Talking Book

This was excellent.

Music of My Mind, the first album Stevie Wonder made under his own control, was excellent but Talking Book is the real beginning of a stunning run of 5-star records he made in the 1970s. Leading off with "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", a perfect 'classic' love song which never becomes maudlin and straight into the heavy funk of "Maybe Your Baby", Stevie plays everything, as he does on most tracks, other than the occasional guitar - the rhythm section of drums, Moog bass and clavinet is incredible. "You and I" is a gorgeous ballad with a melody worthy of the Great American Songbook. "Superstition" is an all-time classic, one of the best songs Wonder, or any of his contemporaries, ever recorded; a song that proved too good to hand to Jeff Beck, for whom Stevie wrote it and who plays, very sympathetically, on "Lookin' For Another Love". The album closes with the wonderful (!) "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)", uplifting and full of hope. Talking Book is a fantastic album, largely built around funky love songs but in "Big Brother" we have a pointer to the political and social commentary which was to come more to the fore on the albums which followed culminating in, for me, Stevie Wonder's zenith, "Songs In the Key of Life."

Oh hell yeah this album rules. What a bunch of bangers. The groove funk on Maybe Your Baby is impeccable. But nothing tops the groove of Superstition. Revelations for me are Maybe Your Baby, Big Brother (the transition from Superstition to Big Brother whips), and Blame It on the Sun. I Believe is such a good album closer, man.

5 starrrrr. Thank you for listening to our pleas and not assigning a crock of shit for our 100th album 🙏🏼

Stevie for album 100? Oh something worked well in the algo. Do I need to really say what the score is?

You Are The Sunshine of My Life is a very upbeat, beautiful start. Maybe Your Baby transitions nicely with that funky bass. You And I shows off Stevie’s vocal chops in a brilliant manner. You’ve Got It Bad Girl shows off the synths well, nicely meshing with the vocals and instrumentals. Superstition is a perfect, groovy song. Big Brother has a surprisingly political message, but a poignant one. The closing track has those very satisfying characteristic Moog sounds.

Building on Music of My Mind, the start of Stevie’s perfect run.

Hommood's favourite artist. We were both pleased this weekend.

Gloire à Stevie

Stevie don’t miss

Amazing listen from everyone's favourite fake blind black guy. It's Stevie Wonder at his best. What else need I say?

The negative reviews on this one have me bewildered, not only are the non-superstition tracks on here not that extreme of a departure from the hit song of this album, They're not even worse than said song. Just incredibly smooth listening throughout without a dip in quality anywhere to be seen.

Stevie Wonder’s music exudes joy at every second, dude clearly just loved making music and it shines through in his tracks. One of the best to ever do it.

Trail mix as an album, even the weaker (barely) stuff here is still great. Side B is better is better than Side A if you really had to pick, but this album really encapsulates the term 'easy listening'. As much as I love an album that rewards re-listens and gets better as you read the lyrics and the story behind it, this is the exact opposite. I think it would be practically impossible to find a single person who would sit through this album and go 'yeah this sucked' unless they were the world's biggest contrarian. Sometimes music is just supposed to make you feel good, and this album does just exactly that. Put this on, sit on the couch, put on a lamp (NO BIG LIGHT), have a cup of tea and let Stevie Wonder fix whatever bad day you're having. I can name one or two songs on here that drag a little bit and that is the biggest fault that I can find here. Well-arranged, competently produced, performed with feeling and with that soulful je ne sais quois: this album really hits all the musical food groups. The opener is a classic, You and I is a serious contender for a wedding song and Superstition is a rare track that you hear on the radio/in the supermarket/in an ad and you don't roll your eyes, it's a beautiful song. The sound of this album is timeless, it doesn't feel dated despite being 53 years old at the time of writing, it is truly a marvel that Stevie Wonder can create music like this that has really stood the test of time and has had an unmeasurable impact on every artist that has come after him. Highlights: You Are the Sunshine of My Life, You and I (We Can Conquer the World), Superstition, I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)

Part of a chain of like 5 albums Stevie put out that were perfect. It's great.

Album 773 of 1089 Stevie Wonder - Talking Book (1972) Rating : 5 / 5 Just an awesome album. Not a moment wasted listening to this. I think I may prefer this one over his Songs in the Key of Life.. Great tunes...great performance.

Amazing album about love and finding closure in the overthinking and loss of a love interest. Banger after banger, Stevie cooked

Stevie Wonder the goat🙏

It's Stevie

Fave songs: You Are the Sunshine of My Life, You've Got It Bad Girl

This is a great album. Love the mixture between Stevie Wonder’s vocals and the funky instrumentals. Definitely got me interested in listening to more of his music with the expectation that it’ll be close to this album in style. 10/10

Funk, Soul

muito bom!

Amazing. Truly a spring or summer of love album. 10/10

I'm sorry 1001 Albums Generator I'll never abandon you again

I really enjoyed the chill vibes of this album! Perfect for a Sunday.

Excellent album!

i recall (but am too lazy to check) a potentially apocryphal quote from stevie where he said that innervisions is his best album and talking book is his best collection of songs. regardless of whether its a real quote i do think it hits on somethin! this does not feel as inevitably paced and constructed as innverisions or sitkol, instead the momentum is carried by the fact that every track is a new masterpiece or close to it. this one is particularly ballad-heavy, an ideal match for peak stevie's strengths and producing a bunch of tracks that just make me melt. that it also happens to have superstition, one of the most visceral funk stompers of all time, is almost unreal. stevie makes v comforting music on the whole ofc, but it would be difficult to find a record even from him that creates this much of an unbreakable bubble of contentment

Well I saved more than half the album so I think it just has to be a 5. Like half of those songs are slow songs and that's not me really. They are just too good. And the funky songs are amazing. Superstition is a perfect song. I didn't even realize it was Stevie wonder until emarissingly late. But it's just a part of the culture. It's in every animated movie from 2001 to now. But damn he can play the keys. And probably everything else. The absolute god. This is good. Listen. That is all

Honestly Superstition alone might make this five stars, but fortunately the rest of the album is also a bop.

I knew some of the songs a but most I had not heard before, definitely a nice chill listen and the auto-recommends after were great as well (listened on Spotify).

Some of my favorite songs are on this album. You are the sunshine. I believe. You and I

Such a great album - from such a great artist. Soulful, funky but inspiring.

Everything that ever needs to be said about this album, and about Stevie in the 70s, has already been said.

