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Review
As the second of five consecutive albums which made up Stevie's classic period, Talking Book found Wonder at the top of his game, combining tight song writing with warm electronic arrangements and effervescent vocal performances.
Released in 1972 and sandwiched between the release of Music of My Mind and Innervisions, Talking Book saw the then 22 year-old Wonder enjoying more artistic freedom from Motown, taking over the production reins and playing most of the instruments himself. As a result, the sound of the album is sharply defined by Wonder's exquisite keyboard work, and his use of the Hohner clavinet model C on Superstition became widely regarded as one of the definitive tracks featuring the instrument.
Despite making the majority of Talking Book himself, the album also benefits from the talents of guest guitarists Jeff Beck, Buzzy Feton and Ray Parker, Jr who featured on Maybe Your Baby and Lookin' For Another Pure Love.
Wonder won three awards for Talking Book at the 1974 Grammys with You Are the Sunshine Of My Life winning Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Superstition picking up both Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. --David O'Donnell
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"Talking Book" was a groundbreaking album, significant on several levels; at the time of it's release it was the first album ever to make such extensive use of new technology in the Moog synthesiser, it elevated Stevie Wonder to a new status with a wider audience as a result and, arguably, it also ushered in an era where Soul music was a dominant genre.
Taken as a whole, the album showcases SW at the peak of his creative powers, and although I feel "Inner Visions" is the more complete album this runs it very close - stand out tracks are, for me the less well known ones like "Maybe Your Baby" and "I Believe" each of which hints at the turmoil in his private life at the time.
If you are a music fan and interested in influential albums then you should have this album - for Soul fans your collection is not complete without it.
Taken as a whole, the album showcases SW at the peak of his creative powers, and although I feel "Inner Visions" is the more complete album this runs it very close - stand out tracks are, for me the less well known ones like "Maybe Your Baby" and "I Believe" each of which hints at the turmoil in his private life at the time.
If you are a music fan and interested in influential albums then you should have this album - for Soul fans your collection is not complete without it.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By "brad_stone"
Format:Audio CD
As relevant and enjoyable today as it was in 1972, Stevie Wonder's 'Talking Book' is a soul classic. One part of the triplet of groundbreaking albums that were 'Talking Book', 'Innervisions' and Songs In The Key Of Life', this edition is an emotional ride as turbulent as Wonder's personal life at the time.
The album kicks off with the hit 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life', an upbeat love song with an interesting, almost tribal, use of percussion. Next comes the funk, with 'Maybe Your Baby', with baselines looping and melting over each other in a way Steveie Wonder does so well.
The album continues on its journey from chilled out track to track, until an explosion of funk in 'Superstition'. This is probably one of the best tracks the man ever wrote, and is an essential part of understanding his music, the sheer cool that seeps from the speakers almost makes them dance along with you.
The ethnic, earthly influences showing Wonders more spiritual side come across in the upbeat 'Big Brother', before you are taken to emotional depths with the painfully beautiful 'Blame It On The Sun', a heartbroken musical monologue which captures some of his most effective songwriting.
It is hard to fault this album at all, this is a real musical treat, a self assured work of genius from one of the most talented soul performers of all time.
The album kicks off with the hit 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life', an upbeat love song with an interesting, almost tribal, use of percussion. Next comes the funk, with 'Maybe Your Baby', with baselines looping and melting over each other in a way Steveie Wonder does so well.
The album continues on its journey from chilled out track to track, until an explosion of funk in 'Superstition'. This is probably one of the best tracks the man ever wrote, and is an essential part of understanding his music, the sheer cool that seeps from the speakers almost makes them dance along with you.
The ethnic, earthly influences showing Wonders more spiritual side come across in the upbeat 'Big Brother', before you are taken to emotional depths with the painfully beautiful 'Blame It On The Sun', a heartbroken musical monologue which captures some of his most effective songwriting.
It is hard to fault this album at all, this is a real musical treat, a self assured work of genius from one of the most talented soul performers of all time.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By T. Flint
Format:Audio CD
After the superb Music Of My Mind, Stevie kicks things into high gear here with Talking Book. This is one of those albums where an artist is at the top of their game and every song is great. If I was gonna skip one it would maybe be track 2 which does go on longer than it needs to, but who can argue with the quality of songs such as 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life' , 'You And I', 'Big Brother', 'Tuesday Heartbreak', 'I Believe When I Fall In Love' and of course the mighty 'Superstition'. On this album Stevie shows he can produce beautiful ballads, great funk numbers and biting social commentary. If you get this album you'll have one of the greatest rnb/funk records ever recorded. Not bad for 3 or 4 quid!. Make sure you get the 2000 remaster, better sound quality. Get it and enjoy!.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow
Heard 'I believe' on the radio, and had forgotten it was by Stevie- what a wonderful album. All great songs.
Published 5 days ago by D. M. Burke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great album
As per usual wonderful album by the great Stevie Wonder.A must for anyone who is a fan of Stevie Wonder.
Published 25 days ago by sylvia russell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unlimited talent
A superb album of tracks of differing styles and, as usual, supported by great instrumental backing tracks. As usual, an excellent Stevie Wonder album; with friends.
Published 1 month ago by jdb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Super Classic Album
One of the best albums I have owned. Had the original on Vynil when it first came out.and it's still just as good.
Published 1 month ago by Al English
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reproduction not as good as the vinyl
I bought the vinyl when it first came out which, apart from the content, was quite rightly hailed as a masterpiece of recording reproduction. Read more
Published 3 months ago by BrianB
4.0 out of 5 stars
An old classic, but still sounds fresh today!
Stevie Wonder during his most creative ( and in my opinion, best period of his career). Its hard to believe this album is now 40 years old, but it still sounds fresh and easily... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Peter Hann
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stevie's golden period
Good service. Scratched cover but CD fine. kjkjkjl kjkjkj kjkjk kjkj kjk kjkj kjk kjk kjkj kjkj kjkj kjkj jkj
Published 3 months ago by J. D. Offley
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic. Pure joy of brilliant music. And today even more so, then...
Kinda forgot all about it. And then I got the new "Talking Book", by Macy Grey. And simply loved it. So I got beck to the original, and the feeling of joy was doubled. Read more
Published 4 months ago by daniel wyszogrodzki
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty flawless
Coming back to this album just reminds one how great Stevie was during this period. From start to finish this is on the money, though "You are the sunshine" might sound just a... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Zamby
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Greats
This album features classic pop and love songs that could sound sentimental without Stevie's soulful voice and playing, plus - in Superstition - perhaps the funkiest track ever! Read more
Published 18 months ago by Brian Yates
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