Re: Motown stuff
Once The
Corporation let Wonder and Gaye loose on their own, they produced some
great albums, no question--but they also produced Here My Dear and The
Secret Life of Plants, for example
Cantwell
Wasn't "Here, My Dear" Marvin's alimony "settlement" to his ex-wife? If so,
I could see how he may have been less-than-inspired to create anything more
than a toss-off. Not that it excuses it mind you, but it does make for
interesting context.
Yeah, the Temptations had the smooth/gritty thing down cold. Really
polished harmonies backing David Ruffin's gospel shouts, all backed by
an ace band -- it got no better than this.
Carl Z.
Though I can't disagree with this assertion, the three-year period following
Ruffin's departure deserves a shout-out. Replacing the
seemingly-irreplacable Ruffin with Dennis Edwards of the Contours ("Do You
Love Me?") was an inspired choice, and made for such classics as "Cloud
Nine," "Runaway Child, Running Wild," "Don't Let the Joneses Get You Down,"
and the, ahem, very Stax-influenced "Gonna Keep on Tryin' Till I Win Your
Love." By the time Eddie Kendricks left in '71, the Temps--and Motown as a
whole, I would say--began to noticeably suffer a drop in their game. But
until then . . . man. It really didn't get much better than that.
Lance . . .
Re: Motown stuff
At 11:47 AM 2/2/99 -0600, about Marvin Gaye's Here My Dear, Lance wrote: Wasn't "Here, My Dear" Marvin's alimony "settlement" to his ex-wife? If so, I could see how he may have been less-than-inspired to create anything more than a toss-off. Not that it excuses it mind you, but it does make for interesting context. It was part of the alimony deal, at least as I recall, but it was also just a very angry and vindictive and honest and (often) beautiful way of getting back at a spouse and dealing with a divorce. I think marvin would've argued--and many others have definately done so-- that this situation created more inspiration in him, not less. He certainly didn't intend it as a toss off, as even a casual listen to this lush and intricate double album will attest. --david cantwell
RE: Motown stuff
Mark me down as a big fan of Here, My Dear, from the music to the cover art. Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/ Website revised 2/1/99
Re: Motown stuff
Excerpts from internet.listserv.postcard2: 2-Feb-99 RE: Motown stuff by "Jon Weisberger"@fuse.ne Mark me down as a big fan of Here, My Dear, from the music to the cover art. Oh yeah, and that gatefold Monopoly board sleeve. Man, what a statement. Berry Gordy could not have been happy about having to release that slam at his daughter. Carl Z.
