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Stevie Wonder broke a three-year silence, one that followed a series of six classic albums released within six years, with this double album, the score/soundtrack to a little-seen environmental documentary directed by Wild Bunch co-screenwriter Walon Green. From the release of Songs in the Key of Life through the release of Plants, Wonder had been active, actually, but only as a collaborator, working with Ramsey Lewis, the Pointer Sisters, Minnie Riperton, Syreeta, Ronnie Foster, and Michael Jackson. Even so, three years was a considerable lag between albums. Anticipation was so high that this release peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 and R&B album charts. It quickly slipped to footnote status; when Wonder's 1972-1980 albums were reissued in 2000, it was left out of the program. Plants is a sprawling, fascinating album. Though it is dominated by synthesizer-heavy instrumental pieces with evocative titles, there is a handful of full-blown songs. The gorgeous, mostly acoustic ballad "Send One Your Love" was a Top Ten R&B single, while the joyous "Outside My Window" registered in the Top 60. Beyond that, there's the deep classic "Come Back as a Flower," a gently lapping, piano-led ballad featuring Syreeta on vocals. Otherwise, there are playfully oddball tracks like "Venus' Flytrap and the Bug," where Wonder chirps "Please don't eat me!" through robotizing effects, and "A Seed's a Star," which incorporates crowd noise, a robotized monologue, and a shrieking Tata Vega over a funkier and faster version of Yellow Magic Orchestra. The album is not for everyone, but it suited its purpose and allowed its maker an amount of creative wiggle room that few major-label artists experience. ~ Andy Kellman
Out of print in the U.S.! Full title - Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants. This two CD set from the Motown legend was originally released in 1979 and was the follow-up to his hugely successful Songs In The Key Of Life album. This mostly instrumental album was the soundtrack to the documentary The Secret Life of Plants, directed by Walon Green, which was based on the book of the same name by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird. The album was chiefly written by Stevie although it does include collaborations with Syreeta and Michael Sembello. 20 tracks. Motown.
German edition.
Personnel: Stevie Wonder (vocals, various instruments); Syreeta, Tata Vega (vocals); Ben Bridges, Rick Zunigar, Michael Sembello (guitar); Hank Redd (saxophone); Larry Gittens (trumpet); Ron Kersey (keyboards); Nathan Watts (bass); Ibrahim Camara, Lamine Konte, Dennis Davis, Joe Johnson, Earl DeRouen (percussion); Kathy Collier, Susaye Greene, Josie James, Abdoulaye Soumare, Angela Winbush, Shirley Brewer, Alexandra Brown, Marva Halcolm (background vocals).
Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants Music
Stevie Wonder - Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants Songs
Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants Music Review
Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)    List All 6 Reviews a well recorded album
stevie wonder in a different type of project, music for a movie c.1979 this is "grade A" music which is what S.V. has always done. nice & meditative work.
Submitted by carlos (san juan , puerto rico) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No A Different Classic style of Stevie Wonder
Although it is not a pre-requisite,it will help if one is already a "Stevie" fan.This is not "RB music-with-a-message" type music.This is music that was penned for a soundtrack to a foreign movie. It is a mixture of RB,Jazz,Classical,and Stevie!
Submitted by ranger40_229 (Peoria, Ill.)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Truly Original
This Stevie Wonder was truly original when it came out in the '70s, and still stands apart after over 30 years. If you like other Stevie Woinder, you will hear all of the core elements that you enjoy in his other works: fantastic vocals, composition, harmony, and rythms, built atop inspiring meoldy. But this work is more of a departure from mainstream pop than anything else Stevie Wonder has produced. It incorporates World Beats from a time when this was true innovation, layers classical and jazz sounds, and maintains a smooth, hypnotic quality that is unusual even for an artist for whom these are trademarks! Exceptional!
Submitted by manns444 (Rowlett, Texas USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No The best of Stevie wonder
Had this album on vinyl years ago and was so thrilled to finally find it on CD. I think it's the best thing Stevie Wonder ever did, totally different from his usual music and very inspiring. You can literally picture images that the music is trying to convey and for a man who is blind, that is absolutely incredible.
Submitted by MillerMoomin (Leigh-on Sea Essex England)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No MUCH MORE THAN A SOUNDTRACK
I've always championed this as one of Stevie's best albums. It was the last of the line of his greatest albums that began with "Fulfillingess" and ended, some think, as "Songs In The Key Of Life". This is the one that comes after that monster smash chronologically, and it belongs in the group. Oh, and for those who haven't seen it, the movie does exist somewhere. It's funny, corny and amazing. Stevie's music for it is worth the trip.
Submitted by dan (near Fall River, MA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
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