The rest, as they say, is history both musically and culturally.Youve heard Stevie Wonders music all of your life and in fact, it is a complete part of your life but heres the ten seminal recordings you really need to have in your library.Motown at its very finest, and Wonder giving us a peak of the career to come.Listen to this one loud in all of its lo-fi glory (distorted drums, tape noise, real music).
Written in 1965 by by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden, Berry Gordy vetoed Wonders 1967 version and it stayed on the shelf until other Motown staffers persuaded Gordy to release it as a single in 1968, where it shot to Number 2 on Billboards Pop and RB charts. Another RB Chart 1, this was also Wonders first Grammy Nomination. Wonder gives credit to his mother for the title and she exclaimed it after hearing the melody for the first time as Wonder was writing the song. Since were all totally familiar with the final track, heres an isolated recording of Wonders drum tracks. Notice the vocal bleed from the headphones, the sound of Wonder singing along and the squeaky kick pedal. But whats even more stunning is the choppiness and raggedy nature of some of Wonders fills (especially toward the end). In todays world of snapping rhythm to a click this performance would never fly, but.its that very human nature that gives the song its amazing life and breath. The first two lines are sung by Jim Gilstrap followed by two lines sung by Lani Groves. Listen closely to the great phasing effect of the Fender Rhodes electric piano ascending along with the notes between the left and right channels. As soft and sweet as You Are the Sunshine Of My Life is, Wonders social conscience is on full-display with this frank and unapologetic examination of race. ![]() Architecture 101 Soundtrack Movie Lady InWritten for the soundtrack of the movie Lady In Red, this became Wonders biggest hit ever. You just have to scratch through the over-playing to get to the essence. Hit the record store when youre ready to dive in, but in the meantime, these are 10 Essential Downloads to get you started.
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