Talking Book is considered one of Stevie Wonder’s finest moments. Along with Innervisions and Fulfillingness' First Finale, this began a trilogy of some of Stevie’s finest work. Released in 1972, this record contains a wide variety of textures and lyrics.

Songs

It takes a confident artist to start off his record with other vocalists taking the reins, but Stevie does just that here. Big hit You Are The Sunshine of My Life begins with either Lani Groves or Gloria Barley singing the female part, then session vet and jazz/R&B group Hiroshima member Jim Gilstrap coming in with a male part. Featuring Wonder’s strong keyboards, this single starts things off in a mellow groove.

Maybe Your Baby follows with a groove of its own, deep and funky. Ray Parker, Jr. of later Ghostbusters theme song fame, provides great searing toned guitar lines to spice up the jam. While the groove is great, there is a point where you should just fade it out. That should have occurred to Stevie well before the ten plus choruses of the title.

You and I (We Can Conquer the World) is one of the most romantic songs you will ever hear. My only complaint about this track is Stevie’s vocals are too far back in the mix. The accompaniment is an acoustic piano, along with keyboard effects. “I only pray that I have shown you a brighter day, it’s all that I am living for you see.” Selflessness is the key to any relationship, especially the romantic type. Stevie’s vocals truly soar.

Tuesday Heartbreak shows off another guest star, saxophonist David Sanborn, whose name is misspelled in the liner notes. This funked up rock tune will get your head bobbing. The percussion and bass drive this one along nicely. Stevie’s vocals get very funky.

You’ve Got It Bad Girl may be the most mellow, yet also the most complex composition here. The arrangement is jazzy and smooth, the keyboard line following along with the vocal melody. Stevie delivers the vocals so quietly the liner notes are a necessity in following what the song is trying to say. I’ll give you a hint; bad is not being with Stevie. Groves’ and Gilstrap’s vocals provide an excellent contrast to this song that does not contain much of a chorus save for the restatement of the title.

If a white guitar slinger from Texas can have a hit with a song composed by a black man from the Midwest, you know it has some bite to it. The Texan is Mr. Wonder’s namesake Stevie Ray Vaughan and the song is Superstition. Led Zeppelin fanatics check the start of Trampled Underfoot and tell me if there isn’t more than a passing resemblance. One of the finest lines in a popular song, “if you believe in things you don’t understand, then you suffer, superstition ain’t the way.” Tells you what you need to know about the message our Stevie is trying to get across. Guests on the trumpet and sax provide a stirring counterpoint to the heavy funk groove.

While the radio version fades out, this blends right into the stinging lyrics of Big Brother. There isn’t a much more urgent message than the following: “You’ve killed all our leaders, I don’t even have to do nothing to you, You cause your own country to fall.” A gently swirling keyboard and overlapping vocals drive this hidden treat.

Blame it on the Sun has lyrics by Stevie’s onetime wife, Syreeta Wright, who is quite the romantic. “Wish I could tell you what I am feeling, but words don’t come for me to speak.” An acoustic guitar is added to the mix, enhancing an already pretty track. Stevie tells a story of blaming everyone but himself, but his heart knows better. Once again, a stirring vocal on Stevie’s part.

Lookin’ For Another Pure Love is a jazzy R&B track. Guitar aficionados will get a surprise when they see Jeff Beck’s name in the liner notes. Beck’s jazzy fills are yet another color in Wonder’s production palette. Stevie pulls back his style a bit here, almost to a speaking style in the verses

I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever) ends this collection with another slower jam. The vocal mix at times makes the lead part hard to distinguish. I was going to pan this song but the beginning is so well done, I can recommend it with slight reservation. “God will always answer your prayers.” Nicely said, Stevie.

In Sum


With the success of the big singles Sunshine… and Superstition, Stevie Wonder hit it big. At age 22, he crafted what some consider a landmark album, fusing electronic explorations and R&B and funk. On tour that year he often opened for the Rolling Stones who occasionally came out to jam with him.

At times, the keyboards sound a little dated . The album was released in 1972 after all. A few minutes could have been cut off a couple of these songs. Not sure what they were thinking with the cover, maybe some kind of nature theme. Stevie seems to be sitting in a pile of dirt on the side of a hill.

Criticisms aside, this is a favorite of mine. Any fan of 70s music should get it for the hit singles, but when they listen a little deeper, that fan will see the vast scope of Stevie Wonder’s gifts.

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For more info check out Stevie's bio at allmusic.com

*I ran out of words starting with S


Recommended: Yes