Marv Johnson - Just Look Through Your Window at the World

[mysterysinger]

A song with a message and first time on YouTube.

I really like this one...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwEjQacfW20&feature=youtu.be

[robb_k]

16925
I'll always remember the story about this record, that although Marv was a "forgotten man" at Motown after he returned from his 5 year stint at UA, at the same time, he was he was so well-known there that most people thought he "came with the furniture", and so never thought to question that he belonged there. Which is why nobody questioned his going into The Snakepit and recording this song 2 full years after his last artist contract with Motown had expired and wasn't renewed. I suppose his producers had no idea he'd been essentially "fired". They certainly didn't release anything on him in North America since 1969, so they didn't promote him. A sad end to the recording career of the man whose first Motown record [[also Motown's first) put the company on the map, and provided money to keep the company going in 1959, to allow it to produce other records and be stable enough to survive its infancy. Of course, sales of his UA hit releases in late 1959, 1960, and 1961 [[all produced and recorded at Motown, by Motown staff) allowed the company to continue growing on a sound basis until it had several other hit artists, and its now solid foundation would carry it forward to undreamed of heights for a Black-owned company. This, and other cuts like "So Glad You Chose Me" should have been released, in addition to the meagre total of 3 releases he had on Gordy, after his return.

[motony]

Yes, and he use to headline the early versions of the Motortown Revues called Motown Specials or something like that.I know he was not on the 1962 Motortown Revue that came through Florida.

[marv2]

16925
I'll always remember the story about this record, that although Marv was a "forgotten man" at Motown after he returned from his 5 year stint at UA, at the same time, he was he was so well-known there that most people thought he "came with the furniture", and so never thought to question that he belonged there. Which is why nobody questioned his going into The Snakepit and recording this song 2 full years after his last artist contract with Motown had expired and wasn't renewed. I suppose his producers had no idea he'd been essentially "fired". They certainly didn't release anything on him in North America since 1969, so they didn't promote him. A sad end to the recording career of the man whose first Motown record [[also Motown's first) put the company on the map, and provided money to keep the company going in 1959, to allow it to produce other records and be stable enough to survive its infancy. Of course, sales of his UA hit releases in late 1959, 1960, and 1961 [[all produced and recorded at Motown, by Motown staff) allowed the company to continue growing on a sound basis until it had several other hit artists, and its now solid foundation would carry it forward to undreamed of heights for a Black-owned company. This, and other cuts like "So Glad You Chose Me" should have been released, in addition to the meagre total of 3 releases he had on Gordy, after his return.

Robb, it is sad, ironic and unfair! Now, he doesn't even get a mention in all of those big Motown anniversary television specials. I think they may have shown his picture during the memorial section of the last special.

[marv2]

Yes, and he use to headline the early versions of the Motortown Revues called Motown Specials or something like that.I know he was not on the 1962 Motortown Revue that came through Florida.

I met Marv Johnson and he was a nice guy to us. I last saw him perform in 1990 and he had not lost a thing. He sang and danced all during his set.

[woodward]

Great find. I am especially curious about the picture of the Motown Museum with his picture in the window. To the best of my knowledge his picture that is shown was never in the window of the Motown Museum. I was in Detroit several days before his funeral which I attended and after the funeral and was at the museum during that period and never saw this picture of him in the window. I remember Esther Edwards speaking at his services on behalf of Motown. She praised him up the wall.

Does anyone know what Rolo Casanova-Motown Series is?

Thanks mystery singer for locating this.

[mysterysinger]

The Rolo Casanova is simply a pen name for a channel on YouTube and the Motown Series indicates that the user has posted a few Motown related songs amongst other interests. The photo of Marv Johnson in the window is a photoshop addition - the song refers to looking through a window.

Some examples of others in the series


Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - I Love The Way He Loves Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4prJj5tb4Rs

Dennis Edwards - Just My Imagination https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9FL4Njeoyw

Mary Wilson - Stop! In The Name Of Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86EUdJaCy-8

Thelma Houston & Jerry Butler - You Gave Me Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Y3vep63Ao

Nikita - Our Day Will Come https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHObpjLluO8

Isela Sotelo - Angel Baby / Angelito https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I5uZQb-HfU

DRATS - Someday We'll Be Together [[Anthology version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGghCwgZeC0

Terry Johnson - Whatcha Gonna Do [[The Motown Sound version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kllQ3qLqvZc

Bobby Taylor & Vancouvers - Day By Day Or Never https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws5gIOLpQVg

Four Tops - You Keep Running Away [[British Motown Chartbusters 2 version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iARaRXe7ee0

Brenda Holloway - You Need Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJvA9JLJf_I

The Originals - Just Another Morning [[my favourite one in the series) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVaor19dqr8


etc....

[woodward]

Thanks a million. I was unfamiliar with Rolo Casanova. I assumed that of the picture of Marv at the museum. Too bad it never happened. Marv never has gotten the credit that he deserved for his important role in Motown history.

[marv2]

Thanks a million. I was unfamiliar with Rolo Casanova. I assumed that of the picture of Marv at the museum. Too bad it never happened. Marv never has gotten the credit that he deserved for his important role in Motown history.

Woodward, did you get the pic I sent you?

[woodward]

Woodward, did you get the pic I sent you?

I certainly did. I thought I had acknowledged this. Sorry. Too much going on with this coronvirus situation. It's a concern for all of us. Thanks.

[marv2]

I certainly did. I thought I had acknowledged this. Sorry. Too much going on with this coronvirus situation. It's a concern for all of us. Thanks.

Oh no problem. I know what you mean. This is becoming a major THING for everyone now.