Last show, I mentioned that there were two specific phases of Marvin Gaye’s career that separate Gaye from all others. The first was his work with Tammi Terrell, which we featured in an earlier program. The second phase is the work he created after she passed away, most notably the albums “What’s Going On” and “Let’s Get It On.”

Thematically, the two albums could not be more different. “What’s Going On” is a rueful reflection on man’s careless behavior, and how that behavior affects the environment and ultimately, other men, while “Let’s Get It On” is a shamelessly hedonistic collection of sex-inspired music.

While the topics are poles apart, the music and the voice conveying these themes are consistently inspired. If Marvin Gaye recorded nothing but these two albums – and our series of shows proves that he did so much more - he would still qualify as one of the most influential artists of all time.

Here’s a list of songs featured in this program;

Yesterday

What’s Going On

What’s Happening, Brother

Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

Trouble Man

Let’s Get It On

Distant Lover

You Sure Love to Ball

Come Get to This