Wendy Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I'm pretty sure the only Stevie Wonder record I ever owned was "Songs in the Key of Life" Sadly, I never went any further than that, even though I totally loved that double-album. You know how it goes -- you always mean to listen further but not enough time, too many other bands, etc etc. Now I am going to see him perform next week with a friend who is a BIG fan and so I feel the need to be a little more familiar with his catalog and it's pretty damn big. Any ideas what he plays these days when he performs live? What other albums should I get? Thanks for your help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Not sure about now, but just a few years back he made a live album called Natural Wonder, which included many greats spanning his catalogue. I can't imagine he's doing anything all that different these days, save for one or two from his last album (hopefully he's doing "So What The Fuss" from that). If you're lucky, he'll drop "Ribbon In The Sky" and add "As." Here's a piece that tells you what you can expect: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/news/article/...g-concert-tour/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tongue-tied lightning Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Ebony & Ivory ? I keed listen to the early, early stuff Wendy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kamera Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Innervisions is worth a spin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Innervisions is worth a spin. Yes. And... Talking Book Music of My MindHotter Than JulyMusicquarium Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 "Music of My Mind" works a nice bridge between "Little" Stevie and Stevie the badass. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Hah, I slipped in MOMM while you were posting. Great minds, and all... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 The following are indispensable: InnervisionsTalking BookFulfillingness' First FinaleSongs in the Key of Life I'm not sure what he plays live, but if you have those four records you'll want to spin them pretty regularly regardless. In fact, now that I think about it, add Music of My Mind to the front end of those, and you've got one of the best consecutive five-album streaks in history. I wonder if anyone mentioned these way back when in the thread on that subject? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 The following are indispensable: InnervisionsTalking BookFulfillingness' First FinaleSongs in the Key of Life I'm not sure what he plays live, but if you have those four records you'll want to spin them pretty regularly regardless. In fact, now that I think about it, add Music of My Mind to the front end of those, and you've got one of the best consecutive five-album streaks in history. I wonder if anyone mentioned these way back when in the thread on that subject?I'll be mad at myself if I didn't.EDIT: I didn't. Mr. spunky backpack did, though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tweedling Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 He's a Genius! You can not go wrong. I'm so envious. ....... You'll have to let us know how it goes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wendy Posted September 5, 2007 Author Share Posted September 5, 2007 Thanks guys! Reading that article that Sir Stewart linked to, I had not realized it had been 10 years since he last toured. I may be missing Wilco at Pritzger Pavilion that night, but wow -- I'm really looking forward to this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twisted Acres Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 The following are indispensable: InnervisionsTalking BookFulfillingness' First FinaleSongs in the Key of Life ...Music of My Mind... Word, word, word!!! There are some tracks on Original Musiquarium that are monsters as well: "Do I Do" and "That Girl" immediately come to mind... As far as his early singles, "Uptight (Everything Is Alright)", "Nothing's Too Good For My Baby", "I'm Wondering", and his version of "We Can Work It Out" all kick. Of his later numbers, "All I Do Is Think About You", a remake of an old Tammi Terrell single, is wonderful. It's amazing how Stevie's been recording since he was 12, and you really can't do too poorly picking songs from any portion of his career. What a catalog. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Word, word, word!!! There are some tracks on Original Musiquarium that are monsters as well: "Do I Do" and "That Girl" immediately come to mind..."Ladies and gentlemen, I have the pleasure to present on my album, Mr. Dizzy Gillespie! Blow!"Sometimes I forget there are originals on that one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I'll be mad at myself if I didn't.EDIT: I didn't. Mr. spunky backpack did, though.I'm just glad SOMEbody did. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 The following are indispensable: InnervisionsTalking BookFulfillingness' First FinaleSongs in the Key of LifeExactly. The albums on Tamla just prior to and just after (but not long after) Songs in the Key of Life are all great. The three LP set of Stevie's work on Motown proper is also worth having. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Jungle Fever is an underrated gem, also. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Not to belabor this point, but back in the day (Wendy knows this..) Stevie had a bunch of really great singles so don't miss out on them while trying to get his best mid-career albums. I don't know how they are packaged, but the old Motown collections on LP were great. Maybe they have some of those still available in some configuration. