Marvin Gaye: Live in Montreux 1980

Soul man Marvin Gaye, backed by a jazzy ensemble on guitar, bass, drums, conga, and horns, delivers an inspired 17-song set in this 1980 concert filmed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and presented in DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and stereo sound (the best choice on this particular, somewhat treble-heavy, mix). Kicking off with the 1977 hit "Got to Give It Up," Gaye serves up a decade-plus's bevy of hits, ranging from his early R&B Motown hits ("I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar") and an homage to former duet partner Tammy Terrell ("Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing") to his smash signature tunes ("Let's Get It On" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine") and a powerful closing trilogy from the landmark 1972 album What's Going On? (the title track, "Inner City Blues," and "Mercy Mercy Me"). Four years after this concert was recorded, following problems with the IRS, cocaine addiction, and a hit comeback (1982's Midnight Love, featuring "Sexual Healing"), Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father after a heated argument on the day before his 45th birthday. Given the absence of a good Marvin Gaye live concert DVD, this one will have fans singing "how sweet it is." Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)