Love them both in different ways, but I'd rather have Stevie's catalog.

Bowie and Stevie are very different artists, it's kind of hard to compare them. Both of their catalogues are important. I'm totally biased toward Stevie Wonder because he's my favourite musician of all time. I am definintely going to say that Stevie's 1970s catalogue is my preference, without a doubt.

[Edited 5/27/17 12:09pm]

There really isn't any comparison. Both have excellent catalogues. There is no "better than." It really is just a matter of preference.

MotownSubdivision said:

Naturally Stevie. I've never listened to a single Bowie album so I can't be impartial here.

yup, same here. closest to a "complete" bowie album i ever heard is Let's Dance, and that's because of its singles and commercial bent. stevie all day on this for me. partiality noted

I'm going to go with David Bowie - Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Station to Station, Low and "Heroes" was just a quality portfolio. Not to mention The Idiot and Lust for Life with Iggy Pop.

My favourite Stevie Wonder album from this period is Songs in the Key of Life.

RJOrion said:

Bowie for me. If only because of the diversity. To go from "Life on Mars?" to "Young Americans" to "Warszawa" to "Blackout" alone is amazing.

I Prefer the greatest group of all time, better than Prince & his groups, better material, better writing, and larger catalogue.

Jesus & The 12 disciplines. All lyrics in RED, all instruments played by Christ, Produced by Child of God, and backing vocals done by the Trinity. After Judas signed with Hell Naw records, Jesus broke up the band.

But seriously I forfeit my vote as I've never listened to any Bowie albums completely So by default Stevie Wins for me.

Neversin said:

Bowie by far... Stevie hasn't done anything close to the musical experimentation Bowie did... Plus Stevie's music doesn't challenge a listener, it's nice but forgettable to me... Bowie's 1970's output went far beyond the borders of known music and created a new landscape like Prince did in the 1980's... Neversin.

That's zome crazy shit right there, i know that is your opinion but still...

Neversin said:

liljojo said:

I Prefer the greatest group of all time, better than Prince & his groups, better material, better writing, and larger catalogue.

Jesus & The 12 disciplines. All lyrics in RED, all instruments played by Christ, Produced by Child of God, and backing vocals done by the Trinity. After Judas signed with Hell Naw records, Jesus broke up the band.

But seriously I forfeit my vote as I've never listened to any Bowie albums completely So by default Stevie Wins for me.

What was their greatest hit?

Yikes, this is a tough choice. My favorite 70s album might just be Songs in the Key of Life, but Bowie has more albums which I love from the 70s than Stevie, so he might get the edge on that front.

Stevie Wonder & David Bowie were to the 1970's what Michael Jackson & Prince were to the 1980's.

With that said, my vote goes the Stevie.

TonyVanDam said:

Stevie Wonder & David Bowie were to the 1970's what Michael Jackson & Prince were to the 1980's.

With that said, my vote goes the Stevie.

Totally agree

Bowie by far, no one could come close to his genius streak in the 70s Station to Station and Low alone would warrant a place in music heaven 4ever

Neversin said:

Bowie by far... Stevie hasn't done anything close to the musical experimentation Bowie did... Plus Stevie's music doesn't challenge a listener, it's nice but forgettable to me... Bowie's 1970's output went far beyond the borders of known music and created a new landscape like Prince did in the 1980's... Neversin.

I don't think I can disagree with a post any more than I disagree with this one.

Stevie Wonder's musical compositions features a harmonic sophistication that doesn't have too
many peers. The reason why you don't perceive his music as being a challenging listen could
be due to several things but I think a explanative possibility could rest in his facility for melody
and his ability to present it aurally hides the fact that he's often shifting from one key to next
and doing so with great skill in chromaticism.

Here is a dissertation I've skimmed a few times on Wonder's harmonic sophistication:

AN EXPLORATION OF MELODY, HARMONY, AND IMPROVISATION IN THE MUSIC OF STEVIE WONDER

by

Jeff Lovell

214 said:

liljojo said:

I Prefer the greatest group of all time, better than Prince & his groups, better material, better writing, and larger catalogue.

Jesus & The 12 disciplines. All lyrics in RED, all instruments played by Christ, Produced by Child of God, and backing vocals done by the Trinity. After Judas signed with Hell Naw records, Jesus broke up the band.

But seriously I forfeit my vote as I've never listened to any Bowie albums completely So by default Stevie Wins for me.

What was their greatest hit?

"Proud Mary"

RJOrion said:

214 said:

What was their greatest hit?

"Proud Mary"

Dasein said:

Neversin said:

Bowie by far... Stevie hasn't done anything close to the musical experimentation Bowie did... Plus Stevie's music doesn't challenge a listener, it's nice but forgettable to me... Bowie's 1970's output went far beyond the borders of known music and created a new landscape like Prince did in the 1980's... Neversin.

I don't think I can disagree with a post any more than I disagree with this one.

Stevie Wonder's musical compositions features a harmonic sophistication that doesn't have too
many peers. The reason why you don't perceive his music as being a challenging listen could
be due to several things but I think a explanative possibility could rest in his facility for melody
and his ability to present it aurally hides the fact that he's often shifting from one key to next
and doing so with great skill in chromaticism.

Here is a dissertation I've skimmed a few times on Wonder's harmonic sophistication:

AN EXPLORATION OF MELODY, HARMONY, AND IMPROVISATION IN THE MUSIC OF STEVIE WONDER

by

Jeff Lovell

Thanks you so much, although i don't think i'll be able to understand half of that.

Bowie was my 2nd favorite artist and him and Prince (my number 1) have shaped my love of music.

That being said, I have huge respect for Stevie Wonder (singing, composing, studio and sonic invention, as well as the incredibly underrated warm drumming without even mentioning his keyboard wizardry)

This topic in taking into account the 70's the "golden years" of both artists is more or less who is better Bowie or Stevie? I consider Bowie at his peak an innovative and true album artist who had an ear and an eye for writing singles. Stevie made music that changed music for the better, and I love songs in the key of life, talking book and music of my mind. My confession is that I never loved fulfillingness first finale (sp?) though it is designated one of his classics. I have a soft spot for the secret life of plants too.

So I have to go with my Mainman David Bowie, but definitely, cannot condone the honest but still harsh criticism of Stevie Wonder given by some posters. Stevie Wonder can snugly wear the sobriquet of genius.

[Edited 5/31/17 0:16am]