Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974)

I have so much love for the music of Stevie Wonder that I can't think of anything to write that I haven't already written in previous posts. So let's see if AI can do anything to help me. I've decided to see what ChatGPT fabricates when given the prompt "give me 150 words on the album Fulfillingness' First Finale." Here ya go:

Stevie Wonder's "Fulfillingness' First Finale" is a soulful masterpiece released in 1974. It marked a transitional phase in Wonder's career, blending elements of funk, soul, and gospel into a cohesive and emotionally resonant album. The record reflects Wonder's social consciousness and personal struggles, evident in tracks like "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away" and "They Won't Go When I Go." The album's sonic diversity is striking, from the infectious groove of "Boogie On Reggae Woman" to the heartfelt balladry of "Creepin'." Wonder's unparalleled musicality shines through in every note, with his virtuosic talents on display through intricate arrangements and soul-stirring vocals. "Fulfillingness' First Finale" earned critical acclaim, winning multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. It stands as a testament to Wonder's artistic brilliance and remains a timeless classic in the landscape of soul music.

Wow. About as exciting as a 8th grade reading comprehension test (I feel safe saying that because I just had a flashback to the 1997-98 school year when I taught Language Arts at a middle school). I think my blogger job is safe for now.

3 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year, Best Male Pop Vocal, Best Male Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance for Boogie On Reggae Woman. Love, love, love. After I post this, I'll be spinning Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs In The Key Of Life and living my best life. In an earlier post, I quoted Elvis Costello when he called Wonder something along the lines of "Music Laureate of America" and today I heartily endorse that opinion.

Press of the time:

• High Fidelity: "Musically he can't do anything wrong at this point. We need only wait to see where he wants to go next."
• Robert Christgau (A-): "The two great cuts, meanwhile, get across mostly on momentum"
• Billboard: "Absolute brilliance."
• Record World: "Stevie's genius is amply exemplified, as he maintains and furthers his lofty musical position."
• Rolling Stone: "If Talking Book deals primarily with love of woman and Innervisions with love of humanity, FFF concerns the love of God."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #1
• Billboard R&B: #1
• CashBox: #1

Tracks:  Yes, please. What a freakin' masterpiece.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:

Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection (1996)	Talking Book (1972)
In Square Circle (1985)	Music Of My Mind (1972)
Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)	Someday At Christmas (1967)
Innervisions (1973)

Stevie Wonder - Innervisions (1973)

It didn't get much better than Stevie Wonder in the '70s.

Exhibit A: Music Of My Mind
Exhibit B: Talking Book
Exhibit C: Innervisions

I could go on and enter Fulfillingness' First Finale and Songs In The Key Of Life into evidence, but I think I've made my prima facie case. Res ipsa loquitur.

Social commentary never got so funky. Stevie plays darn near every instrument, but it's mainly electric piano, Moog bass and Stevie's passionate voice. And while he's preaching for social justice, you get the feeling that Stevie truly believes there's no problem that can't be fixed with love. Stevie's been preaching the gospel of love since the get-go and it's a theme throughout his career's work.

3 Grammy Awards: Album of the Year, Best Engineered Recording Non-Classical, Best Rhythm & Blues Song for Living For The City. Update: In its 2020 list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Rolling Stone ranked Innvervisions at #34.

Press of the time:

• Record World: "Extraordinary"
• Robert Christgau (A): "This is music that makes you believe in faith"
• Billboard: "a major force in expanding the sound of modern pop music"
• Stereo Review: "a stunning album"
• CashBox: "definitely the end result of a true genius at work. Don't pass it up."
• Rolling Stone: "one of the vital forces in contemporary music"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #4
• Billboard R&B: #1 (2 weeks)

Tracks:  Don't skip anything, but I'm always drawn to the hits on this one - Living For The City (#8 pop, #1 R&B), Higher Ground (#4 pop, #1 R&B, #41 AC), and Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (#16 pop, #2 R&B, #9 AC). I'm also digging the beautiful ballad Visions and the funky Jesus Children Of America.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I'm trying to pick one out, but when an artist is a huge part of the soundtrack of your life, that task can prove to be difficult. But it does suggest that when I was 7, I was the funkiest kid in the neighborhood:

Heading for "Higher Ground" in '73

My wife is suggesting that my ringtone on her phone should be He's Mistra Know-It-All. Such a kidder, that one.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection (1996)
In Square Circle (1985)
Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)
Talking Book (1972)
Music Of My Mind (1972)
Someday At Christmas (1967)

Stevie Wonder - In Square Circle (1985)

Note: this release was originally purchased as a cassette tape, later replaced by a CD.

