from the heart
this album was recorded in the early 1970's easily Stevie's most creative period. All of the albums from this point in time are just superb, starting with Music Of My Mind, this one and Inner Visions, every one gets five stars, no boudt a doubt it. Every song a winner.

Anyone know how to cook?
Can someone please bake a pie out of this cd, it would taste so good... seriously though every song on "Talking Book" can change a bad day into a good one. I don't even know why I'm reviewing this, because "Superstition" could sell the album if you had to walk over a bed of coals to get it.

Pure magic
Stevie Wonder's TalkingBook is quite frankly one of the greatest love album ever made. I say that because there is a sincerity and humanness that is through the album. There's the sweet and lightheartedness of "You are the Sunshine of my Life", followed by the almost anger of "Maybe you're baby". The production on the latter is splendid--which makes you question the originality of a certain Hip-hop producer.

Beyond the the funkyness of "Maybe your baby" is tn subtle but stinging and almost sarcastic socio-political commentary of "Big Brother". Stevie's harsh critique of the 1984-like system is only pacified by the country-feel of the production. However, