ARTIST: Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
TITLE: You’re All I Need
YEAR RELEASED: 1968
CHART ACTION: #60, #4 R&B
SINGLES: Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing (#8 US, #1 R&B, #34 UK), You’re All I Need to Get By (#7 US, #1 R&B, #19 UK), Keep on Lovin’ Me, Honey (#24 US, #11 R&B), You Ain’t Livin’ ‘til You’re Lovin (#21 UK)
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Probably not
LINEUP: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, the Funk Brothers
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Second duet album from the great Motown pairing is solid as its singles (unusual for Motown in the 60’s).
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell’s albums were a step above the usual Motown records. Most of their strongest material was written for them by the team of Ashford & Simpson, and played to their strengths.
Great arrangements, production (from either Ashford & Simpson or Harvey Fuqua & Johnny Bristol), and backing add to the duo’s voices.With some big-time timeless hits, and a good balance of other tracks, this is one of the better Motown albums in the 60’s.
Sadly, this was the last album made with the two as a functioning duet. Terrell’s brain tumor, which caused a fall in 1967, would worsen and made touring impossible and recording difficult.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: Three tracks were Terrell solo sides that Gaye overdubbed duet vocals onto.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No
GRADE: A-: This is a great Motown album, full of good tracks and nothing recycled.