Making Records with Eric Valentine - "What's Going On"

[@danielmihlfeith]

Eric don't be upset at what people say or worry about their expectations of you. I think that you're are one of the most authentic, honest and giving voices on KZbin. Clearly, the world is hurting right now and needs to heal, but well-intentioned music has amazing healing powers and brings together different communities in a way that no other medium can, when it's given the chance. You truly have a gift for communicating the heart of music in a way that transcends the buttons, knobs and gear. Thank you and please keep on doing what you do!

[@VijverEendje]

Amen!

[@jrn-arildgrefsrud7003]

You said it!

[@sirkayda7205]

Forgive me, what was the then-current event that was being referenced?

[@mrwev]

@@sirkayda7205 This episode was released in the midst of the riots that were triggered by the death of George Floyd.

[@rome8180]

Chills at the isolated vocals. I don't know if there's anyone who had a purer voice. The intonation, the tone, the expressiveness, the articulation. Wow.

[@unc1589]

The effect of this album cannot be fully explained today. It was like a giant pause button in American music. It was a complete one off. Nothing ever sounded like it before or since. It played everywhere. like background music it was ambient. It’s the first mix I ever paid attention to as a kid. So much going on at one time . I’d follow every instrument through the song over and over till I knew them by heart so this video touched quite a nerve.

[@bobstark8749]

To hear this iconic song I grew up with, broken down into its individual parts and musically and technically analyzed is totally amazing. Thank you Eric, really, Thank you!

[@krautdrive3673]

You know, I find it usually to be pretty predatorial and tactless to dissect other people‘s multi tracks on youtube. I really like that you stick to material that you have a strong personal relationship with. And you keep it super respectful and your excitement is pretty amazing to watch! This episode was a treat!

[@outofworkactor3033]

This is so good on every level. I just love watching Eric, his passion is so clear.

[@twtobin941]

Eric, thank you so much for this. One of the world's greatest recorded songs, a deep dive by one of the world's greatest engineers, and a postscript of beautiful and heartfelt thoughts. As many have said below, this is true gold.

[@DavidDiMuzio]

Yours is the only KZbin channel I have upload notifications on for. Thanks for this GOLD 😁

[@ChrisDN]

Holy cow! Those strings are INCREDIBLE! Great breakdown Eric, thanks so very much. Edit: I'm downloading this one just in case!

[@markmoore9455]

Unreal. My favorite song being put under the EV microscope. I'm taking the morning off to savor.

[@Studio8Recording]

Eric man, you're such a solid human. Motown should do a 'Valentine' re-release mix!

[@Journeymanlive]

agreed! straight to vinyl ! no loudeness war digital ;) that'd be ace.

[@noiseinthebasement8139]

Another exceptional session with EV. How cool to be able to go back and dig into the raw tracks of such a classic recording. Thanks for doing this, and thanks for sharing your insights, Eric!

[@JonManness]

Man...sending you and everyone who watched this a virtual hug. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your gift and delivering such a thoughtful message, Eric.

[@AndrewMasters]

Thank you Eric.

[@jerryososkie839]

Great episode and pics of Marvin. I am currently working on a solo project with Marvin's old roommate and brother-in-law GC Cameron from the Spinners. They were both married to Berry Gordy's sisters when Motown moved from Detroit to LA. GC has some great stories from those times and still has an amazing voice. I've been using a lot of your mixing and mastering techniques so far on the tracks we've completed. As always, thanks for sharing Eric!

[@Philstackbass]

Wow..Thanks Eric.. again...Hearing James Jamerson like that always makes me emotional.. and this whole thing you did here was on another level.Much thanks

[@w.jamesmeagher7895]

Thank you Eric. Watching (listening!) to this was a beautiful experience.

[@Erdnase23]

One of the greatest songs of all time from one of the greatest albums of all time.

[@bradmodd7856]

I always felt the verse and pre-chorus is so much stronger melodically than the chorus, which means it can' quite be a "perfect song" ..at least by this criteria

[@MrLukescheybeler]

@@bradmodd7856 Feel the same way about I Say A Little Prayer. however, the key change in Whats Going On takes the song to another level, acting more like a "chorus" in a way.

