Figuring Out “What’s Going On” | Breakdown & Analysis

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Stream the Listening Guide
SPOTIFY - open.spotify.com/playlist/77b...
APPLE - / listening-guide-whats-...
TIDAL - tidal.com/playlist/227e3382-4...
RU-vid MUSIC - • Listening Guide - What...
AMAZON - music.amazon.com/user-playlis...
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Also check out this live performance of “What’s Going On” into “What’s Happening Brother” - • Marvin Gaye What's G...
Incredible visualization of Jamerson’s bass line on “For Once in My Life” - • JAMES JAMERSON /// For...
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SOURCES
The book “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” - a.co/d/exMhJ90
www.soundonsound.com/techniqu...
• Marvin Gaye on The Mak...
www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...
#marvingaye #soulmusic #musichistory

Опубликовано:

21 дек 2023

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Комментарии : 190

@nobodynothing6551 4 месяца назад

Imagine being so good you cant even go get drunk without literal legends begging you to come play on their records

@nicolesherman8974 4 месяца назад

The making of What’s Going On is bizarre considering Berry Gordy didn’t want his artists to create political music that talked about the events going on at the time. Realizing that Marvin Gaye made What’s Going On behind Berry’s back makes this album a whole a modern day masterpiece. You have to discuss Sly & the Family Stone’s answer to the Marvin’s question with There’s a Riot Goin on, released in the same year that is 1971 🔥🔥🔥

@diggingthegreats 4 месяца назад

Yes! It was renamed in response to this album - on a future episode!

@SkwurrelllCheakz 4 месяца назад

There’s a riot going on is easily one of my top 10 records. Super trippy and super funky simultaneously. I still remember the first time I heard both of the Africa Talks tracks. Mind blowing music.

@Shades-of-76 4 месяца назад

@@diggingthegreats Look forward to that 😎 Sly’s Riot LP is one of my top five all time records. Great content as usual, thanks 👏🏼

@Shades-of-76 4 месяца назад

@@SkwurrelllCheakz Likewise, so good ❤

@cnretrowolf 4 месяца назад

hell yeah sly next

@bashlove9641 4 месяца назад

It is the best album of all time for me. It never gets old.

@rickmassimo6192 4 месяца назад

Now try playing it just with your index finger, like Jamerson did! I used this part as my soundcheck go-to for years, but it took me a LONG time to learn it (I bought the Standing in the Shadows book a few months after it came out; the accompanying CD helped a lot). I can't imagine sight-reading it -- in fact, going back and forth between the CD and the sheet music was the best reading lesson I've ever had. Ron Carter once said he was told "Someone should be able to walk into the club during your solo and still be able to tell what song it is." Jamerson passes that test with his lines.

@lamech006 4 месяца назад

I've been trying to get the Aint No Mountain bass part down for 3+ years... With 2 fingers... Still working on it 😂

@ingmarvanderhoek6314 4 месяца назад

The Funk Brothers finally got their recognition in Standing in the Shadow of Motown. So glad you feature this beautiful album on which they played soooo good.

@iancpowell 4 месяца назад

And Jameson played all that with just his right hand index finger… JJ was insane with what he pulled off his way. The Funk Bros movie is worth watching for anyone who hasn’t seen it

@Jacqueal 4 месяца назад

He and Stevie are the reason I love song cycle-based albums. Marvin and Stevie set the groundwork for future DJ's to have smooth, continuous sets.

@bashlove9641 4 месяца назад

God I love this guy's videos he makes me remember why music is so important to me.

@CantTellYou 4 месяца назад

🎯 you nailed it

@peyoti3482 17 дней назад

pls check out 'Palestinian Children' by Peyoti for President. I'd love to know your opinions ;-)

@DIRTYFINGERPROJECT 4 месяца назад

The Funk Brothers get a lot of well deserved love and respect but a video about Leon Ware would be great.

@lukhanyobacaza893 4 месяца назад

You deserve the world just because you cover music that I enjoy. I would love to see you cover Maggot Brain by Funkadelic

@nicolesherman8974 4 месяца назад

Ooooh! I’m excited for this video!! This album is 52 years old, and it’s an ethereal ride. Listening to Wholy Holy (one of my favorites) almost brings me to tears ❤️❤️🔥🔥

@maybud60 4 месяца назад

Thanks for putting together this brilliant and passionate homage to one of my all-time favourite albums. I never get tired of listening to Marvin's soaring vocals and timeless messages of peace and acceptance. It's a masterpiece! 🙏

@johanneskolaczek4984 4 месяца назад

Bitches Brew, Sign "☮︎" the Times, What's Goin' On: My 3 all time favorite records!