Stevie being Stevie. Amazing

I struggled with whether this merited four or five stars. Stevie Wonder is a musical genius, but I don't have all of his albums. I did listen to the first episode of the NYT podcast series "The Wonder of Stevie," which I found to be a bit overblown and performative. Not Stevie's fault, however. And sometimes it's hard to forget his middling early 80s output (looking at you, "I Just Called to Say I Love You"). Having said that, this album is a pleasure. Lots of stylistic variety among the songs and, while this is an album of its time, Stevie succeeds in transcending the cliches of the early to mid-70s. And how many songs, really, are better than "Superstition," which I could easily listen to on repeat for hours at full blast on my headphones? If that song were the total of Stevie's legacy, the mark he left would still be impressive.

I knew it was going to be a good day when I was assigned this album. Perfect for the sunshine out today. Groovy, electric, soulful. Getting me right from the first track “You Are The Sunshine of My Life”. What a surprise to get to the middle of the album and recognize “Superstition”. Amazing funky track. Been enjoying the album in its entirety along the way. The ending track resonates with me a lot. His voice is undeniable. Also reading that this album involved a lot of artistic freedom makes me respect the production even more. Definitely an album I’ll keep coming back to.

Really can't go wrong with some Stevie, not quite at the peak of Innervisions or Songs...but still full of funky soulful tunes.

Oh yeah. You already know I know. It’s a classic. Good one.

Very soulful, and nicely-produced.

The album cover had me expecting a different vibe. Stevie is incredibly talented, and really enjoyed this album. Funky, groovy, and def worthy of being on this 1001 album list. Enjoyed the classic hits from this album still being played at almost every good corner bar, at least on Bourbon Street.

Incredibly diverse and well put together album. 5.0/5.0: Iconic

another great album by stevie made even more impressive by fact that he played the majority of the musical parts. the songwriting is solid but the ballads do detract from the funky vibe brought by the use of the moog bass. still an incredibly well crafted album

Så velproduceret og afbalanceret og flere af hans bedste sange. Endnu en 5/5 banger fra Stevies vanvittige 1972-1976 run

Wow. Such depth, i can see how it was so influential on later people (tyler). Want to relisten immediately. The love songs are not nauseating (confident?)

- 5 just for "Superstition" ..... but shit, "Maybe Your Baby" and "Big Brother" are right up there as well. -

My favourite Stevie Wonder record!!! This album deserves 5 stars only for having Superstition on it. That song is such a bop! But all the songs are incredible, and Stevie just has an amazing, smooth and soulful voice overall. The instrumentation is great as well!

Amazing. Listened to it twice in a row. So many tracks have that instantly familiar feel - you’d think they were singles, only they weren’t. Standout tracks: Maybe Your Baby, I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever).

Damn, I’ve listened to this one be4

I love me some Stevie. He is one of my fave vocalists, and this album doesn’t disappoint on that front.

Contains 'Superstition'. What more do you want?

👍

You know you've broken thru when the first two lead vocals you hear are not the main guy’s: Jim Gilstrap and Lani Groves speak this masterpiece into existence, and from there 'perfection is perfected,' as Snoop'd put it. Not only does Stevie give us flawlessly produced tracks - songs that have no choice but to occupy our collective unconscious - but he has us thinking about the weirdness of language too, like who the 'it' is in this line: 'Will it say the love you feel for me, will it say?' One of his requests: 'Catch your baby, catch up with my dreams.' We're still 'catching up' w/ Stevie's visions, inner or outer; his genius isn't a superstition, but a mere fact of life. And if his complex melodies 'keep me in a daydream,' there I'll gladly stay.

Great

Lovely, nice to hear other songs of his.

Enjoyed this one throughout, great songs, another 5 star review.

While this album’s predecessor Music of My Mind is a classic record and Stevie’s best up to that point in his career, I think Stevie levels up exponentially further on Talking Book. Truly the stuff of musical legend, its a trend that wouldn’t let up until the end of the decade. From the moment it starts, Talking Book greets us with a warm and enveloping futuristic r&b flavor. You Are the Sunshine of My Life is one of Stevie’s most touching and most lively love songs. Great chords, great chorus. A real mission statement for a guy trying to tackle the world with nothing but a musical genius’s IQ and sincerity without a punchline. To counter the sunshine, track 2 Maybe Your Baby sheds light on the more dour days of relationships (“In the morning when I’ve got a heartache, I can’t call up the doctor for help. Cause the only person that could ever do me any good is steppin out with my best friend”). It also happens to be one of the funkiest damn tracks Stevie ever put to tape. You And I is another impressive and extraterrestrial sounding ballad that reaches a passionate climax. A testament to the earnestness and purity behind Stevie’s writing and performances at their very best. Blame It On The Sun is another underrated ballad-ish piece from Stevie’s classic era. Speaking of underrated, Big Brother is one of the most scathing and overlooked politically charged soul songs ever. Talking Book wouldn’t be complete without it. Superstition, his signature track to many, starts with a stomping Stevie drum groove that gives way to a 5-layer clavinet cocoon. Instantly recognizable, innately catchy, and features a horn arrangement that absolutely burns. I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) is nothing short of a masterpiece as well a triumphant and majestic closing to the journey in search of love Stevie finds himself on over the course of Talking Book. We are greeted by a wave of instrumentation that feels like an ominous sky which you can’t figure out if the sun is setting or rising. We’re awoken to a particularly catching drone not directly in the middle of the mix. This song is loaded with brilliant sounds and beautifully crafted instrumental work, but for me, it is this synthy drone that tells the most story by saying the least. It’s a deep, chest-filling and sordid sound coming from what I believe to be the TONTO. It guides us through Stevie’s sorrowful uncertainty during the entire verse, but by the time the chorus arrives, that drone rapidly switches gears and starts gleefully floating around the mix like a speck of fairy dust or an orb caught on a paranormal investigator’s night watch camera reel. Listen closely for that your next time around. So much feel and storytelling expressed with one sound. Stevleland’s approach to this sonic experience is akin to a frequency a film director might choose to include which subliminally nauseates the audience during a particularly unsettling scene of cinema. I Believe just might be Stevie’s Irréversible in terms of sonic text painting. Stevie’s 70’s catalog will change your life for the better. And this is only the beginning. 5 stars, 9.5/10

Okay, delightful moment of life - I just had Innervisions 3 albums ago. I have a friend also using the generator, and they ALSO got that album and then this one a few albums later - completely separate accounts. Stevie is brilliant, life is funny, and I love this album.

This album was like sunshine in your ears from the opening track. Superstition is superb. Also liked Blame it on the sunshine and I believe.

Really pleased thar Stevie Wonder has come up, have been listening to a lot of his music recently. There's a lot to like about this album. To begin with it has Superstition on it - the greatest ever motown single? It has some great funk, maybe your baby, with sublime guitar playing from Jeff Beck. An album that needs to be listened to more than once. 5 stars all the way.

God is love, love is blind, Stevie Wonder is blind, therefore Stevie Wonder is God? As far as music goes, he is.

