Kevin's Watch

Of all his contemporaries, only Joni Mitchell was as daring when it came to odd riffs, incessant modulation, and unpredictable melodies that made full use of a three-plus-octave vocal range. But Stevie's melodic and harmonic sense were so outstanding that he could get away with it consistently, whereas Joni often loses the listener. The man is right up there with the Beatles and Hendrix, making every other 60s rocker look like a clumsy child.

I recommend Music Of My Mind (1972), Talking Book (1972), Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974), Songs In The Key Of Life (1976).

Songs in the Key of Life is quite wonderful.

Ok, now you are narrowing down to the number of people in the world who LIKE BOTH STEVIE WONDER AND STEVEN DONALDSON!

This includes me of course; as a college educated Christian white guy, it makes sense that I would interested in Thomas Covenant. But there must be only a few from that category also devoted to Stevie. I found his albums in grad school, bought all the old ones used and all of the new ones since.

He is truly an original talent, not like many of the current artists just building on the accomplishments of others. His music is incredibly complex,both harmonically and rhythmically. (although some of his chord sequences come from his blindness and his need to move his hands gradually from one place to another - to wit the opening of Send One Your Love!)

I think the course of modern music would truly be different without him. Every one of those struggling talents on that miserable American Idol trying to jazz up their vocals is ultimately imitating a style first done by Stevie. He also was one of the first to play numerous instruments on his own tracks.

He also has been consistently devoted to peace/love/racial issues throughout his career. It may be ironic for a blind man to be color blind, but he actually is quite sophisticated about racial and cultural issues.

I don't why his career has sputtered lately. He talked several years ago about making a gospel album but hasn't released it.

so, to narrow the category: How many of you like SRD, Stevie Wonder,
Leinenklugel beer, and Lyle Lovett?

srtrout@yahoo.com

srtrout wrote:so, to narrow the category: How many of you like

srtrout wrote:SRD,

Check.

srtrout wrote:Stevie Wonder,

Check.

srtrout wrote:Leinenklugel beer,

I like blueberry wine.

srtrout wrote:and Lyle Lovett?

Who?

Lord Foul wrote:

srtrout wrote:and Lyle Lovett?

Who?

heh

Honey, I don't know just what you heard, but, "Come on baby" are my favorite words...


As for Stevie Wonder... I really like several of his big hits, but, to my shame, he's one of many HUGE names in music that I don't own a single album by.

" I Just Called To Say, I Love You...."

He's produced several tunes I revere, and this is one of them:

HIGHER GROUND
(Written by Stevie Wonder)

People keep on learnin'
Soldiers keep on warrin'
World keep on turnin'
'Cause it won't be too long

Powers keep on lyin'
While your people keep on dyin'
World keep on turnin'
'Cause it won't be too long

I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground

Teachers keep on teachin'
Preachers keep on preachin'
World keep on turnin'
'Cause it won't be too long

Oh no
Lovers keep on lovin'
Believers keep on believin'
Sleepers just stop sleepin'
'Cause it won't be too long

Oh no
I'm so glad that he let me try it again
'Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin
I'm so glad that I know more than I knew then
Gonna keep on tryin'
Till I reach my highest ground
Whew!
Till I reach my highest ground

No one's gonna bring me down
Oh no
Till I reach my highest ground
Don't let nobody bring you down (they'll sure 'nough try)
God is gonna show you higher ground

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X00XdLhFLSg

My favorite SW song is "Sir Duke."

Excellent suggestion, DLB! I'm going to post lyrics and a link to that one.

SIR DUKE
(Written by Stevie Wonder)

Music is a world within itself
With a language we all understand
With an equal opportunity
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands
But just because a record has a groove
Don't make it in the groove
But you can tell right away at letter A
When the people start to move

They can feel it all over
They can feel it all over people
They can feel it all over
They can feel it all over people

Music knows it is and always will
Be one of the things that life just won't quit
But here are some of music's pioneers
That time will not allow us to forget
For there's Basie, Miller, Sachmo
And the king of all Sir Duke
And with a voice like Ella's ringing out
There's no way the band can lose

You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
You can feel it all over people
You can feel it all over

I can feel it all over-all over now people
Can't you feel it all over
Come on let's feel it all over people
You can feel it all over
Everybody-all over people

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sIjSNTS7Fs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPyq4iqt6Go

[Stevie Wonder: You Are The Sunshine]

Worm of Despite wrote: ...making every other 60s rocker look like a clumsy child.

I love Stevie as much as everybody else, but that statement was simply asinine. If everything he posted was that myopic, it's no wonder he was banned.