What is the best Stevie Wonder album ever?

Guss · #1 01-22-2005, 09:11 AM

I want it. Help!

Against Will · #2 01-22-2005, 09:20 AM

The big 3 Stevie Wonder albums are 'Songs in the Key of Life', 'Talking Book' and 'Innervisions'.

I think 'Talking Book' is the best, but it's a matter of taste, I haven't really listened to 'Songs in the Key of Life' that closely.

Norwegianwood · #3 01-22-2005, 09:33 AM

Songs in the key of life!

But seriously, there is no "best."
That is my favorite, though...

Richard Lindsey · #4 01-22-2005, 10:00 AM

Practically anything from the '70s is great, except for Secret Life of Plants, which nonetheless has a few amazing things on it.

I like Talking Book and Innervisions the best, followed by Songs in the Key of Life. But Music of My Mind, which he put out just before Talking Book, is also excellent, as is Fulfillingness' First Finale (never have been sure exactly what that means).

I don't think he's ever again made a record as brilliant as his best '70s work, but on everything he's done there's at least one gem. Hotter Than July is a pretty good album, and In Square Circle, the hit aside (Part-Time Lover), has some underrated songs IMO. The Jungle Fever soundtrack has some good stuff too, though seemingly it got almost no play. Even Conversation peace, which overall is kinda forced IMO, has a couple good things. The guy's got one of the great American singing voices; I don't think he's capable of making a a completely useless record.

But my best recommendation would be to pick up Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness, and Songs in the Key of Life. Then load them in your CD changer, in that order, and listen to them all the way through. IMO that's one of the best chunks of work ever done by an American pop musician. Or any pop musician, for that matter.

DaveBeny · #5 01-22-2005, 11:40 AM

Stevie has a new album out this year - supposedly in the vein of his '70s work. I can't remember the title right now - will try to dig out some information for you later.

lbanks · #6 01-22-2005, 12:01 PM

I can't just pick one. They should be taken as a whole, to make any ssense.

Wrong Robot · #7 01-22-2005, 12:25 PM

yay Stevie! he's one of my all-time favorites. I can never *not* listen to him.

I'd have to say though, his 4-disc anthology "at the close of the century" is probably his best, because it has all the classics, all the hits, and more. And come on. 4-discs of Stevie!

I also really like talking book.

jerry · #8 01-22-2005, 03:38 PM

IMHO, Songs In The Key Of Life is one of the best records ever made by anybody

Ari · #9 01-23-2005, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

IMHO, Songs In The Key Of Life is one of the best records ever made by anybody

I second that!

JimK · #10 01-24-2005, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

I like Talking Book and Innervisions the best, followed by Songs in the Key of Life. But Music of My Mind, which he put out just before Talking Book, is also excellent, as is Fulfillingness' First Finale (never have been sure exactly what that means).
But my best recommendation would be to pick up Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness, and Songs in the Key of Life. Then load them in your CD changer, in that order, and listen to them all the way through. IMO that's one of the best chunks of work ever done by an American pop musician. Or any pop musician, for that matter.

Agree 100%!
Talking Book was the 1st one I picked up; I was 14-15 & was watching In Concert & Stevie & band opened up & proceeded to blow me away with "Superstition". This guy is Funky & Rocked!
Then it was either Innervisons or FFF...whichever one had "Creepin'"(FFF?).
Then Songs....finally picked up Music Of My Mind last(always loved "Superwoman").

**baba** · #11 01-24-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

IMHO, Songs In The Key Of Life is one of the best records ever made by anybody

True dat.

Brad Johnson · #12 01-24-2005, 12:44 PM

Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life, Talking Book, FFF.

4Mal · #13 01-24-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

True dat.

yep!

adam on bass · #14 01-24-2005, 12:47 PM

musiquariam
put it on, let it go.

Mojo-Man · #15 01-24-2005, 03:01 PM

[quote=Against Will]The big 3 Stevie Wonder albums are 'Songs in the Key of Life', 'Talking Book' and 'Innervisions'.

These were huge fir me.

mike sancho · #16 01-24-2005, 03:31 PM

Innervisions
Songs In The Key of Life
Musiquarium (Has everything on it)

I never get tired of Stevie's stuff. Still warm up with it all the time.

DaveBeny · #17 01-25-2005, 03:48 PM

The new album will be called 'A Time 2 Love' and is due out in April.

Here's a page with some info:
http://www.stevie-wonder.com/atime2love.html

gfab333 · #18 01-30-2005, 11:29 AM

I agree with Against Will's top 3 as listed in the second post, and I favor Songs in the Key of Life a bit more than the others. All the cover band were playing at least 3 or 4 songs off of the CD when it was first released back in the 1970s.

I also liked a 1980s tune that Stevie did called "Do I Do". It had a cool bass solo, but I've forgotten what album it was on. I recall the rest of that album as being somewhat mediocre compared to his realier work.

JimK · #19 01-31-2005, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfab333

I also liked a 1980s tune that Stevie did called "Do I Do". It had a cool bass solo, but I've forgotten what album it was on. I recall the rest of that album as being somewhat mediocre compared to his realier work.

Original Musicquarium.
IIRC, it was one of four new songs(1 new song per side?) on an otherwise "Best Of" double album. Then again, maybe it was but 2 new songs; "Ribbon In The Sky" being the other one.
Anyhow, I agree..."Do I Do" chugs along nicely.
Cool distorted tone on Watts' 'solo', too!

Richard Lindsey · #20 01-31-2005, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Original Musicquarium.
IIRC, it was one of four new songs(1 new song per side?) on an otherwise "Best Of" double album. Then again, maybe it was but 2 new songs; "Ribbon In The Sky" being the other one.
Anyhow, I agree..."Do I Do" chugs along nicely.
Cool distorted tone on Watts' 'solo', too!

There were four new songs IIRC. (I'm going from memory, as I'm away from home.) I know one of the other two was "That Girl" (great song!), and I'm pretty sure the fourth was "Front Line."