This is sheer genius!!I mean,if you ain't got this you should really do yourself a favor. First,read some of the history of this album then listen intently.Man,I'm telling you!!!

rockwilder said:

I agree wholeheartedly, Here My Dear is one of my all time favorite albums. It captures Marvin at his most personal and it is an impassioned piece of art. The story is told from both perspectives and unlike most people (who tell one-sided relationship stories) he doesn't solely blame Anna. Gaye discusses his indescretions with honesty while questioning his actions/behaviors. Here My Dear is a sonic masterpiece that captures your attention during is entire playing time.

Even in spite of it's personal meaning to Marvin, this is an absolute classic. Iv'e just pulled it out of my CD collection just to remember what I forgot I loved about it. 5*****

This is one of those albums that I think the story behind it is far more compelling than the material on it. Had the background of the album not been well-documented I don't believe Marvin fans would hold it in such high regard.


Shaddup, Psykosoul!
`
[This message was edited Thu Jul 29 0:35:09 2004 by Supernova]

I thing it's 1 of the masterpieces.
This is Marvins soul all through the album.
/peace Manki

it's one of his best works so this should be telling something

Supernova said:

I completely disagree. Even before I read the story behind the album, the songs on it hit me like a ton of bricks with their stunning mix of emotions. Tracks like "Here, My Dear," "Anna's Song" and "When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You" are like listening to Marvin rip his raw, bleeding heart out and letting it sing out its confusion, devotion, anger and sadness.

Just listen to the part of "When Did You Stop Loving Me..." where he realizes the futility of the promises in his wedding vows and try not to get chills:

So if a fresh new love comes in, I won't say those words again
Instead I'll say I'll try to love and protect you
With all my heart as long as you want me to, baby

I love the way he takes the "failure" of their marriage and tries to take a lesson from it: "I'm gonna try a new way..." How can you say this album isn't compelling?

Plus, "Funky Space Reincarnation" is just the shit. "Naw, this stuff I got...ain't classified as dope!"

"Funky Space Reincarnation" =

And while I'm at it, "Anger" should be required listening for all human beings.

I also love this album. I thought it was good that he got back to a great concept album. After What's Going he released two albums that were great but they didn't have the flow of What's Going On. Here, My Dear certainly does. It's an album that you need to listen to all they way through. Just listening to individual tracks dilutes it's impact. Anytime I think I am too happy, I put Here, My Dear on. It always sobers me up.

FunkMistress said:

You're most likely not one of those who I was talking about then.

Whenever most people bring up how great the album is they immediately start talking about the story behind it - as if that in itself should seal its greatness. Such as:

rockwilder said:

If an album is great it should transcend having to know the background of it before listening to it. For most people its legend is in its story - they don't admit that, but they inadvertently reveal it.


I had the album for years before I got rid of it. The one song I do remember liking is "Anger"...the rest, especially in their arrangement, were forgettable to me. What's Going On has always been way more viscerally powerful to me.

Supernova said:

I'm glad you already knew to tell me to shut-up

Supernova said:

Somebody, please pick me up off the floor.

psykosoul said:

FunkMistress said:

I agree witcha Mistress.

psykosoul said:

Boy, yo screen name fits yo ass like a glove

Anyway, I dug the album b4 I read the history behind it.

Shit, just being the album that includes my ULTIMATE MARVIN GEM "Sparrow" wins in my book

It took a while for me to fully appreciate but it is without doubt his last great album. It's better than I Want You by some distance, but not quite as good as What's Going On & Let's Get It On. I'd give it

Supernova,

I only said to listen beforehand because it's interesting as hell.Then, listening can be evn more intense. I actually liked the music before I knew the story. That's no lie. I was mentioning that for folks who may not already be Marvin fans or may not have given him a chance outside of his pop singles. This album is genius ina dn of itslef,in my opinion. That I know the story behind it makes it an even more powerful statement. But every piece of art has a story behind as does every person. That doesn't make any wholesale changes to the end result of what the art is or the kind of person an individual becomes.

Every listener isn't going to like this. I just happen to be of the opinion that if you give it a chance your life enjoyment can be enhanced.

this is an amazing album, at the very least conceptually. you can just feel the closure he musta felt when that sucker was done and on the way to the wrecka stows, regardless of whether the closure stuck or not...this reminds me a lot of lou reed's "metal machine music", which was another contractual obligation album in which reed basically recorded a double album of guitar feedback. marvin's album is more listenable, sure, but i love how creative pop stars can be when they're pissed at their record companies...hmmm, wonder who comes to mind with THAT statement?

FunkMistress said:

Amen!!!! Anna's Song is brilliant too and the sarcasm of Is That Enough is priceless.

rockwilder said:

I hear ya.


No doubt.

FunkMistress said:

What she said!!!
I so totally agree!
It's like reading a book that got U hooked from the first line,


I guess this album is dedicated to you
& then when those incredible harmonies in that first song sung by the man,
it's like the beginning of 1 long suite & he really gave his soul 2 this album.
/peace Manki

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I just went through a divorce, and everytime I pull my checkbook out to pay my ex I find myself singing "Is That Enough"