Talking Book

by

Stevie Wonder

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"Innervisions"may show his genius at full form,& "Songs in the Key of Life"may be his masterpiece,but it's"Talking Book" that balances his musical genius and his emotional core. Not only are we treated to the salacious funk of"Superstition",and the georgeous"You are the Sunshine of my life",but other emotionlly charged songs that stemmed from his break-up with then-wife Syreeta Wright.From the turmoiled fueled "Maybe your Baby"&"You've got it bad,Girl"to the overtly ignored post break-up classic"Blame it on the Sun".But heartbreak gives way to the hopefullness of "You & I"(yet another buried classic ,which could pounce "I just called..."as the ultimate wedding song),"Looking for Another Pure Love",& the georgous album closer,I Believe(when I fall in love it will be forever) giving the indication that bliss is just around the corner. Only 22 at the time of recording,Wonder showed his talent was not only impressive,but most importantly,expressive.

Watching BET's Walk Of Fame tribute to Stevie the other day inspired me to write some reviews here. Personally, I like Stevie. He seems like a great person. Musically, for me, he is almost 2 people per album. That is the reason I gave this cd 3 stars. I absolutely love the Stevie stuff that I love, and the stuff I don't like I just cannot stand. I just don't see how someone can write and perform a tune as perfect as I Believe (When I Fall In Love With You It Will Be Forever), and on the same album include such dreck as You And I, and You've Got It Bad Girl.

I Believe has great singing, a fantastic synth-bassline and an equally fantastic chorus. With this tune I rate Stevie right up there with Bernie Worrell for his ability to come up with lines and beats that could vamp for 10 straight minutes and be perfect.

Big Brother is my other favorite song on the cd. Socially-conscious Stevie at his best. Everyone knows You Are The Sunshine Of My Life and Superstition so aside from saying that I prefer Superstition there isn't much more to say about those 2 songs.

This is what this album boils down to, for me. These 4 songs. Big Brother and I Believe are Stevie at his best. Superstition is great and Sunshine is nice now and again. The rest of this cd I can do without.