@johanneskolaczek4984 4 месяца назад

@@michaelgrogan35 : 🤔

@damiandarc8643 4 месяца назад

Wrote a thesis on this entire album back in the day. One of the all time classics!!!

@donte23mj 4 месяца назад

I'm screaming at the top of my lungs right now...YES!!! HE FINALLY DID IT!!!

@alvarofdz.3340 4 месяца назад

Man!!! After watching all your hiphop videos and listening to the albums for weeks, I went to find some info of one of my favourite artists, Marvin Gaye. Then I listened again his discography and 1 day after you upload this... And speaking about James Jamerson too!! You are the best person in the Internet, thank you very much for this artworks! Saludos desde España

@eugeniosolo 4 месяца назад

Please do a video about Sade! Would love to see you break down her songs :)

@genohall2235 4 месяца назад

Seconded, maybe the Love Deluxe Album, made her a household star…

@SpiderDan2099 4 месяца назад

I agree YES please! I have recently acquired the 'This Far' boxed set and digitized all 6 albums for my listening pleasure (and anyone in earshot who loves great music!) 😊 I would love to see a Digging the Greats deep dive into one or all of the bands work thus far! 🥰

@alexjadams1970 4 месяца назад

Do “Diamond Life”

@EricAndThe 4 месяца назад

Great video, I love What's Going On, one of my favourite albums. The thing is though, I can't listen to it without also listening to Sly & The Family Stone's There's a Riot Going On immediately afterwards. To me those albums go hand in hand. I hope you'll make a video on the Sly Stone album too one day.

@issacflores4216 4 месяца назад

Absolutely love this album, I spin it often on vinyl during weekend mornings to get the day started off right

@jonnyjonez1 4 месяца назад

The song transitions on this album ALONE makes this a masterpiece but go off, king.

@blusef1 4 месяца назад

Omg what’s going on is one of my all time favs!! It’s up there will illmatic and endtroducing for me. I still remember the day I found the LP digging thru this guys storage shed 1 afternoon back in the 90s. It was mostly hair soundtracks and boz scaggs but a clean copy of what’s going on was in there and I left hours later going well at least I found this. My mind was blown realizing the depth, soul and realness of that album. Plus the fact that the songs seamlessly lead into one another one side A!!! 🤯🤯🤯 I rarely heard that on an album from the 70s. I was like oh this albums like the roots “do u want more” or “people’s instinctive travels..” anyway I could talk music for days…I just wanted to say thank you so much for making this. I used to dj Motown on Mondays in Sf and I’m gonna send it to my Motown loving dj friends !! I appreciate the quality videos you always put up and will subscribe to your patreon!!!

@ykms2058 4 месяца назад

That’s an amazing experience !!

@rivers9368 4 месяца назад

I love digging the greats. Not only do you u do classic hiphop albums you also cover some classical music in general.i learned a lot from all the stuff you put your effort in and I’m always excited to watch new videos 🔥

@hopsiepike 4 месяца назад

You are right - the album is one of the greatest headphone experiences. The way the percussive sounds of the tracks weave together to create a compelling flow, like being on a raft on a moonlit night on a river with a steady, calm yet strong current pulling you along downstream.

@Revwin 4 месяца назад

I wish you talked about save the children’s bassline ! 😭

@LadyDuchess 4 месяца назад

Yes! That breakdown part at the end; the “Buuuut, who really cares, who’s willing to try” part is EVERYTHING!

@aroeha.3053 4 месяца назад

Brilliant lp and the Patreon version of this video is well worth the subscription If a Marvin lp rabbit hole opens 'Here my dear' needs a deep dive..

@ceciliafbrown373 4 месяца назад

The best review yet my brother. Thanks!

@kraigpullam1696 4 месяца назад

RU-vid & the artists’ labels, etc should be more than happy and willing to fund 5 times over your analysis of these albums & greats. I can’t find anyone who is so thorough with this great music. Btw, I’d personally love to see Distant Lover & human nature…

@livingdeadjams 4 месяца назад

I always heard Marvin because my parents had great taste in music, but when I heard this album in its entirety on my own when I was about 20 (I'm 25 now) it changed my listening of music forever. It felt so ahead of its time, yet a time piece of when it was made. I couldn't believe it. Thank you for this video for one of my favorite albums ever. I'd like to see an S.O.S Band video or Zapp & Roger in the future. Thanks for the awesome channel!

