Talking Book

Actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Good stuff.

Pretty strong album by Stevie. I have listened to the first song way too much, but it's still a damn good song. "Maybe Your Baby" just seemed like a riff that went nowhere. I was expecting a bridge or a chorus, but it was just the one thing over and over, even with... Ray Parker Jr.?!. Loved "Tuesday Heartbreak," very funky sort of a precursor to "Superstition". I've played the song "Superstition" and it is a bear. Although I think "Sir Duke" is probably harder, I think I probably like "Superstition" more. The songs have a real good range, too. Going from a funk feel to a real R&B vibe. The one song I liked, but feels weird was "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)". The song came out in '72, which is when he divorced his FIRST wife. So will it be forever? I don't know for him, since he got married two more times. The synths all throughout this album really make it stand out. It's hard to believe it was done in 72, it gives it a bit of a futuristic sound. Really cool stuff. All in all, I really enjoyed this album.

Excellent stuff, Stevie is goated 👍

3.5 stars "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" "Superstition" standouts

Great

Good easy listening.

I just really don't like "you are the sunshine of my life", it's just so unbelievably cheesy to me, and so I'd never really given this album a chance. I still don't like it, but "maybe your baby" and, of course, "superstition" are certified bangers and the rest of the album is pretty good as well. Will listen again, will just skip the first track.

Absolutely loved Maybe Your Baby. I also liked Blame It on the Sun and I Believe (When I Fall in Love It will be Forever.) And of course, Superstition is an awesome song.

Very good album with a couple of classic songs. I think it shows his range as a songwriter but I think overall he has better albums. I’d like the half star option to give it 3.5.

Gets a 4 for superstition alone. The rest of the songs were not strong enough to pull this up to a 5 for me. We’ll be hearing more from Stevie Wonder.

Classic album from one of the best artists in history. Most ballads in general don’t speak to me, but the soul heard in these songs are unparalleled

Unexpectedly funky. Don’t know why that surprised me.

What a voice - it’s a great album - silky smooth and soulful at most times and maddeningly funky with Superstition at the helm… I can’t fault the album except for the fact it’s too smooth for me. I’m more of a crunch peanut butter kind of person.

Stevie Wonder is always a good time

Once again this is another album that I happened to listen to in the previous group and I have to tell you I walked away thinking the same thing, I have to listen to more Stevie Wonder! Talking Book is a funky, soulful album that had me bopping along as I walked the pup. This album deserves its spot on this list!

Another great album from Stevie

soul music

Stevie is just so good

it's taken me almost 30 years to get around to listening to this. I'm a fool....should have listened sooner - great album, and thats after 1 x listen!

This is a solid album that expresses sentiments of love and social awareness all mixed in musical package that is very carefully constructed and produced. Stevie Wonder’s emotional range is vast and his vocals are practically perfect. The biggest drawback are some of the lyrics which are a bit too on the nose and verge into the saccharine.

There are about 6 out of 10 great songs on here and two of those are top 5 Stevie songs overall. Worth the listen.

4.2 - solid album. “I Believe” is a great album closer and “Superstition” is one of the best songs of all time.

crazy soulful good all the way through 4.5

“Talking Book” is Stevie Wonder’s fifteenth album. He was 22. That alone, considering the quality of the material here, is a remarkable achievement. This album is acknowledged as the start of Wonder’s golden period, after he’d stopped just having to churn out albums at the behest of his record label. Breaking free and flexing his songwriting muscles a little more, he was really only just getting started with “Talking Book.” It had no right to be as good as it is. I hadn’t heard it before bar the two biggest hits (“You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and “Superstition” have been unavoidable for fifty years), so it was an interesting listen. Very much an album of two halves: the gritty, clavinet driven funk ala “Superstition” (see “Maybe Your Baby”, “Tuesday Heartbreak”), and the softer, dare I say schmaltzier ballads ala “…Sunshine of my Life” (see “You and I”, “You’ve Got It Bad Girl”). At times it gets a little too syrupy: if “Sunshine” feels a bit slight, then “You’ve Got It Bad Girl” and “Lookin For Another Pure Love” leave even less of an impression on first listen. Their corniness seems, in part, due to the instrumentation. The electric piano and some of the synth leads used have become synonymous with soft 70s fluff. Wonder’s vocals, however, are enough to keep them buoyant, and he displays great range between the more mellow numbers and the harder-edged rock. The weaker songs aside, there were some great surprises in “Talking Book”. “Big Brother” is a laidback treat fusing Orwellian nightmare with racial and social commentary, still managing to sound melodic and carefree with some classic, tasteful Wonder harmonica lead. Then “I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)” is almost transcendent as a closing track: multi-layered vocal crescendo, dynamic performances, a simple and heartfelt chorus. “Talking Book” is half really great and half pretty good. It might not be Wonder’s best and it might be a little uneven. But the hits really hit, and any album with a career-defining banger like “Superstition” on it can’t score below four stars. Them’s the rules.

I really like the way this album kicks off with You Are The Sunshing Of My Life, it just really sets the scene. The album plods along a little but but You've Got It Bad Girl has a nice feel and then Superstition kicks in followed by the very cool Big Brother and the last track just leaves me feeling hope.

Loved it so much! Not my favorite from Stevie but definitely a good one. The closing track is amazing, especially the last 1:30.

Great 70's album, love ballads, political commentary and some huge funk bangers. Everyone know "you are the sunshine" and "superstition" but give a good listen to "big brother" and "maybe your baby".

Soul, funk

this was not bad! 4/5

A very funky album, with some brilliant tracks. Wonder's punchy clavichord keeps this disc moving and grooving as it ambles between dancey numbers to more crooning ones

Classic Stevie album, lovely mix of tracks and some big hits.

This was good, definitely one of the better albums by him that I’ve listened to.

lovely stuff stevie baby

Great album!

Unexpectedly lovely

You are the sunshine of my life: Unreal. 5/5 Maybe your baby: Just runs a bit long. 3.5/5. You and I: 3.5/5 Tuesday heartbreak: Funky! 4/5 You've got it bad girl: Yes. 4.5/5 Superstition: 5/5. Of course.

Ain’t no superstition

Leads up to Innervisions. 4.5.