Prime Stevie! 5 stars.

One of my favorite albums. This is my brother's favorite too. You've got it bad girl is a true gem.

Beautiful, spiritual.

I love a bit of Stevie Wonder. Actually, that's a lie. I love a LOT of Stevie Wonder. The lad is a bona fide genius. I will stay clear of I Just Called To Say I Love You until the sun goes cold, but that's another story. This one features the mighty Superstition, which they should use as a pulse test in hospitals, cos if you're not shaking to this one, then I have bad news for your next of kin. The rest of the album is stamped with the touch of class that elevates it above not only so many of his peers, but so many others who are frankly also-rans in comparison. Loving Tuesday Heartbreak, You've Got It Bad Girl, Blame It On The Sun in particular. Ah go on, give it a listen.

It's Stevie Wonder. Of course it's amazing.

Ебейший

love it

I absolutely love this album, if you want to know Stevie Wonder as a musician, this is a good start. The funky soul to the cool ballads. Every song is good.

So excited to dig into this. I am a huge Stevie fan and somehow have heard every 70's release EXCEPT this one... so here we go! 1. I've heard Sunshine ofc, but forgot how much I love it. Saved 2. Holy shit how have I not heard this?? Incredible heavy groove love it. 3. Beautiful 4. really cool, reminds me of Bridges - come back to this i just finished writing the rest of my notes and they didnt save:( really sad learning moment for this site, but i will push forth. Tldr i thought tracks 5 7 and 8 were just nice and the rest was outstanding. i like how Heron and Jackson collaborated to give us a good combo of synth-busy grooves and attention-grabbing lyrics, but appreciare even more now that stevie would do all of it soo well on his own. superstition was awesome to hear in context of this album instead of musiquarium which Ive been used to since i was a babie. the last two tracks were a perfect way to end the album and made me want to hit play on track one again immediately which is rare-ish. I wiuld probably rate it 9/10 but i cant figure out how to do a half star so im rounding up to 5/5 cus its well deserved.

Yeah that not too bad

Stevie Wonder's run from 1972-76 is the stuff of legends. five classic soul albums in as many years! thank you to Motown for giving him the artistic freedom to create some of the greatest music of time! Songs in the Key of Life has achieved the highest status of these five, but since I don't always have an hour and a half to listen to an album, I find myself more drawn to some of the single-LP releases, especially Talking Book (and Innervisions, but that's a story for a different review). Wonder writes songs that just leave you in awe of the sheer power of songs as an art form. he might just be my favorite writer of love songs of all time. lovesick cuts like "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", "You and I" or "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" capture the absolute rush of what it's like to be so deeply in love with someone through some hair-raising chord progressions and modulations, as well as (of course) Wonder's tremendous voice. others, such as "Maybe Your Baby", "Superstition" and "Big Brother" are more about the groove. Wonder's skills as a multi-instrumentalist are well-known, but his drumming in particular is something that needs to be talked about more often! no matter what kind of music you like, I think the appeal of Wonder's work, especially from this era is undeniable. decent 9/10.

Really good shit

Love it - one of my favourite albums!

My kid's reaction to hearing "Superstition" for the first time - amazing.

Iconic

Joyita casi de punta a punta, qué decir. 5 stars

A beautiful record. I need to give this some more listens, but it's fantastic.

Love it! Got me humming and singing.

Juste excellent.

Smooth as butta

I think this could be one of the best soul/funk albums of all time> There are so many emotions ranging from love songs to social injustice. Smooth, ambient at times and funkkyyyy fresh.

Talking Book is just one of those albums that feels timeless. Songs like “Superstition” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” are iconic. It’s emotional, innovative and romantic. Put on this record while you cook dinner for your partner. Or your friend. Or, put it on for yourself. Have a nice evening, you deserve it.

loved it

When I started making music in my late teens I started collecting records. Stevie was by no means unknown to me at that age, but I had never listened to any of his albums in full, and I was only really familiar with the hits. The immense popularity he held during his entire career meant that his albums were literally a dime a dozen. This was the first of his records I purchased on my own — a copy I still have today — and it sparked a deep love for an artist I find to be one of the best to ever make music, easily in my top five artists, someone I listened to very regularly. Why do I love the man and the music so much, and this album? His musicality is prolific: like many of his records he plays nearly everything heard here. Like other musicians with such immense talent, Stevie creates a sonic palate all his own, literally. When a musician records music with themselves, tracked over many takes playing each instrument in succession, what emerges are songs that pulse with a sharply-defined melodic and rhythmic signature. To me, his sonic signature is first characterized by expert songwriting, a skill he mastered as one of Motown’s star craftsman, having written countless hits for their legendary roster over the first 15 years of his career that preceded this record — alongside other greats including the Holland Brothers, Smokey Robinson, Ashford and Simpson, Lamont Dozier, and Gordy himself to name a few. Stevie was only 22 when this album came out, a mind-blowing fact that cements him alongside wunderkinds like Beethoven; they both started writing music around age 10. Alongside his writing chops, the rhythmic pocket he creates playing alongside himself undulates like a living being. His sense of rhythm fluctuates from bar to bar and note to note with such creativity and diversity. While he is known primarily as a harmonic musician through his mastery of keyboards and the harmonica, he was a prolific rhythmic musician — I count him as one of my favorite drum players. He takes simple patterns and infuses them with a melodic voice that elevates the instrument to something greater. He fills every bar with color and texture like a jazz drummer, but he strips the pretension and seriousness away and commercializes that approach, fitting it into his expertly crafted songs. Stevie’s now iconic sound is also defined by his use of various keyboard instruments, a facet he developed around the time of this record. He pioneered the use of electronic sounds from the emerging synth landscape of the late 60s and early 70s, including instruments from Hohner, Korg, and Moog, the most definitive of which was the Hohner Clavinet: this is the instrument featured on megahits like “Superstition” from this album, and the one most ppl associate with him. He also pioneered the use of synth bass lines that anchored his sound firmly in the electronic age. My favorite Stevie album is hands-down Innervision, the record that follows this one. It’s a masterpiece. But it’s hard to separate this record from that subsequent release, as well as the record that preceded it, Music of My Mind. Many of the songs across these three albums, popularly known as his classic period, were recorded in the same sessions. Through the progression of these three records he builds incredible thematic and stylistic steam — all of which lead to Songs in the Key of Life, a sprawling collection of songs that ends his classic period in spectacular fashion. In this classic period we hear Stevie finding his voice as an artist. As he entered his late teens the controlling command of Berry Gordy at Motown was stifling his creative growth. The saccharine sound he helped cultivate no longer aligned with his interest in the growing chaotic music landscape of the late 60s, of which the most influential trends for Stevie were steeped in psychedelia, funk, and electronica. He renegotiated his contract with Motown starting with Music of My Mind that gave him full artistic control, unleashing his true creative potential and propelling him to create his finest works. Musicality aside, Stevie’s work during this period introduces us to the side of him deeply interested in equality and existentialism. Inspired by Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, he blossoms as one of music’s greatest social and political activists during his long career, using his platform to expose injustices and propose an alternate reality of love and compassion. And the threads of naturalist and existential themes are a perfect pairing to his electronic-tinged sound; there are countless references to outer space and the natural world in his work that gives his music a deeply human vein. This album is great from start to finish. No notes whatsoever. All the songs shine like supernovas. I have easily listened to this album hundreds of times, and I listened to it at least ten times since it showed up here on this generator, and I will surely listen to it a hundred times more before I die.

