Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
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Free Music Notes for Talking Book
Free Music Review: Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
It's not really easy to produce a positive, almost utopic bunch of songs of joy and love without sounding boring and repetitive. But much more difficult than that is to make such a record that doesn't make ME fall asleep. What must be done to avoid this is to put a visionary genious behind the pen, the michophone and most of the instruments, and the magic occurs: a beautiful, solid, legendary record appears. The genius behind this is Stevie Wonder, probably the best singer, the best songwriter and one of the best drum, harmonica and bass players of soul (and pop music in general). Stevie's compositions reflect his accurate instinct to produce beautiful, surprising melodies; his centered lyrics reflect and irradiate his joy of living and his emotional use of his powerfull voice completes the scenario of a true masterpiece. On `'Talking Book'', besides some lovely piano-driven ballads, Wonder produces a sound that at the same time encompasses typical 70's soul arrangement pattern and takes many steps ahead, thanks to his ability to create innovative melodies and make a different, new trends-defining usage of elemnts from current soul tendencies. Highest points are funky `'Superstition'', `'I believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)'', `'Blame It On The Sun'' and clever easy-listening hit `'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life''. Genre and decade-defining, this is a true masterpiece and a musical gem for lovers of all kinds of music.Free Music Review: Blame it on the music!
Hit: 5 Stars
`Talking book', released in 1972, was one in a string of masterpieces Stevie Wonder released in the 1970s. The second album released after his renegotiations and resigning with Motown records, it featured his new signature experimental jazz/funk sound, and lyrics that spoke his mind.
Opening track is the #1 smash, the much loved `You are the sunshine of my life', a simple love song, intricately constructed and sunny sounding.
`You and I' is a melodramatic piano ballad featuring soaring intense vocals. Similar to his future songs like `Lately' and `They won't go when I go'. Other standout ballads are the tender `Blame it on the sun' (covered by Diana Ross) with awesome backing vocals, the jazz tinged haunting `You've got it bad girl', the brooding jazzy `Looking for another pure love' (with Jeff Beck on guitars) and the similar `I believe (when I fall in love it will be forever)'.
`Big brother' is a scathing rebuke of those in power who take advantage of the underclass. A mid tempo harmonica and conga filled piece, it has an almost folk feel to it.
The other smash hit of the album is the funky #1 `Superstition' (fantastic guitars and horns, and lyrics taking a dig at superstitious beliefs). Originally written for rocker Jeff Beck, this became Stevie's biggest hit.
The album hit #1 R&B and #3 pop, and won 3 grammys; Best male R&B vocal and best R&B song for `Superstition', and best male pop vocal for `You are the sunshine of my life'.
Pure genius!!!
Free Music Review: This Is Music
Hit: 5 Stars
I believe it is fair to say that Stevie Wonder's "Talking Book" doesn't get the recognition it deserves. "Songs in the Key of Life" or mostly his successful singles get all the recognition. Aside from the fact that "Talking Book" features two wonderful chart toppers ("You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and "Superstition"), it also features something that not many of today's artists display in their music: art. Stevie displays the talent he possesses here through his masterful vocals, priceless production, instrumental mastery, and his deep, poetic words. From beginning to end, every cut--from hard-edged funk to sweet ballads to political statements--is one-of-a-kind, and sure to bring out the human emotion in all of us. Stevie Wonder--a true musical artist with a talent that seemingly no one has, or ever will, surpass.Free Music Review: A Musical Masterpiece From One of The Greats
Hit: 5 Stars
Stevie Wonder began his career as a child prodigy, a multi-instrumental talent whose lack of physical sight was overcome with his musical visions. His records in the Sixties (unfairly dismissed as fluff by some) pointed the way towards the styles that a mature Wonder would embrace at the turn of the decade, but "Talking Book" is one of the first masterpieces he committed to vinyl from beginning to end.
It would be almost criminal to try and describe this album, it has to be heard to be appreciated. Starting off with "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", the agenda is clear: this is an album about emotions, mostly love but also fear ("Superstition", easily one of the best songs ever), heartbreak ("Blame It On The Sun"), and even the social concerns of the Civil Rights movement and its betrayal by the white power structure ("Big Brother"). Through it all, however, love is the dominant emotion, and comes to a staggering fruition in the beautiful "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)".
This is my first proper Stevie Wonder album (I have a collection of his Sixties singles), and it will certainly not be my last. Far from embarassing himself with the noxious "I Just Called to Say I Love You", Wonder shines as the funkiest man to ever come out of Motown, and having a good time while he does. To say that this album is essential would not be over-stating it. Very few albums are perfect from beginning to end (and I had thought perhaps "Maybe Your Baby" would make it so for this, but I've grown to love it). If I had to pick favorites, one day it might be "You and I" or "Superstition". Then again, it could easily be "I Believe" or "You've Got It Bad Girl" the next day. It's that good an album, you can't say definitely which is your favorite track.
"Talking Book" is a fantastic journey to the center of one man's soul. Stevie Wonder contributed a gift of love to future generations of music-lovers, and his talents are on full display. It's little wonder, then, that this album is a must for anyone aspiring to be a serious music fan. Or a human being.
Free Music Review: Words can't describe how incredible this CD is
Hit: 5 Stars
When you think about the fact that Stevie was so young when he wrote this music, that he was taking huge artistic risks, that he was talking about serious things in serious ways while fluff abounded around him makes this album that much more significant. He didn't just write love songs; he infused deep, soul-wrenching emotion into them. I dare you to say you don't get goose pimples listening to "You and I" or "You are the sunshine of my life." On the flip side, songs like "Superstition" and "Maybe Your Baby" shows how he can jam hard-core. The brother is bad! And let's not forget the fabulous players on this record - Ray Parker, Jr. on "Maybe Your Baby" or Jeff Beck on "Looking for another Love," to name a couple. Stevie's music is incomporable, and he is a rare musical genius. This CD is a fabulous representation of what a master songwriter can produce. You should check it out.