Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
1974
Album Summary
Fulfillingness' First Finale is the seventeenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released on July 22, 1974 by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. It is the fourth of five albums from what is considered Wonder's "classic period".The album was Wonder's second to top the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart, where it remained for two weeks, and also reached number one on the Billboard Soul LPs chart, where it spent nine non-consecutive weeks. At the 17th Annual Grammy Awards, it won in three categories, including Wonder's second consecutive win for Album of the Year. Retrospectively, the album was voted number 413 in the third edition of Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000) and included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
WikipediaCan't believe I overlooked this album for so long. The guy who say to listen to Wonder's albums chronically are correct over the ones who just say to listen to Innervisions or Songs in the Key of Life. This album is fantastic. Doesn't have any hits, but these songs are pure genius. It just sounds incredible, with unconventional recording techniques that somehow manage to excel with the theme and Wonder's style. It's still distinctively soul, but it's really atmospheric, and you can hear the decades of influence these songs would have on neo-soul from the late 90s to modern age. Not to mention the diversity of these tracks. We go from the echoey emotional "Too Shy To Say" to the funky "Boogie on Reggae Woman", and neither sound like anything else from its time, yet both are fantastic, and that transition does not sound out-of-place. And who the hell plays the harmonica in a funk song? Who does that? Stevie Wonder, and he's been doing that since the 60s. It's so high-pitched but I'll be damned it works. And then what comes after that? I wish I knew music theory to talk about these songs. All I know is that it's weird and highly unconventional but still identifiable and sounds really good, like the Beatles. There's something that sticks out to me about every song, whether cool or unusual and yet it's aesthetically pleasing. It's odd how this is probably considered the weakest of his classic era, but I still consider this is a perfect entry. The only complaint is the lack of star tracks to tie it all together, but the two lead singles come close. Favorites: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Creepin, They Won't Go When I Go, Bird of Beauty
I love Stevie Wonder and I feel this album is underrated in his catalog. Goes down easy all while making some genuinely heartfelt and poignant statements. No small feat. I used to put "They won't go when I go" on mixtapes and we'd get high and listen to it in silence and it would give us chills. Stevie is the real deal.
10/10 how the fuck do you not like Stevie Wonder? the man has contributed some of the greatest albums on earth to humanity
So talented and soulful. There are so many weaker copies of SW out there, it's refreshing to hear the real thing.
Our second album from Stevie, and it's another great one! So many funky instrumentals here, with unusual rhythms and instrumental runs. "Boogie On Reggae Woman" is just otherworldly. As an album, not as grandiose or monumental as Song in the Key of Life, but really great nonetheless. I'll be returning to quite a few on here, they sound unlike anything I've heard before. Favorite tracks: Boogie On Reggae Woman, Bird of Beauty, You Haven't Done Nothin', Too Shy to Say, Please Don't Go. Album art: Absolutely fantastic art, wow. The piano key staircase, all the shadows and colors, this is really awesome. And I love the nod to the Grammys right there on Stevie's cheek, don't forget that this guy won like 300 Grammys in a span of about 10 years. 4/5
I'm surprised I missed out on this one back in my wider music nerd phase, but I'm sad I did - this was extremely good. "They Won't Go When I Go" is an absolute classic.
I think this the weakest of the albums from Stevie's "classic period", so it suffers a bit in being compared to them. Compared to most other albums from most other artists, it's outstanding, but compared to his body of work, it's doesn't hit the same highs. For 1001 Albums, I think the average person would understand Stevie Wonder's brilliance with Innervisions and Songs In the Key of Life, so having four albums represented seems like overkill. The big singles both work: Boogie on Reggae Woman is slinky and funky, while You Haven't Done Nothin does have a Superstition vibe to it. Heaven is 10 Zillion Years Away is also a standout. The slower tracks don't have the same immediacy - Creepin isn't bad, but Too Shy to Say is pretty dull excepting the steel guitar from Sneaky Pete Kleinow. Again, I like this album, but it's never going to be my Stevie Wonder album of choice.
Compositional greatness unmatched, but the delicate baroque palette means the songs simply don't jam, and that reduces his generational reach, which is when he's at his best. Very pretty though.
I believe this is the only album in stevie’s classic period of albums that I haven’t heard! Glad to finally add it to the list of growing albums I’ve heard before I kick the bucket :)!
Musicas para atender pacientes em processo psicoterapeutico. Som ambiente! Adorei
Pretty phenomenal. Catchy and beautiful instrumentals and incredible vocals + lyrics, not much more I could ask for. 9/10
Whew, that was a ride! Is it as good as Songs in the Key of Life? No. But is it an excellent album? Absolutely yes. Not to mention, it's better than approximately 95% of albums I've listened to so far on this list. And for that, it gets 5 stars.
