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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2016 8:39:15 GMT
I couldn't come up with just one album that represents the amazing skill of the man in my avatar, so I picked a variety of songs from the one and only, Stevie Wonder! His music was a constant presence in my childhood, and I cherish those memories to this very day.
Superstition
I Just Called To Say I Love You
Sir Duke
For Once In My Life
Higher Ground
Master Blaster
Isn't She Lovely
I Wish
Ain't Gonna Stand For It
I Was Made To Love Her
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Post by dillwyn on Feb 21, 2016 12:36:14 GMT
Whoa way to bring out the big guns.... Apart from the frankly lame, 'I just called' ...this will be a joy.
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Post by Helmut83 on Feb 21, 2016 18:21:24 GMT
I know what you mean about "I just called...", it sounds a bit sugar-overloaded and cloying and has been really overplayed, you are right. But personally I find it very pleasant to listen at at certain moments, like for example when driving a car. It has a relaxing effect on me.
Several songs I don't know here, but I'm eager to give them a listen. This guy has always struck me as talented.
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Post by dillwyn on Feb 21, 2016 19:47:30 GMT
Well that was a brilliant way to cook dinner. Singing / dancing (not a pleasant sight, trust me) especially when you add my screeching on top of it. With such incredible songs the music was up full blast, every song (except 1) for me excellent and a celebration. It even made my wife and I agree on music (a very rare event). Songs in the key of life would be a high water mark for any artist. It was incredibly successful but this collection shows what a consistently fabulous writer/singer/musician especially through the 70's.
The best songs in this list are for me superstition, sir duke, and ummm every other damn song here. You could have of course substituted that turgid, awful, globally massively successful I just called with the vastly superior lately and this list would be close on perfect ...oh if you added just enough for the city, it would be perfect.
Brax this is a brilliant choice IMHO Thank you.
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Post by jrmugz on Feb 21, 2016 22:15:40 GMT
This is going to be fun Brax, and YAY, "Master Blaster", always loved that one but haven't heard it in years. Jim
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Post by unomusette on Feb 21, 2016 22:21:52 GMT
Great choice @brax, looking forward to a wallow
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Post by Chippa on Feb 22, 2016 8:28:21 GMT
Brax just brought the A game!
Superstition – Oh man, what an opening! Funky ass moog synth and that relentless groove! Then the horns kick in and just take it to the stratosphere of funktasticness. An absolutely classic song. Flawless.
I Just Called To Say I Love You – Ya know, as cheesy as it is, this song is outright catchy and tough to dislike. Killer chorus, and mega-hooks galore. This version includes the super cool, extended vocoder bit. Very ELO-like.
Sir Duke – Excellent tribute to the jazz legend Duke Ellington. Love the horns here, again. This song culminates into a real euphoric feeling, and it’s infectious as hell. Someone needs to learn how to write songs like this, again.
For Once In My Life – One of Stevie’s early hits. Love the feel to this one. The arrangement is great, as well, especially those sweeping string flourishes, and Stevie’s killer harmonica solo.
Higher Ground – My second favorite Stevie Wonder song, after Superstitious. The funk! Just the greasy sound of the synths and horns, and that killer rhythm section…it’s magic.
Master Blaster – Great musical nod to Bob Marley. Good to hear someone doing real reggae, instead of all the posers that came later on.
Isn't She Lovely – Sentimental tribute to Stevie’s newborn daughter. Again, a tad sappy, but really hard to look down on, considering the song’s subject matter.
I Wish – Love the bass at the beginning! Some really fun stuff going on in this song. Again, the funk is endless.
Ain't Gonna Stand For It – Stevie goes country! This is actually better than most modern country music. The first Stevie Wonder song to feature steel guitar? Most likely. Quirky and interesting. Fun stuff!
I Was Made To Love Her – Another early one. Not as great as his 70’s stuff, but a great song nonetheless. I like the little imperfections in the song, like the rhythm going slightly off kilter, at times. Imperfection is appealing, sometimes.
Overall, this gets a solid 9/10. Stevie is the man! I’d go so far as to call him the black Jeff Lynne.
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Post by sparky123 on Feb 22, 2016 13:32:45 GMT
This is my favourite of all Stevie Wonder songs, such a beautiful voice.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2016 4:57:35 GMT
Lately is another of my favorites! I really could have had a list of 20 songs, but I figured ten was enough without going into overkill.
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Post by jrmugz on Feb 23, 2016 21:46:28 GMT
Lately is another of my favorites! I really could have had a list of 20 songs, but I figured ten was enough without going into overkill. I don't mind if you put up to 20, for the next one I'm going to do when my turn in a month or so, I'm planning to do 21 songs. Hey @horacewimp , would you mind if we said someone can do up to 21 songs for an artist if they want to, if they go the "artist of the week" route? Not that they couldn't just put only a few for an artist if they wanted to. And not than anyone would be obliged to review all of them. Jim
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Post by Horacewimp on Feb 23, 2016 21:54:38 GMT
Lately is another of my favorites! I really could have had a list of 20 songs, but I figured ten was enough without going into overkill. I don't mind if you put up to 20, for the next one I'm going to do when my turn in a month or so, I'm planning to do 21 songs. Hey @horacewimp , would you mind if we said someone can do up to 21 songs for an artist if they want to, if they go the "artist of the week" route? Not that they couldn't just put only a few for an artist if they wanted to. And not than anyone would be obliged to review all of them. Jim That's fine with me, it makes it more interesting I think, some weeks one song is chosen the next week twenty one, variety is the spice of life!!