Bangers all the way through

classic

pretty darn good. classic.

Great album

5/5. Hard to deny the expert songwriting and instrumentation from this man. Every song on here, although some better than others, stands alone with craft and experience. Some songs do take some time to get into but really listening to each one bring this album up to a masterpiece. The funk to the slow ballads all stand out on their own and the run is amazing from start to finish. Stevie Wonder is king. Best Song: Superstition, Maybe Your Baby, You And I

One of the greatest albums of all time. I will get married to “I Believe When I Fall in Love” someday.

великий гений

ЭТО СТИВИ ВОНДЕР

Sooooo good. The hits keep coming from Hitsville USA~Motown (if in Detroit, and you have time, visit Motown Musuem!!).

As good as Songs in the Key of Life.

just my taste

Another suite of bangers by Mr. Wonder.

mr wonder always slaps

Amazing

Classic! Very vibey. Favorite track: Superstition other picks: you are the sunshine of my life, mabe your baby, you and i, i believe

Just perfect.

With this beautiful album Stevie Wonder takes us through the highs and lows of his love life as well as some stark political commentary on Richard Nixon’s America. A brilliant masterpiece. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-talking-book-by-stevie?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

unbelievably based

This is peak Stevie in my (talking) book.

Such a beautiful talent! Amazing use of the plura of instruments available.. and love the iconic sound he produces with the clavinet.

Stevie Wonder constituye uno de los pilares sobre los que se asienta la música actual. Podría decirse que otro de ellos es James Brown, e incluir en sus raíces a Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Chuck berry, Bob Didley, Little Richard o Muddy Waters. Ejemplar e inigualable en muchos aspectos, no solo por talento y capacidad compositiva, sino por actitud, relación y compromiso con la sociedad o innovación técnica. Sus discos, sobre todo los de los años 70, son ejemplares. Este mismo año publicaba el revolucionario Music of my mind. Talking Book con su portada, el retorno a las raíces africanas, desde la maravillosa You´re the sunshine of my life hasta la última nota de I believe es un disco de escucha obligada. Tremendo éxito de ventas y aclamado por la crítica. Constituye uno de los pináculos de la música. De Supertition sobran las palabras, más allá del enfado de Jeff Beck por no haber podido lanzarla como sencillo -hay que ser ingenuo para pensar que Motown iba dejar pasar este trallazo- que por cierto toca la batería en ese tema. Maybe you baby tiene en la guitarra a Ray Parker, Jr. (el de Ghostbusters, robada a Huey Lewis, que luego perdería el Grammy frente a I Just Called to Say 'I Love You´ del propio Stevie). "You and I (We Can Conquer the World)", "Blame It on the Sun", "Lookin' for Another Pure Love" son baladas de enorme calidad. Otros discos de 1972: Debuts de Steely Dan, Roxy Music, Paul Simon, Big Star, Neu¡, ¿Fela Kuti? y Lou Reed (además de su espléndido Transformer ) Discos expecionales como los de David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Todd Rundgren-Something/Anything?, Elton John-Honky Château, Nick Drake – Pink Moon, Yes – Close to the Edge, Miles Davis – On the Corner, Neil Young – Harvest, The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St, Curtis Mayfield – Super Fly, Raspberries- Fresh, Genesis – Foxtrot, Van Morrison - Saint Dominic's Preview, Deep Purple- Machine Head y Made in Japan, Joni MIttchell- For the roses, Tangerine Dream - Zeit, T Rex- The slider, Kevin Ayers- Whatevershebringswesing, la banda sonora The harder they come... una cosecha excelente.

My second Stevie album, and this man just delivers. Of course this one has some stone cold classics on it, but I found myself drawn to a lot of the unknown (to me) songs here. I played this twice through.

Part of the classic run of 70s Stevie albums that were just miles ahead. The three hits, You Are The Sunshine of My Life, Superstition, and I Believe all still slap, also love how they are spaced out at the start, middle, and end. There are some great gems in between, like the quiet storm Maybe Your Baby and the Jeff Beck feature on Lookin’ For Another Pure Love. Stevie was the GOAT.

9/10 Gotta love a bit of Stevie. No one can match him Favourite Song=Tuesday Heartbreak Least Favourite Song=You've Got It Bad Girl

Wonderful album.

perfection

Espectacular Estivi

he's a complete musical genius

WONDERing how I never heard this masterpiece until now

Sophisticated yet accessible, great 4.6

Ahh back on track... I hope. Another great album. Loving Stevie Wonder. Was always just a casual fan of his but this list is making a true fan.

Guess who just found a new favorite album!

Legendary. 5/5

YES!

Even without Superstition this is an easy 5

Classic Stevie. This is a different version of You Are The Sunshine of My Life than I'm used to though. A lot more guitar solos than usual, and I see now Jeff Beck is on it!

Lovely Stevie Wonder <3

Great album, Stevie Wonder was in a roll in the 70's with his music and this is my favourite. You are the sunshine of my life is beautiful but the highlight is Superstition it's so Funky and catchy you can't help but groove along.

Brilliant album, start to finish. This was Stevie at his peak. "Superstition" carries the album by itself. Sure, there is some repetition on some tracks but, well, Stevie Wonder and "Superstition". Also, one of the most beautiful and heartfelt love ballads ever in the song "I Believe"

Another Stevie Wonder masterpiece. The GOAT. *Heard before

I have this on cd

Timeless, soulful, expansive

One thing about me is Imma give a Stevie Wonder album a 5. And this one is my person favorite. Delightful and groovy from front to back.

Might be a perfect record

I haven't devoted enough time to Stevie Wonder, but this makes me want to.

I could listen to Stevie Wonder's voice all day! I love his songwriting, and his voice is always so powerful and smooth. He is truly a musical genius.

Fantastic album. I personally like it more than Songs in the Key of Life, but no shame to disagree with that (it's fantastic as well). Superstition could hold up the album on it's own, but the whole thing is fantastic. Love some Stevie.

