Here’s why this album should be in your collection!
Talking Book by Stevie Wonder was released late in 1972, but scored most of its historic impact in 1973. The album earned for Wonder his first Grammy awards, and launched a string of Grammy honors spanning several years.
Wonder earned two Grammys in R&B at the 1974 Awards for “Superstition.” By that time, “You Are The Sunshine of My Life,” his other Grammy winner, was a pop standard and had inspired numerous covers.
The entire album showcases Wonder’s composing and performing skills. Check out “Tuesday Heartbreak,” “Maybe Your Baby,” and “I Believe (When I Fall In Love With You It Will Be Forever).” “You and I (We Can Conquer the World)” became a popular “wedding song,” and “You Got it Bad Girl” went on to receive excellent cover treatment from Quincy Jones.
Wonder won the Album of the Year Grammy in 1974 (Innervisions), 1975 (Fulfillingness’ First Finale), and 1977 (Songs in the Key of Life). When Paul Simon won the award in 1976, he thanked Stevie Wonder “for not releasing an album” that year.
In 2012, Macy Gray released Talking Book, a cover tribute to Wonder’s album. Consider buying them together, in CD or MP3 format. And consider buying them from a local independent record store.
Here’s an interesting fact!
Jim Gilstrap and Lani Groves, popular session artists during the 1970s, provided backing vocals on several tracks for Talking Book, including the introductions to “You Are The Sunshine of My Life.”
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