James Jamerson Featured on Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On Live”

Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On LiveMarvin Gaye’s What’s Going On is a must-have album for bassists. Its songs are textbook examples of grooving by the late great Bob Babbitt and James Jamerson. Now you can hear Jamerson craft those bass lines in a live setting in a newly reissued album from 1972.

What’s Going On Live captures the iconic Motown singer performing the entire album and the only time he would do it in full. It was recorded in February 1972 at the Kennedy Center in his hometown of Washington, DC.

The live set was first released in 2001 as part of a deluxe package of What’s Going On. This is the first time it’s been issued on vinyl or a standalone CD. The music has been newly mixed by John Morales while its packaging includes rare photos from the concert plus liner notes by biographer David Ritz.

Check out Jamerson laying it down on the title track:

What’s Going On Live is available now on CD, vinyl and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).

What’s Going On Live Track List:

  1. Sixties Medley
  2. Right On
  3. Wholy Holy
  4. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
  5. What’s Going On
  6. What’s Happening Brother
  7. Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky)
  8. Save the Children
  9. God Is Love
  10. Stage Dialogue
  11. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (Reprise)
  12. What’s Going On (Reprise)

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