❤️❤️❤️

Jazz, blues, R&B, rock… Stevie does it all better than anyone.

Absolute timeless rythmn and soul collection by the voice of a generation Stevie Wonder. Anything less than 5 stars is criminal, and I shouldn't have to explain why. I see some comments talk about how sleepy this album is, all I can say is Stevie is practicing massive restraint in just funking out. Thus allowing his music to be more accessible and withstand decades of changing tastes. Not many albums could say that.

Straight fire. So many bangers.

this mf not blind bruh

Amazing album

Amazing amazing amazing!

Superstition is A+ Blame it on the Sun and Maybe your Baby are close seconds

10 star iconic album

Stevie!! Always a joy. 5/5

Oh my!!! A beyond classic!!

Stevie rarely fails to impress, but the '72-'76 albums are on another level. This one starts incredibly strong and the songs flow beautifully to the end. Those deriding the non-Superstition tracks as self-indulgent or too fluffy are clearly not musically inclined; there's richness and depth in texture, instrumentation, chord structure, and harmony throughout. Easy 5 all day long.

An infectious exploration of sound and feeling that is deceptively complex.

He might be blind but he can sure write and see better than most musicians have ever seen. This guy is a top goat. Can write, sing, arrange and the chorus girls are insane the melodies are simply to die for. He made what seemed to be impossoble possible. He commercialized funk and fussioned it with Blues and RB arrangements and created a new genere for himself. Its the second album by Stevie that comes up and I cant decide now which one is better. This dude influence everyone and their mommas, maybe even some cats and dogs. I cant believe how talented Stevie is. National treasure for sure. This album is pure 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Fantastic

Amazeballs.

Not much to say. Rob Gordon picked "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)" to cap his story with and mixtape for Laura in High Fidelity, and it wasn't chosen for no reason. One of Stevie Wonder's greatest, which is rarified air.

So good

The fastest 5 I will ever give! I love this album and have listened to it so many times! Every single track is solid plated gold. With the absolute peach on top being I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever).

By this stage I’ve run out of superlatives to describe how wonderful Stevie Wonder’s music is having already glowingly reviewed the other three of his albums that are on the 1001 albums list. ‘Talking Book’ is no exception. It’s incredible, and amazing, and beautiful, and timeless. Just go listen to it, and then listen to it again, because you’ll want to, because it’s that good.

What a cohesive, well done album.

1972. Funk. Soul. Jazz. Rock. 9.5/10 Maybe Your Baby- Tuesday Heartbreak - Superstition - Big Brother You Are the Sunshine of My Life/You and I (We Can Conquer the World)/You've Got It Bad Girl/Blame It on the Sun//Lookin' for Another Pure Love/I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)

Strong start to the week. "Superstition" is an incredible track and almost warrants a 5 for this album by itself.

Wonderful

Un gran álbum, que desconocía en su mayoría hasta ahora. Mis favoritas Maybe Your Baby y Susperstition.

This is very nostalgic for me, my parents had this CD at the back of a cabinet, one day I dug it out, started listening, and then held onto it for a while. This album, along with songs in the key of life, is what hooked me onto Stevie Wonder

My fave Stevie Wonder album, and it made my honorable mention list when I did my Top 10 albums for StoryWorth. Two monster hits, with You Are The Sunshine Of My Life different than the single version on the radio, without the horns. This is a much better version. The other tracks are all lovely love songs, with Stevie playing most of the instruments throughout. One noteworthy exception — Looking For Another Pure Love, with a stunning guitar solo by Jeff Beck. I get goosebumps every time I hear it, and love it when Stevie says, “Do It, Jeff”. A classic, from when I was a senior in high school.

I already listened to this album once, but didn't really remember it well, so I decided to listen to it again. I think it's an almost perfect album, with great lyrics and vocal deliveries. But then again, Stevie Wonder never misses.

Not my favorite Stevie Wonder album, but it is Stevie so it is still great. There is not a single person who dislikes superstition. 4.5

Great

Genius at work here. Stevie was a force of nature in the 70s

I really enjoyed this. Favorite tracks were Big Brother and Sunshine of my life

I was raised in a pretty conservative Christian home, and was really only allowed to listen to Christian music. We had a pretty good electric keyboard in my house that had several programmed songs on it. One of these songs, and my favorite, was Superstition, and this was my introduction to Stevie Wonder. For a long time, this was the only song of his that I knew. Of Stevie’s peak period, I usually hear the most about Songs In The Key of Life and Innervisions, both incredible albums of course, but I think this may be his best. I like it’s length, there’s no filler whatsoever (not that there’s much on the other two), and it’s got Superstition, his best song in my opinion.

The rest of it's good, but at the end of the day, "Superstition" is a song that gets you into heaven

Best album.

So smooth man oh man. Zat tussen 4 en 5 maar i believe tilde m over the top

This came off the shelf and onto the turntable, magic album.

A classic. Perfect.

Stevie Wonder is a national treasure. Between 1966 and 1982 he wrote dozens of fantastic songs.

Forever a genius, musically & lyrically.

Superstition is a funk anthem!

This album showcases two of Stevie Wonder's incredible skills: On one hand the ability to create some of the nastiest grooves known to man (superstition) and on the other the ability to create rich/evocative/ complex harmonic changes that fit perfectly into a pop context. Stevie Wonder's music is the opposite of music being complex for complexity sake, but rather each chord change adds to the depth of what he is singing without taking away from the catchiness/enjoyability of the melodies. Wonder also is innovative in his use of synths, playing them in such a way that has aged much better than some of contemporaries, in songs like "You and I" they add a tender and somewhat strange beauty to the piece. He did this all at the age of 21.

À pire wonder

very much enjoyed this, such deep layered music. Probably my favourite of his albums

Stevie Wonder had one of the best 5 album stretches of any artist ever in the mid to late 70’s. Starting with Music of My Mind and ending with Songs in the Key of Life. Talking Book was the second album of this streak. With 2 massive hits this was one of the best of the streak. Every song is just wonderful. A perfect mix of rock, jazz, soul and funk.

Great album!

20 or so albums to go and I wondered if any five star classic albums were left left on the list and boom, Mr Stevie Wonder with album number two of his unsurpassed, magisterial five album run in the seventies. Love songs, political songs, dance songs, he has it all. Powerful, influential, extraordinary.

Whatever happened to this fine musician?

Great album and my favorite Stevie album off the list so far. Superstition kicks it up from 4 to a 5

Stevie was 22 when he wrote and recorded this. Please do take the time to look at the personnel section of the wiki, because it’s crazy how much he plays on this album. The sound of that Hohner Clavinet is just so funky. I was a little worried that I’d be disappointed after reading a few reviews, and yes, there are possibility a couple of “soft” songs, Stevie Wonder’s genius still absolutely shines through. He’s one of the most talented artists of all time.