@offbeatninja 4 месяца назад

Maaaaan this is one of my favorite albums.Big up! ❤

@PAUL-rn3wt 3 месяца назад

I love the way this guy orchestrates his videos and how his voice smoothly explains the importance of music

@PharaohLawLess1 4 месяца назад

Love your dive into this great composition my brotha

@JohnSmithiuyytw 4 месяца назад

Really great video. Thanks for sharing.

@changkwangoh 4 месяца назад

Awesome album, it has such a mood and a vibe. It should only be played on a record player with a 70’s hi-fi setup in a mid-century modern house!

@maryjaneforgie9882 4 месяца назад

Great work...did not know the sight reading part of the story, mind blown...Might I suggest a follow up...After Marvin asked What's going on? Sly replied There's a riot going on...would love to hear your analysis of that album...keep up the good work

@crowfoot7355 4 месяца назад

Awesome overview of a great classic 👏👏👏👏

@mjcruiser4238 4 месяца назад

Terrific commentary of probably one of the 4 or 5 greatest R & B songs. Here is what is magical about music -watched your video which had several facts that I had never heard before -so of course had to go to my playlist to replay What’s Going In ( probably for the multi hundredth time) and all the words still didn’t do it justice!

@tomassantiago8101 4 месяца назад

Just when I'm obsessed with Marvin you release this video. THANK YOU.

@ThomBoecker 4 месяца назад

Great breakdown, thank you very much!!!

@francescosegre 4 месяца назад

Great video. I hope any hiphop head that happens not to know Amerigo Gazaway's double bootleg mashup album with mos def comes across this comment. ❤

@recondo1947 4 месяца назад

Absolutely wonderful presentation.

@prlysis 4 месяца назад

You are one of the best on RU-vid. I hope you enjoyed your holidays.

@dedasalmeida9047 4 месяца назад

I'm a bass player myself, and i remember i discovered Marvin's what going on when i was 17, i learned that song as my first ever (i don't recommend anyone starting playing bass to play that song lol😂) But my excitement just overpowered the fear of first time playing an instrument and i managed to learned it lol Till this day I still play it

@zealousjay1993 2 месяца назад

Appreciate this channel 💯💯💯🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

@reeceormiston-green3329 4 месяца назад

I watched Da 5 Bloods the other day, so this song has been on repeat. Now I'm seeing a breakdown and analysis on it. Dope! Also, I recommend that film to anyone. It's crazy. Thank you homie for the knowledge.

@tempeff8670 4 месяца назад

I love how you hooked us in with Marvin (who everyone knows) but schooled us on James. Another great Greats. ❤💛💚

@cestlavie5713 4 месяца назад

I believe What's Going On is Marvin's best in popularity, but Here My Dear is his best creative, artistic, and emotional album he's ever recorded. By the way, it's a double album.

@eatdrinkwineguy 4 месяца назад

One of my favourite songs and albums.

@Freakcent 4 месяца назад

What a great dig! Love it.

@Sereck 2 месяца назад

As one of my most loved albums i play always. i want to say that was what i needed to hear. Unreal breakdown and presented on point.

@wilenedozier6961 4 месяца назад

Thank you for this musical explanation.I have the album.I played piano, clarinet, and oboe in the band in '71. My high school just celebrated our 50th class reunion and played this song during our banquet. You're very good!

@StephenLee529 4 месяца назад

You killed that man…well done..In the Berry’s book he talks about this album, Stevie’s and a Rick James album where he was not on board and didn’t want to support it. For “What’s Going On” Barry White in an interview said Marvin asked him to produce the album and he told him he didn’t need him that he was good using the team at Motown…I love this Album I listen to it once a quarter in 1971 I was 5 …I would ask my Dad to play it from start to finish…over and over…the music of this era man….❤❤❤❤

@DemoniqueLewis 4 месяца назад

Man, this is great! Haven’t heard this song in a minute.

@kidsonicofficial 4 месяца назад

I had to mix the title track in College. No joke, got sick of it after mixing it so many times haha. Such a sick tune though. Didn't even know that those vocals were unintentionally recorded like that.

@jasonlegister2277 4 месяца назад

Thanks, you are the best

@riusma. 4 месяца назад

Thank you.

@pozitivitymusic 4 месяца назад

Great video! … once again. 💜

@biggwillbeats4384 4 месяца назад

Thanks for this ☝🏾‼️

@rhodiak 4 месяца назад

Phenomenal content bro.