[@silentyouber2816]

James Jamerson nailed that song. What an amazing Bassist. Greatest of all of Times. 32:21

[@Paul_Hinton]

Eric, I can only hope that you have some idea of how thankful we are to you for having taken your time, experience and expertise to recreate this session. So informative and delightful. I am wondering if in mastering they added a high shelf which may explain the high end you had to add on individual tracks to match. Sending much love and good vibes your way. You rock !

[@adamwattsmusic]

Ahhhhhh... finally, a "What makes this song great" KZbin video that really hits on what makes the song so great. Beautifully and eloquently expressed, Eric! And of course timely. At the end of the video you just hit it out of the paaaaaaark, short and sweet by focusing on the lyric.... the driving motivation behind this song/recording....... what's all that recording and musicianship for??!?? After all the (totally important and interesting, but secondary) "nerdy" stuff is analyzed you get down to what it's ALWAYS really about (or should be!): the driving motivation behind great music: the human experience... expressing something that needs to be expressed. Without that, we're just making purposeless noise (by comparison anyway). Thanks for this, man. I think we can't ever be reminded enough about this stuff. It's so tempting and easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of what we do... treating music as purely a physical/athletic and/or almost scientific endeavor... but those things are there to serve the what is deeper: what is psychological... spiritual... the soul and humanity of our experiences as people... communication and expression... and music can amplify and give so much detail to what is otherwise so often impossible to express any other way............ The tools are just the tools (and I love gear).... it's about what we're making and why we're making it that matters.... that line, SUNG (like that!) with all that beautiful music PLAYED and RECORDED and MIXED like THAT!... and bam: art... the kind that stands the test of time... "Talk to me, so you can see.... oh, what's going on". So good.

[@MarshallBanananana]

Thank you for this episode! "What's Going on" is one of the pinnacles of sound recordings. As I remember, Bob Olhsson wrote on a now defunct forum, he was the one setting up mic's for this session.

[@yvindeide1179]

Thanks for this! Just amazing on so many levels.

[@oceansiderecordingstudio]

I’ve watched all of your videos and clearly you care deeply, think deeply and move people deeply. One of your best. Those solo tracks were amazing. Once again another great mix of your own. Thanks.

[@geoffschuller4875]

I just subscribed recently and just found this video. Thanks for breaking it all down. The music, the mix AND the message. All are equally important here. Thanks for sharing, Eric.

[@pedrockz]

Amazing Eric! great to have you here on youtube! thanks a lot!

[@tristanpaxton51]

You're changing my life for the better, Mr Valentine. Thank you!

[@mrufino1]

What I love most about this video is watching you just enjoy yourself, and even with the incredible work you’ve done, that you still are amazed by recordings like these. That explains a lot about why you are the way you are. Loving this channel, thanks for taking time to share.

[@chasjazzz7842]

Wow!!, Played it & listened to it all my life. Love the production break down. Loved it

[@2dollarcrew]

Your videos are the highlight of my year. Thank you for sharing your talents.

[@zacgaudie2888]

Beautiful video Eric. Thank you for sharing that!

[@Stormsurf001]

Great breakdown Eric of both the technical stuff and the message of the song. Thanks so much for all you do.

[@terrybest21]

Thankyou,I've waited a long time to hear the multi tracks. It was worth the wait. 🎶🎵❤

[@joangenewilder]

Utterly fascinating. Thx so much...

[@albrackets8446]

This is a thing of beauty, the song by Mr. Gaye of course but all the commentary here. Thank you Mr. Valentine

[@ShiningHourPop]

That was fantastic. I’ve always loved this song to bits and to hear it broken down was sheer perfection. Thank you

[@cyclingninja6780]

What a magical voice. That tone and vibe was from a place of magic.

[@taopagan]

5:30 I was amazed to discover that I once actually lived in the same house in Topanga Canyon that Marvin Gaye lived in-up on Skyhawk (which used to be called Everdin). There are some pictures online of Marvin in that very distinctive wedge-shaped house. Most beautiful place I ever lived! I understand one of The Eagles used to live in that house, too, at one point.

