Abraham, Martin, John, & Marvin

I'm hoping the great readers of my blog are familiar with the musical legend that is Marvin Gaye. The Prince of Soul/Motown would have been 70 years old today, and his influence still reaches far beyond today's soul vocalists and R&B sensations to almost every element of urban music.

Everyone loves his collection of hit singles - I mean, I remember listening to "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" on a Best of Motown '68 tape back when I was a young'n - so I wanted to dig up an often-overlooked song from his collection that just happens to be my personal favorite.

In 1970, Marvin sang his own version of Dion's 1968 song "Abraham, Martin & John," a tribute to three essential figures of American history that stood for freedom and independence. The song appeared on That's the Way Love Is as an introduction to his style of social commentary and a precursor to the singer's magnum opus What's Goin On.

The reason I connect with the song is two reasons: the lyrics and Marvin's emotion when he recorded it. Also, the repetition of "He freed a lot of people/ But it seems the good die young/ I just looked around/ And he was gone" is eerily prophetic when it comes to his life and tragic death.

"Abraham, Martin & John" is truly one song that gives me chills, it is an essential part of today's celebration of Marvin Gaye's legacy, Enjoy!

[I'm at work so if anyone wants a download link, Tweet me or e-mail me and I'll be more that happy to share later tonight.

Check out the lyrics here]

Really Feelin' The Spirit..

.. I'm finally done with all I need to do for the day, what a relief.

I want to wish everyone a very blessed holiday season and, for those that celebrate, a Merry Christmas Eve.

I put together this here mix for you all to enjoy tonight and tomorrow. I included a bunch of my favorite Christmas joints across different genres - jazz instrumentals, traditional, Motown, religious, rock, soul, pop and even one hip-hop (sorry, I'm not really feelin' most of hip-hop's holiday contributions, I'm more of a traditional head myself).

You'll find classics like Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song," Frank Sinatra's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," and Stevie Wonder's "Someday At Christmas" alongside more obscure tunes like Jethro Tull's "Ring Out, Solstice Bells," John Lennon & Yoko Ono's "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's rock-opera "Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo 12/24."
I tried to appeal to different tastes with this mix - I hope it enhances your holiday experience.

Time to wrap the last of my presents, set up the new BlackBerry Storm and spend some time with the fam before church, Enjoy!

Download: HFTB Christmas '08: Feelin' The Spirit

Track List:

Al Green - I'll Be Home For Christmas
Charles Brown - Please Come Home For Christmas
Chet Baker - We Three Kings
Dave Brubeck - What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)
Diana Ross & The Supremes - Silver Bells
Donny Hathaway - This Christmas
Eddie Dunstedter - Let It Snow!; RudolphThe Red-Nosed Reindeer
Eddie Higgins Trio - Winter Wonderland
Frank Sinatra - The Christmas Song (with Bing Crosby)
Frank Sinatra - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Howard Levy & Connie Ellisor - Go, Tell It On The Mountain
Jackson 5 - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Jethro Tull - Ring Out, Solstice Bells
John Lennon & Yoko Ono - Happy Christmas (The War Is Over)
Luther Vandross - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Nat King Cole - Adeste Fideles
Nat King Cole - O Come All Ye Faithful
Nat King Cole - O Holy Night
Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)
Otis Redding - Merry Christmas, Baby
Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime
Perry Como - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The Piano Tribute Players - Carol of the Bells
The Piano Tribute Players - Greensleeves
The Piano Tribute Players - Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Run-D.M.C. - Christmas In Hollis
Stevie Wonder - Someday At Christmas
Stevie Wonder - Ave Maria
The Temptations - Little Drummer Boy
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - An Angel Came Down
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - An Angel Returned
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Canon
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve/ Sarajeva 12/24
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The First Noel
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - O Come All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Prince of Peace
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Wizards in Winter
VA - Ding Dong Merrilly On High

It's Almost Here..

.. Christmas, the best day ever, that is. And just for my loyal readers, I'll be running thru these holiday albums and others here at the office to bring you the first annual HFTB Christmas Mix: Feelin' The Spirit tomorrow..

So stay tuned!