👍👍👍

So much to love about this album! An explosion of creativity that rewards headphones. Stevie's convo with Jeff Beck's guitar on Lookin For A Brand New Love is really something. Stevie playing all of the instruments on Superstition is nuts. To be clear on the rating. It's 8 stars for the music, minus 1 star for occasionally goofy lyrics and minus 2 stars for an album cover photo of a blind man playing in the dirt that could be considered a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This album is great. There was not a single song on this album that I didn’t like. The sound is so soulful and groovy, each song has such a good sensitivity to mixing and sound, structure, and poetry. Just incredible. Best album I’ve heard from this list so far 5 stars/S teir for sure

Not my prefered release of him but consistent Stevie, love it

Stevie Wonder is a musical genius. It's so easy to write formulaic love songs and have them be successful, but I can't get over how modern this album sounds. I wouldn't bat an eye if this was released today, even crazier that it's over 50 years old. Truly excellent. Top tracks: Maybe Your Baby, You've Got It Bad Girl, Superstition

Stevie Wonderin klassikoiden joukosta. Ei paljoa tämä genre tästä parane. Hienoa yhdistelmä rakkautta unohtamatta politiikkaa. 5/5

klssiker

Classic

Stevie Wonder is and always be a funk master love his whole catalog of albums always a 5 for me🙏

What a legend. The album starts strong and ends strong. Funky and soulful with amazing vocals throughout. "Superstition" hits just as hard as ever. The only criticism I might have is some of the less memorable tracks get lost in the sauce but it doesn't mean they are bad by any means. Overall a classic masterpiece.

Great album! Superstition is primo disco.

Stevie Wonder made some perfect albums. This is one of them!

A perfect step in Stevie’s Wonder years.

💖 superstition 🗣️ 9️⃣

Is this the best album ever?

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life // Maybe Your Baby // Tuesday Heartbreak // You Got It Bad Girl // Superstition // Blame It On The Sun // Lookin’ For Another Pure Love // I Believe

Excellent

Funky as hell.

Classic as always. 5 stars.

quintessential stevie

Easiest five star I've ever given

This is a great LP where the album tracks stand out on their own. Stevie Wonder is a great singer, songwriter and instrumentalist and "Talking Book" shows that. The fantastic song "Superstition" is on this album. Another one in my flow of great albums, courtesy of this generator. "Maybe Your Baby" is one underrated song to look out for while listening. "Talking Book" is consistently great throughout and gets 5 stars from me.

Solo por la portada se viene tremenda musica etnica. Ah, pos al final no. Disco bueno soles per "Superstition" que te un bajo que pega durisimo. El resto pues supose que classic Stevie pero a mi plim. A pesar de esto com es average el disco i superstition over the top i en base al resto de notes que he posat, pues 5/5.

👍🏻

Mellow Stevie. I enjoyed it.

Great

so much soul. so much talent.

Talking Book has “Superstition, which is one of the greatest songs ever composed, in my opinion.

Listening to 'Talking Book' after getting Limp Bizkit's opus 'Chocolate Starfish...' yesterday feels like water in my mouth after crawling through an unforgiving desert. It is coming home to my own bed after time spent abroad in a hostile land. I would've loved this record even if it was sandwiched between two other great ones. I'm just particularly appreciative of it in this context. It's a masterclass in arrangement, singing, mixing, producing, pacing, and general musicianship. Highlights: You And I, Superstition, Big Brother, Blame It On The Sun, I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)

woohoo!!! my favorite stevie record <3 it also has my favorite stevie song, Maybe Your Baby. just classic all around.

If all this project was was listening to Stevie Wonder albums it could be a lot worse. The good news is that this the third of his albums in the first 100, so I’m hopeful that there’s still more to come from the wunderkind. A spectacular album and the first in a line of impossibly good bangers. The world of music owes so much to Little Stevie.

The album cover and music are incongruous. The music verges on lounge but it slaps so I had to listen a few times through.

My abs favorite Stevie album ❤️

Stevie had an amazing run in the 70s man. Every song he put out was a banger somehow. I can definitely hear the influence that this would have on artists like Tyler, the Creator.

How the fuck did Stevie Wonder write and record this when he was 22??? The synths on this go nuts. Every song is at least good. It makes total sense why multiple songs from this album are considered classics.

I cannot be objective about this album. My father would (poorly) sing You Are The Sunshine Of My Life to me as a kid. My great-grandmother would play Superstition on car trips to mandatory Sunday service. As a teen, I would replay the ending credits to High Fidelity so I could listen to the almost five minutes of I Believe (When I Fall In Love it Will Be Forever) again and again. (In retrospect, it was weird that I did this because I am pretty sure I had an iPod and was shamelessly pirating music at this time.) Luckily, I do not have to be objective about this album because, hearing it as an adult, Stevie's control of his many instruments - his voice and his synths and his keys and his drums - is so fucking masterful, that the album's brilliance shines through any hazy nostalgia. Just like there are so many fucking layers. And he is practically doing all of them. He is doing all of the layers. Like I am just sitting here, eyes closed, picking out the complexity of all of these little sounds and then I refocus on the whole and everything sounds so natural and unadorned. Wtf. Side note: I was curious as to why I have never heard people talk about how Big Brother is this like beautifully folksy acerbic take-down of white moderates and the answer seems to his critics tend to be white moderates! Like my dude is out here basically saying "the CIA killed MLK" and reviewers imagine an individualize critique of some hypothetical politician (or a literal Orwellian reference!) instead.

Me encantó

Where to begin with soul legend Stevie Wonder's album "Talking Book". The opening track "You Are The Sunshine of My Life" is so joyful and stands as one of the greatest fusions of soul and pop of the 70s. Short and sweet, the song's reserved instrumentation and subtle conga-driven percussion ease the listener into this album with one of Wonder's most approachable songs. Stevie Wonder has a very solid and unique grasp of soul music. His smooth, almost boyish, vocals and effective use of guest vocalists to form memorable choruses are just as present here as on later albums like "Innervisions" and of course "Songs in The Key of Life". When compared to those albums, the mixes, especially on the instrumental side are a bit more washed out, but still pack a colorful punch with various genre fusions laced throughout. The best example of this is the always killer and iconic "Superstition". I mean this is one of the greatest grooves ever with an explosive mesh of horns, clavinet, and that bassline. On top of all that, Wonder rides this groove effortlessly. I enjoyed the juxtaposition between the somewhat abstract lyrics, which paint an eerie image of mindless belief, and the upbeat funky instrumentation. Funk aside, the balladry demonstrated on the gorgeous synth-backed "You and I" is another highlight. More than anything, it showcases Wonder's talents as a vocalist. He's able to be emotive, while not straying too far from his comfortable range, yielding a vocal performance that comes off as subtle and humble rather than overblown or bombastic. Instrumentally, there are some great moments here. I like the fuzzy bass and warm synth contrast on "You've Got It Bad Girl". It's certainly one of the smoothest songs here. I enjoy the folk twist on "Big Brother" detailing the empty promises made by politicians to try and win over African-American voters. "Blame it on the Sun", is another song that references the sun, with ethereal instrumentation feeling like a heat ray beaming through a skylight in an isolated cave. The album closes off with yet another incredible love song with one of the catchiest choruses here. This here is the blueprint. Stevie Wonder's capabilities as a musician, singer, and songwriter are all showcased in a tightly-packed experience that effectively captures the evolutions in soul fusion seen in the 70s.

