Otis Redding or Marvin Gaye

[Eric D.]

There's no denying either artists' influence and effect on music.

I really dig and deeply appreciate most of both artists' output.

If I had to choose one over the other, - as tough as that choice would be-, for me it would be...

Otis Redding

[berk]

Tough one. I'd say over all, Otis Redding. Marvin Gaye I only really love the one album, What's Goin On, but it's so great it's almost enough by itself to sway the balance. But I don't particularly like a lot of Gaye's other big hits, like Heard it Through the Grapevine, a song I've always found pretty annoying no matter who was doing it.

[Ilash]

Otis Redding for me. What's Going On is a great album but by and large, I still prefer Otis.

[The Black Guardian]

Marvin

Bigger collection of songs and a bigger part of my childhood. Otis died way too soon.

Well, both did, but... yeah.

[ILLUS]

For me- Marvin. No doubt.

[Mic Murphy]

Marvin Gaye. He had two distinctive careers -- the 1960s, where he was more or less Motown's version of Sam Cooke; and the 1970s through his death, where he became an introspective, innovative artist. "What's Going On" and "Let's Get It On" are considered two of the classic genre-defining albums.

[worstblogever]

Damn, this one ain't an easy choice.

Marvin Gaye seemed to make better music to entertain people in the bedroom to, and has been my wingman once or twice. But Otis... man Otis is just great in any environment to listen to. I gotta go with Redding by a nose.

[Ilash]

Marvin Gaye. He had two distinctive careers -- the 1960s, where he was more or less Motown's version of Sam Cooke; and the 1970s through his death, where he became an introspective, innovative artist. "What's Going On" and "Let's Get It On" are considered two of the classic genre-defining albums.

It's funny, while I consider Lets Get It On the song to be a total classic, I don't thin that much of the album as a whole. It ain't no The Immortal Otis Redding that's for damn sure.

[Mic Murphy]

It's funny, while I consider Lets Get It On the song to be a total classic, I don't thin that much of the album as a whole. It ain't no The Immortal Otis Redding that's for damn sure.

Most soul music critics consider "Let's Get It On" one of the most definitive albums of the genre. It certainly has been considered one of the most influential, spawning many "straight to the bedroom"-type songs and albums. Songs such as "Distant Lover," "Just to Keep You Satisfied," "You Sure Love to Ball" and "Come Get to This" still are considered standards on some Quiet Storm formats.

Nothing against "The Immortal Otis Redding" -- the posthumous album released shortly after Redding's death -- but I don't consider it as seminal as "Let's Get It On."

IMO, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding were too distinctly different artists with such contrasting styles, it really comes down to a preference for which style of music you like. That's not even taking into consideration that the '70s Gaye is a totally different animal from the '60s model. A better comparison, IMO, would be between Redding and Al Green.

[Eric D.]

Most soul music critics consider "Let's Get It On" one of the most definitive albums of the genre. It certainly has been considered one of the most influential, spawning many "straight to the bedroom"-type songs and albums.

Nothing against "The Immortal Otis Redding" -- the posthumous album released shortly after Redding's death -- but I don't consider it as seminal as "Let's Get It On."

IMO, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding were too distinctly different artists with such contrasting styles, it really comes down to a preference for which style of music you like. A better comparison, IMO, would be between Redding and Al Green.


...and here I was always thinking that the highly regarded Marvin Gaye album was, "What's Going On?"

[Mic Murphy]

...and here I was always thinking that the highly regarded Marvin Gaye album was, "What's Going On?"

A lot of soul music critics would say "What's Going On" is arguably THE most definitive album of the genre. "Let's Get It On" would also be on a subjective short list of top albums in the genre. Personally, I would rate "Let's Get It On" in the top five.

[Ilash]

Eh, I don't know. I'm not saying that Lets Get It On is ignored by most soul fans but it doesn't come close to getting the acclaim of What's Going On.

As for The Immortal Otis Redding, I was simply listing my favourite Otis album but according to general consensus, Otis Blue is the one to beat. And I'm pretty sure that that gets more all round acclaim than Lets Get It On.

[Mic Murphy]

Eh, I don't know. I'm not saying that Lets Get It On is ignored by most soul fans but it doesn't come close to getting the acclaim of What's Going On.

As for The Immortal Otis Redding, I was simply listing my favourite Otis album but according to general consensus, Otis Blue is the one to beat. And I'm pretty sure that that gets more all round acclaim than Lets Get It On.

Being someone who worked in journalism as a critic or soul music and following music fans, musicians and industry insiders' opinions for decades, I respectfully disagree with your opinion of "Let's Get It On." It's generally considered the benchmark for the sensual, bedroom style of soul music.

It's relative -- "What's Going On" generally rates as arguably the best soul album ever, while "Let's Get It On" generally is nearly as acclaimed and rates as one of the very best, most influential soul albums ever. Nothing against Redding's "Otis Blue," but I would have to rate "Let's Get It On" ahead of it.

[Ilash]

Being someone who worked in journalism as a critic or soul music and following music fans, musicians and industry insiders, I respectfully disagree with your opinion of "Let's Get It On." It's generally considered the benchmark for the sensual, bedroom style of soul music.

It's relative -- "What's Going On" generally rates as arguably the best soul album ever, while "Let's Get It On" generally is nearly as acclaimed and rates as one of the very best, most influential soul albums ever. Nothing against Redding's "Otis Blue," but I would have to rate "Let's Get It On" ahead of it.

All right, maybe you have a point. Personally though, I just don't rate Lets Get It On that much.

[Eric D.]

Being someone who worked in journalism as a critic or soul music and following music fans, musicians and industry insiders' opinions for decades, I respectfully disagree with your opinion of "Let's Get It On." It's generally considered the benchmark for the sensual, bedroom style of soul music.

It's relative -- "What's Going On" generally rates as arguably the best soul album ever, while "Let's Get It On" generally is nearly as acclaimed and rates as one of the very best, most influential soul albums ever. Nothing against Redding's "Otis Blue," but I would have to rate "Let's Get It On" ahead of it.


I'll defer to you on this matter, - btw, thanks for the suggestions on the mid-70's soul vocalists a few months back, - came in handy.

[Mic Murphy]

All right, maybe you have a point. Personally though, I just don't rate Lets Get It On that much.

When people think of Marvin Gaye as the lover man singer, it's because of the album "Let's Get It On" (and to a lesser degree, the "I Want You" album). I would advise reading various critical reviews of "Let's Get It On" from respected publications (such as Billboard and All Music Guide) as well as musicians' and music fans' opinions, so you can get a feel for how highly the album is regarded in the genre's pantheon.