Book shelf: what's going on?

Ebony, June, 2004

THE life of the musical icon who raised the question "What's Going On" still raises more questions than answers, and on the 65th anniversary of his birth and the 20th anniversary of his death, author Michael Eric Dyson offers a new analysis in MERCY, MERCY ME, THE ART, LOVES & DEMONS OF MARVIN GAYE (Basic Books, $23.95). The book celebrates Gaye's remarkable life and offers a critical reassessment of his music, his life and the troubled times he lived. He also takes a new look at Gaye's personal life, including his relationships with his duet partner Tammi Terrell, his wife Anna Gordy and his troubled and abusive father, who shot him to death on April 1, 1984. In an analysis that will probably set off a new round of debate, Dyson says that: * Despite Gaye's denials, he did have a love affair with duet partner Tammi Terrell. * Gaye was sexually molested by a male relative. * Gaye produced his masterpiece, What's Going On, in just 10 days. Dyson concludes that, "At the heart of Gaye's sensual musical vision was a deep spiritual obsession. He became widely known for his eroticism, but even then, there was a deeply, profoundly spiritual side that showed up on ALL his albums. He was adept at fusing sexuality and spirituality. ..." (See "30 Must-Have Albums," page 74.)

In a decidedly more upbeat tune for Black Music Month, Dionne Warwick's new coffee table book, MY POINT OF VIEW (Mastropaolo & Koblischek), is a "deja vu" pictorial and reflection on entertainment and family, love and creativity, image and audience. The book also includes a special music CD containing four songs by the legendary singer and humanitarian.