Another great album highlighted by “You are the Sunshine of My Life” and “Superstition,” but features many of Wonder’s strong, but softer songs.

Somewhere there’s a dictionary with a definition of sublime. And next to it is “I believe …”. I assumed this wasn’t a great album. And it is mixed. But that track and Superstition lift it to another level. I’ll need to revisit it

Really liked two thirds of this a lot. Steve Wonder is a fantastic singer/songwriter plus a talented musician. Wouldn't have guessed he did drumming throughout this and the bass was actually from a moog. Favourites are You And I, You Are The Sunshine Of My Life and Big Brother.

Enjoyable! Loved the groove of it - grew up with some of this music so it was fun to re-listen.

Gorgeous album that I expected to like but turned out I enjoyed more than I thought I would. Gorgeous arrangements that are at first glance simple and accessible but on closer inspection have some real complexity thar I never thought they did specifificalky the first song...You are the Sunshine and the closer; I Believe. Some superb drumming / percussion Golightly my favourite moments. 4.5 🌟

You are the sunshine of my life was a great way to start this album. Swoon!

Great Stevie album.

Funkowy tydzien, ale jednak inaczej, bo pierwszy raz na liscie Stevie Wonder, czyli postac ikona, ktorej muzycznie jednak nie kojarze za bardzo, talking book jest to 15 album w jego dyskografii z roku 72, w tamtym czasie mial 22 lata i juz 15 albumow za pasem, wiec juz nie dziwne dlaczego jest okreslany on geniuszem, nie tylko przez fakt bycia niewidomym muzykiem, ale czego dowiedzialem sie po tym albumie, multiinstrumentalista, kompozytorem, lirykiem, prawdziwy czlowiek orkiestra, niby pietnasty album, ale podobno dopiero drugi w klasycznym okresie Wonderowym, wiec dobry material na start, co rzuca sie na uszy, to fakt, ze wiekszosc trakow jest stworzona w calosci przez Wondera, kawalki z piecioma instrumentami, to standard tego albumu, wiec jest mocne lejerowanie dzwiekow, sporo synthowego brzmienia ktore nadaje soulowym lirycznie kawalkom funkowego brzmienia, a co za tym idzie przenosi je blizej mainstreamu, jak jeden z hajlajtow plyty maybe your baby, czy superstision, ktore mnie najbardziej kupily swoim brzmieniem, obok nich na plejke dodam jeszcze otwierajacy you are the sunshine of my life, 4 z 10 kawalkow byly wspolpisane, dwa z ex zona Syreeta Wright, a dwa kolejne z Yvonne Wright, zbieznosc nazwisk przypadkowa, plyta tak dobra, ze nawet pan prezydent hamerykanski mial z niej kawalek do slubu, chodzi o obamow i songa you and i, motywem przewodnim plyty bedzie milosc i jej odcienie, wiec jest w czym wybierac, ale nie zabraklo miejsa na ambitniejsze tematy spoleczne, jak na superstitions czy big brother, ktory ma w swoje sporo folkowego brzmienia przez, to ze glownym instrumentalem jest hamronijka, dodatkowo liryka oparta na orwelowskiej tworczosci, 43 minuty sluchowiska roznorodnego gatunkowo i stylistycznie, ktore zacheca do zapoznania sie z reszta klasycznej tworczosci Wondera

Enjoyed very much

Bought this album while on a record shopping trip with Elaine pre Rhonda Rona. I love this Stevie. He’s still singing and harmonizing without overwhelming tracks with his vocal power. It’s so beautiful and melodic. Puts me in such a spiritual mood.

So I'm never a fan of SW's slowest songs... they just don't hit me the way they're supposed to (looking at you, You and I/Blame It on the Sun (side side note: I think it's due to production as much as songwriting)). But anything above a ballad tempo is perfection. Of course we love the mega hits off of this, but I also loved the funk of Maybe Your Baby and the country/folk/blues feel of tracks like Big Brother. Not the highest peaks of SW, but a solid album.

Not into the ballady ballads. But the upbeat funky ones are the best.

Great album, so many hits on it. I feel like the hits really hit, but there were a few misses on it (some of the super funky stuff wasn't really my taste), so that's why it's not a 5 for me.

Overall enjoyable but some songs really dragged on into jam territory. Superstition is a masterpiece.

A really good funk/soul album with more mellow tracks than expected. Stevie Wonder has the vocals to carry the more subdued tracks, and the funkier tracks sport wonderfully jazzy instrumentation. BEST TRACKS: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Maybe Your Baby, Tuesday Heartbreak, Superstition, Blame It On The Sun WORST TRACKS: N/A

Classic Stevie Wonder, though I would like a little more funk. The constant laid back nature gets just a little bit boring throughout the entire album. That being said, this does have "Superstition" on it, which almost completely makes up for that. Favorite Tracks: "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", "Maybe Your Baby", "You And I", "Tuesday Heartbreak", "You've Got It Bad Girl", "Superstition", "Big Brother", "Blame It On The Sun" 4.5/10

Truly a beautiful album, composed by one of the biggest talents in music, beautiful lyrics with music that is as groovy as it was when it came out, and touching with Wonder showing his emotional side that touches you deeply. Fav Tracks: You are the Sunshine of my Life, You and I, I Believe

On first listen this didn't grip me at all - was leaning towards 3 stars. A day later and a second listen and I liked it a lot more. Maybe I was in a mood? The slower more saccharine tunes I could do without, but overall a worthy listen. Fave track - I mean, c'mon, "Superstition" absolutely slaps! "Big Brother" was also great...

Ich glaube ihm alles; jedes Wort seines „Talking Book“. 4.3

Giving 4 stars for talent, but a lot of this is too sappy for me.

Will definitely be a record I revisit.

Superstition is one of the best songs and you are the sunshine of my life is a classic but the rest of the album fell flat

Возможно соул, это моё

This had done petty good songs.

Groovy and bittersweet, love it. Favorites: You Are The Sunshine Of MY Life, You And I, Superstition

Classic 70s era funky sound. I get some Michael Jackson vibes, so Stevie may have been his influence. Classics Superstition and You are the Sunshine of my Life, but there are several other pleasing songs as well

Not what I expected. Very funky and cool. For some reason I thought it would be 80s pop music.

It took me a song or so to get into it, but I enjoyed it.

