Conference mr1pst::music

    I've never gotten into SW.  Although I think his music and lyrics are
    sometimes wonderful, his voice grates on my nerves.

  I followed Wonder pretty closely up from the mid-60s hits up through the
  first few albums (Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions,
  Fullfillingness, Songs in the Key of Life).  Then my attention kind of
  wandered...  Which is not to doubt his potential for continued "wonder"
  for a second.  You never know when he'll wake up and start making great
  albums again.  Probably when it occurs to him.
  
  My quickie appraisal differs a little from .1:  I find his voice and music
  wonderful, his lyrics...  Well, let's just say he'll do odd things to
  come up with a rhyme.
  
  I also think it's unfortunate some of his vocal mannerisms have been so
  widely copied -- seems hard to find a young black vocal ensemble that will
  sing it "natural" these days.
  
  But, I'm a big fan.  - Jay

   I've been a fan for a long time.  His supporting musicians have always been 
   top notch.  Bass players in particular.  They've inspired me to try differ-
   ent, more melodic approaches to a lot of things.  Check out "I Wish", "As",
   etc.  (Both from "Songs in the Key of Life", I believe.)  Amazing stuff,
   especially for it's time.

   -- Sam

    I don't want to imagine a musical landscape that does not
    include Stevie Wonder. I think he's wonderful, and with
    the notable exception of "Ebony and Ivory", can find little
    fault.
    
    -b

    Stevie's first 5-6 albums are CLASSIC's!  He's last 3 or so I just
    never got into.  On a side note has anybody ever seen him in concert. 
    He is just incredible!!  I once seen him in believe it of not the
    Boston Garden and sitting behind me was Marvin Hagler of boxing fame
    right after he won the title in England!
    
    
    				Bart

    I'd strongly recommending practically anything by Stevie Wonder up to
    "Songs In The Key Of Life", though he's done little or nothing to
    interest me since then.
    
    Superb singer, keyboards player, harmonica player, drummer (!) and
    (especially) songwriter, I think SW came up with some of the most
    memorable stuff ever put out by Tamla Motown. One song in particular
    springs to mind, "I Was Made To Love Her", for my money, one of the
    best 45s ever released. What a bassline! (James Jamerson)
    
    Dom  

>            -< *Everyone* should have a Stevie Wonder compilation! >-

  Speaking of Stevie Wonder compilations...
  
  Did anyone else notice that when the Motown "Anthology" series originally
  appeared [later expanded for CD length], with "Anthology" sets for
  Supremes, Diana Ross, Temptations, 4 Tops, Marvin Gaye, Marvelletes,
  Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Jackson 5, Spinners, etc. , etc...
  
  ... that there *was* a double-disc set for Stevie Wonder?  It was called
  "Looking Back" I think (I have the double-LP), and served as sort of a
  prequel for "Original Musiquarium: Greatest Hits".  All the hits before
  "Music of My Mind", when he seized creative control.
  
  However, it was cut out almost immediately, and never reappeared in CD or
  any other form (to my knowledge).  Always wondered about that.

  [The old Greatest Hits Vols. 1-2 albums are out on CD, and are OK I
  guess, but I think an "Anthology" or box is warranted...]  - Jay

re>.7                  -< Stevie apparently nixed "Looking Back" >-

I have "Looking back". It's the triple LP and might be desinged for an 
automatic disc changer. Record one contains side 1 and 6, record two 
contains side 2 and 5, record three contains side 3 and 4. Compared to 
other "Anthology" series, it lacks a beautiful booklet, which I think a
must for these series becuase of their cover design poorness.

>All the hits before "Music of My Mind", when he seized creative control.

Yes he acquired a control. And I agree his music evolved from "Music of
My Mind", "Talking Book", "Innervisons", "First Finale" to "Songs in the
Key of Life". Those were the great steps. But I enjoy "Looking Back" and
the days of "Little Stevie Wonder" most. If you have a chance to get his
original albums in his early days, I recommend "Uptight", "I was made to
love her" and "For once in my life"

P.S. Sames as Stevie Wonder, I love the Anthology of Marvin Gaye which 
coantains a beautiful booklet(also a triple LP, I think). 

- Kazunori

    I've got that triple LP too. It covers practically everything from the
    early "Little Stevie Wonder" days (Fingertips, High Heeled
    Sneakers, etc.) up to the early-mid seventies (My Cherie Amour, Signed
    Sealed, Delivered, etc...not too sure about the dates of these).
    
    What is lacking (as .7 pointed out) is a booklet, or some sort of liner
    notes. It only contains recording dates, songwriters, and publishers.
    Great listening though!
    
    Dom

    Yes... the three most memorable part of the article in the New Yorker
    were that :
    
    1)   He has the equivalent of a "lifetime contract" with Motown.  He
         has 100% complete control over every aspect of his productions.
         When, what, how to record.  The whole thing.  He also has, believe
         it or not, veto power over the sale of Motown records itself!  In
         fact, Motown did change hands recently... they needed Stevie's 
         approval.
    
    2)   He is _always_ late for _everything_.
    
    3)   Everywhere he goes, somebody follows and sets up his
         synth/computer system.  Stevie will sit down whenever the whim
         catches him.  Sometimes he even comes off stage exhausted and 
         sits right down in the dressing room.
    

  After reading .8 and .9, I went and looked at my copy of "Looking Back".
  
  Of course it is 3, not 2, LPs.
  
  I also noticed it was marked "Limited Edition".  Usually one can dismiss
  such a notation but, this time, they meant it...   - Jay

    (This in itself may make it a collector's item, like a coin or stamp
    with a circumstantial oddity.  A "limited edition" that actually was... 8)