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Post by jrmugz on Feb 24, 2016 20:46:09 GMT
OK, here are my thoughts, Brax, great stuff! 01. "Superstition" - Quitnessential classic funk tune. Standard setting SW classic song. Amusing, funky, engaging, etc. 02. "I Just Called to Say I Love You" - I wish I didn't like this song, but hard to not like it. 03. "Sir Duke" - Like The Duke sang "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing", so he would certainly approve of this tribute song to him! 04. "For Once in My Life" - Good lyric about how someone's support gives us strength to deal with difficult people. 05. "Higher Ground" - Great funky tune, with a great chorus! Captivating lyric. Probably my fave of the bunch. 06. "Master Blaster" - Always liked this one a lot, great to hear again after all these years. Dylanesque in that there are several continous verses. 07. "Isn't She Lovely" - Guess nothing not to like about this one. Maybe his best vocal performance, to me, it seems. Harmonica soars beautifully. 08. "I Wish" - Love the song overall, but always hated the how the lyric has nostalgia for rebellion. But, guess fits the music and mood; and at least admits the stuff was rebellion. The brass outro is vintage stuff, for sure. 09. "Ain't Gonna Stand for It" - A different kind of style for SW, with a great verse and chorus melodies. Nice! 10. "I Was Made to Love Her" - Good pop song and structure, inspired performace; but the lyric gives me the creeps. 11. "Lately" - Very nice ballad, that expresses the hardship of knowing a relationship is inevitably ending. Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Prime Cuts: "Higher Ground", "Master Blaster", "Lately" Bottom Line: Classic tunes from an amazing artist. Thanks, Brax, appreciate you letting us enjoy all of these great classics. Will mark you down for the next open slot. Jim
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Post by 88keys on Feb 25, 2016 21:27:45 GMT
All of these songs are awesome, but let me break it down into categories.
The Great Superstition Higher Ground I Just Called To Say I Love You I Wish
The Good Sir Duke For Once In My Life Master Blaster I Was Made To Love Her
The Not Quite Great or Good, but Still Better Than Average Ain't Gonna Stand For It Isn't She Lovely
Stevie Wonder is a freaking legend. Thank you, @brax, for sharing these!
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Post by unomusette on Feb 27, 2016 20:33:58 GMT
Superstition: This song oozes cool, I like the way the different instruments are introduced from the simple intro and it has an irresistible groove. You can't help but move along with it and the brass section really ices the cake. Love it. I Just Called to Say I Love You - Speaking of fautless...this is the total opposite for me, it's too sugary and sappy and makes me want to reach for some System of a Down to purge my ears. I'm sure it's "our song" for lots of couples but I know Stevie is capable of much better. Sir Duke - This is more like it. Attitude aplenty, more snazzy horns and that toe-tapping beat, brilliant. For Once in My Life - This reminds me of my early youth, it was always on the radio and the radio was always on in our house. Even as a kid I remember thinking what a happy song it was, someone finding themselves right where they want to be and appreciating every moment. First appearance of the legendary Wonder Harmonica too, good one. Higher Ground - Lordy, who can resist a groove like this? Definitely my favourite so far,it simply cannot be faulted. Master Blaster - Easy, loping reggae beat here, very laid back and cool. I like the slightly more raspy vocals on this one too, although it does go on a tad too long for me. Isn't She Lovely? - I applaud the sentiment, but the song doesn't do a lot for me unfortunately. It's a nice tune but it's about twice as long as it needs to be. It's better than "I Just Called..." though. I Wish - Back to what Stevie does best, sassy beat and irresistibly head-noddy/shoulder twitchy. Fab. I Ain't Gonna Stand for it - Did Eric Clapton ever cover this? I'm sure I recall him getting involved somehow. Anyway, it's a catchy tune with interesting vocals and I rather like it. I Was Made to Love Her - Classic Motown sound here, and Class is the word. Great guitar sound and a sort of gospel feel, easily up there with Higher Ground for me and possibly even the best of the bunch. Whenever I listen to "....of the Week" I use earphones off the laptop and it's a properly close-up and detailed experience. Even with songs like these, which I've heard umpteen times on the radio, there's always something extra to be gained from such intimacy. Apart from the obvious two tracks which didn't do much for me, I really enjoyed hearing Stevie's work in this way and I'd give this collection 8 out of 10. He has an undoubted knack for a catchy tune and a cool vibe and fully deserves his legendary status. Thanks for sharing @brax !
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2016 22:18:35 GMT
I love the reviews, everybody! unomusette , yes Clapton did cover I Ain't Gonna Stand For It, on his 2001 album Reptile.
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