Marvin Gaye: How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You - 1965

 

It is a popularly held view that sixties Motown albums were not up to much, being largely populated with a couple of hit singles, some sub-standard filler and Beatles covers or ‘supper club’ standards. Well, there is none of that to be found here - it is definitely one of Motown’s finest sixties albums, delivered by a seriously talented singer, backed by the usual top-notch musicians. 

You’re A Wonderful One is poppy, typical Motown thumping fare. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) is simply a great tune also covered by Jr. Walker & The All-Stars. It doesn’t really need too much of an introduction from me here, though, other than to remind you to check out that sumptuous piano and tambourine backing and - of course - Marvin’s peerless vocal. Try It Baby is in the same piano-backed vein while Baby Don’t You Do It just rocks and grooves from the first note - it is sixties Gaye at his best, featuring a great vocal and drum break. 

Need Your Lovin’ (Want You Back) is also a copper-bottomed corker. There is a wonderful, swinging feel to One Of These Days too. This is a seriously impressive first half of the album, and the sound quality (in excellent stereo) is awesome. Can the quality continue? You betcha - No Good Without You is a punchy, soulful slowie as is the lovely strains of The Four Tops-ish Stepping Closer To Your Heart. The tempo ups on the jaunty soul of Need Somebody, which is enhanced by some fine saxophone and a cute-sounding string instrument. 

Me And My Lonely Room has an irresistible slow rhythm and carries with it proof of Gaye’s ability as a truly soulful vocalist. You can say the same about Now That You’ve Won Me and the Sam Cooke-esque smoocher, Forever, that ends proceedings. Make no mistake, this deserves as much credibility as any early Beatles album, for example. It is a preconception-buster.