THE SPLENDID BOHEMIANS PRESENT "DOUBLE TROUBLE:" THE DEATH OF LOVE, WITH MARVIN GAYE AND LINDA AND RICHARD THOMPSON. DOUBLE DOWN!!

DIG THIS WITH BILL MESNIK AND RICH BUCKLAND- THE SPLENDID BOHEMIANS

Content provided by Rich Buckland and Bill Mesnik, Rich Buckland, and Bill Mesnik. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Rich Buckland and Bill Mesnik, Rich Buckland, and Bill Mesnik or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

2M ago 11:01

MP3•Episode home

Love is mysterious, and the death of love even more so: it’s complicated, sticky, and heart breaking. When there are children impacted, as was the case with Marvin and Anna Gaye, and Richard and Linda Thompson, the emotional brutality can resonate for generations.

Is it worthy compensation if the anguish produces great art? Life is short - Art is long, and isn’t that what every artist hopes for, that their art will endure beyond the grave? Who can weigh that balance?

Today’s cuts illuminate couples in crisis: In the case of the Thompsons, they were dissolving a recording and performing team; in Marvin’s, he was being ousted by the sister of the man who gave him his break. Neither scenario is pretty, but the resultant music remains divine.

HERE MY DEAR / MARVIN GAYE

Anna Gordy Gaye wanted a million dollars as a divorce settlement from Marvin. She took out a warrant for his arrest for failing to pay alimony, and put a restraining order on him. Check.

So, a deal was struck: in exchange for $600K (1/2 in advance; half to be taken out of royalties), Marvin would produce a new album to get her paid. Check mate.

Initially intending to make a quick knock off, Marvin became fascinated with the project, devoting himself to making it a passionate sacrifice, detailing the death of love. It was a critical and commercial failure upon its release, but has since been reconsidered, and is now thought of as one of his finest achievements.

The title cut that introduces the album disturbingly cuts off in mid-phrase - a distinctly telling gesture.

WALL OF DEATH / RICHARD AND LINDA THOMPSON

Linda was pregnant with Richard’s third child when producer Joe Boyd got them into the studio to record the album “Shoot Out the Lights” - a record which Rolling Stone designated as #9 on its list of the “Best Albums of the 1980s”.

They were supposed to tour immediately after to promote the record, but unfortunately, this had to be delayed to allow Linda to give birth. In the interim, Richard, who had fallen in love with another woman, dropped the bad news on her as they set out on tour.

After being together for 10 years, and Linda converting to Sufi Islam for Richard, renouncing worldly pleasures, she was now trapped inside a loveless, commercial obligation, ironically, to promote their finest collaboration.

Wall of Death, which closes the album, depicts love as a dangerous carnival ride in which you take your chances at calamity, but still want to go back to ride, again and again.

453 episodes

#Theater #Arts #Music #Cinema #RICH BUCKLAND