Marvin Gaye: Only Love Can Conquer Hate

Marvin Gaye grew up in a religious home and would eventually sing in church before discovering blues and do-wop as a young man.  After working as a session drummer, pianist and vocalist, Gaye was able to score a record deal.  In the beginning of his professional music career, Marvin Gaye’s sound had a lot of jazz and R&B influences.  The themes and overall sound were very commercial and “clean”.  He collaborated with several female vocalists over the years including Mary Wells, Kim Westin and Tammi Terrell.  After Terrell’s tragic passing, which had a massive impact on Gaye, the singer released one of Motown’s biggest hits: “Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

“What’s Going On” was a big departure for Gaye in terms of composition, instrumentation and lyrical theme.  The sound still had a lot of Jazz and blues influences, but was much more raw, modern and mature.  The lyrics explored sophisticated sociological and political themes.

Prior to it’s release in 1971, “What’s Going On” ran into several obstacles.  Gaye’s record label Motown gave the record a thumbs down and tried to block its release.  Record Producer Berry Gordy called it “the worst thing I’ve ever heard.”

To the label’s surprise, “What’s Going On” ended up becoming a massive sensation with 3 number one hits including the  title track, which has gone on to become a timeless, historic anthem.

As a fan of music and popular culture, I am fascinated by the determination and authenticity Gaye channeled into the recording of “What’s Going On” and it’s controversial release.  Gaye understood the authenticity of his art and did not allow intimidation to sacrifice the integrity of his work.

“To be truly righteous, you offer love with a pure heart, without regard for what you’ll get in return. I had myself in that frame of mind. People were confused and needed reassurance. God was offering that reassurance through his music. I was privileged to be the instrument.”

– Marvin Gaye

 

Brian Eno

Brian Eno For The Record (Prezi Link)

By: Keith Weidner

Taking Brian Eno (By Strategy)

Brian Eno is a musician, producer, vocalist and visual artist who is widely known as one of the most influential pioneers of ambient music.  Eno is also know for thinking outside the box, and finding influence in modern technology.  For example, Eno was one of the first artists to use the tape recorder as an instrument, and paved the way for looping which continues to trend in popular music to this day. 

Interestingly, Eno accredits Sly Stone as one of his musical influences.  “Sly Stone is one of the formative influences of the 70s, in how he reshuffled all the instrument roles.  He started using rhythm interments in a vocal fashion and conversely often using the voices in a rhythmic fashion.” 

There are two bodies of work in Brian Eno’s catalog that bear nearly as many differences as they do similarities, but were influenced tremendously by Eno’s genius.  “The Incredible Fire” by U2 and “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends” by Coldplay are separated by nearly 25 years, but both records resulted in critical and commercial success that changed the careers of everybody involved.  Both albums were the fourth studio release for their respective bands.  Although these two bands have been compared to one another countless times by modern critics, they were in very different places in their careers at the time these albums were released.  U2 was coming off the heels of the politically driven, emotional and anthemic “War” album, and were hoping to introduce a more ambient sound with “Fire”.  This desire lead U2 straight to Brian Eno, who helped them create their most experimental record up to that time.  “Viva La Vida” was Coldplay’s most experimental record up to that time in their career as well, thanks to Eno.  On the contrary, it was a more aggressive and politically charged record that Coldplay were in search of.  Coldplay hoped to match their commercial success with critical success with “Viva La Vida” and they were able to do just that, thanks in part to Brian Eno.

One thing that is very unique about Brian Eno is his attention to detail in every project that he does – no matter how big or small.  For example, Eno was commissioned to score the 3 1/4 second start-up music-sound of the Windows 95 operating system.  Very few people know that Eno was the mastermind behind this piece, but very few people in the world haven’t heard it.  The perfect project for Eno.  He scored nearly 100 versions before coming up with the perfect 3 1/4 second clip – an experience that he claims made a 4 minute piece feel like an ocean of time.  Ironically, Eno scored the Windows 95 operating system piece on a Mac.  

Brian Eno encompasses passion and creativity.  He is as unique as he is mysterious, yet he brings a very down-to-earth authenticity to everything that he does.  This is, in part due to his childlike innocence and eagerness to learn and experiment.  None of these characteristics are overshadowed by ego, which is very rare and refreshing in his industry.  

In contrast to many of his contemporaries, Eno appears to think of himself  as normal.  Just like you and me.  He was never a musical prodigy.  He struggled with technique, and he accredits his early success to a stroke of luck.  

“As a result of going into a subway station and meeting Andy Mercy, I joined Roxy Music, and, as a result of that, I have a career in music. If I’d walked ten yards further on the platform, or missed that train, or been in the next carriage, I probably would have been an art teacher now”. 

– Brian Eno

Pet Sounds: Outside the Litter Box

There isn’t one individual thing that makes Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys a classic.  On the contrary, every single ingredient is imperative to create this all American recipe.  Everything from the youthful, catchy surfer pop innocence of the Beach Boy’s previous records, to the nervous breakdown that Brian Wilson experienced right before starting this album, to Wilson’s attraction to the innovative work of Phil Spector.

Wilson was determined to pour out his heart and soul on the melodic and lyrical content of Pet Sounds and he did just that. Amazingly, Wilson managed to explore darker, more sophisticated themes like the heartache on “Caroline, No” while still maintaining the youthful innocence of “Wouldn’t it be Nice”.  “God Only Knows” is touching, heartfelt, haunting and honest in arrangement, melody and lyrics.

The Beach Boys accomplished much more than just a personal evolution with Pet Sounds.  Through well crafted songs, interesting arrangements and vocal harmonies, unique instruments like Hawaiian ukuleles and the unusual, groundbreaking sampling of coke cans and animal sounds, Pet Sounds set the bar and inspired an industry-wide evolution. Pet Sounds sounds like thinking outside the box.

Revolver: The Delicate Weapon

It’s a bit ironic that the first few moments of Revolver by The Beatles feature an amateur sounding candid count-in with coughs in the background, because the next 35 minutes feature some of the most innovative and advanced recording techniques of the mid 1960s.    For example, Ken Townsend invented Artificial Double Tracking during the creation of Revolver.  Also featured are the most confident, groundbreaking and unexpected lyrical themes that the Beatles had released up to this point, layered over sonic soundscapes inspired by everything from classical music to music of the 1920s, modern music and Eastern music.  

The Beatles released the single “Paperback Writer” 2 months before Revolver was released.  This was one of very first opportunities listeners had to hear the Beatles sing about a theme other than love.  Fans of this departure from the norm were delighted to hear the continuation of this trend on “Taxman”, the first track on Revolver, and one of the first times the Beatles display defiance and challenge their government.

Revolver takes listeners on a journey of love, passion, power, aggression, heart-break, sex, drugs and rock and roll.  Variety is the theme and listeners learn to expect the unexpected.  The Beatles paint with tape loops, backwards guitar, manipulated vocals, orchestral strings, horns and an Indian sitar.  Revolver is as sophisticated as it is wild, delicate as it is dangerous.  Just like a weapon.

Welcome to my Blog!

My name is Keith Weidner and I am a Los Angeles based musician studying Music Production at Full Sail University.  This blog is dedicated to all things Music….