Simply classic. And beautiful. And influential. 5 stars!

Moonbeam said:

What took you so long to hear this masterpiece?

seanski said:

I didn't buy any of his albums until earlier this year. I loved "Talking Book" and "Innervisions," but I hadn't gotten into this one yet. I wanted to take my time with it. It's working.

Ah, I remember my first discovery of Stevie Wonder *sighs* It's just heaven getting all the albums at once, isn't it?

Ellie said:

Sometimes I like to do that, but with an artist with as much material as Stevie Wonder, I want to take my time.

I was listening 2 this earlier on...

"Contusion" blew me away, then "Summer Soft" then "I Am Singing" then... etc...

My God what an album. I'm also entranced by the "Music Of My Mind" album too - 21 years old when he recorded this amazing album where he plays all his own instruments and facing the right side of the cover on his first solo album (as Stevie NOT Little Stevie)... sounds familiar though.

'dre

I will not even ask you why it did take u all this time to get that album,,I'll let it go

But, here're afew tips that may get u started, hear:

Ordinary Pain
Knocks Me Off My Feet
Summer Love


Just hear the backround production of these songs,,,don't get me started on that,,,and the lyrics flow nicely through out the whole album. Alot of musicianship in that LP, so balanced and so on-point. You're gonna lose yo mind trying to find a flaw!

You betta treasre this, Moonbeam!

Harlepolis said:

I am! It's truly enriching! I love it!

And then there's "Have A Talk With God" (I like to hear everything with headphones on that one), and then there's "Pastime Paradise", and then there's "As", and then...

Harlepolis said:

Methinks you've been listening to the Grease soundtrack or something.

I see someone has finally broke their ear hymen.

Moonbeam said:

When & if you get around to it, there is a nice documentary DVD about the making of this album.Stevie and the musicians he recorded it with reunite and talk about how it all went down.They perform "Sir Duke" as well.It's part of Rhino's Classic Album series.

Many moons ago, I dedicated a thread to Stevie. "Songs" came up as the most respected album presented by Mr. Morris.

I must say, this album absorbs me. I couldn't imagine where I'd be without having heard this one... it's incredible.

I hope you really listen to this one. I won't tell you of my faves, for fear that it may influence you to pay attention to the list of songs on this double album... but, I will say, listen... just you. Sit back and enjoy the master at work.

I've seen him four times in concert... he's incredible!

Enjoy.

Co-Sign to everyone. This is my number one album of all time. I bought it when if first came out and to this day, it still gives me chills, makes me laugh, cry and dance.

Piece o' personal trivia: "If It's Magic" has just Stevie singing with the late, great jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby from Detroit. Dorothy and her husband John were good friends of my mom and dad and Dorothy played harp at their wedding back in 1960. John was my dad's best man.

I'd say this album is the tied with "Sign of the Times" for best double album for all time.

Moonbeam, have you heard the "Fullfillingness' First Finale" album yet? I freakin' love that album, it's my 2nd favorite Stevie album next to this one. It seems to be a bit underrated by folks, imo.

jtgillia said:

Haven't gotten that one yet!

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! After one listen, I know that there is a lot more depth to this album than can be absorbed at once. I need to study it.

The second greatest album of all time.

i was berry berry surprised when i heard this album for the first itme this year. I was 2 embarassed 2 post. I fell IN LOVE with it. O my god. I love Have A Talk With God

Sucker 4 Your Love Ebony Eyes Summer Soft...list goes on and on

paisleypark4 said:

No need to be embarrassed! It's better to get into a great album/artist late than never. I'm late too.

After another listen, I think it's safe to say that this is my favorite Stevie Wonder album at this point. I really like "Innervisions" and "Talking Book" a lot, though. "Characters" has some fantastic songs, but it doesn't hold up as well as an album, I think However, "My Eyes Don't Cry" and "Free" are probably my favorite of his songs.

It's great to get into a great artist.

When discussing this album,I don't even know where to begin.This is one of the most amazing albums of all-time.I remember the magic I felt when I first heard this album in the fall of 1976.It's like taking a long,exciting journey through life.The ballads are beautiful,the uptempo tracks are funky,the lyrics are incredible,the arrangements are superb,the vocals are breathtaking...this double album has NO flaws.My god,I simply adore this masterpiece.

It's impossible to list highlights from this album,because all of it is great.But these are some of my favs...

***"Summer Soft"---moves me like you wouldn't believe!! That falsetto vocal,and those lyrics!! Wow!

***"Knocks Me Off My Feet"

***"Pastime Paradise"---simply amazing.Listen to the message.

***"As"---THIS is what soul music should sound like!! Today's R&B hitmakers have no clue.They need to study this song,and feel the emotion,the intensity,the POWER of this song.

***"Another Star"---a relentless,Latin-flavored workout that just grabs you.Over 8 minutes long,and when it finishes playing,you wanna hear it again.And again.

***"All Day Sucker"---The original 2-LP set came with a bonus 45 single featuring 4 additional songs.This is one of those four "bonus" tracks,but it's as strong as anything else on the album.In fact,this just might be the funkiest Stevie Wonder jam EVER!!

***"Village Ghetto Land"

***"I Am Singing"---


Moonbeam,take your time and absorb these songs.You will be moved.

DavidEye said:

I've been playing this album nonstop since this afternoon.

Usually, when I first listen to an album, I don't read the lyrics because I just want to hear it naturally, but for some of the songs like "Village Ghetto Land," "Pastime Paraidse," "Ordinary Pain" and "Black Man," I HAD to read closely.

My favorites so far:

"Village Ghetto Land"- such an ironic accompaniment for this urban dytopia tale. It's very intriguing.

"I Wish"- it brings the FUNK that I love. I love the nostalgia in the lyrics and his ability to admit that he was "bad."

"Knocks Me Off My Feet"- This ballad is the one that touches me the most- it just glows.

"Pastime Paradise"- I had never heard this one before, but I can see its influence everywhere (not just in Coolio's sample/remake). What a powerful message!

"Ordinary Pain"- I love that Stevie presents both sides of the story here, one of longing and ache and the other of victorious redemption.

"Isn't She Lovely"- what a beautiful ode to his daughter, I believe? Correct me if I'm wrong.

"Ngiculela- Es Una Historia- I Am Singing"- my favorite vocal delivery on the album.

"As"- funky and timeless. I can't believe I hadn't heard this before! Perhaps my favorite.

"Saturn"- I love how epic this song is. Stevie's "Life on Mars?" perhaps. Kind of reminds me of "Moonbeam Levels" too.

Moonbeam said:

I love this song too.And I really dig the message...

"Through the ages,all great men have taught...truth and happiness just can't be bought,or sold...tell me,why are you people so cold?"

Incredible!

DavidEye said:

Have you heard "Life on Mars?" by David Bowie?

Moonbeam said:

Nope,never heard it

DavidEye said:

Oh my! You NEED to hear it! Do you have yahoo or aol messenger? I'll transfer it to you ASAP!

I downloaded a few Stevie Wonder albums, but never listened to them. I guess I should. I got into John Lee Hooker last year and that guy kicked ass! Damn, some of his songs were great. I know a lot of Stevie Wonder's stuff is probably great too...I just need ot take the time to check it out.

Listening to new music is always a risk, becuase it may suck and you have wasted your time and been bored. But sometimes you hit a real gem and it is worth it. You just have to evaluate the odds it will be good and I'd say Stevie Wonder is a high probability play.

MrTation said:

Yes,that documentary is GREAT! I got it as a Christmas present last year

Did you get the extended cd with the extra tracks?