HOW TO BUY
TRY IT, YOU’LL LIKE IT
Three of H-D-H’s earlier Motown highlights
MARVIN GAYE
Can I Get A Witness
TAMLA, 1963
The key to the Motown Sound was the early infusion of gospel music’s fervour, beautifully captured by Holland, Dozier and Holland on this 12-bar blues in which, goaded by Johnny Griffith’s pounding piano chords and Benny Benjamin’s huge backbeat, Marvin Gaye was decisively coaxed away from his ambition to become acabaret crooner. 9/10