Material that Marvin didn't intend for release.

Listening to this album is a sad experience, and not the good kind of sad. Basically, this joint release from Columbia and Motown finds both studios attempting to clear out their vaults of some of the previously unreleased material from Marvin. The graphic cuts "Savage In the Sack" and "Masochistic Beauty" are almost uncomfortably lewd, and some claim that Marvin never even intended them for release (they say he just liked to shock visitor to the studio by playing them). The semi-hit "Sanctified Lady" (which strongly peaked at #2 on the R&B chart, but failed to scrape the Hot 100) is less pornographic (even though it's obvious that "lady" was dubbed over "p***y" at the last minute), however, it's also melodically less engaging. There are couple more tracks that are just average ("Symphony," the title track), and one where Marvin rambles on and on but never really says much ("Life's Opera"). The best track is easily the perceptive "It's Madness" (#55 R&B), although "Ain't It Funny" is also a nice groove. However, these tracks could have easily been issued on a better compilation (of which there have been plenty). But the worst thing about DREAM OF A LIFETIME is not the relative poor quality of tracks, but the fact that Columbia and Motown went ahead and released tracks that Marvin had not approved for release - all so they could make a profit off of his death.

There are a few sweet gems on this one

The songs I like the most on this cd are so melancholy. The title track, "It's Madness" and "Life's Opera" just really make me ponder and wish MG were still alive. They are so sad yet give us a glimpse into the man himself, his feeling, emotions, beliefs, hopes and dreams.

This is Marvin's worst release to date

People would say that this is not the right album that Marvin 'cuz it's too phony or corny or whatever. I would say it's good just even tho there at least 5 songs I'm feelin which were fantasic. The other ones are okay on my handout right here. This goes to show why Motown and Columbia put it out here 'cuz he never wanted them to released. The fact that Marvin was being a lil hard on himself before he originally passed. The best song to date (which is off the compilation album "The Soulful Sound of Marvin Gaye") is "My Madness" which deals with depression and loneliness. It's full of desire, loss, depression, anger, and other varieities as well. First "Sanctified Lady" (probably known as "Santcifed P***y) was doing good on the R&B Charts in '85 just right after he died and it eventually failed on the Top 100 b/c of a lack of support. Nobody wanted to believe in that record it wasn't Marvin put out. I believe it's good tho. Can't say I hate it. But it goes to tell you if u read the book from David Ritz which he wrote out about Marvin. Think that'll help u.



Anyway I would love to give it 3.5 stars (C+) even tho it's not a classic to date y'know.