Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye

Book Description

From the critically acclaimed, best-selling author of Holler if You Hear Me, a fresh reassessment of the remarkable life, art, struggles, and death of an American icon.

Twenty years after his murder at the hands of his own father, Marvin Gaye continues to define the hopes and shattered dreams of the Motown generation. A performer whose career spanned the history of rhythm and blues, from doo-wop to the sultriest of soul music, Gaye's artistry magnified the contradictions that defined America's coming of age in the tumultuous 1970s. In his most searching and ambitious work to date, acclaimed critic Michael Eric Dyson illuminates both Marvin Gaye's stellar achievements and stunning personal decline--and offers an unparalleled assessment of the cultural and political legacy of R&B on American culture.

Through interviews with those close to Gaye--from his musical beginnings in a black church in Washington, D.C., to his days as a "ladies' man" in Motown's stable of young singers, from the artistic heights of the landmark album What's Going On? to his struggles with addiction and domestic violence--Dyson draws an indelible portrait of the tensions that shaped contemporary urban America: economic adversity, the drug industry, racism, and the long legacy of hardship.

Published to coincide with the twentieth anniversary of Gaye's death in 1984, and infused with the soulful prose that has become Michael Eric Dyson's trademark, Mercy, Mercy Me is at once a celebration of an American icon whose work continues to inspire, and a revelatory and incisive look at how a lost generation's moods, music, and moral vision continue to resonate today.

Customer Reviews:

Worse than a root canal.......2005-05-16

I thought the Publishers Weekly review was pretty accurate. This book read like a textbook. Maybe that is because Dyson is a college humanities professor. I could only get half way through before as Popeye said That's all I can stands, I can stands no more. Now I understand why I was able to purchase this book for 84 cents.

Congrats to Prof. Michael Dyson.......2005-01-25

Michael Dyson is such a great author and activist. He really knows the ups and downs of Marvin Gaye's life. Oh that's such a blessing I think every Marvin Gaye fan should get this just b/c they wanna learn more 'bout this man. 2 me he's one of my idols I grew up 'cuz he's such an inspiration. This book tells it all from his days of sex, drugs, violence, threats between his dad, how he got involved in the resurrection of life and death and the coming side of R. Kelly's admirer of Gaye. You see Marvin never say "Give up on what u got". No he saids "Take it lightly and slowly when u dead and gone". That's why we need to check ourselves everyday to the fullest until we live this normal or martyred life. I haven't bought the book yet but I'll may go it ASAP once it's still here. This is such an interesting story from the man who did the lifetimes of Tupac Shakur, black women, black people, the culture of our nation and black music and now. Definitely recommend along w/ Mase's memoir and Miles' memoir.

For the musicologist or sociologist, but not the rest of us.......2005-01-21

Dyson has written a fascinating analysis of the life and career of the late Marvin Gaye, a book that will appeal even to readers who don't know Gaye's music all that well. That having been said, this is a weighty tome, which touches on the religious, cultural and social influences of the black community and how they shaped the singer.

For example, in examining the effect of childhood abuse on Gaye, Dyson traces the problem of domestic violence in the black family to slavery. While this is an interesting discussion, it sways quite a bit from the book's star. Some readers will find these diversions tedious.

Because Gaye's relationship with Motown founder Berry Gordy is discussed at length, anyone who has studied the studio and its music will find something of interest here. References to the black church and family will ensure this book's place in programs of African-American study. Finally, the last chapter is in large part about present-day soul star R. Kelly. Dyson's discussion of how both men merged concepts of spirituality and sexuality within their music is interesting. In short, this book is a real find for a musicologist or sociologist, but it's not a biography "for the rest of us."

Disappointment.......2004-10-22

The reason I didn't care for this book may partially be my fault--I did not realize it was an essay instead of a biography. But the rest of the reason is on this author--this book was pretty much fact-based, reasons for songs were thrown out sporadically, Tammy Terrell's name was all over the place but the beatings were danced around (and one speaker even plugged her own book--why is that even in there?) and the author went on a history lesson through Motown with other artists. The organization was terrible, there was no set subject pattern, and it was a dry read. I ended up just skimming the book after page 20.
And as big a fan as I am of R. Kelly, I did NOT want to read about HIM in a book with Marvin Gaye on the cover. It's like the author forgot who he was writing about through half the book; he starts talking about the Supremes, Gordy, R. Kelly, James Brown; stick to the man on the cover!