In my mind, this is the last good Stevie Wonder album, although I'm holding out hope he's got a huge comeback left in him. I prefer Stevie on Hohner Clavinet than Yamaha CS80, so while most of this album sounds terribly dated, it's the incredible songwriting that keeps you coming back for more. Don't compare it to his '70s stuff and you'll be fine. Honestly, you should never compare anything to Stevie's '70s stuff because it isn't really fair to anyone. This is electronic drum-driven pop rather than funk or rock, but consumers (including myself) ate it up and the album went double platinum in the US. Side one (tracks 1-5) were all about love, while side two (tracks 6-10) are mostly social commentary. I'm disappointed in the number of harmonica solos: one, on an otherwise lackluster Never In Your Sun.

The album won Wonder the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 28th Grammy Awards where he performed with Thomas Dolby, Herbie Hancock, and Howard Jones.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "long-awaited grand slam"
• Spin: "a pleasant muttering (as always) packaged as a Major Statement"
• Rolling Stone: "he makes your ears happy, again and again."
• Smash Hits (7½ out of 10): "It's only that Stevie Wonder can be so much better than this."
• Robert Christgau (B+): "Stevie's effervescence is so indomitable that it's a pleasure"
• High Fidelity: "might be Wonder's most consistent and durable record"
• Musician: "He resoundingly reconfirms that there is no more open, guileless heart and purity of purpose in all of popular music than his own."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #5
• Billboard Pop CD: #9
• Billboard R&B: #1
• CashBox CD: #5
• Rolling Stone: #6

Tracks: For me, Overjoyed is the highlight of the album and may be Mr. Wonder's best ballad ever. Yes, I said ever. I also like I Love You Too Much, Whereabouts, Go Home, and the retread of Superstition, Spiritual Walkers. I usually skip Land of La La and the ubiquitous Part-Time Lover because I've heard the latter plenty for one lifetime (with so much quality Wonder material available, why do radio stations continue to play that one?). But I'll listen to Overjoyed at least three more times before putting this disc away.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: When I bought and played this cassette on heavy rotation in my car during my sophomore year in college, I was the only one in my circle of friends that seemed to like it. I don't know what they were listening to, because this was Stevie F. Wonder for chrissakes.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection (1996)
Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)
Talking Book (1972)
Music Of My Mind (1972)
Someday At Christmas (1967)

Stevie Wonder - Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection (1996)

A greatest hits package from Stevie Wonder, Musician Laureate of the United States.  31 tracks across two CDs clocking in at over 2 hours.  Thanks, Stevie.

Pros: Stevie Wonder
Cons: Bizarre sequencing, inclusion of obscure soundtrack cuts and post-1986 singles
The pros far outweigh the cons.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard R&B: #100

Tracks:

Disc One:
Song	Year	Hot 100	R&B	AC	Dance
Part-Time Lover	1985	1	1	1	1
I Just Called To Say I Love You	1984	1	1	1
Superstition	1972	1	1	38
Sir Duke	1977	1	1	3	2
My Cherie Amour	1969	4	4	3
I Was Made To Love Her	1967	2	1
Overjoyed	1986	24	8	1
Hey Love	1966	90	9
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours	1970	3	1
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life	1973	1	3	1
Ribbon In The Sky	1982	54	10	21
Master Blaster (Jammin')	1980	5	1		10
Living For The City	1973	8	1
Uptight (Everything's Alright)	1966	3	1
Lately	1981	64	29	33
Do I Do	1982	13	2	25	1
Disc Two:
Song	Year	Hot 100	R&B	AC	Dance
Send One Your Love	1979	4	5	1
Ebony & Ivory	1982	1	8	1
All I Do	1980
That Girl	1982	4	1	10	27
For Your Love	1995	53	11	30
I Wish	1976	1	1	23	2
You Will Know	1988	77	1	16	3
Boogie On Reggae Woman	1974	3	1
Higher Ground	1970	4	1	41
These Three Words	1991		7
Stay Gold	1983
Love Light In Flight	1984	17	4	10	6
Kiss Lonely Good-Bye	1996
Hold On To Your Dream	1996
Redemption Song	1996

If I were to comment on individual songs, where would I begin? The beauty of Overjoyed? The bass line from I Wish or Living For The City? Dizzy Gillespie's appearance on the 10 minute version of Do I Do? The overdubbed Hohner Clavinet on Superstition? The thrill of a Wonder harmonica solo? How much time do you have?

Notable Top 40 omissions: For Once In My Life (#2, 1968), Yester-me Yester-you Yesterday (#5, 1969), and Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (#16, 1973).

