WIWS Banner

The Second Disc

Expanded and Remastered Music News

  • Home
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • News
    • Classic Rock
    • Rock
    • Pop
    • Jazz
    • Popular Standards/Vocal
    • R&B/Soul
    • Country
    • Folk
    • Cast Recordings
    • Soundtracks
    • Everything Else
      • Classical/Opera
      • Disco/Dance
      • Funk
      • Gospel
      • Rap/Hip-Hop
  • Features
    • Release Round-Up
    • Giveaways!
    • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Classic Rock
    • Rock
    • Pop
    • Jazz
    • Popular Standards/Vocal
    • R&B/Soul
    • Country
    • Folk
    • Cast Recordings
    • Soundtracks
    • Everything Else
      • Classical/Opera
      • Disco/Dance
      • Funk
      • Gospel
      • Rap/Hip-Hop
  • Release Calendar
    • Coming Soon
    • Now Available
  • About
  • Second Disc Records
    • Full Catalog
  • Contact

/ Features / Interviews

"I Just Wanna Ask a Question": Harry Weinger on the "What's Going On" Box Set

May 19, 2011 By Mike Duquette 10 Comments

For most music producers, there's a kind of strangeness to working on multiple reissues of the same classic album over time. Not so for Harry Weinger, vice-president of A&R at Universal Music Enterprises and, as one of UMe's resident Motown gurus, the producer of several deluxe editions of Marvin Gaye's classic LPs, including What's Going On. "You learn between anniversaries," Weinger said. "And luckily, I was there for both of them."

When What's Going On became one of Universal's first in a then-new series of Deluxe Editions - now iconic for their double-sized digipacks with silver slipcases, boasting an extra disc or more of bonus musical material - it set a precedent for how all deluxe reissues should work. That set, released in 2001, contained roughly three versions of the album - the original, beloved mix as finalized under Gaye's watch in West Hollywood's Sound Factory; an unreleased alternate mix commissioned in Detroit without Gaye and a triumphant 1972 live show at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center, Gaye's first live performance since the death of duet partner Tammi Terrell - not to mention three rare single versions and a demo of a track that would end up on Gaye's next album, Let's Get It On.

With that kind of bonus content, many fans' eyebrows were raised when a 40th anniversary package was announced for release in May (now scheduled for June 7), boasting 11 unreleased bonus tracks among a raft of other session material that's seen release on other packages. But Weinger had indeed learned a lot about Gaye's sublime, densely-packed musical statement since overseeing its reissue a decade ago. And this time, he sought to capture a fuller picture of Gaye's frame of mind in which the album came to be.

As the release of the new set approaches, Weinger took the time to provide a lengthy and enlightening commentary on his journey through the What's Going On era and some of the special facets that set this package apart from previous ones. What follows is the first of two segments of Harry's discussion with me. It was anything but a traditional Q&A session; one question posed to the producer can easily split off into several discussions covering more questions you might not have realized you had. It is presented in chronological order, with minimal editing for clarity.

Join us after the jump to hear Harry Weinger's thoughts on the album, its production and the challenges of another reissue of What's Going On - as only he can answer them.

HW on the impact and meaning of What's Going On:

"What’s Going On was part of a growing movement where artists were able to express themselves rather than be instruments of a producer or a songwriter. It’s self-produced self-expression. The sense that hippie rock musicians or folk artists were the only ones who were allowed to express themselves in this way - black music in general was thought of as dance music or entertainment - so you had an African-American artist express themselves in a different way and it was accepted."

HW on why UMe had to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the record:

"One thing was for certain: if the 40th went by and nothing happened, there’d be a lot of people saying, 'Why didn’t you do anything for the 40th?' So the question was what’s there [in the vault], and what would interest a new generation that’s never heard the record. There are straight reissues, there’s the 30th anniversary edition with a live show - but you need something new to introduce this record."