masterpiece

the songs i'd never heard are new favorites <3

Big fat chunky funky grooves stitched together with chill soul songs. Made me happy !

some say it was a crime that Stevie did win a grammy for this record as well as every other record he made in the 70s. This is 100% pure gold, but maybe I'm a simp for the man. I love the funk, the organs, the backup singing. Its all so effing good.

One of many Stevie 5s.

I was already familiar with "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" and "Superstition," but I now think this album deserves even more recognition than it already gets. This is a truly great album. Honestly, there's not a single track that is a let down. Every track is almost a totally distinct musical journey than the one before. 5/5 and one of the best albums I've reviewed so far.

Loved the entire album. It’s Stevie!

Probably a 4* album, but "Superstition" bumps it up to 5

This is one of the best albums I've ever heard.

C'mon, man. You can't have that Robbie Williams garbage and this work of art on the same list. I forgot how good Maybe Your Baby is. That guitar and bassline

Super chill. You obviously know "Superstition" and "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" but enjoyed the entire album, especially "Maybe Your Baby" (hot!).

Peak Stevie! Beautiful album, even if cheesy at points. “Maybe Your Baby” was a surprise favorite on this album.

Stevie Wonder's songwriting prowess on full show throughout the whole project. Funky, catchy, headboppy, great vocals — you have it all. Wonderful record, full of — wait — 1972?!

Peak Stevie

My favorite Stevie Wonder album with my favorite Stevie Wonder song ("I Believe")

Great album, I love all of the songs, great music, thank you Stevie Wonder

Finally! 800 albums in and I’ve finally received a Stevie Wonder album. Superstition makes me want to Spider-Man 3 my way through anything (if you know you know). I was excited with the breadth of funked-out pop-rock on this disc. Even the easy listening stuff made me peppy. I firmly believe that Superstition is the best song of the 1970s. On the back of that, I can not rate it any lower.

AMAZING ALBUM!!! Have love this and all of his 70s music since it came out.

Love the funky 70’s-ness of many of the songs on this album. Superstition alone would make it worth 5 stars, but “I Believe” might actually be my favorite Stevie song. The darkness of the verses juxtaposed with the beautiful optimism of the chorus- which ultimately wins out. Gah, I’m dead. 5.0

Fantastic

some unknown masterpieces!

Beatiful, powerful, funky... and a little inharmony sometimes too

This album is flawless.

An album that addresses some of the songs that belongs to the collective mind.

The best song on this album is the last song on the album. I can only imagine those who picked up this album and played it on the record player, it was probably difficult to watch that needle move to end of and then the stylus picking itself back up, and then returning to the cradle. Sometimes the experience is part of the music. Fantastic album.

Talking Book is probably my least favourite of Stevie Wonder’s classic period albums, not because I don’t love it, but because, well, something had to be. I feel as if part of it’s problem is that Superstition is so good that it eclipses everything else in terms of media exposure, whereas his other classic albums seem more balanced. I do still love it though

Kevin, I can’t believe you brought up “Jammin on the one.” Love it. 😂 I first came to know Stevie Wonder through his later works, like “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” But really, his early stuff is where it’s at. Even though it came out well before I was born, “Sunshine of my Life” has one of the most soothing, familiar vibes. It takes me back to summer in the first house I lived in, with the windows open, breeze blowing, and the radio playing. And “Superstition” is such a jam. Classic funk.

My first introduction to Stevie Wonder was on the Cosby Show andTheo saying “Jamin’ on the one” (I think) I really loved this album and listened twice. Of course Superstition is epic also loved Maybe Your Baby & Big Brother and liked how balanced the album is. Glad I listened and looking forward to hopefully more Wonder albums.

hell yeah. one of my all-time favorites. Stevie is such a brilliant artist and there is so much music today we would have never heard if he hadn't set the stage or blazed the path. i think he's definitely one of my "desert island" artists.

So many Stevie records seem like they might be greatest hits records, then you discover that all his records are just full of great songs. This is no exception!

So nice to listen to Stevie Wonder for a full album. What talent, such a unique and recognizable round sound.

Love Stevie Wonder...some of my favorite songs (You and I) on this album, and many I hadn't heard before since I hadn't listened to this full album.

Great album! So soothing and groovy

Soul

this is really good and underrated i like tuesday heartbreak a lot and i like maybe your baby a lot and i like all the other tracks a lot

Iconic music and performances that will live on.

Still a fantastic showcase of his undeniably great talent

Those sweet, sweet, squelchy synths are just pure bliss to my virgin ears! 9/10

Great music from great artist

Stevie Wonder simply doesn’t miss.

And 'Original Musiquarium I and II' is one you also should have.

Fuck man, Stevie Wonder was such a visionary. He had the ability to write songs that were simple and beautiful, but he was also innovative in a million different ways. This album has incredible range, beginning and ending with love songs, but running through a bunch of other styles in between. Superstition is just one of the greatest pop songs of all time 5/5

Stevie!! Always a joy.

Iconic! Also heard 1 or 2 more that have been added to playlists.

The hits make this a 4.5 but my love for Stevie makes it a 5

Incredible

4.5/5

It rules. The synth is so badass, it’s all so catchy that you start singing along halfway through each track. It’s so pleasant to listen to. Superstition is an incredible peak for the album.

I was scared of blind people when I was a kid. There was this old dude I don’t know if he lived on our street or was just in the community and like around, but he was totally blind, used the cane, wore those super oversized even by 1980s standards sunglasses that blind people wore for whatever reason, and when he took them off, he had like completely clouded eyes that looked up sideways to the left. He was always looking at a plane flying over your shoulder. I’m sure he was nice enough because my mom stopped and talked to him all the time, and my mom didn’t talk to anyone she didn’t like, she barely even looked at people that didn’t meet her expectations. But to me, he was terrifying. I always thought of blindness as being something wrong, it scared me and honestly I was revolted by physical disability. Not proud of this, kids are assholes, what are you gonna do. What Stevie did was sing his fucking heart out. And I swear Stevie Wonder is the reason I’m no longer scared of blind people. For one thing he wore Wayfarers instead of those ridiculous oversize sunglasses. but obviously he also had an angelic voice. He would sit at the piano and hug himself after getting through a song. Just pure joy coming off of that man, and it did what pure joy does, and entered my cold little heart, and made it just a tiny bit bigger.

