Keeping on the Stevie tip- I grew up on his 70's albums, but what happened after those classic records? Other than a hit here and there, his albums have been pretty bland and lacking the genius that was on his great 70's records.

Here's my theories on why Stevie sucks now-

1. In the 70's he was hungry and HIGH as a Kite. Now he's rich, married, fat and probably doesn't do any drugs. He ain't "Too High" anymore, and he ain't writing songs like that anymore either.

2. Stevie discovered computers. With "I Just Called" Stevie had the whole thing programmed on his synth. No more live musicians which I think made his music so great. I've said it before, but imagine "Superstition" with a drum machine, or "Higher Ground" without a real clavinet, bass and drums.

3. Stevie's creative well finally ran dry. For an artist who put out such amazing FULL ALBUMS and sometimes double albums of music crossing all genres, maybe he just ran out of ideas.

I must say Stevie is probably one of my favorite artists ever and if he never writes another classic I will forgive him, but let's hope he brings back the live sound and the amazing HARMONICA playing and SINGING!

Yeah, wheres Stevie???

Sounds like pretty much what happened to Prince!

DMSR said:

If you actually think that song was about him you've misinterpreted it.

According to Stevie, he wrote the songs that he is acclaimed for all within an 18 month period. So basically, he had about a year and a half of prolific writing. And thats it. He released all those songs over the course of years, spread out over different albums. But in the end, it comes down to the 18 month inspiration that hit him in the 70's.

DMSR said:

WHY your theory sucks:

1. That song wasn't about him. Rather it was about a woman most likely fictional. It's called a "cautioary tale". The lyrics are pretty clear about that. As it is, Stevie is indeed rich and fat. As he owns most of his masters and copyrights he's not a starving artist (thanks to ATT & THE WOMAN IN RED tying into "I Just Called"), and records and performs whenever he feels a need. Though now it's mostly for charitable benefits. I've read interviews where he said he's going to sit out this hiphop trend.

2. That's pretty idiotic. Stevie thrives off new technology.

3. Equally as idiotic. Check the span on how often he records. It's the bare minimum required by his contract. He doesn't live hand-to-mouth. His legacy is intact, so it hardly matters if he records again. His stuff is still vibrant.

You actually think Stevie needs your forgiveness! Personally, I'm in no rush. He doesn't need to crank out product to satisfy the masses. Maybe I'm spoiled cuz I got 3 or 4 boots of him live and I've seen him perform so many times. Stevie truly loves his fans, so he'd probably interprets your arrogance as a sign of love and devotion.
[This message was edited Thu Jul 18 22:33:53 PDT 2002 by PFunkjazz]

DMSR said:

I think Technology had a Effect on his work as it did for the Majority for 70's Funk Artists&Bands.I think Stevie had Better overall Material in the 70's but in the 80's "Hotter than July" is Slammin" also "Do I Do","Ribbon in The SKy" "That Girl" are all from the 80's as are "Stay Gold".He has had Some Great Moments in the 80's.I think after 82 Hit&Miss for the Most part.but the thing that trips me out:I'm not gonna make excuses for Him because for Me His 70's Stuff Wipes the Floor on His 80's Stuff till Now IMHO but Him as Essentially a One Man-Band didn't go over as strongly in the 80's as the 70's??He was For the Most Part a One-Man Band in the 70's when that wasn't Really Cool.then he comes out in the Happy go Lucky Synth Pop Program 80's&Doesn't thrive as High?I think His audience Changed as well IMHO.He played into the time Period.

Stevie has a new album due this fall.Hopefully,it will be a return to form after the somewhat dissapointing 'Conversation Peace'(1995).

Stevie is one of my true musical heroes. I said on June 7 thread that according to an interview Stevie did in some magazine back in 98', his next two album projects will be a jazz album and a gospel album. I don't know if these projects will see its fruition, but I would love to see Stevie do ajazz album. I think he would pull it off.

BTW, I laugh everytime I hear his country and western take on his song "I Ain't Gonna Stand For It" from HOTTER THAN JULY...that song was amazing. Stevie has a sense of humor as well.

Anything from Stevie Wonder stay miles above anything that's released in the R&B/Pop music business of today.

Anything from Stevie Wonder stays miles above anything that's released in the R&B/Pop music business of today.

Double post , sorry !

ChimChimBadass said:

You can post that again and again and again

A dip in Stevie would be a peak for anyone else.
JUNGLE FEVER, CONVERSATION PEACE and
IN SQUARE CIRCLE only seem weak because of comparisons
to TALKING BOOK, INNERVISIONS, FFF, and SITKOL

I may be in denial here cuz I get as blind as Stevie off his stuff.

I bet Stevie got some gems in his vault. Would love to hear some of what's in there.

