THE 50(ISH) GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME
Wed’s Going On?
Album #41 : Marvin Gaye — What’s Going On?
Here’s a question, what’s going on? Well — the cake is coming on Thursday, we’ve got to sort the favours then too, I need to chase the florist for her invoice, and update the spreadsheet once I’ve paid her, and then, and then, and then… the list goes on. In case you don’t know yet, I’m getting married on Friday.
And yet, we’re not stressed. Not really, anyway. Sure the odd inconvenience pops up but what could he more of an inconvenience that a 13 month delay thanks to a pandemic? Everything else is small fry. Pittance. At 12 noon on Friday, I get to celebrate with all my friends and family. At 12 noon on Friday, I get to marry the love of my life. By the time many of you read this, I may well be married to the woman who makes me happy every single day, makes me laugh every hour, makes me smile constantly.
THAT, friends, is what is going on. I won’t ever forget how lucky I am.
I cannot possibly put into words the feeling I have this week, but I can try — the best way to describe it is that I have been excited for weddings before, but I get a regular jolt this week as I am served reminders, as if they were necessary, that this is MY wedding. OUR wedding. The last 6 or so months have been a bizarre contretemps between desperately wanting to tell people all the things we have planned and wanting them to be a surprise. Now though It is finally here and we’ll only do it once, so let’s enjoy it.
But first, pay that florist!
Similarly, I cannot possibly do this album justice this week. What a record this is, and what little time I have to distill it for you. It is as beautiful as it is bellicose, as soulful as it is strident. It is a masterpiece. Gaye, seemingly effortlessly, weaves his writing skills with his legendarily smooth delivery to create a beguiling tapestry of rhythm and blues. This is an album that tells a story of 70s America that, shamefully, still rings true 50 years later, there and here.
But don’t take my word for it, just go and give it a listen, I’ve got stuff to be getting on with.
Thanks for reading — over the course of 2021, I’ll be reviewing 50(ish) of the greatest albums ever recorded. You can see the list here:
There is also a playlist featuring the best song from each album here.
