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“Let’s Get It On” Marvin Gaye
Motown
There are very few things in life that guarantee action. So, for
a record to come along and assure steamy windows and clothes on the
floor is quite an accomplishment. Marvin Gaye’s
“Let’s Get It On” will definitely set an
appropriate Valentine’s Day mood. From the trademark opening
sound of the title track at the beginning of the album to the end
of the eight-song set, there isn’t a song that won’t
complement or even enhance a romantic evening for two ““ or
more if that’s the way you swing. Enough can’t be said
about Gaye’s soulful voice, which on “Let’s Get
It On” curls through the sensual lyrics with an unbelievable
adeptness. Accompanying Gaye’s voice are some ultimately
groovy beats and almost subliminal bass lines and guitar hooks.
There is a genuineness in Gaye’s pleading lyrics, and that
can’t help but echo the emotions of a good Valentine’s
Day date. It may not be appropriate fare for a first date ““
then again maybe so for the sly devils out there ““ but for
those in an established relationship or ready to take it to the
next level, it’s a fantastic choice. “Let’s Get
It On” isn’t Gaye’s best album that has the word
“On” in the title, or even the most popular, but it
captures Gaye expressing a primordial sentiment with unparalleled
accuracy and is a classic in its own right. So, uncork the
champagne, lay out the bear skin rug, put on ““ or take off
the leopard print underwear, throw this on the stereo, and have a
memorable Valentine’s Day (night).
Anthony Bromberg Â
“The Wall” Pink Floyd
Columbia
“The Wall” is one of the all-time top-selling albums
and has been a staple in music fans’ headphones since its
release. It is a nuanced and fantastic album that could be a
valuable addition to any musically inclined couple’s date.
David Gilmour’s and Roger Waters’ vocals are steeped in
heartache and longing. Gilmour’s guitar solos are
impassioned, and the general mood of the album is a stark landscape
that could easily be inhabited by wistful lovers. With song titles
like “Mother,” “Young Lust” and
“Comfortably Numb,” the quaint sincerity of the album
becomes self-evident. The broad overarching themes of drug use and
paranoia that seep through the album’s intense emotion will
set a mood that encourages a couple to embrace to keep warm and
maybe even induce crying. The lyrics promise to connect to any
listener’s vulnerable side. Who could resist the bare
sentimentality of a song like “Vera” and the double
album’s closer “Outside the Wall”? The ambience
and lore that surround this album just further it as a valid
musical selection to accompany any occasion that requires sound
enhancement. It is even a stellar choice to play in those most
tender of romantic situations ““ a Valentine’s Day
date.
Anthony Bromberg Â
“This Is Jazz: Billie Holiday Sings
Standards” Billie Holiday Columbia/Legacy Sure,
there’s some great music out there today, but how much of it
has that heart-melting, slow-dancing-in-a-black-and-white-movie
quality? For Valentine’s Day, look to the old proven
favorites for providing the romantic atmosphere for that enchanting
evening. A great place to start is Billie Holiday, “Lady
Day” herself. This compilation brings together 18 of her
greatest songs, mostly recorded in the late 1930s. Made back in
that time long ago when songs were written by songwriters and not
by aspiring rock stars, these recordings include favorites like
“Them There Eyes,” “Let’s Call the Whole
Thing Off,” “Night and Day,” “Summertime
(from “˜Porgy and Bess’).” Holiday’s
distinctive voice, paired with orchestration that emphasizes the
horn section and piano, is a great combination for a romantic night
out, or in. The tracks sound scratchy due to their age, but this
only adds to the charm. The album includes upbeat songs alongside
slower, more soulful recordings. With the quality of songs, the
sultry voice of Holiday and the fact that every song is about love,
this is a can’t-miss CD for that special night.
Mary Williams