On the first portion of bonus material on the new set, which chronicles the lead-up to and eventual release of the album:

"When we did the 30th anniversary edition, we used the singles that were different. We didn’t have a home for all of the singles. So that was a good start - let’s start with all of the singles. And then I remembered in my research there were mixes that were done when the record was first rejected. Initially, when doing the 30th it seemed a little redundant to add it, because we had that instrumental mix. That was more of a unique piece from the heart that I’d wanted to share.

So I remembered these different reels from the Quality Control meetings. That’s got to go on there. So we have the singles and then the material leading up to the recording of the album."

Addressing certain "repeat" tracks from previous reissues and Marvin Gaye projects - some of which aren't entirely repeats:

"For the Deluxe Edition, we had a tape ["Head Title (a.k.a Distant Lover)"] from the original recording engineer, Steve Smith. It was a rough mix that he made and put away even though Marvin had asked him to destroy the tape. I assumed at the time that we didn’t have the multitrack tape, but as I discovered, we did! The rough mix that Steve had graciously given me for the original project had water damage, and we had to edit around all the water damage, presenting a truncated, incomplete version of that tune. But no one had ever heard it before, so you couldn’t compare it to anything.

So for this set, hen I started thinking about what we had, if we had enough to be made into 'product' - well,'Head Title,' we have a full version we can mix now. The demo of 'Symphony' had already been out [on the 2002 Deluxe Edition of Let's Get It On], but it was not in context. So there’s several tunes - namely some of the instrumentals on Disc 2 - that are now in context."

On making the new box a very Detroit-centered package, and background on some of the instrumental and demo material on the second disc of the box set:

"Because What’s Going On is considered the last great Motown album recorded in Detroit, I felt that this package should be very Detroit-centric. In the year following the release of the album, Marvin Gaye is wrestling with his career, what he’s done and should he move to L.A. - which is what Berry Gordy had done and the company was starting to do. So Marvin is wrestling with this, and also becoming the voice of his generation, a role he struggled with and actually avoided. So in the aftermath of the record, he goes into Studio B in Detroit and hunkers down with fellow musicians. And they just cut these jams. There’s some vocals, but mostly it’s instrumental jams, with Marvin on percussion and keyboards.

I’ve read some Internet complaints about why we held these back. I didn’t hold them back, I wasn’t sure what was really developed there - whether there was anything to develop into something releasable. We had put 'Running from Love' and 'Mandota' out - again, out of context - but that belongs in Detroit. (pauses) Actually, on Let’s Get It On, it’s somewhat in context; in all fairness, what the Deluxe Edition was for me at the time, was showing you what led up to that record. But they really belong with the aftermath of What’s Going On. And that’s what Disc 2 is. A couple of them had already come out - the track 'Struttin’ the Blues' was released in small excerpts on The Master box set - and they were hidden. Now they’re not hidden, and it’s more of the fuller track. And 'You’re the Man' belonged there too.

In a dialogue with sales about having something to create a special package for, I said, 'Well, there’s instrumentals, there’s the singles, some unreleased tracks - and I think it would be great, since it’s a Detroit, Motor City-centric package, to take the Detroit Mix and make it available on vinyl.' That also gave us the opportunity to make a 12” x 12” package with a nice big book, readable essays and big photos."

On what didn't make the cut, why the new tracks are worth your time:

"The only other piece from that period was the live show, and since you can buy it not only as the Deluxe Edition and the separate Rarities Edition disc - that’s available separately, I could leave it alone. But I wanted to put everything in context. And the instrumentals at first I was wondering, because there’s not a lot of Marvin’s vocals - but I tell you, everyone who’s heard it, from wives to studio assistants to people walking down the hall - everyone wants a copy. They’re really cool.

There are a few more jams that really are just noodling. Maybe for the 50th anniversary, someone who wants to do the complete instrumental sessions - that’s up to them. I wouldn’t vote for that. And I certainly didn’t want to do any remixes in the package. The album itself is the album - there are no other takes of the songs on session reels.

[At the time] I didn’t really look for anything after the record other than the live show. I didn’t understand the time frame. And it all kind of overlaps - all of the tracks on Side 2 of Let’s Get It On originated in Detroit. But it was finished in L.A."

