Motown, Part Two, Syllabus: suggested listening, reading and viewing with audio and video playlists for each class
This course continues the golden age of Motown 1965-80. It is part two, the sequel to part one, and will concentrate on a handful of individuals and groups who helped to spread the label as the driving force behind American popular music in that period, who piggybacked on the people who created and established Motown, namely Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. The course will do this through several media: lecture, photographs, slide shows, recorded music, question and answer sessions, and the use of live music. The instructor will play piano, guitar and sing, and will choose appropriate examples from each genre.
Week one: Divided Soul; The evolution and genius of Marvin Gaye, and how Motown affected the political and social climate of America, and vice-versa. This class will cover his early days as the studio drummer for Anna records, to the glorious middle period as Motown’s hit-making go-to male artist, to his enlightenment and spiritual awakening in the 1970’s, to the darkness of the final chapter of his amazing life.
Listening: That Stubborn Kinda Fellow (Tamla, 1963) Moods of Marvin Gaye (Tamla, 1966) What’s Goin’ On, Marvin Gaye, (Tamla, 1971) Let’s get it on (Tamla, 1973) Reading: Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye: David Ritz: Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves, and Demons of Marvin Gaye by Michael Eric Dyson http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/honor-thy-brother-in-law-a-visit-with- marvin-gaye-19720427 (rolling stone interview, 1972) http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/the-spirit-the-flesh-and-marvin-gaye- 19740411 (rolling stone interview, 1974) Viewing: Marvin Gaye DVD the real thing : in performance 1964-1981 The TAMI show, 1964 audio playlist: I’ll Be Doggone Stubborn Kind Of Fellow Hitch Hike How Sweet It Is If I Could Build My Whole World Around You Too Busy Thinking ‘bout My Baby 1969 Mercy Mercy Me the ecology Let’s get it On Got to give it up 197 Sexual healing 1982 video playlist: Can I get a witness, 1963 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whTb96zr9_w Ain’t that peculiar, 1965 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP0Loe6tVB0 I Heard it thru the Grapevine 1968 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RM3FIVRsbc What’s Goin’ On 1971 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPkM8F0sjSw
* * * * Week two: The Inner Visionary: Stevie Wonder: the child was father to the man. How a 12-year-old blind musical prodigy parlayed an uncanny talent and drive into one of the greatest careers of any American musician—ever. How Stevie Wonder changed with the times, always at the forefront and cutting edge of not just music, but culture as well. We will look at his career: 1961–69: Sixties singles 1970–79: Seventies albums and classic period 1980–90: His commercial period. Listening: Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius (Tamla 1963) I Was Made to Love Her (Tamla 1967) My Cherie Amour (Tamla 1969) His classic trilogy: Talking Book (Tamla, 1972) Inner Visions (Tamla 1973) Fulfillingness' First Finale (Tamla 1974 Reading: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder, Mark Ribowsky Viewing: rock and roll hall of fame 25th anniversary, w/ Jeff Beck and Sting audio playlist: Blowin’ In the Wind 1966 Uptight 1965 I was made to love her 1967 Signed Sealed delivered 1970 Blame it on the sun 1972 All in love is fair Living for the city You Haven’t Done Nothin’ 1974 I just called to say I love you 1983 video playlist: fingertips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhmq8JuPfJA For Once in my Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imQAeop_5Xg Superstition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vjj6J7gXpY Higher ground https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV1DK9tSHio Sir Duke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArgHvssVfF8 I Wish/Isn't She Lovely https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9gXgiHSskk We are the world https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImsSshbLdks
* * * * Week three: The writers and producers: Holland-Dozier-Holland, Mickey Stevenson, Norman Whitfield, Ashford/Simpson: The people behind the songs and the incredible arrangements and productions,; how the songs were written and how the records were made; Motown’s famous “quality control” system to pick hits. Listening: Heaven Must Have Sent You, 3-disc set of their hits, and then some Greatest Songs Written By Holland, Dozier, Holland—one disc, 20 songs. Reading: Where Did Our Love Go? The Rise &Fall of the Motown Sound, Nelson George Motown: Music, Money, Sex, and Power, Gerald Posner Viewing: Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) audio playlist: My World is Empty/Supremes Playboy/Marvelettes Where Did Our Love Go/Supremes Back in my arms/Supremes Same old song/Four Tops Something about you/Four Tops Band of Gold/Freda Payne Girl why you wanna make me blue/Temptations Just my Imagination/Temptations Cloud 9/ Temptations Smiling faces tell lies/Undisputed Truth video playlist: “Deep soul, the uprising of Motown” episodes 1-6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkd1c4T5HiE&list=PLJWV4Z86llgPx36oDs al0hpGIuJVPjz3h https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe9NGrEJQEE&list=PLJWV4Z86llgPx36o Dsal0hpGIuJVPjz3h&index=2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPZ9gyBo3Io&list=PLJWV4Z86llgPx36oDs al0hpGIuJVPjz3h&index=3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeQvOu4gbaQ&list=PLJWV4Z86llgPx36oD sal0hpGIuJVPjz3h&index=4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTX4nRosrOs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN_U5NgQmYU * * * * Week four: The 1970’s: Motown moves to LA: Jackson Five, Commodores, Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross, Rick James, Berry Gordy sells Motown in 1988. Listening: Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 (Motown, 1969) ABC (1970, Motown) The Very Best of the Commodores, (various labels, 1995) Diana Ross' Greatest Hits (Motown, 1976) Reading: To be Loved, Berry Gordy 1994 Diana Ross: A Biography Hardcover – 2007 by J. Randy Taraborrelli
Viewing: The Jacksons, an American Dream, 1992, TV series, starring Angela Bassett audio playlist: I’ll be there/Jacksons Touch me in the morning/Diana Ross Do you know where you’re going to? Don’t leave me this way/Thelma Houston Easy/Commodores Sail On/Commodores Endless Love/Lionel Ritchie/Diana Ross 1981 All Night Long/Lionel Richie 1983 super freak/Rick James--1981 video playlist: Jackson five, I want you back/ Goin’ Back to Indiana special, 1971 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDPxPrM1FcU
Jackson five, ABC, I want you back, and other songs, from bandstand, 1970 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLlFdWK226Q
Lady Sings the Blues: Good morning heartache (Diana Ross) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjODPpMVrjY
Nightshift Commodores 1985 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrkEDe6Ljqs
Motown 25th: Billie Jean, Michael Jackson 1983 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnhXbuaUbmY