Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of genres, styles and time periods. Click “Next Album” below to explore each album or view the full album index here.
MARVIN GAYE | Live!
Tamla (1974)
Selected by Daryl McIntosh
Veteran Motown soul man Marvin Gaye had already amassed an accomplished body of work by 1973, but his thirteenth studio release Let’s Get It On propelled him into sheer superstardom. Hitting the road to tour for what would become his most commercially successful LP at the time, the Oakland Coliseum is boiling over with excitement for the man who had not only become the flagship of Motown Records but arguably the leading funk/soul brother of a generation.
The squealing from the insatiable audience could have proven to distort the sound of a lesser or mere mortal vocalist, but Gaye’s powerful range soared over the shrieking, particularly “Distant Lover, the live version of which has endured to become the preferred version by many fans.
The consummate performer prepares for culmination with his sexually charged smash single “Let’s Get It On” which just about sets off another frenzy among the audience, who amazingly still had energy after nearly an hour of constant screaming. The experience finally comes to an end with “What’s Going On,” which is a socially aware contribution to the proceedings and one of the all-time great musical catalogs.
LISTEN: