetime". What irony! As usual, "The Prince Of Motown" gives the world something unusal and GREAT. Also pay attention to Nona Gaye, his daugther. She has completed some recording work in the past. And now seems to be destined to be a outstanding movie star. Co-starring in "Matrix 2:Revolution", "The Gospel", "The Polar Express", "Ali", and "State Of The Union" just to name a few. If you missed her, she LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE HER FATHER...Good actress. May 12, 2008

Made a TRUE fan out of me!

Like anyone with half decent hearing I liked (and I say that as Luke warm as I possibly can) Marvin Gaye and his list of Top 100 hits known throughout this planet but I never actually took the time out to dig for his hidden gems as a "TRUE" fan would. I'm glad Motown or whomever put this Edition out. I had no idea Marvin ever made something so personal and timeless and I say timeless because his lyrics are so beautiful and current to what many people go through today when it comes to life and relationships... As for the remixed version I actually like some of the originals better and vice versa. At any rate the remixes did no harm. To make a long story short I went from liking Marvin to being absolutely in love with him. and I'm a man. Because of hearing this I now have to own everything Marvin has EVER recorded going all the way back to the Marquees.

PS- I love EVERY SINGLE track from top to bottom. It's a shame we can't keep talent like that here for forever... March 22, 2008

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