[@mrwev]

Wow! so cool! I've seen those pictures when searching for Marvin Gaye Topanga pics on the internet. I wasn't sure if those were actually him in his Topanga house. I am very grateful to have landed in Topanga at this point in my life. It is a truly wonderful place to live :) Grace and I just did a live stream on the whole musical history of Topanga on Monday. Its gonna get pulled down soon but you can check it out here.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ-bm4N3g9Jsisk

[@1jpdrums]

That coffee shop on sunset across from the 7-11 by sunset sound used to be his studio.

[@Studio8Recording]

@@mrwev Where can I find the Livestream on the history of Topanga, has it been taken down?

[@robjgolde3221]

Jamerson’s tone and feel are second to none. That tone he had is the best recorded bass tone ever. The depth, the presence and the way it sits in the mix is perfection.

[@larryboy1975]

I'm definitely thankful people like Marvin Gaye stood their ground and used their voice to highlight the forever ongoing effort against our social injustice. Our liberty was in their hands back then just as our children's liberty is in our hands today. I'm glad you also use your voice in such a positive way. Love all you guys and your music.

[@KinshipEntertainment]

Nice mix breakdown.

Thank you so much Eric for making this, I could not stop watching and listening. About Berrys reluctance to put the song out, i’ve read that a reason was simply that is was a ”polititcal” song, and Berry was hesitant to if that direction work for Mowtown. Now we know that it did indeed. Thanks again, from Stockholm, Sweden.

[@champ1061]

This is incredible, just incredible. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed.

[@kyrrefritzner]

This is pure GOLD, in all ways, Thank you so much 🙏

[@threesoundband]

WOW!!! Your most special video. It must have felt beyond words to open up this session and bask in the presence of mythical proportions. To be able to deconstruct and solo out the magic of Marvin and Motown is an utmost sacrament. Thank you for sharing 🙏🙏🙏

[@belguitars7102]

Amazing stuff... fantastic deep dive... just wishing you have more Motown multi tracks for us...we can only dream✌️

[@fonte935]

Thanks Eric, loving the episode. I for one come here for it all!

[@neilscott5696]

This is wonderful. Thank you

[@LeF11]

Best video of all time, Eric is a wizard! Thanks for this breakdown and insight.

[@davestanley357]

Brilliant video and a genuinely great social message. It was also refreshingly free any virtue signalling or attempts at personal status building. A genuine, honest humble engagement with this topic through a beautiful, inclusive, non-didactic and hopeful song.

[@stephenstreet2491]

Hi Eric, as a fellow record producer, can I just say how much I enjoyed this video. I have always wanted to hear the breakdown of Marvin's 'Whats Going On' as I heard that a Pro tools copy of it was in circulation. I must say you approached the subject matter with great care, attention and respect and I loved seeing and hearing the breakdown of the arrangement. Well done!

[@Kristofergoeransson]

Amazing Eric! Thank you so much.

[@juliussolovideo]

Can't believe you started shooting this one at 6:30 AM, haha! Such an amazing anthem and such a lovely and soulful approach beyond the "nerdie" thing. I've enjoyed this one as much as the Superstition chapter. And such a beautiful message at the end. I admire you so much, Eric. A big hug from far Buenos Aires.

[@KyleGushue]

Amazing how each part is so simple, but combine so well. Great arrangement on this song.

[@stevenadams5132]

Cool video. I'm from Detroit and studied with Ed Wolfrum as well as played with some of the guys on those tracks. Ed designed and built the DI's for Motown Studio and many local studios used them during that period. I have a few DI's built by him . Ed died last year, but if you haven't checked him out you should. As far as I know was one of the engineers on those sessions at United Sound. He always swore up and down that it wasn't the gear they had but the amazing players (the Funk Brothers). There are some other Multitrack's that he shared with me from those sessions as well. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall back then. ED WOLFRUM RIP.

