Singing

A few weeks ago, on you-know-what, a high school classmate of mine posted this video with the isolated vocal track of Marvin Gaye singing "I Heard it Through the Grapevine." It blew me away. 

It's one of those songs that I've heard so much--originally because of the soundtrack from The Big Chill, most likely--that I don't really hear it anymore. Although I formed an unlikely attachment to the rest of the soundtrack, I didn't even really like that particular song.

Later I came across the version by Gladys Knight & the Pips, which really grabbed me--particularly the off-balance feel of the percussion at the beginning and the faster pace, which seemed fitting for a woman scorned. 

But hearing Marvin Gaye on this song by himself is amazing--his singing is one long, pained question and lament. In the midst of all those strings and everything else, I never really heard that before. Listen up:  

Via grammophoneferreira and YouTube. 

Sit tight for the first 19 seconds until the vocal track actually starts.

P.S. To get the flavor of a period performance by Gladys Knight & the Pips, check out the video of their appearance on Soul Train in 1972. They've got to be lip-synching, and the applause at the start drowns out the cool percussion part, but the fashions are not to be missed.