An Album A Day #19: Marvin Gaye's WHAT'S GOING ON [1971]

Many trees have been sacrificed to print the praises of today's album, Marvin Gaye's testifying and sanctifying What's Going On from 1971. It is universally ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time on just about every such list that has ever been published. The critical list aggregate site Acclaimed Music has What's Going On listed on more than 100 such lists. The site has the album ranked #5 ALL-TIME, #1 for the 1970s and #1 for 1971! And while HERC is unsure how he came to know the album (maybe HERC SR. had the 8-track?) he knows he cannot live without it. Well that's not exactly true but like all great art and beauty, listening to What's Going On definitely makes life worth living.

HERC picked up his first CD copy of What's Going On at Sears. It was an impulse buy as he walked through on his way out of the mall, he saw the 2fer disc sitting on an endcap of toolboxes. More than 40 years after it's original recording and release, What's Going On remains relevant, vibrant and, above all, enjoyable.

The release of a Deluxe Edition of the album in 2001 features the original "Detroit mix" of the album compiled on April 5, 1971. The album as originally released was mixed a month later in Los Angeles.

Listen to What's Going On

on Apple Music

on Spotify

on YouTube