Superstition saved it, didn't like it otherwise

Gets a little same-y as it goes along, but you can't deny Stevie's musicianship and ingenuity. The synth work on this is wonderful.

Just as remembered.

More interesting instrumentally than earlier Stevie Wonder, and the sons are, of course, great.

Funky, soulfull album. Superstition is een top nummer. Album over de hele lijn wel oké

Included superstition. Skipped a couple of tracks that were weird but overall I liked it.

Bangerzzzzz

Groovy, soulful and musical. Stevie brings the whole package

Great but not his best.

Prachtig stevie wonder album, zijn stem is altijd goed.

Smooth and funky. "I Believe" doesn't get enough airtime.

Good but not mind blowing

This is a musician! Guy can play. He can sing. He has a complete mastery from his appearance on the scene for what it is to be Stevie Wonder. While I know many other Stevie songs that I like more than some that are on this album, you can't deny his talent and ability to put together an album. The soul and funk is on full display in songs like Maybe Your Baby and Superstition, but also beautiful love songs that are catchy and understated are here like You and I and Sunshine of my Life.

Really solid album with good ups and downs throughout but holding some solid funk.

This was an enjoyable jam.

Sounds like something that could have came out in the 90s at least. Production is unique for the 1970s.

I really liked it overall it was a really good album however a lot of the songs started to become really repetitive and unnecessarily long which is why it’s not getting the highest rating however I did love the album

Stevie Wonder rapidly approaching peak status here - the heavy use and layering of synthesizers and played in large part only by Stevie himself give it a looseness that crosses between soul, funk, and rock. Virtually everyone on earth knows who Stevie Wonder is and is at least passably familiar with at least a few tracks so there's not much intro to the artist needed here - "Superstition" is one of the all-time classic songs and is the clear gateway-drug for this record. "Tuesday Heartbreak" makes me think of summer vacation driving with the top down. "I Believe" is a great album closer - end credits vibe on this one - just a simple and perfectly catchy chorus. Although it does suffer from what a number of the other songs have... ...if there's a knock - and there is - I do find a fair few of these songs to ... just not quite be *there* yet. As if they could have spent 3 more months in the writing room before release - "Maybe Your Baby" sounds fantastic and starts well with a great groove but it stagnates and is just far too long. Many of the others are slow and hard to latch onto - slow in and of itself connotes neither negative nor positive but slow and at times meandering gets dangerously close to boring. So the classic Stevie sound has been established here and rating aside...this is an excellent listen - nearly keeper status. But to me this is just his launching pad for Hall of Fame status which would come literally months later with Innervisions. 7/10 4 stars.

This has to be one of my favorite stevie wonder albums.

I'm a sucker for old Stevie Wonder albums. Talking Book is like a key to an era that I wasn't able to experience but would've loved it. This album just makes me smile. The key characteristic of this album is the Wah guitar, on and it's just a really cool sound like a 'brown-chicken-brown-cow' without the porn. It's a wonder this sound didn't dominate more albums back in the day. I think if it had, it'd be one of those minor annoyances like saxophones are. Anyway, the album... You are the Sunshine of My life opens the album and it's one of those perfect sappy guilty pleasure songs that I just can't get enough of (and makes me want to drink orange juice). The keyboard and congas on this are just lovely. Superstition is the break out hit, but there are some really good ones that are overlooked. Big Brother has got some understated grit with political undertones. Evidently SW played all the instruments on the recording. The song 'I Believe' is a great outro striking a hopeful reflective note that leads me back to the beginning of the album and hoping for an excellent follow up ... 'Songs in the Key of Life', I'm talking to you...

smooth af

Admittedly, I’ve never listened to a Stevie Wonder album, I’ve only ever listened to an album of his hits which is easy to do because Stevie is incredible. I’m glad this was my first full Stevie Wonder album I enjoyed it much like the rest of his work. This album really gives me all kinds of vibes and feelings, perfect for a stroll around the block, dancing here in my house, or singing out loud Top tracks: you are the sunshine of my life, superstition, you and I, believe (when i fall in love it will be forever)

This album, along with his later Songs In The Key of Life, stands as a testament to the talent and vision of Stevie Wonder. After years under the watchful eye of Motown head Berry Gordy, Stevie began navigating his own way in Motown. And his way was a satisfying mix of classic R&B sounds updated with outstanding keyboard/synth playing, a dash of funk, and a couple of chill ballads. His subject matter dabbles in the political, while still appealing to the mainstream (and crossover) listeners of the day. The two hits, You Are the Sunshine of My Life, and Superstition, deserve all of their accolades, though they come from near-opposite ends of the Stevie spectrum. The dreamy keyboard intro and softly crooned opening lines of ...Sunshine might trick one into thinking it is no more than a sappy love song, but when the horns kick in, the drums snap, and Stevie lets loose with his voice, you know his message is deeply felt. Who wouldn't want this song sung to/about them? Superstition, on the other hand, hits hard, both musically and lyrically, but with the same signature passion. His clavinet playing pretty much defines the instrument, and again, the horns add a brassiness (yes, I KNOW!) that elevates the arrangement. Stevie's howling vocals project the pessimism that was growing among the civil rights issues of the day. The musicians are super-tight, with shining additions by guest David Sanborn on Tuesday Heartbreak, Jeff Beck on Lookin' for Another Pure Love, and Ray Parker, Jr. (of Ghostbusters fame!) ripping a great solo on Maybe Your Baby - a song that provides a rather direct-line influence to Stevie's R&B-flavored pop successor in the next decade, Prince. All in all, an enjoyable listen, with some VERY high points.

Great album. What a unique talent. Love the funk. Songs are impeccably well written.

His 15th studio album emanates a confidence and precision in his usual mix of soul, funk and jazz. You can tell from Wonder and the band are truly dialed in with years of experience. It's a delightful experience with one of the most iconic voices ever.

A great listen and some incredible standouts. Needless to say, Superstition is incredible

Good, but nothing insane

Groovy.

good soul album...familiar with several of the tunes.

I expected a lot of this album going into it, after all it is considered fairly legendary. I wasn’t disappointed necessarily, but it definitely didn’t live up to the hype. Overall, it was pretty average, save a couple songs like superstition. Because of that, regardless of it’s inability to live up to the hype, it was still a pretty good album. 3.5/5 so I’ll give it a 4.

