Has there EVER been a live version of a song that showcased more love for a performer from an audience than Marvin's "Distant Lover"? I mean, DAMN! The crowd on this has always blown my mind. I remember when I was a little kid, I used to listen to the beginning of this song off of "Marvin Live" and just be amazed at the screams from the crowd as soon as they realized what song Marvin was about to sing. I grew up going to concerts, the J5 being one of my first. So, I was very used to hearing screams and cheers. BUT, I don't believe there has been anything recorded of a live show that showed more love, joy and horniness directed at a performer than this. I'm not talking about yelps coming from a 14 year old girl at a Beatle concert. I'm talking about from grown women just...losing it. Man, I would have loved to have seen the faces of the cats who had to clean up the theatre after the concert that night! Who else digs Marvin's live version of "Distant Lover"?

blackguitaristz said:

I'm definitely diggin' the live version!! I don't ever listen to the studio version! I've alwys been amazed at the crowd cheers and screams, as well! Especially that one girl that stands out... sounds like she's screaming bloody murder!

AzhnConnectzhn said:

Doesn't she, though?!

It gives me goosebumps...

I also love that gig on the What's Going On Deluxe set...

Yeah you're right on this, B. Sex on vinyl (lol)..Happy New Year by the way!

Marvin poured his heart out when he sang....not like these buffoon R&B crooners out here now...

blackguitaristz said:

...so many miles away

In addition to the crowd response, I was always moved by the interpolation of Trouble Man into this version... I've always loved the studio version, but this particular live version gives the song an entirely different identity.

blackguitaristz said:

Agree big time....


Check out the cd version of this album....



Flying High In The Friendly Sky/Mercy Mercy Me is earth shattering....

I put that mug on repeat many a times....

Had just listen to the 'I Want You' album on my way to work...

This performance is so great. Marvin was truly an original.

Great version, great song.

funkpill said:

Cool.

funkpill said:

Is this the album recorded in Oakland with James Jamerson on bass? A great album.

Stax said:

Yes.

blackguitaristz said:

Your right, the crowd on that album is ecstatic. Jamerson's last stand, pretty much.

blackguitaristz said:

I'm not sure if this concert is the one, but I do remember one of his concerts

being televised during that era....

Marvin's "Flying High in the Friendly Sky" has always been the absolute coolest shit that I have heard before in R&B history.....

Everytime i hear that song it gives me chills up my spine....I actually be floatin' and vibin' to him while it's playing...

I just wish he had like a 10 minute 7" version to it though...

missfee said:

That would've been awesome....

I vibe off it too...

An amazing voice...

blackguitaristz said:

Lawd have mercy.

Distant lover is the ultimate classic slow jam. It wasn't even a single and folks know that jawn. Did Jamerson play the whole show? This is the Marvin Live release right? There is an outtake on the box set same show where he does a song called "Jan" that tight too....

Here are photo's of that concert....









This concert was recorded 4th of January 1974, before a live audience of fourteen thousand and was aired for the first time in "The Midnight Special" tv show 6th of September 1974. The material included also some "behind the scenes material" as the camera crew went to Marvin's hometown of Washington D.C, where Marvin visited his family during a break in the tour. This same concert was also released on album in 1974 titled "Marvin Gaye - Live!".

David Ritz wrote that Marvin was really nervous and terrified before the concert. Being famous from cancelling his concerts in the last minute this concert was no exception. Before the show Marvin put out the word that this was his first concert in five years, but that wasn´t true. He had performed both in Jamaica and in Washington, D.C within the year. The Backstage scenes in the Oakland were also described as the most chaotic ever. Marvin was really afraid of being out of shape and he also asked Gene Page (who conducted the concert along with Leslie Drayton) to string all the song together because he was so afraid that nobody would applaud. The beginning of the show was also a bit weird as Marvin asked his brother Frankie to go on the stage before him, so that he could see how the audience would react (Frankie resambled Marvin a lot). So when Frankie got on the stage everyone applauded for him and when Marvin did the same a minute later everyone were confused about who were these two Marvins.