I’m curious to see how this vote goes. Stevie Wonder, an unquestioned musical genius and living legend, against Talking Heads, one of alternative music’s most innovative and influential bands.
This isn’t a tough call for me. I appreciate Stevie Wonder’s music more than I like it (don’t tell Michelle Obama!). Talking Heads, on the other hand, works for me on every level.
‘Love having You Around’ is the opening track of Stevie Wonder’s 1972 album Music of My Mind, the first Motown album on which he had full creative control. The record marked Wonder’s first extensive use of synthesizers.
As he would on most of his records, Wonder contributed almost every sound on Music On My Mind. On this track, for example, only the trombone work of Art Baron didn’t come from Wonder himself.
Stevie Wonder released not one but two classic albums in 1972 — Music of My Mind in March and Talking Book in October.
He followed those records with Innervisions, Fulfillingness’ First Finale and Songs in the Key of Life over the next four years.
You could say it was a productive period for Stevie.
What better way to close out the week than with a 9-minute performance by Beyoncé from this week’s Stevie Wonder tribute show?
Queen B, joined by Ed Sheeran and Gary Clark, Jr., tore through ‘Fingertips,’ ‘Master Blaster’ (Jammin’)’ and ‘Higher Ground’ in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
I’ve never liked Stevie Wonder as much as I feel I probably should. Certainly Songs in the Key of Life deserved consideration for my list of the best 70s albums, but I never gave it a second thought. As much as I appreciate this album, and Wonder’s music in general, I’ve never found it in me to love it.
Today’s Random Weekend selection is a perfect encapsulation of my feelings about Stevie Wonder — it’s brilliant right up until it stops being brilliant and starts being annoying.
Meet Me In Montauk 