In this week's installment, I want to talk about an artist that has influenced my work immensely.Marvin Gaye was out of this world: artist, angel, visionary, rebel, tortured man, drug addict, hunk, singer extraordinaire, composer, producer, performer, charmer etc etc.....
The list is long. And this means his influence on the music industry, past and present is great but so often overlooked (why, I don't know!).
Most people remember Sexual Healing, Let's get it on, What's Goin' On. But Marvin's career spanned over 20 years. Other great albums such as I want You, and Here My Dear showed Marvin pouring his Soul onto record; digging deep within his psyche/feelings/demons to create beautifully and intricately crafted masterpieces that echoed his life.
His singing techniques are unique and as such they have paved the way for an Usher, an R Kelly or other R'n'B stars: from a rasping growl to a spiritually induced falsetto and a clear as spring water chest voice, Marvin weaved harmonies, vocal improvisations, with funk, Jazz and Soul, spiritual, sexy, happy, sad.
His career showed evidence of a bruised man, disguised as an angel, a free spirit that rebelled against Motown and Berry Gordy, an angel sent down to do his job, feel the pain and heal others with his joyful voice.
Marvin was the man. And he still is. He was classy, educated, spiritual and women adore him. Whether you prefer Stevie, Smokey, Prince or Michael, you can't avoid Marvin because he influenced them all!
Needless to say Marvin is my idol and his commitment to his musical truth resonates deep within me and in my quest to inject some Soul into an industry that used to let artists express themselves and that is now much more concerned with looks, money and fame.
If Marvin had been around, he would have....who knows?
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