We dont seem to of had many polls on here lately so I thought I'd put this up while I was thinking about it today. Who was your favourite Marvin or JJ. both have been compared strongly vocally , J J apparently silenced by motown ( at Marvins request) for a period in the late 60s because of his similarity to Marvins vocals.

I personally cannot seperate them with Please let me in bieng my all time top oldie which I think epitomises Northern soul but on the other hand absolutely love Take this heart of mine by Marvin. Both superb but what do you reckon?What are their finest moments?

Edited August 9, 200519 yr by CRAIG W

Went with Marv, gotta say. Marvin liked to distance himself from other male solo artists at Motown, did it to Jimmy Ruffin too. In record sales though he outsold the Temptaions, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. Was 2nd only to the Supremes.

Rare soul is where it's at imo. But to spare a thought for a commercial soul act ... Marvin.

I went with JJ,the amount of "northern soul" tunes this mans done is amazing

I went with Mr Barnes.

Although I was tempted to vote for the 4th option, but I thought that might have been a bit childish.

GOT TO BE MARVIN FOR ME, HIS VOCAL RANGE WAS SECOND TO NONE, AND IT JUST OOOOZES SOUL ON THE "WHERE ARE WE GOING" 12" EP- SOUND OF FUNK AND SOUL.

JJ's output, phenomonal. But those that chose him above Marvin haven't taken account of the fact that Marvin was by far the greater talent, not simply a great singer but a musical genius. A true innovator. Forget the Northern stuff. How anyone can ignore his masterpiece, What's Going On, which is more than just a soul album. It is music and poetry that can withstand the most rigourous artistic scrutiny and a piece of work truly torn from a man's soul at a time of immense introspection and turmoil in his troubled life. Think again guys. Think with your minds, your hearts and your souls, not just your feet.

Phew! Sorry about that.............I came over a bit too serious there. Hope nobody takes offence. None intended.

Went with Marvin too.

He has no peers in the soul world. Commercial or not.

Went with Marvin too.

He has no peers in the soul world. Commercial or not.

link

Really tough one this-

if i was to go for the northern side alone then it would

deffo have to be jj if Only for please let me in-

But Marvins search was a long tough road and his

striving and self analisis culminating into whats going on

Shows that in the end he really was thinking about us all

That Guy Really did give his WHOLE SOUL!

As for the best voice well almost unseperable

and i will leave that to others to decide.

Went with JJ Barnes as Real Humdinger was the first record Northern Record I bought , But really there is no comparison, As Marvin Gaye was a Super Star

Jon Buck

Went with JJ Barnes as Real Humdinger was the first record Northern Record I bought , But really there is no comparison, As Marvin Gaye was a Super Star

Jon Buck

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Good point. JJ Barnes was, along with Major Lance and Darrel Banks, among the first icons of our scene; but can you imagine the world without Marvin? His influence as a social commentator extended beyond the confines of music.

And what if he had been an unknown grafter and "Grapevine" had been another bombed out record on Impact or Revilot? Might have been the greatest Northern Soul sound of all time - not to mention "Take this heart of mine", "You're a wonderful one" or a zillion other classics.

Marvin for me then.

Without a doubt Marvin - just superb vocals - oozed soul out of every vein IMO

Although I was tempted to vote for the 4th option, but I thought that might have been a bit childish.

link

JJ's output, phenomonal. But those that chose him above Marvin haven't taken account of the fact that Marvin was by far the greater talent, not simply a great singer but a musical genius. A true innovator. Forget the Northern stuff. How anyone can ignore his masterpiece, What's Going On, which is more than just a soul album. It is music and poetry that can withstand the most rigourous artistic scrutiny and a piece of work truly torn from a man's soul at a time of immense introspection and turmoil in his troubled life. Think again guys. Think with your minds, your hearts and your souls, not just your feet.

Phew! Sorry about that.............I came over a bit too serious there. Hope nobody takes offence. None intended.

link

Agree, Whats Going On, never bettered IMO, but thats no bad thing.

Marvin all the way.

A slightly unfair poll, to be honest. Be in no doubt that J.J. Barnes is a soul singer of the very highest order (aside from the Ric-Tic material check out stuff like "Lonely No More" on Mickay's and "Got To Get Rid Of You" on Volt). But, for me, Marvin Gaye should stand as one of the icons of 20th century culture alongside Elvis and Frank Sinatra. His talent as a visionary musician places him right up there.

Edited August 10, 200519 yr by garethx

A slightly unfair poll, to be honest. Be in no doubt that J.J. Barnes is a soul singer of the very highest order (aside from the Ric-Tic material check out stuff like "Lonely No More" on Mickay's and "Got To Get Rid Of You" on Volt). But, for me, Marvin Gaye should stand as one of the icons of 20th century culture alongside Elvis and Frank Sinatra. His talent as a visionary musician places him right up there.

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My point exactly. Well put.

A slightly unfair poll, to be honest. Be in no doubt that J.J. Barnes is a soul singer of the very highest order (aside from the Ric-Tic material check out stuff like "Lonely No More" on Mickay's and "Got To Get Rid Of You" on Volt). But, for me, Marvin Gaye should stand as one of the icons of 20th century culture alongside Elvis and Frank Sinatra. His talent as a visionary musician places him right up there.

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Agree with most points (as seems to be the norm with you Gareth ), however would put Gaye above both due to his writing talents, however am biased as Marvin is probably my favourite artist now, although to be honest it took me a while to really appreciate his just how great his talents were and how beautiful his music is

Cheers

Jock

Got to be Marvin as his "DARLING YOUR WONDERFUL"

all time favorite record

Doug

I think 'What's Going On' is vastly overated.

It seems ever music journalist and ten bob pundit pulls it out of the hat when they need a 'classic' Soul album to jam into some wanky poll.

'Look at me I'm so eso-fcuking-teric'

"Let's get it on" is more listenable, and "M.P.G" contains some of the best tracks recorded for Motown.

J.J. Barnes is good, but hasn't got the body of work to form a decent comparison.

I.M.H.O.

I think 'What's Going On' is vastly overated.

It seems ever music journalist and ten bob pundit pulls it out of the hat when they need a 'classic' Soul album to jam into some wanky poll.

'Look at me I'm so eso-fcuking-teric'

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Does that make it bad though? Methinks another example of because its so popular we shouldnt like it. Sometimes (very rarely I agree) the cream did rise, and this is a great example. So many people like it because it is so good, Agree totally about the wankers naming it for credibility but so what.

Still the greatest complete album for me, musically vocally and lyrically it just comes together.

Sorry Pikey dont bite me

Cheers

Jock