Marvin Gaye Deluxe

Perhaps this has been commented on before and if so then just point me to it, but i searched and really couldn't find anything. Those who have these "deluxe" editions, that is "Let's Get It On" and "What's Going On", I would like to hear your comments on sound quality vs other issues and also your comments on the extras. Bottom line is that I am asking from either viewpoint, that is sound quality or extras, is it worth owning these?

Thanks so much for the comments.

 

If you're a fan of What's Going On, then I would say that the Deluxe Edition is a must if only for the fact that it includes the "Detroit mix".

Jim W.

 

Oh YES!!!!! The deluxe set of "What's Going On" is a MUST! It even includes the original Detroit mix of the complete album. You will be shocked!

 

They're worth having for the extra music for sure, and also the nice packaging. As far as the sound of the material from the original albums, some people seem to like the sound of the DE versions, but I prefer the CD's that Gavin Lurseen mastered, which are very good and still in print (so get the DE's and the regular discs of each ).

 

The sound quality and recording techniques of the original Detroit mix will blow you away!

 

I have the Let's Get It On album and I think the sound is excellent! No treble overload on this one, no pumped up bass, simply great IMHO.

 

Okay - I give up. What is the Detroit mix and how does it differ from the mix on the album that we've known for all these years?

 

I allready have the Lurseen mastered versions. So I will end up with both if I get these. Thanks for the comments MMM....

 

As the story goes, Marvin created the title track in it's original mono mixed form. Motown didn't want to put it out because they said it didn't fall in line with their usual love songs (which is total bull because of all the Temptations songs they had been releasing that deal with social issues). Anyway, Marvin asserted his rights, and it was released. Marvin totally ignored the deadline for the rest of the album, and Motown pushed him to finish. Well, Marvin, never to back down from a challenge, created a masterpiece with the help of David DePitte and Harvy Fuqua, and some choice musicians. Marvin had been studying the microphoine and recording techniques and invented a way to duet with himself in a way that created a sonic pallette of textures. Well, the result is what we call the Detroit mix. It was done in just days in Detroit, and sounds fantastic artistically and technically! The master tape is clean, clear, and...a masterpiece!

Well, Motown didn't like it. They thought it was weird, and didn't think anyone would buy it. They convinced Marvin to remix it. Marvin didn't like their criticism, but he booked some studio time in LA and remixed the whole thing from top to bottom, making it more "Motown-friendly". Motown still didn't like it, but they released the remix, which is what we know as the hit version.

After listening to the original mix and comparing it to the common version, the sonic degredation becomes painfully obvious, and how Marvin's original intent was destroyed, IMO.

 

That just went to the front of my "to buy" list!

My first copy was an 8-track tape that got played in my orange VW superbeetle.

 

I have it too. Bought it used, and snapped it up. Glad I did. A great package, and a must for anyone's collection (Deluxe WGO)

 

I have both Deluxe Editions and they sound great! The Detroit mix is -- wow!

 

The second disc is great as well, a live concert of the album (plus a hits medley), where the songs are in a different order than the album. James Jamerson is on bass for the concert. There are also some cool single versions of tracks.

 

Both of them are outstanding. The Deluxe Edition of WHAT'S GOING ON, in particular, is one of the best reissues I've ever bought, both for the amazing extras and the sound quality. Don't hesitate to buy either of them!

 

A Deluxe Edition of "I Want You" is due in June. I really hope that they will do one for "Here, My Dear" next.

 

I had no idea these existed. I'll have to pick them both up.

 

I am a huge fan of both the Gaye D.E.'s. I want to make sure to chime in that a lot of the extra material on Let's Get It On meets or exceeds the quality of the actual album. The Perren/Mizell production of "Where Are We Going", the Hal Davis-produced "The World Is Rated X", and all of the Willie Hutch productions are essential Marvin Gaye. The rest of the session material is never less than interesting. In the end, the D.E. of LGIO takes a very modestly sized eight song album and turns the whole surrounding time period into something of pretty monumental proportions from a creative perspective. While What's Going On is probably the better and more important album, Let's Get It On is the more fully realized Deluxe Edition (the Detroit mix of WGO notwithstanding). Definitely wouldn't want to be without either of them, and I can't wait for more, although the advance word on the I Want You D.E. indicates there isn't going to be as many revelations in the bonus material as found on these two.

 

I'll add my voice to the chorus praising the DE of WGO. This is an essential release for anyone who is more than a casual fan of Gaye's work. Unlike a lot of bonus-material-laden reissues, all of the extra material on this is just as listenable as the original album. Others have already mentioned the entire alternate mix of the LP and the concert, plus the single versions. There's also a surprisingly interesing jam session, plus a recent instrumental mix of the title track. All of it is worthy. Finally, the packaging and liner notes are nicely done as well. This is a must-have!

On a related note... others have said it, but I think it's worth repeating: this album is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago... if not more so.

 

Anyone have any idea w/ the bonus material for I Want You will consist of? I wasn't too impressed by the current I Want You CD.

Chris

 

Harry Weinger's response:

[These] speculations are quite interesting: Harvey Fuqua? Marvin created a duet through mic techniques? Motown convinced Marvin to remix it?

My suggestion would be to read either Ben Edmonds' Deluxe Edition liner notes and/or his book on the making of the album.

If anyone who has not read them would like a recap, I'd be happy to do that.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry Weinger
"HW"
[email protected]

 

Welcome back Matt!

 

Matt:

I had read many stories on how Marvin studied the mic and created the duet with himself. I guess this was either misinformation or more old Motown legend. I do indeed have the booklet from the deluxe set that says this dueting in each track was by accident, when the engineer prepared a stereo tape with one vocal version in each track, and accidentally played the tape back in mono. Marvin liked the effect and ran with it.

I have also read that Motown convinced Marvin to remix the album in LA. Whatever the motivation, Marvin did remix the album to what we are familiar with as the album.

So, it appears that I am mistaken in what I have been led to believe. I did not pull what I previously wrote out of my head.

Now, if I can just recall where I read what I read...

 

Thanks Martin, it's good to be back.

Grant, if you can remember your source, that would be really cool.

 

But they are available on any number of CD compilations...