I bought this album a long time ago and at first I just didn't get it.
But recently I gave it another spin and I loved it!
Very groundbreaking, abstract and totally different from his other work.
Great instrumentals 'Voyage To India', 'The First Garden' and Seasons to name a few. And some respectable songs like 'Same Old Story' and 'Send One Your Love'.
I know the critics burned it down back in '79, but I think it's very underrated.
What are U're thoughts?

I only just heard JTTSLOP this week and I would say I am right in the middle. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece as many do and I also wouldn't say it's rubbish. It is what it is. Instrumental music (mostly) from someone who is known for vocal music. It isn't bad but it's not fantastic either. I will say that it should not be as obscure as it is but also that it pales next to the rest of Stevie's '70s music.

'Black Orchid'

Ellie said:

The most extraordinary album ever made by a solo artist, plain and simple...

Definitely ahead of his time...

It's not for everybody, but it fits in well with the rest of his untouchable 70's catalogue. He was still in the zone and it is some of the most pleasing music I've ever heard. It's a beautiful album and I don't use that word too often.

Underrated indeed!!!!

This album came after the success of

'Songs In The Key Of Life'

I can't find this anywhere after years of trying.

Moonbeam said:

Hi Sweetie ~ are you having fun over there? Just did a search and found bunches of this on Amazon for about 20.00! Miss you!!!!

MoonSongs said:

I may have to get it once I'm back in the States! It'll be good to see you and your 7-year old.

Moonbeam said:

Huh?

Moonbeam said:

Umm...wait'll you get home.

Come back as a flower is just sooooo beautiful.
Stevie Wonder did that song on piano when I saw him live
last year.
/peace Manki

rialb said:

This is exactly how I feel about this album.

even though I prefer the most part of his other classic 70 albums over JTTSLOP, still it's an outstanding piece of work. and yes, in my eyes it also deserves the tag "masterpiece"

I'm really on the fence on this one. I think that this album certainly is a great display of all his talents, but it seems as though he does very ride the atmosphere, ie create music that has great atmosphere but not much excitement. There are moments when it's soothing and beautiful but others where it's just boring. As far as I know, this album prefigured the whole "new age" genre (I could be wrong), but since I hate new age, I can't give it that much credit . What it comes down to for me is that I would much rather listen to any of his other 70s albums, which had atmosphere, melody, excitement and variety in equal proportions.

Wow...I thought I was the only who had mixed feelings about this album


It's an interesting album,but I can't really call it a masterpiece.Stevie was branching out and experimenting (which is always a good thing),but there are moments on this album that bore me.

DavidEye said:

I think most people have mixed feelings about the album...(hope Okaypimpin doesn't come get me!) It has it's ups and downs....The thing that saddens me is that, because it was so poorly received, Stevie's probably never going to do something that experimental again...he used to stretch out, but since that disappointment, he plays it safe and commercial...



...

This album was actually the first Stevie Wonder album I had. I love it to bits. It's weird and ambient before the ambient movement ever was founded.

My instant loves were The First Garden, Venus Flytrap And The Bug (fun!) and Race Babbling (funky!).

"Power Flower" is my favorite from that LP.

I love this album and I'll tell you why. It's thematic, unified and cohesive both melodically and lyrically. I love how melodies from "Tree" And "Secret Life of Plants" are used subtly in the other tunes. It really brings eveything together. I remember when I first heard it how much I loved "Power Flower". I used to spin that over and over, dissecting the background vocals. "First Garden" and "Ecclesiastes" are some of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. Regardless of what critics or the public think about this album, I'll never hesitate to show my appreciation for it.

OdysseyMiles said:

HamsterHuey said:

Moonbeam said:

She acts like a two year old! She and her sister are still little wild childs but not "the terroists" they were that first year and a half. They are the sweetest hearts.

GangstaFam said:

You have one too!!!!!

..... this is one of the albums i grew up with , i remember everybit of it , since my father used to have the record . i loved it , and still do

the other one from stevie i grew up with is songs in the key of life

both very good albums

secret live of plants made me (since i was about 5 yrs old )listen to music and love it .. .....and then came prince .....

Wow, such enthousiasm!
Didn't expect that since it's such a non-easy listening album at first.
And it's indeed a shame he never tried something experimental like that again.
I think that's the only thing Prince is better at, more daring musicwise.
I really love them both though.

JTTSLOP is one of Stevie's more misunderstood and challenging works. It's not for everyone and it's pretty hard to listen to the album in one sitting because the album's length is 2 hours. There alot excellent numbers here like Power Flower, Black Orchid, Venus' Flytrap and The Bug, Outside My Window. Come Back As A Flower, and Send One Your Love. There are a small number of duds, which is pretty good. The instrumentals are just enchanting and beautiful, but some can get repetitive. Stevie just takes on a lot of different sounds from Africa, China, and other places and creates something magical. I also admire the album for its groundbreaking synthesizer work. He also plays all of the instruments here except the guitars. So, JTTSLOP is an album that just gets you in a different mood and takes you on an exciting journey. This is one of those records that the critics should get blamed for.
[Edited 8/1/05 22:52pm]

MrTation said:

Power Flower is my song! JTTSLOP was the last of Stevie's legendary 70's albums that I purchased. I think its a very good album with flaws, but his experiments often succeed and I give him credit for even considering a recording project in this vein. My favs are the abovementioned Power Flower, Send One Your Love (vocal and instrumental), Black Orchid, Ecclesiastes, Outside My Window, Same Old Story and Secret Life of Plants. I also love the inner photo of Stevie without the shades...very cool!
[Edited 8/1/05 23:40pm]

In a simple phrase...

This is the most artistic piece of work Stevie has ever put out.

It's my favorite album by him and all the songs are timeless.
[Edited 8/2/05 8:29am]

silverchild said: