Although
chiefly a DVD release of live footage spanning the Motown star in concert from
1964 - 1981, this collection also features a CD of a European gig recorded in
1976. It's not the first time Gaye's had live material
out; just three years ago the was the double Marvin Live in Montreux 1980. The
current CD release is very much a chicken in a basket set i.e. the kind of thing
you'd expect on the cabaret circuit (albeit a very high class cabaret). By
'76 Marvin Gaye had a wealth of material to choose from, so much that he couldn't
possibly get through it all in one show. Hence, much of the material here is in
medley form. That's good and bad - good in that most bases are covered, bad in
that you're just getting into one of your favourites when Marv suddenly switches
to another classic. There's plenty of funky guitar
and horns, loads of patter with the audience, an infectious soul groove and Marvin
being extremely cool with the laydeez. Together with
the DVD this really is a classy set. Label: Universal
/ Reelin in the Years
Rating: 4/5 | 
