Marvin Gaye - The Real Thing In Performance 1964-1981 (DVD)

Hard to describe this DVD without running out of superlatives - it's just excellent on every level, a cornucopia of delights for any Marvin Gaye or Motown fan, and an object lesson in how to do these things, putting the average cheap music DVD well and truly in the shade. To run down the endless contents: firstly, there are 16 TV clips dating from 1964 to 1981, interspersed with MG interview segments; then you have a 50-min concert filmed in Belgium in 1981; then, believe it or not, you get the acappella MG vocal tracks from the mastertapes of 11 of his Motown hits (fascinating stuff); and as if that's not enough, there is a whole bonus audio CD containing a 70-min MG concert recorded during his 1976 European tour. All of this is lavishly and tastefully packaged, with the cover artwork based on the original US Motown label with Marvin's name in relief, and the two DVD/CDs stacked on top of each other and designed to resemble US Tamla 45s! Tucked inside this already seductive package is a 24-page full-colour booklet, with extensive biographical notes, interviews with MG, fellow Motown artists and musicians, and some great memorabilia pics. This exemplary release was put together by a company called Reelin' In The Years Productions, who obviously are a class outfit - I would suggest that any DVD with their name on is worth investigating (having just checked them out, I see they have other DVDs on the Temptations and the Miracles, for a start). So - this DVD release is truly a Wonderful One - Can I Get A Witness? So now you've Heard It Through The Grapevine and you know What's Goin' On, why not Hitch Hike to your dealer, click the Buy It Now button on eBay, whatever it takes, cos' there Aint No Mountain High Enough! In fact, as you might have guessed, it's already my Pride And Joy...