Superstition a massive tune. Great tracks. Easily a 4

Album flows very well. All the themes are in the Stevie Wonder style - funky, about love. I didn't enjoy the slower ballad-like songs as much as bangers, such as Superstition, however in the context of the album, they worked very well.

Great groove, production and songwriting.

Brilliant.

Excellent.

Great album

Braille-iant

Fun! very chill

Might even like this more than songs in the key of life - definitely a little easier listen given its relative shortness. He really just knows how to make music - Superstition is phenomenal Saved: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Superstition

Fantastic.

Amazing vocals, interesting song writing and nice grooves from start to finish. Will definitely be revisiting for another listen in the future.

After a string of rock albums, this was refreshing, and pure joy. Front to back not a dud on the record. Stevie writes these incredible chord progressions that are beautiful, complicated, but sound simple. I think he was playing around with some interesting electronics and synthesizers on this one. along with whatever that e-clavichord thing is on Superstition. Interesting textures. I looked up the musicians who performed on this and was surprised to see it's mostly Stevie. Stevie on drums, Stevie on keys, Stevie playing keyboard bass. Stevie singing backup for Stevie. The last song, and I think one of his best, was all Stevie on all instruments. Wonder what Stevie thinks when he hears Dylan play the harmonica like he's blowing on a grilled cheese sandwich? One last thought that might be only interesting to me - I was really struck by a blind man singing "I can't wait to see your face inside my door". A

When Stevie Wonder says, “...better wash your face and hands...” in Superstition, is he staying his belief that washing hands and face is superstitious and has no scientific value? There’s a lot of interesting stuff happening on this album, the reverb is all over the place in some songs, bouncing around my head, some great funky keyboard, some Mort Gorson Plantasia esque instrumentals and modulated voice experiments. Stevie Wonder’s singing and vocals don’t really resonate with me snd I found myself wondering if this was instrumental or if he produced it for another singer if I would’ve enjoyed it more. Some of the songs slap and are super funky, others have some great licks and hooks. “Looking for Another Love” and “I believe when I fall in love” are transcendent instrumentally buy the singing and lyrics are just meh. Though it didn’t resonate with me I really respect the effort, it would be a 5 if I liked his voice/lyrics more. But I’ll give it an A-.

What a beautiful day to listen to this album, relaxing, uplifting, throughly enjoyable.

Pari kovaa hittiä ja muuten taattua tavaraa. Kyllä tätä kuuntelee useamman kerran mielellään. Ei ehkä ihan vitonen, mutta neljä ja puoli.

Some great songs on here. Stevie was a lot funkier than I previously believed.

First of an indispensable array of albums. Not the best of the lot but a truly great r&b/soul effort, with some unforgettable tunes

nice

I didn't know how much I could like Steve Wonder songs... It a great album with a lot of innovations and very pleasable songs. Much better than his most famous tracks, this album is very good

4.4* muy muy bien

without a doubt, one of stevie wonder's albums. 8/10

Superstitious enough to give this delightfully funky bunch of tunes lucky number 7. 7/10

1972, Progressive soul, Funk, Soul, Rock, Jazz, übel nice, stabile 4

Amazing production.

This album is liquid sexuality. Every other song a hit, and the ones that aren't hits should have been. Big Brother is a standout favorite.

I’m not going to be able to compete with Alex’s review here and his stellar use of “hogshead”, so I’ll just add that I really like how there’s more than one song where they just lock into the chorus and repeat it over and over and over and it never gets old. But yeah, bit of a mixed bag where the good is so good it makes you forget the forgettable.

First of all very cool stereo effects on the opening track. And a duet! Very psychedelic vibes on this track and the next. The last few minutes of Maybe Your Baby, with the guitar and bass combo, and the repetition of maybe your baby gonna make some other plans” is mesmerizing. On You and I, it’s so plain to see how amazing and insanely powerful Stevie Wonder’s voice is. Big Brother dresses a powerful indictment of the US government’s relationship to black people in bright-sounding melody and light, upbeat drums and... melodica? harmonica? Superstition is of course the famous one from this album, but Sir Duke is a mf BOP in equal, if not greater measure

Richly textured songs. Performed perfectly

Was surprised that I knew a few songs. Some songs didn't like the songs but liked the lyrics.

Great listen, relaxing and funky

stevayyyyy

very pretty

Like I said oreviously it's hard to dislike Stevie Wonder. This album was better than the previous one. More concise and had a better structure. I liked it.

Very pleasant in the background. Stevie never disappoints.

Stevie Wonder’s music can’t help but put a smile on my face. My favourites of his tracks aren’t on this album - but still a banger

Solid album great tunes

His voice is great and so is the music, but I just don't love this album.

Good tunes

Decent album, great production and instruments

Released on 10/28/1972 Rating: 4.5

Good vibes.

Automatic 4 because of Superstition. The rest is hit or miss. Best track: Superstition

Super good. The songs put me in a good mood and I really like the instruments.

I enjoyed listening to this album because Stevie Wonder is one of the musical greats. Superstition is a classic and I liked the jazzy tone of the rest of the album. Overall a well written and performed album.

Superstition is a 5/5, rest of the Album did not catch me as much.

Yeah yeah I praise you Mr Wonder because of your gifts for creating such impressive works despite you can't see for shit, but I think it is too abrasive, I would like more straight forward funk like Superstitious.

Just a really solid soul album. This many albums into his career and still putting out quality is impressive. I can't say every song here was super memorable but they were all decent to good so that alone gets a 3.5/5 for me

Superstition is great and the rest of the album pales in comparison. Honestly the rest of the album pales in comparison to Stevie Wonder’s other great albums. Like it’s still good and listenable but I don’t know why anyone would listen to this over some of his others

Can’t believe a deaf guy can make music like this.

Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book is a warm, soothing, and beautifully crafted album. I really enjoyed listening to it because there’s something incredibly relaxing about its sound. The combination of Wonder’s soulful vocals, gentle grooves, keyboards, and rich production gives the album a smooth atmosphere that makes it easy to sink into. There are plenty of memorable moments, especially songs like “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” and “Superstition,” which show just how versatile Stevie Wonder was. The album manages to be both laid-back and musically sophisticated, with enough detail to reward repeated listens without ever feeling overwhelming. That said, while I liked Talking Book, I wouldn’t consider it Stevie Wonder’s best album. For me, it feels more like a very strong part of an incredible period in his career rather than the absolute peak. I think albums like Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life offer more variety, depth, and emotional impact. Overall, Talking Book is a relaxing, soulful, and highly enjoyable listen. It may not be my favorite Stevie Wonder album, but I can definitely understand why it’s so highly regarded. It has a timeless quality that makes it easy to appreciate even decades after its release.

mom has this cd in her saturn when i was a kid (some time after totalling the ford which had a tape deck). never connected to it. liked a few tracks this listen around, maybe your baby. so i listened again in the car and was like ahh ok this is car music. i think the album art is actually really good though

I feel like this is a restrained Stevie Wonder, held back by some record label executives who told him he has to make music that's more accessible. Superstition is a good song.

lacks the majesty of something like Songs in the Key of Life. happy to see they found that one funky piano thing and rolled it into a whole album. definitely has some spark to it but doesn't seem that precious aside from a load-bearing Superstition. soft 3

track 1: Basic. Well performed. Not terribly novel or special. Feels like run of the mill corny love song. Just kind of ends. track 2: Good goopy funk. Definitely better to be a little high to properly appreciate this one. track 3: melodramatic ballot trying to get poon Track4: I WANNA BE WITH YOU lol Track5: "You got it bad" but he's singing pure thirst. Track 6: This is it. This is the whole reason for this album. delicious funk track 7: it's chill. The political messaging and vague country feel puts it in a sort of early country-folk vibe. track 8: Some slow dance blues. track 9: feels again like it's less for listening to, and more for being high or making out to. Maybe both. not a stellar listen on it's own. track 10: feels like something Styx copied, but maybe with softer edges. Overall feels more like a smattering of different works collected only by their proximity and authorship. The quality ranges wildly and nothing coheres. As an album, not bad, not great. Houses Superstitious though, and that counts for a lot.

Not to shaby

Nicer than the last few albums. Liked the relaxed vibes. A bit spoinky sproinky sometimes making it sound goofy.

kurwa?????? ale że stevie wonder???? pierdolona legenda???? nie no zbyt romantyczne na ten moment w moim życiu więc no xdddddd ale album fajny taki chillowy

Solid 3.5

Superstition is great, but overall I find Stevie Wonder boring and this album didn't change my opinion

I like it. Funky. Superstition is great

tis alright I like Superstitions and You Are the Sunshine of my Life, so maybe im just basic :,)

I think it is best album by stevie Wonder not much folk but still very good vibes when you listen it

This list is desperately trying to make me a Stevie Wonder fan and it’s just not happening.

This album was much more back heavy for me. The instrumentation is layered and innovative, funky, and smooth. I did find the lyrics generally boring though. Wonder's wonder shines mostly through his skill level n the piano, instrumentation, and lush voice. Even if he's just saying I love you over and over. Favorite Tracks: You've Got It Bad Girl Superstition

All told, a middling album when you consider an artist of Stevie Wonder's songwriting prowess. For me, this registers as slightly more than "the album with Superstition on it". To be clear: the production was very strong, and his departure from the Motown mold of his early career is a welcome change. I love how heavily the sound leans on drums and bass, and the synth work is pure magic. Not as orchestral/string-y as Songs in the Key of Life, but the pianist in me was a big fan of the heavy usage of Rhodeys and clavs (clavinet, not Clavicular). HOWEVER, the overall songwriting was a big mark against this album. Way too heavy handed with the lovey-dovey themes for my taste, and frankly just boring a lot of the time. It felt like the lyrics were asleep at the wheel for long stretches of this album. Song notes: - Maybe Your Baby has got some serious oomph. Coming off the intro track, it hits like a ton of bricks, hot and heavy and funky. Love it. - You And I is like warm honey. Sometimes all you need is a piano and a voice (and a little bit of synth). - Tuesday heartbreak had me making some serious stank face and shaking my head like a seal, Stevie-style. - Big Brother reminds me a lot of Village Ghetto Land on SITKOL. Stevie is nothing if not politically outspoken. One of the few tracks with strong writing. The harmonica just rips. - Blame It On The Sun is lyically bland, but I really like the way he uses the drum kit to keep the song from falling into straight up sleepy territory. Favorites: - Maybe Your Baby - You and I - Tuesday Heartbreak - Superstition - Big Brother

Superstition is a certified S-Tier banger. Oh Stevie the wonder you truly are. This is a solid album. Three songs suffer from my only real issue with the r&b/soul music genre, ending a song by repeating the same line over and over for a minute plus. Maybe your Baby, You’ve Got it Bad Girl, and I Believe all suffer from this despite being good songs. Stevie writes songs that make you feel so good. Starting off with a lullaby sweet-ballad like You Are The Sunshine of My Life sets the mood for the album. I lost track of the different instruments Stevie used on this record. I love when variety is deployed and executed well. Favorite Tracks : - You are the sunshine of my life - You and I - Superstition (duhhhh) - Big Brother (you tell em Stevie) - Blame it on the Sun 7.5/10

The notes on Superstitious were the high point for me but not much remarkable outside that. A solid album with solid vocals.

Nice album i likesuperstition

Me gusta Stevie Wonder, Maybe your baby, no la había escuchado, me gustó harto. Y obvio superstition un hitazo, pero lo demás no me mató nada

This album was a good time. I didn’t realize superstition was on here which was cool

Feels sacrilegious to give Stevie less than 4stars but just this particular album lacked the musical depth and complexity of his other masterpieces. Sorry Steve Faves: Sunshine of my life Superstitious Big brother I believe Skips: You and I Tuesday heartbreak

50% bangers, 50% misses. Much preferred the funkier tracks to the slower ones, some of which I found a bit dreary.

I love how modern artists can take the great parts of Stevie Wonder and leave out all of the bullshit. Beautiful used in the wrong ways. Bloated instrumentation. I'm not much of a Stevie Wonder fan. How did this place for pop albums? I don't think any of this is memorable. You can tell that he would walk over to whatever instrument and just do whatever. No type of coordination at all. Repetitive and drawn out. Superstition is amazing though, particularly for the drumming and clear structure. I don't like the percussion that isn't the drum kit. What ever tribal type of drums is not adding what the songs need. This is the only criticism, honestly the actual individual parts for each instrument are quite interesting and creative. I think its the "coming together" where it seems a bit messy and Stevie is just a show-off. The lyricism is also great and very interesting, I just haven't been reading that much but from what I've heard it sounds like there are some deep themes that Stevie writes about.

