Talking Book By Stevie Wonder
In 1972, Stevie Wonder released his 15th album, Talking Book. Legend has it the blind child prodigy began his career at 11 when he performed for Ronnie White of the Miracles fame who took him to Berry Gordy at Motown. Berry Gordy promptly signed the young man and the rest is history. This album was partly recorded in the famous Electric Lady Studio in New York, which was commissioned by Jimi Hendrix in 1968. This is the year that Stevie Wonder's sound began to pivot from its Motown roots as he was breaking new sonic ground for a Black artist finding his new "classical" form. This new form featured synthesizers and keyboards rather than traditional piano tones. Marking a move into new territory, a territory known as "progressive soul," even bordering on "rock" at times, thanks to the accompaniment of Jeff Beck on the electric guitar.
When I first heard these songs, I was very young. Growing up in Charleston, Oldies 102.5 was the greatest radio station. "Oldies 102.5" I can still hear the jingle. Its DJs held the power of transporting me back in time, and combined with the entourage effect from the stories my father would share, I felt like I lived during the '60s '& 70s. These songs have always filled me with beautiful emotions, even to this day. Take a listen.
The album opens with the instantly recognizable and instantly lovable "You are the Sunshine of My Life" which hit number one on the Hot 100 listening charts. This song won Wonder his first Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The opening hook, sung with Jim Gilstrap & Lani Groves, is capable of ameliorating anyone's sourness. The FUNKY Maybe Your Baby takes things up a notch with the BOOMING Moog Bass hooks and soulful riffs of "Maybe your baby done made some other plans". You and I (We can Conquer the World) is a soft rock ballad that can chill you out enough to do some internal reflections on your life and how you can help conquer the world. Tuesday Heartbreak is essentially an early 70's Rock & Roll song. The saxophone soars so triumphantly, freeing you to be with who your heart desires when the moment is right. You've Got It Bad Girl is a soulful number that is slightly more sonically in line with the work of a younger Stevie Wonder. Still the keyboard and synthesizer tones demonstrate an artist who is not satisfied with recompleting the mold. Superstition also reached number 1 on the Hot 100 and Easy Listening Charts. Stevie won a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. The iconic bass riff lays down a foundation that presents an unstoppable driving force. The flaring horns in the background meld with Wonder's voice to entice us all: "When you believe in things you don't understand, Then you suffer. Superstition ain't the way". Big Brother slows things down and speaks to the identity-building heavy themes of "I live in the Ghetto You just come to visit me 'round election time," but there's still optimism in Wonder's words, "But someday I will move on my feet to the other side". Blame It On the Sun is almost a folky rock pop song you would expect to hear on a James Taylor record. Lookin' for Another Pure Love resurrects the tones of You are the Sunshine of My Life almost in an opposite echo type of refrain, leaving you longing for the Sunshine of Your Life. I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever) starts like a rock song with guitar riffs that you would expect to hear on a Led Zeppelin Album or an Eric Clapton Album courtesy of Jeff Beck. Bless the world, Stevie Wonder is still out there Ya'll, and he is spreading spirituality. Check him out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0oLZYN7K0o
Peace & Love
Will