The Man and His Music: A Critical Analysis.......2004-08-09

Michael Eric Dyson is known for his critical analysis of such public African American figures as Martin Luther King and Tupac Shakur. He has also delighted his fans with an ode to black women in Why I Love Black Women. In this body of work, Mercy Mercy Me, he explores the arts loves and demons of Marvin Gaye, one of the greatest singers of all time. This however, is not a biography in the traditional sense of how biographies are usually constructed. While accounts of Gaye's life from birth to death are chronicled, this writing is more of an analysis of the life of a man who essentially plotted his own death. When Gaye's father pulled the trigger in April 1984, twenty years ago, ironically the gun was the one he gave his father for protection.

Marvin Gaye was a genius, born to a fanatically religious father who ruled his home and family as a dictator. He was cruel, issuing beatings for the smallest infraction to both his wife and children. While the others buckled under the heat, Marvin, the most talented, rebelled and received the lion's share of punishment. He both loved and reviled his father, who was sexually deviated, yet proclaimed to be holier than thou. Marvin was a victim of his total upbringing, a loving, beaten down-trodden mother who coddled him and a sadistic father, who withheld his love. We learn of the psychological and emotional background of his Pentecostal father, Rev. Marvin P. Gaye and of what really went on behind the scenes.

Marvin loved women; he married Berry Gordy's sister, Anna, but it was a troubled marriage complicated by their age differences and her inability to have children. Yet, a son was produced--- that was Marvin's child-- sanctioned by the Gordys who had their own code of conduct for living that did not adhere to society's acceptable rules. In Gaye, we see a tortured soul as we learn how religion, sex and race intersected and became as one in his music and his life. There were women and more women. There was Tammy Terrell and depending on whom you talk to they were lovers or they were brother and sister. Also, there was a second wife, Janice.

The album that brought Marvin Gaye into mainstream American, What's Going On, was at first rejected by Berry Gordy as too radical but it was not to be denied. With the war in Viet Nam, the civil rights and free love movements, this album spoke volumes about the world in which we lived and that Marvin embraced. His music was his life and his life was music. Through careful text, Dyson takes us through a journey of how each album came to be. Here My Dear, Trouble Man, Let's Get it On were works of labor from a genius who was in a constant state of emotional turmoil

If you are looking for a straight biography of Gaye and his life from birth to death, this is not the text. There are several biographies on the market and Dyson highly recommends a few. At times the writing was dense with scholarly criticism and clinical terminology. However, it is offset by revealing commentaries such as an excellent chapter on the comparison and contrast of Marvin Gaye and R. Kelley which this reviewer found fascinating. The similarities are surprising and alarming and quite revealing when looking into the black family and community. Additionally, critical review of African Americans' attitudes on slavery and how black women are viewed in the black community is forthright, stunning and at times shameful. This manuscript will be long remembered and studied as a tool for looking into the life of a man who was an enigma even to himself. As always, Dyson delivers in his own style.

Dera Williams
APOOO BookClub
Marcus Book Club (Oakland)

The Rockin' '50s: The People Who Made the Music

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The Rockin' '50s: The People Who Made the Music
Brock Helander
Manufacturer: Schirmer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Selected Alpine Climbs in the Canadian Rockies (Falcon Guides Rock Climbing)

Average customer rating:

Well done

Selected Alpine Climbs in the Canadian Rockies (Falcon Guides Rock Climbing)
Sean Dougherty
Manufacturer: Heritage House Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The 11000ers: Of the Canadian Rockies
Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies, 3rd edition

ASIN: 0921102143

Book Description

With the aid of route-marked photos, the author describes the normal, classic, extreme and descent routes for each peak. Introductory pages are written with the visitor in mind, giving concise direction on how to get from points of entry to the climbing areas, where to pick up supplies, what to expect of the weather, information on Park regulations, huts, equipment, safety and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Well done.......2000-05-31

This is the pretty much the current and standard guide to the Canadian Rockies. More complete guides exist, though they are rare and out of print. This guide presents 200 of the best climbs, eliminating overdrawn discussions of the obscure and focusing nicely on routes that have become legendary in the mountaineering world. The book itself is well made and suitable for the top of your pack.

Average customer rating:

Don't get it

Bugaboo Rock: A Climbing Guide
Randall Green , and Joe Bensen
Manufacturer: Mountaineers Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Canada | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Mountain Climbing | Mountaineering | Sports | Subjects | Books

Rock Climbing | Mountaineering | Sports | Subjects | Books

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Selected Climbs in the Cascades: Alpine Routes, Sport Climbs, & Crag Climbs (Selected Climbs)
Thailand: A Climbing Guide (Climbing Guides)

ASIN: 0898867959

Customer Reviews:

Don't get it.......2006-08-30

Get the other guidebook 'The Bugaboos - One of the World's Great Alpine Rockclimbing Centres' by Chris Atkinson and Marc Piché.