[@EricHicks]

Wow this was a great video with so many golden nuggets both technically and socially. Blessings to you for doing the great things you do.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

This was killer! Thanks for the breakdown on this.. Too cool. 😎

[@benthomas8290]

Hi Eric, great to see another video and hope you and your family have been safe and well in recent weeks! Thanks so much for this and all of your videos. Simply nothing like it on youtube and I can't believe your subs aren't growing more quickly as this amazing content deserves a far greater audience!! Thanks again!

[@osanlifo]

Another great episode! Thank you very much for doing this, EV!

[@bigsnack]

The best recording channel on KZbin, without a doubt!

[@breakburrito]

What a gift! Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@DMKahn]

Serious goosebump vibes when the accapella was busted out. The musicianship is undeniable. That bass tone... straight up perfection

[@Journeymanlive]

Amazing Eric thanks ! I realize how they all counterpart in a steady way, but the lead force here, the free audacious part ( beside the voice) is unusually: the marvelous inebriated genius on the floor: BASS ! they hired him to be free, filling in marvelously, waving in strong in the center. I can't now HEAR how Marvin Gaye himself pushed hard to go find Jamerson and have him here.

[@parachuteman4]

Great breakdown Eric. And your ending words were economic but packed with truth

[@YMESYDT]

Hey Eric! First time I’ve seen your videos but this was fantastic thank you

[@OIP5150]

44:23 " This is where the vibes really start taking off here....". The vibes or the vibes :D ? Yeah man,the vibes are good all over that song. Love your videos,so awesome to see others who also delve deep into the music at hand. It doesnt get any better than this, song from Marvin Gaye! Also i want to thank you as you always spew out some accumulated audio wisdom in every video. Sharing is caring indeed :) May you achieve even better levels in the future :D You're a top guy. PS: Lol, when you played Marvins vocals in isolation, i was here giggling like a child. THAT is a vocal i would like to experience being recorded. I can imagine the MASSIVE goosebumps upon hearing someone singing like that. Marvin,you got the gold baby.

[@jophilippi1378]

This is absolutely stunningly great! All that is music you are saying it with this Song!

[@ejplevin]

Awesome stuff! that BASS!!! I would love to see more recordings made like this.

[@andymacc]

Wow x10 and wow to the path of communication. You hear these mixes and think there’s something really, really special and yes, of course there is, yes, the gear & method, then the story behind them, which is awesome too, then the choices & compromises made but, what begins to shine for me as you unlock each track is the sheer magic unfolding on every take when human beings come together in this way. As we reach for endless Plug ins, outboard with endless possibilities at our finger tips & mostly, within our grasp, who would consider dragging over a drunken Bass player after a gig, if you could find anyone doing a gig that is, to replace another & lay him on his back to record. We are all slowly building our own bubbles & this video is a truly marvellous insight as to “What’s Going On” PS Eric, try a squeezed lemon in fresh pint of mineral water with just under a level teaspoon of good quality bicarbonate of soda. Also try two tablespoons of organic Apple Cider Vinegar (must have the mother in it so cloudy) neat if you can or with a little water. It’ll sort your acidic reflux.

[@andersjonsson3504]

Fantastic! Speechless... Thank you!

[@amphlett7]

I can’t be the only one who wishes for a chance to hear the “Eric Valentines Shenanigans” mix of this track!

[@biomorph7799]

Hey Eric, possibly one of the best songs of all time, at least for me. I think you've nailed it. My take is about the same as yours in that I think he saying, lets talk about it with love, humility, and compassion. Great to hear the tracks, and amazing re-creation. Thank you so much for this, means a lot. Take care and don't focus on the negatives. No apology required, hmm good song title.

[@dnoyolaf]

Thanks for that man! Absolutely brilliant... it'd be interesting if we could hear a mix of the raw master tracks by themselves, no eqs or reverbs, just to hear how it was tracked in the studio

[@studiodebras]

This is just awesome in all kinds of ways. Thanks Eric, made my day a whole lot better.

[@sourcefor]

This was one of the most interesting episodes ever...thanks so much!

[@benmaughan3403]

I literally check your channel on the daily hoping for a new upload. haha Can't thank you enough for taking the time to do this!

