Marvin Gaye – Dream Of A Lifetime

Album Revolution #11:

I had to take breath before I reviewed "Marvin Gaye's" "Dream Of A Lifetime"....It was a must, because all of my memories that popped up around that time...

I still remember "Marvin's" passing like it was yesterday....In fact, I even did a Current Event article in class about it, and was mad because it was a small article....I was really HOT!!!!!! So, when "Dream Of A Lifetime" was released, it was also hard for me to take...

But, then I took a listen to it at one of my Uncle's house....

Right off the back, "Marvin" got "Naughty" with the 1st Crown Jewel in "Sanctified Lady"....Now, bare with me Guys, because the only thing I wish is that it wasn't explicit (I know, I know)....But at the same time it was a bumpin' track, and there was a Radio version (which is why I didn't know what he was really saying at that time)....

"Savage In The Sack" and "Masochistic Beauty" followed the same pattern of "Naughtiness"....Let's be honest though....That was nothing new from "Marvin", for he was doing this since 1973 with "Let's Get It On"....

"It's Madness", the 2nd Crown Jewel, kind of brings you back to those sessions of the '70's, where "Marvin" just poured everything in to his songs where it just made you shake your head like, WOW!!!!!!!

"Ain't It Funny (How Things Turn Around)" sounds very '80's, as if it was recorded right after "Midnight Love" (even though I can't prove it).....

The 3rd Crown Jewel in "Symphony" was originally Recorded in the "You're The Man" sessions (you know, the album that shouldn't have been shelved!!!!!!).....I will admit that I like the "Salam Remi Mix" better....It just has a better Drama feel to it.....

That goes double for the Ultimate, Ultimate, Ultimate Crown Jewel, "Life's Opera".....It is honest "Marvin" on a silver platter!!!! The way he highlights his push and pull between what he believes and what he gets himself into is fantastic!!!!!

Then the album caps off with the equally fantastic "Title Track"....The way "Marvin's" Voice flows with his Piano playing is Fire!!!!!

This album was something that then "Columbia Records" executive, "Larkin Arnold", felt he had to do...He even combined older "Motown" sessions with the "Columbia" sessions....

I said it before, and I'll say it again...What If?!?!?!?!?!?! I know we would never know, but it just seemed that, even with "Marvin" still battling his demons, he still would have been capable of making great Music!!!!!!

u n d e r r a t e d

Great pressing, some truly embarrassing music. Obviously by now Marvin had built a reputation as quite the ladies man and sang about his appreciation for love and the making of love many a time but had always done so with an honesty, tastefulness and true understanding that you could both feel and could take seriously within. Of course theres a fine line between that style and the creepy, lyrically laughable lowest common denominator of much of what comes on the record. Yes, its by far his worst even if one or two moments are decent, Dream of a lifetime track itself for example. On the whole the singing and arrangements are a true career low point. But hey, i cant fault the pressing, i just wont ever play it again and sell it on to someone who hopefully totally disagrees with me lol

Say what you will about this album, but It's Madness and Dream Of A Lifetime are two of Marvin's most emotional recordings, and the beauty and raw emotion that only Marvin Gaye could produce shines through. The rest of the album could be scratching noises, and those two songs would still justify this record.