Personal favorites I would have included:  Outside My Window (#52, 1980), We Can Work it Out (#13, 1971), and As (#36, 1977).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  When I was in college, I would listen to I Was Made To Love Her constantly in my car. At the time, the song was 20 years old but I just couldn't help myself. Play. Stop. Rewind. Play. Stop. Rewind...

Previously revisited for the blog:
Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)
Talking Book (1972)
Music Of My Mind (1972)
Someday At Christmas (1967)

Stevie Wonder - Music Of My Mind (1972)

Sensational. This would be an incredible collection of songs from anybody, much less a 21-year-old blind keyboard player. On top of that, as stated on the back cover, "this album is virtually the work of one man" - Wonder plays everything but one solo each on guitar and trombone. "Everything" in this case is pianos, drums, harmonica, organ, clavichord, clavinet, and synths. For Motown in 1972, this was groundbreaking stuff. Wonder would take it up another notch 8 months later with the release of Talking Book.

Update: In its 2020 list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Rolling Stone ranked Music Of My Mind at #350.

Press of the time:

• High Fidelity: "It's the total musical statement of one of out age's most talented young men. It also brings a new excitement to pop music."
• Billboard: "This entire package is a showcase for the genius of Wonder."
• Record World: "Stevie's virtuosity reaches staggering heights."
• CashBox: "A vital and expressive album"
• Rolling Stone: "both satisfying and exciting."
• Robert Christgau (B+): "Just like the blind genius he's always compared to, Wonder transcends taste."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #21
• Billboard R&B: #6

Tracks:  The standout track is Superwoman, but the one that grabs you first is Love Having You Around (just listen to how the chorus kicks in at about 1:05). Also noteworthy are the beautiful Happier Than the Morning Sun and the fun Keep On Running. The only clunker is the awkward Sweet Little Girl.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I found this is a used CD bin which begs two questions: 1) why didn't I already have this album? and 2) who in their right mind trades in a Stevie Wonder CD??

Previously revisited for the blog:
Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)
Talking Book (1972)
Someday At Christmas (1967)

Various Artists - Blue Note Plays Stevie Wonder (2004)

Part of the Blue Note Plays series of compilations.

When I saw this disc in the used rack at Half-Price Books, I picked it up immediately without checking the artists or track titles. If I had checked, I would have known that I already owned 3 of the 11 tracks on my Najee Plays Songs From The Key Of Life CD. Aw, who am I foolin'? I woulda bought this anyway. Having Blue Note artists cover songs from Stevie Freakin' Wonder? Can't miss, right? Well...

It's a great idea, poorly executed. All the covers here are fairly straight-ahead, rarely deviating from the originals. Granted, Wonder's songwriting is first-rate and the Blue Note musicianship is top shelf. The tracks here aren't terrible, it's just that a little more creativity and originality wouldn't have hurt. This album is harmless, but it should have been a lot more fun.

Tracks:

Song	Artist	Year
I Wish	Najee	1995
Living For The City	Noel Pointer	1977
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing	Stanley Turrentine	1986
Signed, Sealed, Delivered	Pieces Of A Dream	1997
Summer Soft	Najee	1995
Boogie On Reggae Woman	Stanley Turrentine	1986
It's A Shame	Paul Jackson, Jr.	2002
Black Man	Najee	1995
Superwoman	Noel Pointer	1977
You And I	Stanley Turrentine	1986
Too High	Pat Martino	1996

The best track is Stanley Turrentine's take on Boogie On Reggae Woman which features stellar harmonica work by Wonder himself. (Note to self: you always enjoy Turrentine's contributions to Blue Note compilations, why don't you go buy some of his albums, silly?) There's a couple of other tracks here worth your attention, including Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Pieces Of A Dream (just ignore the extraneous background vocals), Pat Martino's cover of Too High, and the smooth jazz of It's A Shame by Paul Jackson, Jr.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Blue Note Plays The Beatles (2004)

Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)

To a backing chorus of a gospel choir, Stevie starts this joint by singing, "Good morn or evening friends/Here's your friendly announcer." Then, for the next 106 minutes, he proceeds to give us the news. And what a newscast it is. As the album's title suggests, the music and lyrics try to cover as many facets of life as possible: pop, funk, jazz fusion, soul, ballads, and baroque synths frame songs about love, childhood, politics, religion, culture, racism, and music. In his 20's, Wonder was in his prime and couldn't stop the creative flow. Instead of releasing two or three albums in the late '70s, he opened the floodgates and let us have this creative burst all at once. Even though many of the tracks are just Stevie on vocals and all the instruments, a total of 130 people worked on the album. I do, however, have a complaint. I think of Stevie Wonder as the greatest harmonica player I've ever heard and there's simply not enough harmonica playing here.