[@kacperzarna1339]

Eric, thank you! I learnt a lot, it's so nice of you that you share such rare knowledge. Only one thing: at 1:00:00 it's so hard to focus on two amazing things at the same time - marvin's performance and you talking about element of randomness! ;)

[@Aldorelaxingguitar]

Eric and everyone out there, Peace and Creative Harmony to all, what a great song and message, I'd rather see people spend their time in positive creative spaces and bring all colors and flavors together into the music! Marvin's voice is classic and so cool to be able to isolate the tracks and explain certain aspects. I really like your vibe and excellent sound engineer/producer skills. I have a playlist with "What's Going On" that I keep listening to so I get my head around the sounds and how to capture that real true acoustical warm and space using analog based plugins, thanks so much for making the mix breakdown video! Ciao, ALDO

[@bombsheltermusic7986]

Great episode Eric. Many Thanks.

[@Sleemzz]

Was just wondering when we'd see another one of these.

[@drumting]

Incredible. Thanks for the insights 🙏🏻

[@TheSmokedKarma]

Thx for all your videos and information you share with us. What I want to know is who the hell down voted?

[@RussPaladino]

Great video. Thanks!!

[@dolovfm]

What a privilege to have a sneak at what was going on with Whats going on. There is so much freedom in those tracks its a lesson to us all. Many thanks Eric.

[@adubmusic]

Thank you for another inspiring and deep video 🙏. Expect you have some of the Bob Marley multi-tracks too. Love to hear you analyze one of those mixes and speak to your feelings about the lyrics, etc.

[@VijverEendje]

Thank you so much Eric, just like everyone here we love what you do! For the nerds, can you do a video on just your Studer j37? Would love to see and here stuff from your perspective

[@thizzyglider555]

Thanks Eric. Makes me wonder what my music could be with you producing

[@mariotelaro]

Fantastic episode all around!

[@BD-me4nk]

That was amazing. I would love to see you do a full blown Eric Valentine production of those multi-tracks as if you received that recording as a brand new unknown artist. I understand the need to respect masterpieces as nobody would allow someone to paint over the original Mona Lisa but I can only imagine how you would fatten up those drums and add magic to the rest of the parts.

[@onemic-theminimalist]

Fantastic video Eric, thanks!

[@RyanStreeterMusic]

Notification of new Eric Valentine video......automatic like 👍🏽

[@jimmygnecco7372]

I love it! Thank you!!!

[@dannyt5725]

Loved this. With the release of the Detroit Mixes of this album, wondered if you could do a revisit and compare the two versions? I personally love the Detroit Mixes. Just a totally different perspective.

[@wildhorse4262]

What a treat! Legendary and amazing song, so cool to see you explore it!

[@tysonmarshallmusic]

Thanks Eric for so willingly peeling that curtain back, it's great stuff.

[@boglot]

Awesome video as always. I would love to see a breakdown of Eric Valentine’s favorite records or maybe even favorite songs. Since you have such a keen ear, it would be fascinating to see a list of material that made an impact on you and the way you listen. Then again, I know it would probably be difficult to take that topic and turn it into a comprehensive and entertaining video.

[@BarneyBorovoski]

Hey Eric great videos, Thanks for sharing all this information. Another thing it would be nice if UndertoneAudio make your summing device that you did I will buy one for sure!!!

[@raumatatetuanui259]

Thank you Eric for this treasure

[@TheCamilocedeno]

My favorite thing on the internet right now, by far

[@AprilGay]

I stumbled upon a vocal only track of Mercy Mercy Me.. Oh Man... Priceless. 🌟 And while I'm here Mark. TRIDE one of my All Time FAVORITE Bands♥️ Saw you open for Joe at Ruth Eckerd Hall Clrwtr FL 92-93? Again PRICELESS! 🌟🌟 Still got my cassette, in playlist for both phones.. Thank You😘

[@mrwev]

Yes! I have the multitrack master of that song as well. It’s totally spine tingling!

[@mrufino1]

Now we just need someone to bootleg those t-ride masters...😉 But seriously, all of these multi tracks that had come out on the net around that time are fascinating.