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Not packed with hits, but this one's fun, and a good example of early Stevie: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Best harmonica player in pop music history. I saw some photos from his show in Atlanta. He has a pretty huge band. 10 people, at least, probably more like 15. It was nice to see that he still has a Hohner Clavinet as part of his keyboard setup. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I'm just glad SOMEbody did. what does that mean? Fulfillingness' First Finale has always been my favourite out of that run. I don't know quite why other people tend to think it is the weak link in the chain. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Fulfillingness' First Finale has always been my favourite out of that run. I don't know quite why other people tend to think it is the weak link in the chain.I kinda like that one the best, too. Talking Book is generally regarded as the king of the jungle among those three, but it's not my favorite, even though it has many, many killers. Stevie, damn! Now I wish I got tix for the Boston show! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 what does that mean?Just that it would have been sad if no one had mentioned that string of albums back then. I'm surprised I hadn't thought of it myself. I think I'll break out a little Stevie this afternoon if I get the chance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Just that it would have been sad if no one had mentioned that string of albums back then. I'm surprised I hadn't thought of it myself. ok, well i guess i'll just put my straight razor away again then. just you watch yourself, though. i'm gonna play some stevie too, i think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wendy Posted September 14, 2007 Author Share Posted September 14, 2007 Reporting in! I had SOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun at this show! Stevie Wonder blew me away - he was completely, utterly out of this world! This article sums up the experience far better than I could - and be sure to listen to some of the after-show interview clips with Stevie over on the right side of the page where Stevie mentions he hopes to launch a full-blown tour -- including Australia. (Sir Stewart, you may still have a chance!) http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../709130444/1035 And I found a setlist there: Meadowbrook - Detroit - September 12, 2007 Loves in Need of Love Today Too High Visions Living For The City Master Blaster My Eyes Don't Cry No More Tease Higher Ground Golden Lady Ribbons in the Sky Overjoyed I Cant Think of Loving You You and I Dont Worry About a Thing Sign Sealed Delivered Boogie On Reggie Woman All I Do Is Think Of You Isnt She Lovely Sunshine of My Life My Cherie Amour Sir Duke I Wish Superstition Do I Do Part Time Lover As The setting was perfect - Meadowbrook has a huge lawn area behind a covered seated small amphitheater. We were in the seated pavilion about 30 rows from the stage and the sound quality was superb, slight lines excellent due to the steep grade of the venue. I really really like this venue with the exception of the nail-biting 50 minutes it took us to get into the parking lot. Inch by inch we moved closer to the venue, anxiously watching the clock pass the show starting time by 1/2 hour! Then when we FINALLY parked, ran to our seats, Stevie started playing his first song! His voice is in tip-top shape -- he was all over the scales! At one point, while at the electric keyboards, he created a spontaneous funky Talkbox (a la Peter Frampton) prelude building up to one of his hits (damn if I can remember which one now). During other quieter songs, he played a beautiful black grand piano. Through most of the show, there was not a soul sitting down ... we was gettin funky!!! There's no way you can sit still! Luckily we had 3 empty seats surrounding us so we could really let loose! And bonus - it was so cool outdoors, no sweating and no mosquitos! Yay! I'm so grateful he started late and then went 1/2 hour past curfew ... he just kept playing hit song after hit song in his final medley ... "let's do one more, one more," he kept saying, and on and on they played. Man, I have never seen a band pass curfew that far. He gave Detroit some special treatment. While he performed "Sunshine of My Life," "Isnt She Lovely," Stevie's grown daughter, Aisha Morris, who performed as a background singer throughout the show, playfully teased and poked and tickled him. She is in the photo above wearing the white coat-dress. She has a lovely voice and accompanied her father in a duet on one of the newer songs early in the set. Toward the end of the show, Stevie brought out two elderly people from his hometown neighborhood who he said were responsible for introducing him as a very young man to people who could help him into the music business - very touching. On stage were two percussionists, one drummer, two keyboardists, one acoustic/electric guitarist, one bass, one lead guitarist, 3 background singers, and Stevie on keys. And for 2 or 3 songs, they were joined by a horn player. A lovely young woman who Stevie called his god-daughter performed free-form modern dance during yet another song. And toward the end of the show during the medley, Greg Phillinganes joined in on piano right next to Stevie on electric keyboard. So, sooo good! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 That setlist looks fantastic! I'm sad I missed this show. Fifteen songs off my favorite three Stevie albums! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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