I don't mind sweeter songs (and I outright like You Are the Sunshine of my Life), but the best song on here is Superstition and nothing else comes close.

Something great to put on in the background for jazzy, chill vibes. Don’t know if I’d go back to listen to individual songs.

Other than a year or so when i was obsessed with songs in the key life - in retrospect seems to have been a response to a fairly deep depression - I am left kinda ambivalent by stevie wonder. It’s nice enough, but too sentimental for me, and too often songs just go on a minute too long. And that goddamn clavinet and endless wah-wah sounds really grate.

Wonderful

2nd song was a stand out

64.5/100

Stevie Wonder cannot do anything bad. So many excellent songs on here and a very pleasant listen overall. This album doesn't elevate to the same place I think his other ones do, and it definitely holds some of his more sentimental songs, but still so great either way. Going with 3 at the moment but will be revisiting. Top Songs: Superstition, You Are the Sunshine of My Life, I Believe

Не моє,5/10

Mid to good, but mostly mid

cover made me believe lewis hamilton chose a different career path nice work what can i say

eh

Bit schmaltzy for me but I can appreciate there is much beauty here.

Superstition awesome obviously but was disappointed to find the rest of it wasn't really my thing.

Funky basslines and sleepy ballads

Ta bien

iskreno, jako visoka trojka. četvorku ne mogu dati jer nije moj đir i nikako se ne pronalazim u ovome. al da valja, itekako valja. čak je po meni dosta bolje od prethodno preslušanog, također solidnog ali trunku prerazvučenog i kakvoćom nedosljednog albuma »songs in the key of life«

Kindle underwhelmed by this one.

Superstition is an absolute all-timer, love that song. Everything else on this album is fine. Like, there's nothing wrong with it, but it wasn't anything that I really was into or thought of as more than background noise. Well made, just not really my thing.

Meh

It's quite lovely

I wish i could give 3.5. it’s not a 3 or a 4. Superstitions a classic but the rest wasn’t doing it for me

Pretty good

Some fantastic songs on this album but also some I didn't love. 3.5/5 but I guess I'll give it a 3.

It was cool

This is something I’d listen to on a sunny weekend while lazing about outside. It has a combination of songs that I knew; songs that I didn’t know, but would not mind finding out more about the lyrics; and songs I don’t really ever need to hear again. It’s a good album, I didn’t hate it and the songs don’t all sound the same, just some of them do. 3/5

Stone cold funky genius

The album was super mixed. Interesting songs, classic songs, and then some weirdness all mixed in together.

nicht schlecht, aber fand das andere (songs in the key of life) besser. Superstition ein Banger.

Unfortunately everything is a slog to get through besides Superstition. That song is the reason this is getting a 3 instead of a 2

I don’t dare listen to this album a second time to decide what to rate, even typing the title of ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life’ risks lodging it in my head for a fortnight, but it was pleasant.

Obviously superstitious was the best song, not a big fan of classic soul musics, so I have no rights to judge it. Generally not my type, but started vibing to it after few listens.

Like both of the other Stevie Wonder albums I've listened to there were bits I really liked (the funkier stuff) and bits I quite disliked (the ballads). So, once again, it's a mix and it's a 3.

What genre is this? not what I was expecting, very wholesome, just great.

intressante Musik, der Name war mir bekannbt

not a fan of stevie wonder but this still really good

It's smooth riding. Somthing is missing I enjoy in other later albums. Real easy listening though.

It’s fine. I enjoyed it enough but definitely wanted it over by the time I was halfway though the album.

You and I, Tuesday Heartbreak, Blame it on the sun check more Big Brother 1984 jorjor wel

Big Brother

I felt like I needed my lady sitting next to me for most of this album. I could have got some brownie points if I sang her the songs

I liked four songs from the album but overall, I think it’s just not my type of genre.

i liked it. it's not as good as "Key" but it's up there.

This was a little disappointing compared to other stuff I have listened to by him. This felt like a one track album with Superstition. The rest felt mediocre. One of the most talented musicians in the history of music, but this didn't feel like his best stuff.

Liked. Not as good as the Keys of Life but good

Excellent instrumentals and vocals, and certainly reminiscent of other music of the decade. A pleasant listen, although the lyrics left me wanting for more; the themes of the songs were very simple. While well-executed overall, the songwriting isn't to my tastes. TLDR: very good music! I just wish it had more thematic depth :(

Some all out funky classics and a BUNCH of sappy first wedding dances. But the ending and the hits are so good. This is a 3.5 at the end of the day.

relax

This was good, mellow and funky. Definitely worth another listen. 3.8

Yeah I mean, it’s fun, he’s got a great voice, it’s easy listening. I’m sure it was impactful at the time and superstition is a banger, but other parts of it felt a bit like sophisticated lift music.

Not my normal stuff but still some good songs on here

Second song ran about 2-3 minutes too long. A couple snoozers included. But Superstition and a couple others give this value. An ok album.

Nice.

3.5/5. Not really my style of music but after the first couple songs it really started to click for me and I was able to start vibing with the album. Sorry if this is too low but I’m lowkey music illiterate so hopefully this will get better as I keep listening to more albums

6/10

This was a nice listen. Not totally my cup of tea but definitely enjoyable.

Stevie Wonder has two stand out songs with You Are the Sunshine of My Life and Superstition. Michael Jackson got ehee from the funky Maybe Your Baby which is repetitive and too long. The remaining funky/jazzy songs are better than his sappy pop ballads which I don't really like.

A little bit too much of the slow, melodic yearning songs. Superstition is a banger because it isn't this.

Stevie Wonder will always be a joy to listen to. I don't think this album is quite on the same level as Innervisions, though; compositions just weren't as memorable. On the other hand, I found myself impressed with the sound design in some ways more than Innervisions. The types of sound he uses are very satisfying. He makes electronic sounds sound like live instruments, and there were several moments where those melodies scratched an itch, like on the song "brother," where I can't tell if it's a synth-like harmonica or harmonica-like synth that's tickling my ear. I'm again tempted to say that superstition is both the most famous and most memorable from this album. Strong 3 to a light 4.

