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List Price: $24.95 | | Publisher: Backbeat Books
Salesrank: 773149
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| Our Price: $14.97 |
| Used Price: $8.00 |
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
Stevie Wonder is a much-beloved American icon and an indisputable genius not only of soul and rhythm and blues, but popular music in general. Author Steve Lodder tells Wonder's story from a fresh musical perspective, concentrating on his most productive period, 1971-1981. After an in-depth look at Wonder's background and his early history with Motown, Lodder explores in detail the musical characteristics and influences found on the classic albums from the '70s: Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness' First Finale, and Songs in the Key of Life. Taking full advantage of the new opportunities afforded by the synthesizer technology and multi-tracking, and inspired by the lyrical depth of Marvin Gaye and Sly Stone, Wonder created a series of albums as popular as they are acclaimed.
Stevie Wonder - A Musical Guide to the Classic Albums Reviews:
Wonderous 
2007-06-05 - This marvellous book is written by Steve Lodder, who is a well established Jazz Pianist in the UK.
The book covers all aspects of Stevie Wonders career from child prodigy in the early 60's to the 21st century. However it primarily looks at the classic albums of the early to mid 70's.
Music of my Mind
Talking Book
Innervisions
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Songs in the Key of Life
These albums are analyized both musically and lyrically in great detail. In truth if you're not a musician some of this may be hard-going. Additionally separate tracks are given their place in various chapters such as Funk, Ballads etc.
Although Steve Lodder is a professional Jazz Pianist, its clear from the time and effort involved that this was a labour of love. His obvious enthusiasm for his subject, and his all round musical knowledge put this on a completely different level to the usual pop biography. So if thats what your after this is the wrong book.
If you've got the albums above already, you probably already know Stevie Wonder is much more talented than "I just called to say I love you" (for which Lodder has some harsh words). Get this book and you will understand why Lodder says at the end that "Stevie Wonder is just an extraordinary musician".
Deserving
2007-04-28 - Stevie Wonder deserves to be treated as he is here, an important classic composer. His music from the 1970s will be listened to longer than most of the music that has been produced during our life times. Ignore the author's downplaying of Secret Life of Plants and even Songs in the Key of Life. I don't know what he was thinking there, especially because his insight on Where I'm Coming From through Innervisions is usually right on. I disagree with him, however, when he seems to imply that Stevie would not have made great albums without the production of Margouleff and Cecil. With those songs and his talent, he would have made great albums no matter what. The synthesizers just wouldn't have sounded as great.
Finally, a book on Stevie for the gearheads/behind the scenes types
2006-07-10 - Excellent book. It even accounts some of the music theory behind some of Stevie's sublime compositions (chord progession, etc.). Added bonus talks in detail about some of the keyboards (I'm admitted analog synth freak), and inspirations behind some of most ground-breaking, and funky music of all times!!!! A no brainer!!! Just get it!!!!