It is vastly superior to the Green guide, being written by the ex-Kain hut custodian. It has many more pictures, a thorough description of approaches, descents, equipment, weather, history, maps, etc. If you buy in Canada it runs for about $40 CDN.

Average customer rating:

Songbook for the Songbirds

Carpenters Anthology
Carpenters
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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Yesterday Once More: Memories of the Carpenters and Their Music
Carpenters: Note-for-Note Vocal Transcriptions
The Barry Manilow Anthology
Carpenters - Christmas Portrait
Bee Gees Anthology

ASIN: 0634032348

Product Description

Features 43 of the best songs from this beloved sibling duo, including classics such as: Bless the Beasts and Children (They Long to Be) Close to You For All We Know Goodbye to Love Hurting Each Other I Just Fall in Love Again I Won't Last a Day Without You It's Going to Take Some Time Let Me Be the One Merry Christmas, Darling Please Mr. Postman Rainy Days and Mondays Sing Solitaire Superstar There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World) This Masquerade Ticket to Ride Top of the World We've Only Just Begun When I Fall in Love Yesterday Once More and more. Includes two tables on contents: one alphabetically by song title, and one chronologically by album.

Customer Reviews:

Songbook for the Songbirds.......2006-03-03

Simply an all-around terrific buy!! The Key is exactly the way Karen Carpenter sings. Sounds absolutely genius on the piano. Includes marvelous songs from their astounding career!! Must buy, and a good deal!!

Average customer rating:

Johnny Hart at his best

B C on the Rocks
Johnny Hart
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

B.C. Rides Again
B.C.: The Second and Third Letters of the Alphabet Revisited

ASIN: 0449136914
Release Date: 1982-03-12

Customer Reviews:

Johnny Hart at his best.......2005-03-02

We grew up with the B.C. comic strip as one of our favorites. Artist/writer Johnny Hart probably hit his peak with the strip in the early 70's, and this book is an excellent collection from that period. I still remember a group of kids sitting outside in the summer shade reading this particular book outloud, and roars of laughter being heard even when not all could see the drawing. A classic comic strip.

Alexander the Great Rocks the World (Darby Creek Publishing)

Average customer rating:

This is the way to teach history!!!
Enthusiastically recommended especially for grade school and YA library collections.

Alexander the Great Rocks the World (Darby Creek Publishing)
Vicky Alvear Shecter
Manufacturer: Darby Creek Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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You Wouldn't Want To Be In Alexander The Great's Army!: Miles You'd Rather Not March (You Wouldn't Want to...)
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Rules (Newbery Honor Book)
The Higher Power of Lucky

ASIN: 158196045X

Customer Reviews:

This is the way to teach history!!!.......2007-09-24

Atlantan Vicky Alvear Shecter wrote an extraordinary book about Alexander the Great - Terry Naughton illustrated it extraordinarily!
If these 2 don't partner up and do more, I'll be flabbergasted!
This is a history of Alexander the Great - one that really should be read by kids of all ages, those that hate papyrus dry written history, or those of us who love history - This is an irreverent, fun, and most informative view of Alexander, his family, his triumphs, his legacy. And it's a hoot.
I am a student of history and I loved the ease that Ms. Shecter wrote and got it all down on paper -
PLEASE - continue this series - think how many fun historical people and eras need this type of book! We'd all be scooping them up!
Prehistoric series
Ancient series
Cleopatra, that nice Greek girl!
Renaissance series
Shakespeare
English monarchs
American history
Presidents
Vicky and Terry, your time has come!
Highly recommended for adults as well as kids.

Enthusiastically recommended especially for grade school and YA library collections........2006-11-06

Written by Vicky Alvear Schechter and illustrated by Terry Naughton, Alexander The Great Rocks The World is a historical biography of legendary conqueror and emperor Alexander the Great. Written especially for adolescents and teenagers, Alexander The Great Rocks The World chronicles the events of Alexander's life, his military conquests, his ideals of unity, his battle tactics, and much more in detailed yet plain-spoken vernacular language. Black-and-white representations of classic artworks and illustrations add a visual touch to this fascinating, easy-to-follow accounting of how Alexander the Great literally changed world history. Of especial interest are the concluding sections that compare Alexander's heroic and villainous legacies - he spread the Greek ideal (if not practice) of democracy, was committed to tolerance, and respected women more than most of his age; but then, he also crushed the practice of democracy in Greece and instigated bloodshed in the form of war and conquest. Enthusiastically recommended especially for grade school and YA library collections.