It just kind of passed me by and I didn't focus on it enough? Sadly not memorable for me.

Really nice Stevie album. SITKOL never really hit with we but like this one

3, aunque trae algunas joyas que bien valen un 4

Ive often heard of stevie wonder but never listened to his music it was good but honestly not very memorable. I can't remember much about it

Happy Beautiful voice It was a solid album

Some amazing tracks with some mushy filler. Some tracks are timeless and some are definitely out of date. A mixed bag but mostly good:)

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life and Superstitious are so so good. The rest of the album is good. But just based on those songs I’m giving this a 4-star.

better than the other one

I love the funkier songs but the soul tracks mostly don't click with me. I can see why this gets so much love because it sounds so unique and the track list is so varied, even if I wasn't a fan of most of them. Still, Superstition is a phenomenal song, I Believe is fantastic and Maybe Your Baby is great.

Ihan jees. 3/5.

Buen album, medio jazzero . Me di cuenta que me sabia una de las canciones ya que es muy conocida.

peakk

I can respect the talent, the production is fantastic and when they are getting funky it is killer. Overall though this album has too many gospel type soul songs for my liking. I do like when Stevie experiments and fuses jazz and psych with his soul style, sounds great.

i’ve never heard a stevie wonder song that i didn’t mistake for a christmas song im sorry i just don’t get the hype

The album is smooth, polished, and Stevie's voice is a pleasure to listen to. The production on this record is very impressive for the 70s - clear and rich. However, I am simply not the target audience. I tent to not appreciate albums that are on one hand well-crafted, flow nicely and show impressive musicianship but on the other are simply just that, without any 'friction', something intriguing to dig deeper for. There are sweet songs about love, 'Maybe Your Baby' about potential cheating (that I must admit is surprisingly annoying and drags on amongst otherwise smooth tracklist), groovy 'Superstitious', and 'Big Brother' that is a very straightforward political song referencing Orwell's '1984' novel. Songs on this record go into one ear and out the other, even after many re-listens I did today. Everything kind of blends into one in my mind and I have trouble picking any highlight or melodies that would stick with me (and I usually don't have this issue and I am quick to hum a new melody). Besides, of course, the hit single 'Superstitious'. I also really liked and may be revisiting 'You've Got It Bad Girl'. I listened to only a small portion of Stevie's impressive discography but I notice I tend to like his later works. This album is a (good) background music for me.

beetje Michael Jackson achtig. prima

- Love that wonky sounding keyboard from Maybe Your Baby. - Superstition the iconic song I recognize from this album

A lot of slow, low energy songs on this album. Superstition is a great song, I just wish there were more up tempo numbers to match it.

Me gustó como para escuchar un rato, la musica esta buena, es bastante tranquila pero se me hicieron bastante repetitivas las canciones, no tanto entre ellas sino dentro de la canción, como que repetía mucho las misma palabras.

Superstition is a 5. Everything else...

This was fine? Not really my thing. "Superstition" is great obviously, and also enjoyed "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" and "Big Brother" but the rest didn't grab me much.

My sense as a songwriter - not one on his level, of course, but still someone familiar with how this can work - is Stevie really excels at melody but then has to fit words to his hooks and that doesn’t always yield the best results. At times this can feel pretty shoehorned in and the Wrights aren’t always there with an assist. But, the message here is about as close to a concept album as he gets - sad, even bitter Stevie dealing with heartbreak and then moving on...maybe. 3-4 of my favourite Wonder songs and then also some other material.

Not enough jams for me

The hits are impeccable, but the songs sandwiched around them are pretty well crafted as well, with some like Big Brother being particularly thought provoking.

Соул, фолк и много чего чего ещё.

Weird mix of grocery store slow jams, and legitimate bops

It's not a bad album at all, but not better than Innervisions or Key of Life. It's more lovey/"easy listening" than the others, and I prefer something a little more funky.

buen album tenía muchas ganas de escuchar a Stevie Wonder así que

This album is something id play on the background. No particular songs caught my attention. Probably it too menlancholic

Only managed one play. Sounded pretty good, I'll have to revisit

I'm not as familiar with most of the tracks on this album as some of his other classic LPs, other than "Superstition" and "Sunshine of my Life." The latter isn't my favourite, too sappy. "Maybe Your Baby" is a sweet hard funk cut though. Like with most of Stevie's albums, there are a fair amount of wrist-slitter crying piano songs here. "You and I" is hard to get through. Tracks like this are why I personally don't rate any Stevie Wonder album among the greatest funk/soul albums around. They just don't match up to masterpieces like the Superfly soundtrack, Cold Sweat or What's Going On for me, at least as complete albums that I would ever listen to. Some of his singles are among the best of the genre, but ya, I don't appreciate the whiny songs. Anyway, I digress. "Tuesday Heartbreak" has a groove--cool track. "You've Got it Bad, Girl" ditto. "Superstition" is a timeless classic. "Big Brother" is a rare moment of Stevie getting political, and has a cool sound to it. The last three songs on the album are just whiny sap. 3/5

7/10 - Not quite my cup of tea but very pleasant. Enjoyed it more on a second listen than the first Fav Tracks: Blame It On The Sun, Superstition Heard before? ---–- ✅ Saved a Song? ----- ✅ Saved Album? --–-- ❌ Will Listen Again? -- ❌

Muito provavelmente é meu 1° contato com Stevie Wonder, sempre ouvi menções de seus talentos mas nunca parei para conhecer suas obras, mas não caiu nas minhas graças mas é inegável a qualidade das musicas

RATING: 7.5/10 HIGHLIGHT: Superstition LOWLIGHT: You’ve Got It Bad Girl

A good album, but probably also one that represents what I’m less keen on in Wonder’s work (Songs in the Key of Life aside). Superstition is of course a catchy classic, but nothing else on the album quite hits those heights. Although the rest couldn’t be described as bad, it basically consists of saccharine ballads. They’re nice enough songs, but probably better in doses smaller than this album provides.

