What I feel is important to point out is that this was the last of the great albums with the TONTO crew. Songs is considered to be the end of the classic era but the engineering changed and for many it just wasn't the same as the previous four - why?
Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil RIP who I was sad that you've not mentioned. Fulfillingness was the 4th and last soulful masterpiece made with them. Each song was very skillfully edited and masterfully transitions into the next, exploring rich harmonies and emotive vocals with superb results. It blends genres seamlessly whilst transcending categorisation and contemplates love, socio-political themes and spirituality so gently at times, that the biting messages of some songs eluded listeners if they weren’t paying close attention.
Hi Elle, thanks for reading and the comment. I always appreciate perspectives like this, especially because I can never get to everything in my anniversary posts. I always end up with about double the word count I need, and sometimes it takes a while to cut everything down. This was one of those times lol.
Nice highlight of a fantastic album, Matt! 'Innervisions' is probably my favorite of the bunch, but man, as you rightfully point out, you can’t go wrong with Talking Book, Music of My Mind, Innervisions, Songs, and Fulfillingness!
I hope to one day have the chance to see Stevie in concert. Dream gig: Stevie at Red Rocks!
Thanks Michael! I was incredibly lucky to see him live about 10 years ago on his SITKOL tour. He was outsinging the other vocalists half his age (at least) and was such a joy to watch. Unforgettable.
I had all of them Songs in the Key of Life (original pressing) and Talking Book (re-issue) on vinyl. When we moved it came down to space and I sold the better portion of my collection. This is the CD I kept of course for all the reasons stated above and the fabulous harmonica on tracks Creepin' and Reggae Woman. Still have Fingertips Part 2 on a comp. I've always wanted to be a devotee of his harp style but never really got too close but hope to in the near future. I believe in cherishing record collections be it in digital form or otherwise. With ownership comes love a deeper love than any streaming service can ever offer no matter the price or lack thereof. Curate your playlist and you'll find yourself going backward in time when every LP release was eagerly awaited, and you saved your pennies for that next piece of wax. Then as the years go by there're the ones that you keep in heavy rotation, used to be called desert island discs. Matt you are helping bring back that mentality. It is appreciated. Inner Visions was a breakthrough record too and all the seminal stuff before and after. I believe when I fall in love this time it will be forever... (Talking Book ending harmony ever, ever, eeeever...) I did and he lived nearby in NJ always felt Stevie since I was small. A doorway was opened, and I walked through it many times. Inspiration at the highest level but it made me feel I could accomplish something too. I saw Stevie at Madison Sqaure Garden scalped a $10 ticket outside it wasn't filled he never got that high up maybe because his demographic was so wide and inclusive. He brought Michael Jackson out for a long encore set right before his meteoric rise but after he was already a one name artist. It was a most special musical moment when an arena became a solidified congregation, and we all were truly one people fully fulfilled and hanging on every note.
Steve, my goodness, thanks so much for the great anecdotes regarding your Stevie fandom (I'm right there with you RE: career appreciation). I can confirm that seeing him live was an absolutely transcendent experience. You felt you were in the presence of greatness. This idea gets tossed around a lot these days, but to be in it emotionally, what a feeling. Cheers!
Matt, this review of Fulfillingness’ First Finale is simply brilliant! Your in-depth analysis of Stevie Wonder's album perfectly highlights its introspective nature and emotional depth. The exploration of tracks like Too Shy to Say and You Haven’t Done Nothin’ offers fresh insights. Your appreciation for Wonder's spiritual themes and star-studded collaborations is spot on.
This is one of my favourite albums of all time. Stevie’s classic period is just incredible. I will never get tired of spinning this record. It most definitely showcases him at his best.
Can I just add a request: is it possible to also provide a link to Qobuz on your album image? My recent article on switching to that platform from Spotify revealed that many others are also on there...
Thank you so much for this. I decided to start my MOnday morning by reading the latest in my Substack Inbox, and this confirms why it's a better choice than the daily papers! I will absolutely listen to this album today. I somewhat regret that I did got give Stevie more attention during this golden period but the beauty of the world we live in right now is that so much great music has proved its longevity and we have the facility to go hear it. And any album where Minnie Ripperton AND Sergio Mendes sign up for background duty... Yeah!
Thanks Tony, for reading and commenting! :) Stevie’s music will absolutely live on and garner new fans and appreciation in another 50 years. I have no doubt. Also, regarding your Qobuz question, Songwhip pages are automatically generated by the site, I don’t build any of those link trees myself. However, I will look into this and see if there’s a solution. Cheers!
Thanks Matt, yes we are often at the mercy of other entities but here is hoping... I did listen yesterday to the album and my day was better for doing so.
What I feel is important to point out is that this was the last of the great albums with the TONTO crew. Songs is considered to be the end of the classic era but the engineering changed and for many it just wasn't the same as the previous four - why?
Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil RIP who I was sad that you've not mentioned. Fulfillingness was the 4th and last soulful masterpiece made with them. Each song was very skillfully edited and masterfully transitions into the next, exploring rich harmonies and emotive vocals with superb results. It blends genres seamlessly whilst transcending categorisation and contemplates love, socio-political themes and spirituality so gently at times, that the biting messages of some songs eluded listeners if they weren’t paying close attention.
Hi Elle, thanks for reading and the comment. I always appreciate perspectives like this, especially because I can never get to everything in my anniversary posts. I always end up with about double the word count I need, and sometimes it takes a while to cut everything down. This was one of those times lol.
This man never wrote or recorded a bad song in his LIFE!
That number is defs slim to none.
Nice highlight of a fantastic album, Matt! 'Innervisions' is probably my favorite of the bunch, but man, as you rightfully point out, you can’t go wrong with Talking Book, Music of My Mind, Innervisions, Songs, and Fulfillingness!
I hope to one day have the chance to see Stevie in concert. Dream gig: Stevie at Red Rocks!
Thanks Michael! I was incredibly lucky to see him live about 10 years ago on his SITKOL tour. He was outsinging the other vocalists half his age (at least) and was such a joy to watch. Unforgettable.
I had all of them Songs in the Key of Life (original pressing) and Talking Book (re-issue) on vinyl. When we moved it came down to space and I sold the better portion of my collection. This is the CD I kept of course for all the reasons stated above and the fabulous harmonica on tracks Creepin' and Reggae Woman. Still have Fingertips Part 2 on a comp. I've always wanted to be a devotee of his harp style but never really got too close but hope to in the near future. I believe in cherishing record collections be it in digital form or otherwise. With ownership comes love a deeper love than any streaming service can ever offer no matter the price or lack thereof. Curate your playlist and you'll find yourself going backward in time when every LP release was eagerly awaited, and you saved your pennies for that next piece of wax. Then as the years go by there're the ones that you keep in heavy rotation, used to be called desert island discs. Matt you are helping bring back that mentality. It is appreciated. Inner Visions was a breakthrough record too and all the seminal stuff before and after. I believe when I fall in love this time it will be forever... (Talking Book ending harmony ever, ever, eeeever...) I did and he lived nearby in NJ always felt Stevie since I was small. A doorway was opened, and I walked through it many times. Inspiration at the highest level but it made me feel I could accomplish something too. I saw Stevie at Madison Sqaure Garden scalped a $10 ticket outside it wasn't filled he never got that high up maybe because his demographic was so wide and inclusive. He brought Michael Jackson out for a long encore set right before his meteoric rise but after he was already a one name artist. It was a most special musical moment when an arena became a solidified congregation, and we all were truly one people fully fulfilled and hanging on every note.
Steve, my goodness, thanks so much for the great anecdotes regarding your Stevie fandom (I'm right there with you RE: career appreciation). I can confirm that seeing him live was an absolutely transcendent experience. You felt you were in the presence of greatness. This idea gets tossed around a lot these days, but to be in it emotionally, what a feeling. Cheers!
Matt, this review of Fulfillingness’ First Finale is simply brilliant! Your in-depth analysis of Stevie Wonder's album perfectly highlights its introspective nature and emotional depth. The exploration of tracks like Too Shy to Say and You Haven’t Done Nothin’ offers fresh insights. Your appreciation for Wonder's spiritual themes and star-studded collaborations is spot on.
Jon, thanks so much for the kind words and for checking out this post. All the best!
This is one of my favourite albums of all time. Stevie’s classic period is just incredible. I will never get tired of spinning this record. It most definitely showcases him at his best.
Thanks for reading and commenting Andres! It’s aged like the finest of wines, that’s for sure. Cheers :)
Can I just add a request: is it possible to also provide a link to Qobuz on your album image? My recent article on switching to that platform from Spotify revealed that many others are also on there...
Thank you so much for this. I decided to start my MOnday morning by reading the latest in my Substack Inbox, and this confirms why it's a better choice than the daily papers! I will absolutely listen to this album today. I somewhat regret that I did got give Stevie more attention during this golden period but the beauty of the world we live in right now is that so much great music has proved its longevity and we have the facility to go hear it. And any album where Minnie Ripperton AND Sergio Mendes sign up for background duty... Yeah!
Thanks Tony, for reading and commenting! :) Stevie’s music will absolutely live on and garner new fans and appreciation in another 50 years. I have no doubt. Also, regarding your Qobuz question, Songwhip pages are automatically generated by the site, I don’t build any of those link trees myself. However, I will look into this and see if there’s a solution. Cheers!
Thanks Matt, yes we are often at the mercy of other entities but here is hoping... I did listen yesterday to the album and my day was better for doing so.