All the songs are great it’s a perfect record from start to finish. It’s so good.

Really great all the way through. Such good songwriting

Not a 5 in my life but definitely a 5 for this project

absolute classic one of Stevie Wonder's best albums good for active or background listening, at least until Superstition kicks in. That is active listening 100%

This album fucks

Wasn’t sure at first, but it really starts hitting as you go. Very jazzy

10/10

The first in a string of critically acclaimed albums, Talking Book is a nearly perfect album to me. His next three records won best album at the Grammys in 1974, 1975 and 1977. (At the 1976 awards, Paul Simon took home the prize and famously said "I'd like to thank Stevie Wonder for not releasing an album this year") What a legend! 5/5

Dette var et herlig album!!

Incredible voice

So many of these are so famous it's almost weird to rate it. Superstition is incredible. His voice and all of the playing is so tight and weaves together so well. I Believe is a great example of passion in a song. Never listened to this album before but will revisit. It's an album that feels like a bunch of pros just working it together at such a high level.

I can say I don't care for all of the songs on this album but it's undeniable. The man's voice alone is undeniable. There is face melting music on this one. Such masters of their craft playing on here.

Awesome album, and awesome music! Not quite as good as Songs in the Key of Life, but still very good.

Fantastic for Superstition alone. Liked it even better on second listen. Nearly gave it 4 stars but then I Believe (When I Fall In It Will Be Forever) came on and I was blown away

The best

Funky dude

Ooh great album. I believe this right when Stevie grew out of the straightforward soul and Motown hits and went into his stride as a definitive artists. Superstition makes this a great album alone. You are the sunshine of my life is a mellow, vitamin d giving love song. Big Brother is a funky but more political jam. Maybe your baby brings a signature style electronic keyboard and tremolo'd/wah wah'd bass line. At times it feels like this album could've helped start the new age music movement without being as cheesy. That may be due to Stevie's voice/charisma.

Great album, definitely would listen many more times. With 1-2 skips top, this is a 5.

I love this album and it has always been my favorite from Stevie Wonder. I don't necessarily think it's his best, but it's my favorite of his. It's hard for me to think about it objectively without taking in to account everything I associate with it, but that's the beauty of music.

This has some absolute jams on it and is also so much at once. Starts real soft and soulful with You are the sunshine of my life, which is a little saccharine these days, but then gets just into some _sticky_ funk with Maybe your baby. It has the enormous banger of Superstition. It closes with one of my favorite love songs of all time "I Believe" (which is taken advantage of in the closing moments of High Fidelity)

Fantastic listen and will definitely be keeping this is my playlists. Had no idea he wrote “You and I”. I heard Michael Buble’s cover growing up and just assumed it was a Frank Sinatra type singer who wrote it. Really enjoyed it

This is amazing. Put this on over breakfast. Somehow I never gave the earlier Stevie albums the chance they deserved. As a writer he’s so confident. Somehow he makes anything work. A combination of brilliant musicianship, really tricky and complex writing. And the clav grooves!! Yes, a little sappy at points, but I always feel brought along for the ride. Blame it on the Sun is an amazing example. It’s easy to imagine a blander and more boring version of that song. But each change leads to another beguiling change, taking you in. Layers inside of layers. I love this so much. 5/5

great stuff, really enjoyed it

Initial Thoughts: Okay okay I'll admit it. I've only heard like three Stevie Wonder songs. Final Thoughts: LET HIM COOK. I feel like I finally know the meaning of funk. I understand why Stevie Wonder has legendary status, because this album was an absolute delight. Almost every song absolutely slapped.

1. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" The album opens with this iconic love song. Stevie's smooth and heartfelt vocals, combined with the simple, catchy melody and warm horn arrangements, make it an instant classic. It sets the tone for the entire album. 2. "Maybe Your Baby" This track takes a funkier turn, demonstrating Stevie's versatility. His harmonica skills shine here, and the lyrics touch on themes of uncertainty and love's ups and downs. 3. "You and I (We Can Conquer the World)" A beautiful and intimate ballad that showcases Stevie's incredible vocal range. It's a heartfelt declaration of love and togetherness. 4. "Tuesday Heartbreak" Stevie's storytelling prowess is evident in this song, which describes the feeling of a mid-week breakup. The blend of the electric piano and synths gives it a unique sound. 5. "You've Got It Bad Girl" A soulful and jazzy track with a more laid-back groove. It's a reflective song with a powerful horn section and a memorable melody. 6. "Superstition" One of Stevie Wonder's signature tracks and a funk masterpiece. The infectious riff and groove make it instantly recognizable. His vocals are incredibly dynamic here, and the song's iconic clavinet riff has become a defining element of his sound. 7. "Big Brother" A socially conscious track that's both lyrically and musically compelling. Stevie tackles themes of government surveillance and oppression, showcasing his ability to combine thought-provoking content with musical brilliance. 8. "Blame It on the Sun" A beautifully melodic and melancholic piece that brings out Stevie's vulnerability and songwriting prowess. The lyrics convey a sense of regret and acceptance. 9. "Lookin' for Another Pure Love" This upbeat and lively track is a nice contrast to the previous one. Stevie's energy and enthusiasm shine through, making it a fun addition to the album. 10. "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" The album closes with a poignant ballad that features some of Stevie's most touching and heartfelt vocals. It's a fitting end to the album, leaving the listener with a sense of hope and optimism. "Talking Book" is not only a testament to Stevie Wonder's remarkable talent as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist but also a testament to his ability to fuse various musical styles into a cohesive and emotionally resonant work of art. The album is known for its genre-blurring approach, combining elements of soul, funk, pop, and even a touch of jazz. Stevie's innovative use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments at the time was groundbreaking and helped shape the future of R&B and pop music. The lyrics cover a wide range of themes, from love and heartbreak to social commentary, showcasing his maturity as an artist. "Talking Book" is not just an album but a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate listeners and inspire generations of musicians. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolution of soul and R&B music and remains one of Stevie Wonder's crowning achievements in his illustrious career.

I loved it! Funky to make you dance but had songs quiet enough to listen to while you’re in the bus.

Stevie Wonder owned the 70s. This is exhibit A

Beautiful & groovy forever

Awesome!

One of the best albums of all time!

Can I give something more than five stars. Just the best.