Alon Marcus Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 I think this guy is a genious. The way he writes his songs and performs them. Not all of his albums are perfect but even the worse ones contain many gems. Jungle Fever is an example IMHO, a very uneven album with few really great songs. I like very much his stuff from the 70's and had a hard time choosing. My choice is "Innervisions". Quote
JSngry Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 (edited) I like very much his stuff from the 70's and had a hard time choosing. My choice is "Innervisions". Ditto. that period is going to have to rank as some of the finest American Popular Music of the 20th century, I would think. Edited March 8, 2005 by JSngry Quote
ghost of miles Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 Don't you worry 'bout a thing! Yep, I'm wavin' from the bandwagon... it inches out SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE for me. Quote
Free For All Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 Many good choices, but Innervisions is the one. Loved it in college*, still do. Hasn't aged a bit IMHO. *IIRC, it was a popular.....ahem.....*intimate*......album. Along with Jarrett's Koln Concert. Quote
ghost of miles Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 Many good choices, but Innervisions is the one. Loved it in college*, still do. Hasn't aged a bit IMHO. *IIRC, it was a popular.....ahem.....*intimate*......album. Along with Jarrett's Koln Concert. Hmmm... Roxy Music's AVALON served a similar function during my undergrad years. You're talking about playing euchre, right? Quote
jazzbo Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 Innervisions is the one. No bout a doubt it. Quote
Free For All Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 You're talking about playing euchre, right? What, does he like Stevie Wonder too? Quote
Alexander Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 (edited) "Innervisions," with "Talking Book" and "Music of My Mind" taking a close second and third. "Fulfillingness" has never really captured by attention the way Stevie's first three albums of the 70s did, and "Songs in the Key of Life" meanders. "Hotter Than July" has some hot tunes, especially "Master Blaster (Jammin')," but it doesn't touch his earlier work. By the way, I would add "Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" to that list. It's definitely in my top four (possibly even tied with "Music of My Mind" for third place) Stevie Wonder albums. This is the best of Stevie's early singles, and still some of the greatest music Motown ever produced. Stevie's cover of "We Can Work It Out" ROCKS! He shows John and Paul what funk is all about! Edited March 8, 2005 by Alexander Quote
John L Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 I voted for Fulfillingness. I don't really know why. Maybe it was what was happening in my life at the time that made the music even more special for me than the spectacular Innervisions. Songs in the Key of Life is a great one too, as is Talking Book. Quote
Dr. Rat Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 Some great music, for sure. But when I bought the CDs some years back, the remastering was . . . not up the standard of the music. Have there been newer better issues since? --eric Quote
Free For All Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 I have that SW box "At the Close of a Century" and it sounds pretty good. I think those were remastered. Quote
Big Al Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 I daresay that had Talking Book never been released, the greatness that followed it may never have happened as well. Hence the reason it gets my vote. That and “You’ve Got It Bad, Girl!” Songs in the Key of Life holds a special place in my heart, as it got me through the spring of my senior year of high school. Unfortunately, it’s for that reason I can’t stomach listening to it anymore (which is not to say it’s a bad album by any stretch; just brings back too many memories I’d rather not confront again anytime soon). Quote
Dave James Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 I went with "Talking Book", but in a photo finish over "Innervisions". I know TB includes one of the all time top-ten syrup tunes in "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", but what it has, at least IMO, is a really nice mix of different songs. Everything from a great ballad, "Blame it on the Sun" to "Superstition", arguably the funkiest of Wonder's many funky tunes. I think TB just noses out "Innervisions", but I'd take either one in a heartbeat. These two clearly represent his high water mark. Up over and out. Quote
Free For All Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 I know TB includes one of the all time top-ten syrup tunes in "You Are the Sunshine of My Life I think this is an example of a tune's worth being diminished by having too many lame cover versions, especially of the *Muzak* type. Same thing happened to Girl From Ipanema. Both great tunes in their original versions. I've always liked the original YATSOML. Quote
Jazzmoose Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 I voted for Fulfillingness. I don't really know why. Maybe it was what was happening in my life at the time that made the music even more special for me than the spectacular Innervisions. Songs in the Key of Life is a great one too, as is Talking Book. Same here; same reasoning. Quote
Man with the Golden Arm Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 What, no "Secret Life of Plants?" i'm gonna go home and see if my LP still smells. Quote
Joe Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 INNERVISIONS all the way. And I say that knowing that, with that choice, I give up "Maybe Your Baby", "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)", "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away", "Love's In Need Of Love Today", "All Day Sucker"... Quote
Alon Marcus Posted March 8, 2005 Author Report Posted March 8, 2005 I know TB includes one of the all time top-ten syrup tunes in "You Are the Sunshine of My Life I think this is an example of a tune's worth being diminished by having too many lame cover versions, especially of the *Muzak* type. Same thing happened to Girl From Ipanema. Both great tunes in their original versions. I've always liked the original YATSOML. That's true! and sad The same overchewing also happened to "Take Five" and to Beethoven's "For Elise". “You’ve Got It Bad, Girl!” - is an amazing piece of art! All these songs they are so simple and yet always sound so fresh. Quote
SEK Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 "Talking Book" and "Inner Visions" are in a photo finish on my track, but I chose "Talking Book" to put the rankings in better balance. Favorite Stevie tunes include "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "I Was Made To Love Her" also. Quote
brownie Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 Love them all! Or almost. Voted for 'Music of my Mind' which was full of great songs and which is so often overlooked! Been a fan of SW back when he was still Little! 'I Was Made to Love Her' is a very old favorite! Have not listened to Stevie for quite some time. Will be spinning a couple of albums later... Quote
maren Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 INNERVISIONS all the way. And I say that knowing that, with that choice, I give up "Maybe Your Baby", "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)", "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away", "Love's In Need Of Love Today", "All Day Sucker"... Ditto... (adding "Superstition" and "I Was Made to Love Her" to the not-on-INNERVISIONS list) Quote
JSngry Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 What, no "Secret Life of Plants?" i'm gonna go home and see if my LP still smells. Not as bad as you might remember it being! The words are goofy as hell, but the music itself is pretty darn interesting more often than not. Quote
Big Al Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 INNERVISIONS all the way. And I say that knowing that, with that choice, I give up "Maybe Your Baby", "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)", "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away", "Love's In Need Of Love Today", "All Day Sucker"... ...”Boogie On Reggae Woman,” “Creepin’,” “I Wish,” “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” “Send One Your Love,” (heck, all of side two of Plants), “All I Do,” “Ain’t Gonna Stand For It,” and since my vote was different, “Living for the City,” “Too High,” and “Golden Lady!” Quote
tonym Posted March 8, 2005 Report Posted March 8, 2005 Innervisions for me too. The one reason? I love all the songs on that album. There isn't a single dud and the way the album is programmed is superb. Ranks with Marvin's What's Going On? IMO as among the very best soul abums ever. In fact in any genre. Quote
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