Marvin Gaye What's Going On Vinyl LP Tamla TS 310 1st Pressing Mercy Mercy Me

$

35

Marvin Gaye What's Going On Vinyl LP - Tamla TS 310 First Pressing (1971) with Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Inner City Blues
Condition: Good + Vinyl and Very Good Cover. Vinyl has some surface scuffs, was cleaned and play-tested on both sides and plays well throughout with intermittent light background noise, but no skips. Original gatefold cover has good image, no splits or writing, name written on one side of label. Gatefold cover has lyrics inside; includes original Motown inner sleeve.
Superior Pressing Catalog # is TS 310 on Album Cover, T 310 on Labels. Matrix / Runout (side A): TS-310 HS-1867 S-1 dh TvC A4RS-2682-2-D Matrix / Runout (side B): TS-310 HS-1868 S-2 dh TvC A4RS-2684-2-D
What's Going On is the eleventh studio album by Marvin Gaye. It was released in 1971 by the Motown Records subsidiary label Tamla. It was Gaye's first album to credit him as producer and to credit Motown's in-house session musicians, known as the Funk Brothers.
What's Going On is a concept album with most of its songs segueing into the next and has been categorized as a song cycle. The narrative established by the songs is told from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to his home country to witness hatred, suffering, and injustice. Gaye's introspective lyrics explore themes of drug abuse, poverty, and the Vietnam War. He has also been credited with promoting awareness of ecological issues before the public outcry over them had become prominent ("Mercy Mercy Me").
What's Going On stayed on the Billboard Top LPs for over a year and became Gaye's second number-one album on Billboard's Soul LPs chart, where it stayed for nine weeks, and on the No. 2 spot for another 12 weeks, respectively. The title track, which had been released in January 1971 as the album's lead single, hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the top position on Billboard's Soul Singles chart five weeks running. The follow-up singles "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" also reached the top 10 of the Hot 100, making Gaye the first male solo artist to place three top ten singles on the Hot 100 from one album.
The album was an immediate commercial and critical success, and came to be viewed by music historians as a classic of 1970s soul. Multiple critics, musicians, and many in the general public consider What's Going On to be one of the greatest albums of all time and a landmark recording in popular music. In 1985, writers on British music weekly the NME voted it the best album of all time. In 2020, it was ranked number one on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".
Track listing
A1 What's Going On A2 What's Happening Brother A3 Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky) A4 Save The Children A5 God Is Love A6 Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
B1 Right On B2 Wholy Holy B3 Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) _____________________________________________
Shipping: Calculated domestic shipping via Media Mail or Priority Mail. Will ship internationally at FLAT RATES.  Records mailed in a proper cardboard LP mailer. All records cleaned prior to shipment.
Check out my other auctions, and save on shipping! I do offer multiple-bid shipping discounts -- please contact me before paying if you plan to purchase or bid on multiple auctions.
Payment: Paypal is preferred method of payment.  
Return Policy: I do accept returns for up to 30 days. Please let me know if you have questions about this item or any others I have for sale before you bid or purchase.  If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact me immediately and I will do whatever I can to resolve. This may be a replacement, a credit, or a full or partial refund depending on the circumstances.
_____________________________________________

I use the Goldmine Grading System, and play-test all records. I note any differences between vinyl and cover, and make note of any inserts, special sleeves, or potential defects.

MINT (M) - Absolutely perfect in every way. Most often this is a still sealed record, records that have been opened are rarely if ever marked as Mint.

NEAR MINT (NM) - A good description is that it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time. In other words, it?s nearly perfect, with no visible defects. 

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) - Except for a couple minor things, this could be Near Mint. Most collectors will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if on the high end (VG++). VG+ records may show slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Covers should have only minor wear. 

VERY GOOD (VG) - VG records are among the biggest bargains, and for many, will be worth the money. They can lack the original gloss, may have surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages. But the noise will not overpower the music. VG covers will have signs of handling, and may have minor splits. 

GOOD PLUS (G+) - Good+ does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, but it has significant surface noise and groove wear. Cover may have significant ring wear, noticeable writing, or obvious damage.

GOOD (G) - Record may have some skipping, but is otherwise listenable. I generally avoid selling Good (G) rated records unless they are highly collectible or desirable, in order to enjoy until something better comes along. Cover has major wear or seam splits that need repair, or heavy writing like radio station call letters to prevent theft.

Feel free to contact me with any specific questions.