The list price for the LP set in 1976 was $13.98 (adjusted for inflation, that's $55.94 in 2012), but that high cost didn't keep it from debuting at #1 on the album charts, where it spent 14 weeks. This album always makes an appearance every time a new "Greatest Albums Of All Time" list is compiled. In 2008, this album was voted the "Top Album of All Time" by the Yahoo! Music Playlist Blog, using a formula that combined 4 parameters - Album Staying Power Value + Sales Value + Critical Rating Value + Grammy Award Value. A masterpiece.

Update: In its 2020 list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Rolling Stone ranked this album at #4.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "The album is a gorgeous communication from a genius soul at peace with itself."
• Stereo Review: "a disappointment"
• Robert Christagau: A
• CashBox: "a frighteningly excellent LP"
• Rolling Stone: "The album offers something fresh at each listening, something right for every mood."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #1 (14 weeks between Oct 16, 1976 - Jan 29, 1977)
• Billboard R&B: #1 (20 weeks)
• CashBox: #1 (12 consecutive weeks)

Tracks: Without a doubt, my favorite track here is As (with Herbie Hancock on the Fender Rhodes), followed closely by I Wish (who can resist that bass line?). But there are plenty of gems here: Love's In Need Of Love Today, Contusion, Sir Duke, Pastime Paradise, Saturn, Isn't She Lovely, Black Man, and Another Star. There is no filler. I repeat: there is no filler.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: This music reminds me of the summer of 1977. I'm sure that's the case for most people - if a radio was playing in 1977, chances are you would hear Stevie Wonder. I remember being in my bedroom with my clock/radio on, waiting to hear the opening horns of Sir Duke.

Update: I saw Stevie Wonder perform this album in its entirety in 2015.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Talking Book (1972)
Someday At Christmas (1967)

Stevie Wonder - Someday at Christmas (1967)

Note: this edition is the 2004 reissue with 2 bonus tracks, retitled The Best of Stevie Wonder - The Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters

A better than average Christmas album, released when Stevie was only 17. Sure the arrangements and production are dated; that's part of the charm. Stevie's harmonica playing always brings a smile to my face. I'm wondering why they didn't title the album "The Wonder of Christmas"? Too obvious?

 

Billboard review

Tracks: My favorites are Someday At Christmas, Silver Bells, The Christmas Song, What Christmas Means To Me, and Everyone's A Kid At Christmas Time. I usually skip the out-of-tune Ave Maria, the depressing Bedtime For Toys, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Me.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Talking Book (1972)

Stevie Wonder - Talking Book (1972)

Note: this release was originally purchased as an LP, later replaced by a CD.

No words can do justice to this perfect, timeless blend of songwriting and performance. All of Stevie's work in the '70s was top-notch, but this could be his finest album ever. The use of the Hohner Clavinet Model C is unmistakably Stevie and one of the most characteristic sounds of the era. In 2003, the album was ranked number 90 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. I think they underrated it at number 90. While Wonder handles most of the instruments himself, there are great solos by Ray Parker, Jr., Jeff Beck, David Sanborn, and Buzz Feiten.

In a 2009 interview with Newsweek magazine, here's what Elvis Costello had to say about Stevie: "He's the most influential musician alive. Every bad singer on American Idol tries to sound like him, and fails miserably. It would be an inspiring thing for him to be the musical laureate of America. Because he is anyway."

Listening to Stevie Wonder is like worshipping at the Church of Love.

Update: In its 2020 list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Rolling Stone ranked Talking Book at #59.

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "another winner"
• CashBox: "When he talks, people listen. And are moved by what they hear."
• Rolling Stone: "Wonder has produced another of the very best albums this year"
• Record World: "A beautiful and funky album"
• Robert Christgau (A): "The artist breaks through and takes control"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #3 (Feb 3, 1973)
• Billboard R&B: #1 (3 weeks)

Tracks: You know they're all good. Sure, the megahits are megagreat - You Are The Sunshine Of My Life (#1 pop, #3 R&B) and Superstition (#1 pop, #1 R&B) - and you might know I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) from the final scene of the movie High Fidelity, but the hidden gems here are Tuesday Heartbreak, You've Got It Bad Girl, and Big Brother. The aforementioned I Believe may be the best closing track of any album ever. After starting off as a ballad, Stevie kicks into party/funk mode more than 4 minutes into the song when he shouts, "C'mon, let's fall in love." Then you're sad when it fades out all too quickly.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I remember the thrill of discovering the beauty of this album when I was 17 years old. I bought the album on a hunch, but was totally unprepared for what came at me. I still hear something new with each listen.