This is one of the most beautiful albums ever made. As one of my dad's favourite albums I've heard it many many times. I can't put my finger on it, but somehow it hits my emotions quite badly and therefore I find it hard to listen to this album frequently.
It's hard to listen to Stevie and not feel good. His voice is one of the best and the message in his music is so positive, even when it's a slower tune you still need to move along with it. Incredible artist, and this was great to peek into his lesser known stuff.
Stevie can do no wrong in this household, son. Listen to your mother. Do your chores.
Slightly prefer predecessors Talking Book and Innervisions, which I felt had a bit more energy to them, but this was still a very good album.
Music of my mind - talking book - innervisions - this album - song in the KoL: should all be on this list.
Stevie Wonder is one of the towering giants of music in any period. His run of albums in the 70s defies belief. One of my all-time favourite songs, They Won't Go When I Go, is on this album. Stunning musicianship, perfect vocals, groove for days, watertight arrangements. It's all here.
You know, Songs in the Key of Life and Innervisions get more attention than Fulfillingness' First Finale, but this really is a splendid album. It's got everything you love in a Stevie Wonder album. It's warm, soulful, sweet, musically diverse, gorgeously arranged, and technically pretty perfect. It's also so much fun to listen to. This one is going into my regular rotation. I absolutely love it. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, They Won't Go When I Go, Boogie On Reggae Woman, You Haven't Done Nothin', Please Don't Go, Too Shy to Say, It Ain't No Use, Bird of Beauty, Smile Please, Creepin'
I haven't heard this one but I do like Stevie so happy to check it out. Starts lovely and pretty calm. Gets going with You Haven't Done Nothin', which is the kind of Stevie Wonder I like best. They Won't Go When I Go is quite powerful. Overall a really interesting album with lots to like. Grew on me the more I listened. Initially a 4 but a 5 by the end of the day.
Fantastic, perhaps perfect. Stevie is such a treasure, I love pretty much all of his work, and this is no exception. Absolutely wonderful
Very funky, fantastic voice. A bit too chill and soft for my taste, though.
The first time I listened to this I was riding in the front passenger seat on a road trip, tripping balls on mushrooms. It is, to date, one of my all-time favorite records.
This is Stevie Goddamn Wonder. Of course it's five stars. The man is a musician beyond musicians. Innovative, talented.
I don't know Stevie Wonder had a so called 'golden period' I just thought he was a genius throughout his life. But Boogie on Reggae Woman is a real and endless genius of a song within a fabulous album
amazing soul record. stevie is able to balance funky and upbeat tracks with blissful and quaint ones. fav tracks: smile please, heaven is 10 zillion light years away, too shy to say, boogie on reggae women, you haven’t done nothin, they won’t go when i go, bird of beauty,
The synth work and sounds are stellar. Stevie is working the arrangements hard.
I love Stevie Wonder but I don't know this record, even though it's in his imperial period. It's a gem, quite understated and beautiful. I know best track, You Haven't Done Nothing, though, obvs
Primero al que le doy 5 ☆ Es suave, sencillo, emotivo y tiene ritmo siendo conciso y justo en su cantidad de tracklist
Muy divertido este disco. Relajante, divertido, bailable. Stevie Wonder es un excelente cantante. Me encantó.
It's not Stevie's greatest album, but it's still amazing. I was hovering over giving it a 4, but They Won't Go When I Go tips this into yet another masterpiece.
Part of Wonder's "classic period", and all five albums released during that period live up to their reputation. This might be one of the less notable releases of that time, and it still has absolute anthems like "They Won't Go When I Go", and funky little numbers like "It Ain't No Use". Always a fantastic listen.
Awesome example of Stevie’s Classic period. Made me incredibly excited to listen to other albums from that period.
This is Stevie Wonder’s third album in his classic 4 album masterpiece run where he could do no wrong. FFF is my favorite of the four. I’m not sure why this album didn’t do as well as the albums that came before and after. The songs have some great melodies and the track flow on here sends the listener through a wide range of emotions on each side (or every 5 tracks for you digital listeners). Just listen to that segue from “Too Shy to Say” into “Boogie on Reggae Woman.” I didn’t look it up but “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” feels like it’s directed towards Nixon, who resigned around the time of the album’s release. “They Won’t Go When I Go” sounds like it might be the most personal song on here with its Baroque style piano and funeral dirge-like chord progression. The album popped on my feed a few days ago but this review took so long because I couldn’t stop listening to it. Here’s to another easy 5 stars.