Some good songs. Not my favorite.

love that theramin

me gusto pero no estoy en esa onda

Talking Book es uno de esos discos que entendés por qué es importante… pero no necesariamente lo sentí. Tiene momentos muy buenos, sobre todo cuando entra ese groove más funk (Superstition es imposible de ignorar), y se nota que hay una búsqueda sonora distinta, más experimental para la época. Los sintetizadores, los arreglos, la producción… todo está muy bien pensado. Pero en lo personal, no me terminó de atravesar. Lo escuché y lo valoré más desde lo técnico que desde lo emocional. No conecté del todo, no fue un disco al que volvería por cómo me hace sentir, sino más por lo que representa. Y está bien también eso: hay discos que te cambian la cabeza, y otros que entendés por qué cambiaron la historia, aunque a mi me cambien tanto.

5/10

Honestly, all the songs were fine. The biggest hits for me were the first song and Superstition.

Stevie's 15th album. I challenge you to name 15 of his songs. For every fantastic masterpiece of a song, there's another 38.5 minutes of forgettable generic background lounge.

As much as I wanted it to, this didn't really do much for me. A lot of songs that ranked on a lot. Many well posted their welcome. Maybe your baby being the worst offender full of adlibs and a really lame sounding guitar solo. It made hay Jude sounds like a 2 minute pop song. The greatness of superstition is amplified by the other tracks not ageing to it's precision... And that groove man, every second is beautiful. Sadly beyond that there are a couple of social commentaries that are alright but nothing of in the city level and a couple of saccharine ballads that are catchy and just on the ok side of cheesy... But without superstition this album would do very little for me.

Even though I'm not into soul music at all, there's plenty of good stuff in the more upbeat funk numbers. Not on the level of Innervisions or Songs In The Key but when it's good, it's great.

2 or 3 songs that I’ll listen to in the future. Overall pretty good and funky, LOTS of repetition in some songs that are too long for my taste

I don’t think it’s for me but I can still appreciate it! I like the funky sound and warm atmosphere this album brings

I’m not a fan of Stevie Wonder. I mean, he’s objectively talented but maybe there’s something about his voice? I don’t know, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it ain’t this album that’s changing my mind

This is a lovely record, that I haven't heard probably in decades. Stevie Wonder of course has a great voice, and these songs were already playing in my head before I even put the record on. A nice antidote to the noisy stuff I usually like to listen to.

2.5 stars I thought I liked this album more, but on this listen I realized I mistook enjoying the singles that open each side as representing the quality of the entire album. While not bad, most of the songs are pretty mid and forgettable, or go on a little too long and repetitive. Production and instrumentation is great just like his better albums, but not really as worthy of repeated listens as others.

I enjoyed it more than I would have guessed before I listened. 70’s through and through.

Gostei, porém algumas achei meio genérico

meh

Refined, polished Stevie slinging some love songs. I'm more familiar and a bigger fan of some of his other work, but there's nothing to dislike here.

Maybe Your Baby is an instant fave. I only knew Superstition going in. Wow, I get it. If only the whole album was that funky. The saccharine slow love songs didn’t do it for me at all. Saying that, Stevie has more musical talent in his pinkie finger than I will ever possess.

For an album that has "Superstition" on it, it surprisingly pretty forgettable electronic keyboard and sleepy soul.

6/10 So you got Superstition, one of the greatest ever songs committed to recorded media. A funk deep in it's soul that excites the toes. Then there is the rest of this album which is the Stevie Wonder I don't like - lame, jazzy, insipid

Enjoyed this one, very different vibe from yesterdays and I'm not mad about it.

Mmm, está bien. Medio genérico. Lo groovy sigue ahí pero le falta fuerza

6/10

Decent but kinda meh.

If it would not be for Superstition, this would be much worse. Elevatormusic...

havnt heard much stevie wonder before so i went into this with no real expectations and ended up liking it a lot. It was great music for my mood yesterday and ended being a good album to have on while I was reading.

Pretty songs but don’t love it

Superstition! Does that alone warrant a 4 minimum? Yes but also the rest I think. Ultimately went with a 3 because I don’t think I’ll necessarily re-listen anytime soon

Album #120 Stevie Wonder: Talking Book Stevie Wonder is an incredibly consistent artist; every project that I have heard from him has been around the same level of quality. It seems hard for me to imagine that he would ever produce an album that I would rate below a seven, yet at the same time, I don’t think I’ll ever hear an album from him that I would give above a 9. Songs In The Key Of Life is wonderful and an incredibly impressive album. I can enjoy it all the way through, and pretty much every song is good, yet nothing about it resonates enough with me to consider it an all-time favourite. Talking Book is similar; there is maybe one song that I don’t enjoy, and the rest are quite pleasant, but for whatever reason, nothing about this album demands my praise. I think that is the nature of the music, it is incredibly agreeable and universally enjoyable, so naturally it is quite favoured, but I feel like it lacks the wow-factor that I feel when listening to other albums. I’m sure I am the problem, and this album is still really good, but for now, I am still searching for my Stevie Wonder masterpiece. Best Songs: Superstition, I Believe, You Are The Sunshine Of My Life Worst Song: Maybe Your Baby Score out of 10: 7

This album's saving grace is that it has Superstition on it, a timeless classic. But don't be fooled, that level of inspiration and performance is nowhere to be found on this album outside of the first track. Stevie Wonder was clearly going for more soul on the rest of the tracks, but I found them to be seriously boring. This gets a 3 onyl by virtue of having Superstition, otherwise it'd be a 2; disappointing to say the least.

Not bad album!

Good lyrics from other era !!! 2 very good songs the rest seems to be part of the context of the time

Can appreciate Stevie’s talent but not really for me. Too sugary beige and even the monster tune Superstition which is a banger couldn’t save it for me. 2.5/5.

me gusto, un poco lento btw, nose en q momento se escucha

I think this the first Stevie Wonder album. How fun. Pretty good and chill.

Good

Not his best. There are two distinct styles on here: great funk and groove, a la Maybe Your Baby or the sadly overplayed Superstitious; and absolute mush like Sunshine of My Life. Sadly it probably leans more towards the latter, and the good songs don't quite rescue it. It's not bad, of course, because he's a supreme songwriter and a good singer, but it definitely isn't of the quality of Innervisions or Songs In The Key Of Life.