@authorless 4 месяца назад

Your love for this song and album is palpable in this song.

@0072gldnfngr 4 месяца назад

1:01 😂😂 I’m happy I didn’t have to say it because this is the exact reason I clicked the video so fast. Glad you’re in tune!

@bl2528 4 месяца назад

What's Going On is arguably the best traditional R&B album

@willardv 4 месяца назад

arguably the best album.

@JohnInTheVWBus 4 месяца назад

arguably the best animal, vegetable, or mineral.

@michaelgrogan35 4 месяца назад

@@willardv 🤡🤡🤡

@tammiemartinez6485 Месяц назад

Crazy I found your ch today and that I clicked on this video in particular because I've been listening to his greatest solo and duets hits on CD in my car non stop. Can't remember which ch did the Motown Doc with Berry and Smokey but if you haven't seen it it's a fantastic watch...

@KMreview 4 месяца назад

This is my favorite Motown album!❤

@chloemchll3774 4 месяца назад

I always thought of this song as having a conversational element to it (almost like Marvin is playing multiple people talking to each other) and attributed it to my knowledge that Marvin was inspired by Marvin’s letters/conversations with his brother. I think the use of the two slightly different vocal tracks also helped create this effect- in the spaces where it varies it sounds almost like one is answering (or agreeing with) to the other.

@thikdikriky1559 4 месяца назад

How'd you get those multitracks/stems??? I've always loved how well this record was mixed. Would love to be able to load this in a DAW and analyze it

@vw3575 4 месяца назад

Best album cover ever. Someone put that on a billboard n I had to pause for a moment of silence. Omg

@miclo_ssx 2 месяца назад

I’m a hip hop Stan and I’ve been loving all these videos but I’ve been listening to Marvin Gaye on the daily. So weird that you made a video on it. This channel is def for me. Subbed

@jasonmurray4714 4 месяца назад

We need a new "What's going on" for 2020-2023

@E34bmer 4 месяца назад

Omg, the fact these greedy ass record companies won't let someone play their music without snatching every cent is pathetic! I don't understand how shows like this would hurt their bottom line! Love what you do bro, brings a entire appreciation to music we've heard a million times!

@zealousjay1993 2 месяца назад

Thanks!

@diggingthegreats 2 месяца назад

Thank you for the support!

@marvinwhittaker Месяц назад

"What's Going On" was the first album that the musicians got credit on.

@fungusman9726 4 месяца назад

A video about my favourite bass player from my favourite music RU-vidr. I’m doing a deep dive into Jamerson’s style for my university project

@Dekkie61 4 месяца назад

Finally some Jamerson! My favorite of his is Bernadette tho. That bassline bangs so hard. And for some reason, hearing you speak of this album, I suddenly want to hear you discuss Good Kid M.A.A.D. city and illmatic too!

@diggingthegreats 4 месяца назад

I’ve got a vid on NY State of mind and One Love up already! Kendrick is on the list for Sure 🔥

@zealousjay1993 2 месяца назад

Stop giving up bro .. keep playing 💯💯💯👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

@assistant606 4 месяца назад

One of my favourite albums of all time.

@fancymortimer3247 4 месяца назад

Bass player heaven with Jamerson on the low end. Would love to see a breakdown of the "I Want You" album. Thanks for the great content, sir.

@PhilMoskowitz 4 месяца назад

I was an impressionable nine year old when an older cousin came back on Army leave from Vietnam. He was an extended member of my family and had just brought the single. I played that song so much and begged my cousin to leave the song with me. He also said no. But just as he was leaving to go back to Vietnam he ended up giving me the 45 rpm record. I'll never forget it.

@jahbrae 3 месяца назад

Honestly I was blown away the first time I listened to it

@MBinDenver 4 месяца назад

Marvin's vocals are only panned hard L and R on the "Detroit" mix... the "commercial" mix has them panned down the middle with one of them further back in the mix (lessons from the days of mixing mono...) There are some absolutely unbelievable moments in the Detroit Mix if you can track it down... treat yourself to a whole new experience with this album... I find it more powerful than the commercial mix...

@phillipesparza2212 4 месяца назад

Laurin Rinder was also a drummer fro Motown. Rinder & Lewis. EL Coco and several othe disco groups on Avi Records

@MakeSomeNoiseAgencyPlaylists 4 месяца назад

nice one √ also big up for mentioning David Van DePitte √√√

@marknovelich5042 4 месяца назад

“That’s all you get RU-vid! Whachu got!?” Bro that had me dying! Too funny!!!

