I’m curious, what’s the appeal of Stevie Wonder?
Me, I’d put Lionel Richie over him.
Stevie was my favorite musician from the 1970's. He produced 4 excellent albums in that decade, which were:
Talking Book (Superstition, You Are the Sunshine, Big Brother, etc.)
Innervisions (Living for the City, Higher Ground, Jesus Children of America)
Fulfillingness' First Finale (Boogie On Reggae Woman, You Haven't Done Nothin')
Songs in the Key of Life (Love's in Need of Love Today, Sir Duke, Isn't She Lovely, Knocks Me off my Feet)
His recordings got overly sentimental/sappy in the 80's. But that doesn't detract for all his beautiful music, which he wrote, produced and sang.
I still listen to his albums, from beginning to end, because all the songs are so good. And his social messages are as relevant today as they were over 40 - 50 years ago when he recorded them.
Love Stevie Wonder.
Been meaning to get back to this thread. Wanted to throw in 2 cents re: Stevie Wonder and his early music. Talking Book and Innervisions and the subsequent cluster of albums in 70’s and 80’s were popular and had broad appeal, but, his best music (IMO) preceded his 70’s/80’s work. More remarkable when considering that he was 15 in 1965.
For Once in My Life
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
I Was Made to Love Her (my favorite)
A Place in the Sun
Yester-me, Yester-you, Yesterday
Heaven Help us All
My Cherie Amor
If You Really Love Me
Uptight
Stevie’s early music (1966 to ‘71) was amazing - and not his biggest era of commercial success. I’d take the Beatles ahead of Stevie Wonder but I think he’s up there as universally liked given his prolific hit-making across genres over multiple decades.