A wonderful listen. Although there aren't any of Wonder's better known 'hits' on this album, it just shows the depth of ability.
Really solid, and shows that Stevie really has a signature sound across his discography.
An album I was unfamiliar with before, but now realise is just as important as "Talking Book".
While this album did not reach the heights of songs in the key of life, it was still incredibly enjoyable. I loved the variety of songs and even could hear I think the same sample for Superstition in You Haven't Done Nothin. My favorite in the album was Boogie on Reggae Woman. Also killer album cover.
More stripped down and personal. No hits but it didn’t need any. Very good.
4/5. Nice and jazzy at some points, prob not gonna end up being my favorite SW, but still very good
Pas sourd, l'aveugle! Prefs: Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away, Boogie On Reggae Woman, Creepin', You Haven't Done Nothing Moins pref: It Ain't No Use
Loved it, whilst it may not have any of Stevies greatest hits its a still a great album
Stevie Wonder fucking goes hard and this album is no exception, some absolute bangers on here
First of (I assume) many Stevie Wonder albums on here. Opens nicely with the musical warm bath of Smile Please. Then the actually even sadder nearly 50 years on Heaven is 10 Zillion Miles Away, a gospel song about how hard it was to defeat hate. Too Shy To Say does less for me. Just a bit too slow and sad without a good reason. But Boogie on Reggae Woman is gorgeous fun with its squelchy, funky synth. Creepin is a bit dull, but then You Haven't Done Nothin is full on Superstition MK2, except it hasn't been ruined by a generation of terrible X Factor type covers. The shining diamond of this album. It does off a little towards the end - chilled piano balladry has a limit for me, but Bird of Beauty and Please Don't Go see to a strong finish. A lovely album, possibly one that struggles a little being sat between Innervisions and Songs in the Key.
Stevie Wonder neophyte here, so my impressions are fleeting at best. "Ineffable" seems like the wrong word to describe these songs, but there's far too much going on to call it minimal. Subtle, perhaps: Many catchy tunes, none that I think could be covered or replicated well. I have at least two legible observations. The synths sound great, and the final three tracks are flawless.
Couple of absolutely brilliant songs on this and the rest are all very good.
Je l'ai plus apprécié que Talking Book, mais dans les deux cas, il va falloir réécouter les albums, car bien que je trouve les albums bons, je ne vois pas pourquoi il sont tant adulés.
Gladly surprised! I am still bouncing on my office chair in front of an excel spreadsheet…
Stevie in the 70s was on fire and made some of the beat music of all time. Altough this doesn't reach the heights of music in the key or inner visions it's still a fantastic album. The mix of pathos, injustice and banging music makes it a must for me.
I found this to be a really interesting album. The first track had some cool jazzy chord changes. Then things perked up with Boogie Reggae Woman, went trippy (and a bit creepy) with Creepin'. Like all great artists, the more you get into Stevie Wonder's world, the more you start to enjoy his music. You have to let yourself in.
The lineup of talented backup singers Stevie has here is insane (Deniece Williams, Minnie Riperton et al). I thought Stevie might run the table and get 5's for all of his albums. This one is great, absolutely deserving of a spot on the list. There's not a damn thing wrong with it. It just lives in that 4.5 area.
3.5/5. Stevie Wonder is very consistent, and this album is no exception. It is exactly what I would expect from him. It's good, however, it's not the best thing I have ever heard.
Another fine Stevie Wonder album, he was certainly on a roll throughout the 70s making consistently fine albums with a nice mix of rock, pop, soul and R & B, always with a taste and beauty. This album ranks behind Talking Book and Innervisions and on a par with Songs in the Key of Life, in my opinion. 3.75 🌟
A lot of meh, somewhat relieved by Boogie On Reggae Woman. Then you hear the clavinet lead into You Haven't Done Nothin', one of the greatest songs I've heard. Side two is a great Stevie journey: a slow ballad that makes your heartache, a sweet bit of samba soul, with that wonderful sound of the cuica, and a great soul song that fades out with a jam. Can't go give stars because the first side is a let down, but side two is everything that genius was capable of.
Ah aurinkoisen perjantain piristys. Ei paljon pahaa sanottavaa tästä, funk soimaan!
Wonderin musa kyl kestää aikaa täydellisesti. Tää ei edes hänen top3-levyjä, mut tässäkin kaikki vaan toimii. Ja pari helmeä, esim. Heaven Is 10 Zillion... ja Creepin'.