Talking Book

Artist: Stevie Wonder
Label: Umvd Labels
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Original recording reissued
Media: Audio Cassette
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 601215735444
EAN: 0601215735444
ASIN: B00004S36B

Release Date: 2000-03-28

Talking Book

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General

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Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)

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Tracks:

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Maybe Your Baby
You And I
Tuesday Heartbreak
You've Got It Bad Girl
Superstition
Big Brother
Blame It On The Sun
Lookin' For Another Pure Love
I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)

Similar Items:

Innervisions
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Songs in the Key of Life
Music of My Mind
What's Going on

Amazon.com essential recording

The two No. 1 hits from this 1972 album perfectly illustrate the contrasting sides of Wonder's complex personality. "Superstition" is a strong rocker, a paranoid bit of wah-wah guitar funk that's as persistent as the best punk music; the opening track, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," is a pure love song that would sound corny coming from any other voice. A hint of bitterness, perhaps owing to Wonder's then-dissolving marriage, gives <I>Talking Book</I> its edge. But overall it's obsessed with love, and while "Sunshine" is still one of the singer/keyboardist's most beloved songs, the closing "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" is much deeper and more rewarding. <I>--Steve Knopper</I>

Customer Reviews:

Stevie Wonder's Greatest Album........2007-04-18

Stevie Wonder released many classic albums in the 1970's including "Innervisions", "Fulfilingness First Finale" and the epic "Songs In the Key Of Life". However, in this reviewers opinion, his late 1972 classic "Talking Book" is still Stevie's best overall album.
Like "Music Of My Mind" before it, "Talking Book" finds Stevie Wonder in complete control by writing, producing and performing most of the music himself. His natural songwriting talents combined with the latest technology and his unmistakable vocals make for what is undoubtedly a timeless classic.
Many of the tracks on "Talking Book" have become standards since their initial release including the wonderful "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", "Tuesday Heartbreak", "Blame It On The Sun", "You've Got It Bad Girl" and the driving funk of "Superstition". Elsewhere are stellar moments such as the hard rock of the jamming "Maybe Your Baby", the folkish "Big Brother", the beautifully orchestrated piano ballad "You and I" and the dynamic spiritual closer "I Believe".
Indeed, all 10 tracks that make up "Talking Book" are some of the best music Stevie Wonder has ever made. This isn't just an album to be listened to in sections, it needs to be played from beginning to end. As mentioned above, Stevie has made albums that have equalled "Talking Book", however this album has an extra little added kick that brings it above the others.
Although I've been familiar with the "Talking Book" album since I was born, I'm very happy to say that I finally own this album all these years later.

A Classic - For Anyone's "Greatest of All Time" Collection.......2007-02-19

This album should be in any serious collection of 20th Century music. One of the best of its genre. Just as fun to listen to now as when it came out decades ago.

A Simply Marvelous Recording.......2006-12-14

In one of the greatest albums recorded, Stevie Wonder writes timeless music with a classic blend of r&b, blues, gospel and jazz.

Though the lyrics may be biting at times, You Are The Sunshine Of My Life is a pop classic. And the grappling with the beauty and desperation of love culminates with the last song, I Believe, that evolves from a wonderful gospel rendition into cutting blues.

Superstition is one bad piece of music and the political awareness in Big Brother is unfortunately timeless, especially for urban residents. Blame It On The Sun has Wonder fully utilizing soft textures on the synthesizer, ultimately showing how technology can work with - and not dominate - other instruments.

Released in November 1972 - the outstanding Music of My Mind was released earlier in the year - Talking Book proved without a doubt that Wonder's ability as a composer/producer/musician had reached iconic status at the age of 22.

Proves my point............2006-12-14

This album solidifies why I honestly think Stevie Wonder is the greatest solo recording artist in history. There is not a single bad song on here and is thus far my favorite Stevie Wonder album. Slow ballads like "You & I" and "I Believe". The funk classic "Superstition" AM Gold classic "You are the Sunshine of My Life", and some more that are really great songs are all on here. BUY THIS ALBUM. This is up there w/ "Dark Side of the Moon", "Thriller", "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", or Stevie's very on "Innervisions"

Stevie is amazing........2006-11-29

Prior to purchasing this CD, I was only familiar with some of Stevie's hits, which I heard on the radio, and "the definitive collection" cd which I purchased before seeing him in concert. That being said, I loved everything I had heard of his thus far.

Let me tell you, now this CD just stands out as one of the greatest all times for me. Besides the classics "You Are The Sunshine of My Life" and "Superstition," every song on this CD is great, although I am personally less fond of "Looking for Another Pure Love." "You and I" is another great Stevie Wonder ballad, and he shows off his amazing vocal technique yet again with the final chorus. My favorite song on this CD though is probably "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)." I actually read the lyrics to this track before I had heard it, and the optimism that the song expresses about new love mixed with it's dark melody really touched me.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone and everyone.

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