Tune in tomorrow for Part 2, where Weinger discusses mastering, packaging and what's next on the UMe calendar!

Categories: Interviews Formats: Box Sets Tags: Interviews, Marvin Gaye

Avatar photo

Mike Duquette

Michael Duquette (Founder) was fascinated with catalog music ever since he discovered there was more than one version of John Williams' soundtrack to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. A 2009 graduate of Seton Hall University with a B.A. in journalism, Mike paired his profession with his passion through The Second Disc, one of the first sites to focus on all reissue labels great and small. His passion for reissues turned into a career, with bylines on catalog at Discogs, City Pages and Ultimate Prince and credits on titles including the Grammy-winning 'Squeeze Box: The Complete Works of "Weird Al" Yankovic.' Born and raised in New Jersey, Mike lives in Astoria, Queens with an ever-expanding collection of music.

Connect With Mike:

You Might Also Like

  • Marvin Gaye Greatest Hits Live in 76Pride and Joy: Mercury Studios Preps Marvin Gaye's "Greatest Hits: Live in '76"
  • StreamThe Weekend Stream: September 17, 2022
  • StreamThe Weekend Stream: August 27, 2022
  • StreamThe Weekend Stream: August 20, 2022

Comments

  1. Eric Luecking says

    May 19, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    I have an advance of the set, and the instrumentals are quite funky. Quite different from the type of music that is from the WGO album. Bohannon and Ray Parker, Jr., along with Marvin are in a different mode on it.

    There's also a cool gatefold picture in the liners showing a big billboard of Marvin promoting the WGO album that is located at Holloway and Horn in Hollywood, CA.

    Reply
  2. Bill B says

    May 20, 2011 at 7:21 am

    I find the statements "... what would interest a new generation that’s never heard the record" and "...but you need something new to introduce this record" insulting.

    Wouldn't a new generation fan be happy just listening to the original? Do you really think that someone that has never heard the album is going to be dying to hear those obscure and demo cuts? If you were going to suggest someone listen to it would you send them to the extra material or start them off with the original album?

    As for needing something new, it isn't to "introduce the record" it's to bait the bulk of fans who will buy this, who have already bought it at least twice before, will have an excuse to buy it again.

    I expect this type of spin from politicians but not record producers. Sure it's great for hardcore fans but the extra material and repackaging in general is there to sell units. We all know it, he knows it, so let's just be honest.

    Reply
    • RoyalScam says

      May 20, 2011 at 9:09 am

      Very, very well put, Bill.

      Reply
    • JG says

      May 20, 2011 at 10:27 am

      Seconded - I had the exact same thought regarding new listeners. The LAST thing you wanna do is weigh them down with all this extraneous stuff, no matter how valuable it might be.

      And I'd love to meet these supposed people who would be complaining if the label didn't release yet another lavish package for yet another anniversary. 😐

      I've got nothing against the "new" material in and of itself, but like you said, let's all be honest.

      Reply
      • Bill B says

        May 20, 2011 at 10:48 am

        Yes this "spin" that every spokesperson in every profession has to put on everything is quickly becoming one of 21st century pet-peeves.

        I just read an article about how hotel chains are not putting bath tubs in hotel rooms because "people aren't taking baths because they don't have time or are too busy hurrying around".

        Funny, I wouldn't take a bath in a hotel room because I don't know who was in it prior to me or how well it was cleaned afterward. Guess the spokesperson didn't want to draw attention to that because it doesn't look good for the industry. BUT IT'S THE TRUTH.

        Reply
  3. Eric Luecking says

    May 20, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    I also get frustrated with the record industry pretty frequently, but let me just say that anytime I've ever talked to Harry Weinger regarding Universal/Hip-O Select releases, he's always been very generous with his time and explanations. In short, I've never gotten a feeling that he has ill-willed intentions. His passion for the music, and especially Motown, is pretty darn high.

