#59 Stevie Wonder, 'Talking Book' (1972)

Previously #90

Released during a particularly prolific time for Stevie Wonder, ‘Talking Book’ was the 22-year-old wunderkind’s 15th album. Following on from ‘Music Of My Mind,’ released just 7 months before, ‘Talking Book’ continues Wonder’s new found artistic freedom under his renewed contract with Motown. And like that album, he continues his exploration with the burgeoning new instrument, the synthesizer. The genius of Stevie Wonder was maturing and everything he had been working towards for the past 10 years was coming to fruition.

Wonder earned his first Grammys on this one with the #1 singles, ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life’ and ‘Superstition.’ The latter features one of my favourite drum grooves ever, played by the multi-instrumentalist himself. In fact, as one his previous release, save for a few guest features, Wonder plays all of the instruments. Stevie Wonder never let his disability get in his away, overcoming it with his supreme talent. The two singles don’t overshadow the rest of the songs, but rather enhance them. ‘You’ve Got It Bad Girl,’ ‘Big Brother,’ ‘Lookin’ For Another Pure Love’ and ‘I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)’ are amongst my favourite Stevie Wonder songs. It’s an exceptional body of work full of richly textured songs. The original 2,000 pressings of the album included a special messafe in Braille: “Here is my music. It is all I have to tell you how I feel. Know that your love keeps my love strong. — Stevie”

#rs500albums