ChimChimBadass said:

Love Stevie, but not much after "Hot in July"...

Dig that Fishbone/Speed Racer avatar!

Brother915 said:

yep I Believe He has Some GEMS that would Blow some Minds if they ever see the light of day.I think the world of Stevie He is Something else.I hope He Releases New Music.I'm so tired of the Stevie Clones that have been coming out over the past few years.watching Glenn Lewis Imitate His Mannerisms etc... in His Videos is way too Much IMHO.

mistermaxxx said:

I agree those are great tracks but they are the few in the 80's that still used LIVE instruments. Stevie actually plays drums on "That Girl!" What a coold drum track! Listen to that high hat and those fills. Amazing. Same with "Ribbon"- compare that to "Overjoyed" which is all programmed. It would have been a much better song with live instruments. I'm sorry but songs like "Part Time Lover" just don't compare to the genius of teh earlier albums. Stevie was a great one man band, but only when he plays all the stuff for real not with his keyboard.

DMSR said:

You might also be finding the arp and moog synthesizers commonly used on Stevie's works were analog-based and gave things a warmer tone.

PFunkjazz said:

Yea exactly and i think his bass player was Nathan Watts? That guy added a lot especially to jams like "Do I Do!"

DMSR said:

yeah "Part Time Love" was in that Cheating Heart era of Songs.I think Atlantic Star out did Him with "Secret Lovers" IMHO.Luther Outsung Him On "Part Time Lover".but in His Defense everybody got Sucked in the Synth,Programmed Era.I have Herbie's stuff around then Hit&Miss.Billy Cobham,Chic Corea,EWF,etc.. all Fell into that Groove for a while.

Seems like he warped into Jamiroqui.

Or they warped into him.

What happened to Stevie Wonder's music? The 80s!

In the 80s,alot of Old School artists had to adapt to changing trends and sounds.Stevie was no exception.That's why he came up with stuff like "Part Time Lover",a song that I have never liked.But for the most part,his 80s music was pretty good.The 'Characters' CD in 1987 is excellent.

MUSIQUARIUM - MY FAV

My 2 cents:

Just like Prince in the 80s, Stevie had in the 70s a unique sound that made a lot for his success. Plus, just like Prince, he is a real genius.

His genius never died, but starting from the 1980s he started to sound out-dated (just like Prince in the 1990s). The result is that certain great songs (and there are many for instance on the Jungle Fever soundtrack) have gone almost unnoticed (well, just like some great Prince songs in the 1990s).

2 differences with prince that make me less optimistic for him than for our little man though:
- he does not seem to work very much indeed
- he seems to have a less risky approach, while Prince seems to be back on track in his approach to musical creation (whatever your views his recent output)

Let's pray that his next album will be great: that would help me stop listening to his clone Donnie

DavidEye said:

Yeah, even though his 80's stuff is spotty, there were always flashes of brillance on those albums!!!

Stevie's rather old and seriously handicapped. Why is it so suprising that he wants to rest on his laurels?

5/9
Lil Stevie lost his 'attitude' in the early '80s.
The things that brought us to him were lost (much like prince). We are sure that his musical prowess is there,
but he has no more battles to fight. His 'greatest' work
"Songs In The Key Of Life" is comming up on it's 30th year.
Mayhaps He will grace us with one more that will be his true
Opus.
[This message was edited Sat Aug 30 11:53:32 PDT 2003 by TheBORG]

here;s the recipe 4 stevie's return
1) get some more of that good weed he smoked in the 70's
(and yes believe it or not...stevie was smoking weed)
2) back to live instrumentation..ok the digital technology
thing is sooo 80's and that sound has ruled 4 19 years
as opposed to the 10-11 years of live instrumentation
3) really truly listen to the neo-soul artists and see why
they r so succesful...they r succesful because most of
them have literally robbed stevie's lyricism and sound
of the 70's..don't see them stealing that god awful
sound from in square circle (good album but wayyy
2 digital)
4) give Syreeta a call and write songs 2gether again
5) 4 the hell of it..go back 2 electric lady!!!

i always wish that the artists who i deem as great but "lost it" make just 1 more great album and then they can do whatever they please...like prince and TRC...i just wanted 2 hear that inspiration again so i can give a crap what he does from now on...same thing with stevie..just 1 more album..no raps...no digital music...just the real stuff!!!

You know that when Glen Lewis and Rahsaan Patterson are better Stevie impersonators then the man himself, we know we are in trouble. But his new album will be out soon, so we will see if he still has the touch, so to speak. Stevie is still God though. At least he is a humanist, unlike that retch Prince.

Prince is a ...

BRO915 said:

\
I've always loved his I Aint Gonna Stand For It..from Hotta Than July...an underrated deep cut clasic imo