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The Beatles and the Sixties (W5 Series)
Michka Assayas
Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0805050590

American Artisans: Crafting Society Identity, 1750-1850

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American Artisans: Crafting Society Identity, 1750-1850

Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Economic History | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0801850304

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Another Doo Wop Book
nostalgic and trivial
a must have for do-woppers
One of the Best
a must have ref. book of doo wop music

The Complete Book of Doo-Wop
Anthony J. Gribin , and Matthew M., M.D. Schiff
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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They All Sang on the Corner: A Second Look at New York City's Rhythm and Blues Vocal Groups
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Encyclopedia of Rhythm and Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups

ASIN: 0873418298

Book Description

For those who were teen-agers in the 1950s and the early part of the 1960s, doo-wop music conjures up memories of hanging out with friends at the malt shop, dances at the hop, and first romances. This book will transport readers back to those nostalgic times and make them want to scan the radio in hopes of hearing Dion & the Belmonts, the Chiffons or Little Anthony & the Imperials.

The Complete Book of Doo-Wop provides an extensive history of doo-wop from 1950 through the early 1970s and gives definitions and illustrations of the music that falls between rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll. It also features 150 photos, 64 sheet-music covers and prices for 1,000 top doo-wop records.

Collectors and enthusiasts, vocal harmony fans, music historians and music fans will also discover plenty of fun facts, stories and quizzes on doo-wop songs and groups.

The authors, who also wrote Doo-Wop, the Forgotten Third of Rock 'n' Roll, the only in-depth doo-wop book available, are authorities on the subject.

-Features 150 photos of top doo-wop groups, along with more than 60 sheet-music covers. -Includes a pricing appendix for 1,000 of the most popular songs. -The definitive guide to an increasingly popular realm of music.

Customer Reviews:

Another Doo Wop Book.......2007-06-30

I must admit that this is not my favorite "Doo Wop" book. I disagreed with too many of the author's points. However, the book does have merit! I especially enjoyed the groupography. I am not sure one can classify doo wop into neat catagories as the author's have done. Doo Wop was just so much more than a catagory. However, if you are "into" the music read the book.

nostalgic and trivial.......2007-03-23

It will hardly be a surprise, but serious music lovers and historians will find little value in this book. The authors are simply two nostalgic fans whose idea of music in the fifties owes more to "Grease" and Sha-Na-Na than to actual research. Those interested in this musical repertoire are advised to check out They All Sang on the Corner: A Second Look at New York City's Rhythm and Blues Vocal Groups or Group Harmony: The Black Urban Roots of Rhythm & Blues.

a must have for do-woppers.......2006-07-09

this book is a must if your a doo wop lover.you can learn about group harmony , the evolution of doo wop from rockabilly,r& b , and a great many idiosyncrasies of the music itself.plus there is a songography that lists almost every group you can think of & the records(flips too)they recorded,dates,label & often the lead singers name.i've yet to find the ONE book that gives me all the information i want. but i've gotta say the combination of this and "the encyclopedia of rhythm & blues and doo wop vocal groups" by m.rosalsky come VERY close.worth every penny folks,both books are "must haves".

One of the Best.......2006-04-17

I've been collecting records for many years. My teenage years were in the 50s. As I got older, and collected more records, I decided I wanted to record them onto cassettes in chronological order. For this I needed reference books. Throughout the years I've collected many helpful reference books, and this book is at the top of my list. I still use it a lot because I am currently adding my records and tapes to my computer, and this reference book has helped in the way I list the groups. One of the best things is that they separate groups with the same names, or the same group with different lead singers, etc. The only complaint I have with this book is that it doesn't have the songs listed alphabetically. That would help so much if I have a song, and don't know what group it comes from.

I recommend this book, and will buy the undated copy as well.

a must have ref. book of doo wop music.......2004-06-05

an upgrade of "doo wop the forgotten 3rd". many entries of long forgotten groups & songs.one of the few to correctly list "glory of love" by the imperials as a SEPERATE group from the little anthony group.tons of good information,song titles, release year,artist & lable(s).plus info on various subjects such as ,doo-wogeography,idiosyncrasies of doo-wopgroup her-mony(the 20 best doo wop songs with female leads, and much more.if you don't have this book YOUR missing out.

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