After having a peek at the latest UK Soul Chart, I noticed that Devon Gilfillian has done a re-recording of Marvin Gaye's seminal album What's Going On. The soulful female vocals on the title track are from Jasmine Cephas-Jones .There is an interview with Devon here.
On 22nd September 2020 Rolling Stone published The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time and top of the list is What's Going On.
This led me to start wondering how many cover versions there are of the title track. I checked out Second Hand Songs and it lists 202, but I'm pretty sure there will be plenty of others not listed! It is hard to believe that this legendary song is now over 50 years old as it was first recorded in June 1970, but not actually released until Jan 1971!
I explored as many as I could find and bring you the highlights here. Some of the versions are pretty bad it has to be said - which begs the question why? If you're going to attempt to cover such an iconic song then at least do it differently or at least do a good job otherwise you've opened yourself up to criticism.
For me the undeniable best version (which, dare I even suggest, may even be better than Gaye's original) has to be The Funk Brothers Feat. Chaka Khan from the 2002 Standing In The Shadows Of Motown CD, especially as this is a one-take live version.
It may surprise many (in UK especially) that my next favourite version is by none other than Joe Longthorne (a UK TV personality). It came out on Especially For You LP in 1989 and was also on a budget Music For Pleasure LP, Live At The Royal Albert Hall, in 1994 (from which this clip is taken). He does a pretty good job of Jackie Wilson's Sweetest Feeling too which I don't think he ever recorded (the link is a live version performed on his TV show - it doesn't give a date but from his clothes I'd say late 80s/early 90s!)
David T. Walker with Bernard Pretty Purdie did a beautiful 9 minute live guitar instrumental version in Shibuya, Tokyo 1993 - I defy you to keep your feet still to this rendition with the incessant and hypnotic beat of Purdie. He released a shorter version on his self-titled 1973 album on Ode.
Yet another live version makes the cut, and how could I leave out the late great Donny Hathaway's version recorded in 1972.
In 1999 GQ released The GQ Tribute Album consisting of covers of Billy Stewart & Marvin Gaye songs. It includes a great version of What's Going On. GQ are best known for their late 70s/early 80s Arista releases: Disco Nights(Rock Freak) and Make My Dreams A Reality and their covers of Billy Stewart's Sitting In The Park and I Do Love You.
There is a nice 'steppers' version by a female trio C-Nario (Terri, Nicole & Iona) who I'd not come across until I uncovered their version. I presume that they are from Chicago as the 2001 album ('Turn Around') it is taken from was produced by Clarence Johnson and Eugene Record and released on Chi-City. This was their second and last album (the first, self-titled, album was also released on Chi-City in 1997). Only 2 albums and an EP (which features 2 versions of What's Going on and a cover of the Jones Girls - Your'e Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else) were released on the label, all by C-Nario, although it is also credited with re-issuing The Lovelites superb compilation The Lovelite years. If any reader knows further information about C-Nario or Chi-City then please get in touch as I can find no further info..
A later version by Anthony David which only appeared on a 3 CD compilation, Song Of America, in 2007
Next up are a couple of British versions. Mica Paris and Seal both recorded albums full of covers.
Mica Paris did it on Soul Classics in 2005
Seal recorded a 'faithful' version on Seal Soul 2 in 2011.
The next is 'probably' an obscure version to most unless you are Dutch as it is from Salomé Pieris, a Voice of Holland contestant in 2012 reaching the quarter finals. This has a nice 'stepping' vibe to it.
Now the next one is a pleasant surprise. Nicholas David was also a Voice contestant, this time from the US show in 2012. He sang What's Going On to reach the top 6 and ultimately came 3rd in the competition. This is a silky smooth version. He is the most unlikely looking blue-eyed soul singer resembling more of a heavy rocker (see his live performance here)! Since 2004, he has recorded 6 studio albums and 2 EPs, none have charted. He was 'chosen' by CeeLo Green and did a duet with Smokey Robinson singing Cruisin' in the final stages of the show.
An eclectic version from Playing For Change Feat. Sarah Bareilles from Songs Around The World released in 2013.
Another version which seems to only appear on a compilation is Profyle who had a hit with Liar in 2000. Their version appeared on Marvin Gaye is 60 - A Tribute Album released in 1999.
Finally, I'll leave you with someone you probably know (if you're UK based) ... but perhaps don't know it. Tommy Blaize is a singer on UK TV show Strictly Come Dancing. He recorded a version on his debut solo album 'Life And Soul' in 2017.
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