    Reply
    • JG says

      May 22, 2011 at 10:51 pm

      Oh yeah, I don't doubt his genuine passion and enthusiasm; he seems like the type who really is in it for "the music." And I don't know the industry well enough to know exactly who makes these sorts of decisions on re-re-releases, so I don't want to sound like I'm personally blaming him for the project's existence, but I just feel like the BEST case scenario here is that despite his actual love for the material, he's nevertheless having to put a bit of a PR spin on this. (Either that, or he's really naive about both consumers and labels. And I doubt that's the case, considering his position.)

      Reply
  4. PATRICK says

    May 20, 2011 at 11:13 pm

    I just can't get excited for instrumentals, especially if they aren't versions of the songs on the actual WGO album.

    Reply
  5. Victor Dang says

    May 22, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Tune in tomorrow for Part 2, where Weinger discusses mastering, packaging and what’s next on the UMe calendar!

    "Tomorrow" seems so far away now, doesn't it? 😛

    Not trying to be mean, but I'm just wondering when Part 2 is supposed to pop up, exactly.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Upcoming Releases

  • Elvis On Tour Box
    Elvis On Tour [50th Anniversary Edition]
    Elvis Presley
    January 27, 2023
  • Bob Dylan Fragments Bootleg 17 Cover
    Fragments - Time Out of Mind Sessions (1996-1997): The Bootleg Series Vol.17
    Bob Dylan
    January 27, 2023
  • Carly Simon Live at Grand Central
    Live at Grand Central
    Carly Simon
    January 27, 2023
See Full Calendar

Connect

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 4,535 other subscribers

Popular

  • headquarters
    Review: The Monkees, "Headquarters: Super Deluxe Edition" posted on January 24, 2023 | under Reviews
  • Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon SDE
    Any Colour You Like: Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" Turns 50, New Box Set Is Coming posted on January 19, 2023 | under News
  • Rolling Stones in Mono Cover 1
    Release Round-Up: Week of January 20 posted on January 20, 2023 | under Release Round-Up

Comments

  • small faces here come the nice2
    Return To Itchycoo Park: Small Faces' "Here Come The Nice" Deluxe Box Set Arrives In January [UPDATED 12/3] 84 comments | by Joe Marchese | posted on December 3, 2013 | under News
  • the beatles u s albums box2
    British Invasion! The Beatles Unveil "The U.S. Albums" Box Set in January 69 comments | by Joe Marchese | posted on December 12, 2013 | under News
  • Rolling Stones in Mono
    Out of Their Heads: Stones Plan Mono Box Set 47 comments | by Mike Duquette | posted on August 10, 2016 | under News

Music Resources

  • Addicted to Vinyl
  • Crap from the Past
  • Discogs
  • Film Score Monthly
  • IMWAN Forum – From the Vaults
  • MusicTAP
  • Musoscribe
  • Pause & Play
  • Popblerd
  • Popdose
  • Record Racks
  • Slicing Up Eyeballs
  • Steve Hoffman Music Forums
  • Ultimate Classic Rock
  • Vintage Vinyl News
  • Viva La Mainstream
  • Wolfgang's Vault

Labels of Note

  • Ace Records
  • Analog Spark
  • Bear Family
  • BGO Records
  • Big Break Records
  • Blixa Sounds
  • Cherry Red Label Group
  • Craft Recordings
  • Demon Music Group
  • Friday Music
  • Funky Town Grooves
  • Iconoclassic Records
  • Intervention Records
  • Intrada
  • Kritzerland
  • La La Land Records
  • Legacy Recordings
  • Light in the Attic
  • Masterworks Broadway
  • Now Sounds
  • Omnivore Recordings
  • Real Gone Music
  • Resonance Records
  • Rhino Entertainment
  • Rock Candy Records
  • SoulMusic Records
  • Sunset Blvd. Records
  • Supermegabot
  • Varese Sarabande
  • Vinyl Me, Please
  • Wounded Bird
Copyright © 2023 The Second Disc. All rights reserved. · Site by Metaglyphics

The Second Disc is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk.

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy