The second Marvin Gaye tribute album assembled by Motown within a five-year period, Marvin Is 60 brings little to the table but faithful renditions of its 13 selections. While many of the artists present owe obvious debts ... more »to the singer, only a couple are able to do more than hint at Gaye's greatness: for instance, Erykah Badu and D'Angelo do a charming if hardly earthshaking cover of the Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet "Your Precious Love." Jon B and new Motown-signed Profyle lay down note-for-note copies of What's Going On treasures, while dull-edged romancers such as Brian McKnight and Will Downing do the same for classics from Let's Get It On. Finally, Zhane's weak-voiced take on "Got to Give It Up" illuminates Gaye's own record by reminding us just how much he could do with a little falsetto breathiness. Anyone looking to understand Gaye's genius would do better with a copy of the box set The Master. --Rickey Wright« less
The second Marvin Gaye tribute album assembled by Motown within a five-year period, Marvin Is 60 brings little to the table but faithful renditions of its 13 selections. While many of the artists present owe obvious debts to the singer, only a couple are able to do more than hint at Gaye's greatness: for instance, Erykah Badu and D'Angelo do a charming if hardly earthshaking cover of the Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet "Your Precious Love." Jon B and new Motown-signed Profyle lay down note-for-note copies of What's Going On treasures, while dull-edged romancers such as Brian McKnight and Will Downing do the same for classics from Let's Get It On. Finally, Zhane's weak-voiced take on "Got to Give It Up" illuminates Gaye's own record by reminding us just how much he could do with a little falsetto breathiness. Anyone looking to understand Gaye's genius would do better with a copy of the box set The Master. --Rickey Wright
"I don't know! Some people will never be satisfied! Most of the people on this site seem to be complaining that the songs are too similar to the originals, and you know it would be those same people that, if the songs were changed, would be the first to complain about it for not "keepin it real" and tampering with classics.Personally, I thought that it was a great album, and definately one that was approached in the right way. I think that the line up of artists who appeared on the album was near perfect - however, I honestly feel that it would have beneffited with the voices of Carl Thomas, Eric Benet and Maxwell.The always awesome D'Angelo, & Eykah Badu performed one of the better tracks, as did Montell Jordan, Joe, Brian Mcknight, Gerald LeVert, Kenny Lattimore and Tony Rich & Grenique. There isn't really a bad track on this album, it justs boils down to some being better than others.The artist that impressed me the most on this album, however, was Joe. He really stepped up his game for "Soon I'll Be Loving You Again" and showed exactly what he's capable of as an artist - vocal and production wise - steering away from his typical style of paternalistic "Ooh baby, I'm gonna give it you all night, yeah!" style, which I must stress: isn't bad, it's just that sometimes, there's more to it than sex - it's about Soul!"
Reminds us of why we ever came to love these songs.
07/07/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These artists have taken some of Marvin's greatest songs and did them damn near exactly as Marvin did them. This is what makes me love the album, I have heard some terrible remakes because they've changed the songs so much from the original. With the exception of Zhane (Just felt like someone mentioned earlier, they are a little weak for the song -- Aliyah did a much better version), I think they did a fabulous job in the selections of the artists for each song. I highly recommend the album."
Chico,Joe,D'Angelo,Badu,Lattimore at their best !!!!!!!!!!!!
06/29/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is so special, I have never heard something so original ! THIS IS SOUL ! Chico, Joe, D'Angelo, Badu and Lattimore at their best; I'am 100% sure this is the most beautiful way to thank thier big inspirator Marvin Gaye. Absolutely a must !"
Only a few of these artist can channel Marvin's soul...
D. Connally | Aurora, Colorado United States | 09/30/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The name Marvin Gaye is synonymous with soul, romance and passion. He's one of the greatest soul singers in history. It's a shame that only a few out of the crop of new soul singers were able to do him justice on this release. The sublime Kenny Lattimore presents an incandescent reading of "Just To Keep Her Satisfied" from Marvin's "Here, My Dear" album. This song gives chills as Kenny's voice glides and lilts over the track with his smooth falsetto. Also noteworthy is Brian McKnight's rendition of "Distant Lover". If his voice can't make you feel something, you must have a hole in your soul. Also praise worthy are remakes of "Your Precious Love" with D'Angelo and Erykah Badu, and Will Downing's track. But unfortunately, that's where the fire burns out. While these performances radiate with Marvin's own intensity, the rest of the cuts fall short. They seem uninspired and rushed.In all, this cd had the potential to be one of the best tribute albums. With marvin Gaye as your inspiration and his music as your muse, one could create a beautiful album. It's just disappointing that they didn't do better with the material that they had."
I was surprised!!!!
D. Connally | 07/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had doubts that this CD would be worth listening to, because as far as I am concerned, there is only one Marvin Gaye! However, I loved it!!! Still, there is nothing like the originals by Marvin, but this is worth having in your Marvin Gaye collection!"