@diggingthegreats 4 месяца назад

Having to get creative with the Patreon vs RU-vid edits 😂

@larswillsen 4 месяца назад

Yup 🙂

@DavidGarcia-fp5hg 4 месяца назад

Super dope video almost made me tear up it sucks his dad was crazy

@madnietzschean 2 месяца назад

Dig your Soul and Style Bro....

@theoterrell2010 4 месяца назад

This was divine

@beatgordo7905 4 месяца назад

I swear when I drive around listening to mercy Mercy Me I hear a 808. That song bump lol

@twmoore60 4 месяца назад

The percussion drums on the track are congas not bongos. Played by the legendary percussionist of the funk Brothers, Eddie “Bongo” Brown.

@asbjrnbuevranghauberg9673 4 месяца назад

Haha, I scrolled this far just to see if someone else had commented this. As a percussionist myself, I cringe when people refer to congas or djembe or other types of drums as “bongos” when they are not. Easy mistake to make for most people (and I probably can’t distinguish the clarinet from the oboe or soprano sax etc.) but that’s how it is. Still - a big thank you for the video, Brandon, and keep up the good work 😊

@marktennin8927 4 месяца назад

I'm like Wow Very low tune Bongo to say...But yes congos it is.

@marktennin8927 4 месяца назад

Same here Bro-Bro! Sometimes they say the Tall Bongos.smdh LOL

@Subverttech4 4 месяца назад

about to look if any videos on the funk bros! I love history like this.

@diggingthegreats 4 месяца назад

Check out the documentary “standing in the shadows of Motown”

@thekendemetrishow 4 месяца назад

Jamerson on “Someday at Christmas” is ridiculous

@Champagneonly 4 месяца назад

Quite possibly the greatest album ever

@jloiben12 4 месяца назад

Have you changed those strings since you first made that bass your “Jamerson” bass 🤔

@diggingthegreats 4 месяца назад

I technically have, but the ones on there are real old 😂

@jloiben12 4 месяца назад

@@diggingthegreats A good proper Jamerson aging

@VarianNash 4 месяца назад

3:07 Another sample I didn't know about. I always heard Marvin's version, but never Gladys'.

@diggingthegreats 4 месяца назад

Jamerson is going crazy on that one 🔥

@VarianNash 4 месяца назад

@@diggingthegreats credit where credit is due.

@AfferbeckBeats 4 месяца назад

Fun fact, there were three versions of Grapevine. The Miracles' and Marvin's were recorded first and second but rejected because they didn't think it would be enough of a hit. Gladys' was recorded third but released first and it was a hit. Marvin's was released on his album in 1968 and that ended up being the biggest hit Motown had so far.

@talbino7821 2 месяца назад

Truly one of the greatest records of all time. I'd disagree with this being a cool relaxing ride- i have to be in the right state of mind to listen to it, otherwise It really gets to me and tears me up emotionally. Marvin really wrung out all his emotions on this album and you can feel it clearly. Is it perfect throughout? Id argue some of the songs on Side A couldve been worked on, and Right On on side B is too long imo. But the overall effect is mindblowing. Marvin took the risk - and created pure perfection.

@lawr8th 4 месяца назад

Yo! How did you get those instruments on individual digital tracks when they were originally recorded to tape?

@talbino7821 2 месяца назад

By the way, you talked of Tammi Terrell retiring...She died of the tumour. On stage. While performing with Marvin. I cant even imagine how that must've felt.

@nilkilnilkil 4 месяца назад

It is great

@retrorocket7247 4 месяца назад

Man ; you're pretty brave to be dealing with anything related to Marvin Gaye concerning how sue / money happy his relatives are. Still an impressive segment though. Great work.

@thescatman5029 4 месяца назад

I thought reading the Jamerson book, it was "one of the tracks to What's Going On" where he played drunk and high. I tend to agree with that sentiment, as opposed to What's Going On, itself. As much as I respect Jamerson's genius (and he's the reason I'm a musician, a bassist!), that song is too uptempo, too complicated and too perfectly played to play a line like that, fully inebriated, and on one's back. Listening to the whole album, I'm going to guess "Flying High in the Friendly Skies." That tune has a couple of "timing mistakes." Although even that song is brilliant....!

@ajc5129 4 месяца назад

lol the 1-second clip of Ain't No Mountain 😂 I know that we gotta take the fall for youtube copyright strikes, I get it. but it's a testament to the song of how iconic it is if we can ID the song with one second.