Stevie Wonder Talking Book CD

Personnel: Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica, keyboards, synthesizer, ARP synthesizer, Moog synthesizer); Stevie Wonder; Debra Wilson, Gloria Barley (vocals, background vocals); Delores Harvin (vocals); David Sanborn (saxophone, alto saxophone, background vocals); Trevor Lawrence (saxophone, alto saxophone); Trevor Laurence (saxophone); Steve Madaio, Steve Madalo (trumpet); Malcolm Cecil (Moog synthesizer, programming); Robert Margouleff (Moog synthesizer); Scott Edwards (bass instrument); Loris Harvin, Dennis Williams, Gloria Barley (background vocals); Deniece Williams, Jim Gilstrap, Lani Groves, Shirley Brewer (vocals, background vocals); Jeff Beck, Ray Parker, Jr. (guitar, acoustic guitar); Howard "Buzz" Feiten (guitar); Daniel Ben Zebulon (congas, percussion).
Recording information: AIR Recording Studios, London, England; Air Studios, London, England; Crystal Studios, Hollywood, CA; Crystal Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Electric Lady Studios, NY; Record Plant Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Record Plant, Hollywood, CA.
Photographer: Robert Margouleff.
Unknown Contributor Role: Scott Edwards.
After releasing two "head" records during 1970-71, Stevie Wonder expanded his compositional palate with 1972's Talking Book to include societal ills as well as tender love songs, and so recorded the first smash album of his career. What had been hinted at on the intriguing project Music of My Mind was here focused into a laser beam of tight songwriting, warm electronic arrangements, and ebullient performances -- altogether the most realistic vision of musical personality ever put to wax, beginning with a disarmingly simple love song, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" (but of course, it's only the composition that's simple). Stevie's not always singing a tender ballad here -- in fact, he flits from contentment to mistrust to promise to heartbreak within the course of the first four songs -- but he never fails to render each song in the most vivid colors. In stark contrast to his early songs, which were clever but often relied on the Motown template of romantic metaphor, with Talking Book it became clear Stevie Wonder was beginning to speak his mind and use personal history for material (just as Marvin Gaye had with the social protest of 1971's What's Going On). The lyrics became less convoluted, while the emotional power gained in intensity. "You and I" and the glorious closer "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" subtly illustrate that the conception of love can be stronger than the reality, while "Tuesday Heartbreak" speaks simply but powerfully: "I wanna be with you when the nighttime comes / I wanna be with you till the daytime comes." Ironically, the biggest hit from Talking Book wasn't a love song at all; the funk landmark "Superstition" urges empowerment instead of hopelessness, set to a grooving beat that made it one of the biggest hits of his career. It's followed by "Big Brother," the first of his directly critical songs, excoriating politicians who posture to the underclass in order to gain the only thing they really need: votes. With Talking Book, Stevie also found a proper balance between making an album entirely by himself and benefiting from the talents of others. His wife Syreeta and her sister Yvonne Wright contributed three great lyrics, and Ray Parker, Jr. came by to record a guitar solo that brings together the lengthy jam "Maybe Your Baby." Two more guitar heroes, Jeff Beck and Buzzy Feton, appeared on "Lookin' for Another Pure Love," Beck's solo especially giving voice to the excruciating process of moving on from a broken relationship. Like no other Stevie Wonder LP before it, Talking Book is all of a piece, the first unified statement of his career. It's certainly an exercise in indulgence but, imitating life, it veers breathtakingly from love to heartbreak and back with barely a pause. ~ John Bush
Following closely on the heels of MUSIC OF MY MIND (also released in 1972), TALKING BOOK was SteRolling Stone (12/11/03, p.118) - Ranked #90 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...TALKING BOOK was full of introspection and social commentary..."
Rolling Stone (1/4/73, p.61) - "..Ambitious, richly-textured...Even at its dreamiest, the music has a glowing vibrancy...Altogether, an exceptional, exciting album, the work of a now quite matured genius..."
Q (8/00, p.123) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...Represents an unparalleled hitching of man to machine....music of the highest standard: a burst of creativity few other '70s artists, save Bowie, could match."
Mojo (Publisher) (7/00, p.129) - "...With its groundbreaking Braille cover and smash hits 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life' and 'Superstition'...[A] pretty essential acquisition."