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WONDER ON WAX
Essential Stevie Wonder albums every home should have.
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TALKING BOOK (1972)
Along with it's predecessor, Music of My Mind, this marked the first flowering of Stevie's new found artistic indpendence. From the tender balladry of Your Are the Sunshine of My Life to the fantastically funky strut of Superstition, Talking Book remains a peerless artistic statement. As was becoming the norm, Stevie played practically everything himself, although guitar legend Jeff Beck puts in an appearance.
Read more at The Critical List
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INNERVISIONS (1973)
Stevie, like his Motown contemporary Marvin Gaye, was sensitive to the social issues of the day, informing much of this classic. President Nixon gets parodied on He's Misstra Know-It-All, while Too High bemoans the problems of drug abuse in the inner cities. Meanwhile, Higher Ground tacked its message onto unfeasibly funky music and Living for the City showcased Wonder's talents as a narrative songwriter.
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FULLFILLINGNESS' FIRST FINALE (1974)
Although Nixon again gets pilloried on You Haven't Done Nothin', FFF mainly returns to the tangled topic of relationships. As such, it's a warmer record than Innervisions even while it lacks the focus and unity of its illustrious predecessors.
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SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE (1976)
It took two years to record, but was worth the wait. Showcasing Wonder's mastery of a vast range of styles, from big band jazz (Sir Duke) to sunny pop (Isn't She Lovely) to social comment (Black Man). Wonder once again played most of the music himself, often putting in mammoth 72 hour sessions in his quest for perfection. On release it shot straight to the top of the charts in the US (it only made number two in the UK). It would make a return of sorts in the 90s when Coolio sampled Pastime Paradise for the worldwide hit Gangsta's Paradise. |
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HOTTER THAN JULY (1980)
Following the critical failure of the bizarre Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants, Wonder essayed a partial return to form. Although certainly not in the same league as his classic 70s albums, Hotter Than July does boast the Martin Luther King tribute Happy Birthday, and another worldwide smash in the reggae flavoured Master Blaster. However, it also marked the beginning of Wonder's 80s decline. |
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THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION (2002)
A double set which collects the best of his early Motown years (Fingertips Pt 2, Uptight) and a good sized chunk of his peerless 70s material. Unfortunately you also have to put up with I Just Called to Say I Love You and the cringeworthy Paul McCartney duet Ebony and Ivory, but isn't that what the programme button on CD players is for? If you don't fancy plunging straight into Wonder's daunting back catalogue, here's a good place to start. |
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