Wonderful in Parts!

INTRODUCTION - Everybody loves Stevie Wonder. I hear he has a new album coming out in the fall of this year. I certainly cannot wait. This man is a legend. In my musical instrument stores in Ireland, I stock certain Cd's, perhaps famous guitarist Cd's such as by Clapton or Hank Marvyn. Cd's that my customers can relate to.

I also stock a collection of CD's from Stevie Wonder, as you see, he was the man who made the synthesizer one of the best selling items in the modern world. Many people who buy a $1500 synthesizer from me are encouraged to purchase a Wonder CD because of the sheer education you can pick up from listening to this set.

Ok, I now have to thank you Mr Wonder for helping me shift so many keyboards - without you I wouldnt be able to have my ferarri and matching jacket (like one in pic).

ABOUT THIS SET - This set details most of the great work of this artist. The Set comes in 4 CD Format or 1 DVD with a little book - telling you all about his career and what he wants to do in the future.

A quick glance at the track listings and you will see that for 75% of this music, Stevie plays all the instruments, well, ok he imitates the sounds of guitars and basses with ARP and MOOG synthesizers but the man is oozing with talent - he is a pianist, a drummer, and a saintly vocalist.

THE MUSIC - I know you want to know about the music (I bet Stockholder is getting angry - a man with a short fuse from what I read). Well this set has music for all generations of fans.

The first CD contains his hits from the 50's. They are good, not great, in fact they are weak compared to his later material. I just get the feeling that they sound very 'motown' and not classy and distinguished like his later material.

The hits include, 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered', a song released in the late 60's and other promising songs such as 'Uptight' and 'Heaven Help Us all'. Weak songs include, 'Superwoman' and 'I dont know why..'. They are musically fine, just lack the passion of his later works.

With CD 2, you just know it's gonna be good, when 'Superstition' kicks it off. The Horner Clavinet swings into action and the groove lasts 5 minutes. I remember reading an article saying when this tune was first released in 1970, the public hated it - Stevie blamed the song for being ahead of its time. It still is!

We could get away with calling this CD the ballads collection. It contains some of his most tearjerking moments. 'Visions' is a dream of utopia love, while 'All in love is fair' is amazing in portraying the vocal range of Stevie. 'To shy to say' deals with that problem we all suffer from - that inability so say I love you. The lyrics, "I want to fly away with you till theres nothing left for us to do.....I wanna be more than a friend, till the end of an endless end". Amazing CD

With CD 3 we get a 16 song smash of 70's funk. It is ver commerical. 'I wish' and 'Sir Duke' are the most musical moments, while 'All I Do' is lyrically perfect, yet sounds as though it was produced on a Casio Keyboard. I think this song starts Stevie slight decline where he let the synthesizer control him rather than he the synthesizer. The sounds are quite dull and take away from the basic beauty of this work.

And, CD 4. This is solid work. If you are in to 80s synth pop then this is your thing. With a few exceptions like 'Overjoyed' and 'For your Love' this is mostly forgettable pop garble which although catchy, has little of the depth CD 2 brough along.

I am a big Stevie Wonder fan and I love this CD. I perhaps am a little bias because of Wonder brought out a Cd of him sitting on the toilet I'd problably buy it. Wouldnt we all?

Yet I cant help but see that the person who selected these songs picked many for their catchy tunes rather than the depth that his work such as 'Loves in need of Love Today' or 'Blame it on the Sun' contains.

Still, it will still please you none the less.

Agree? Comment!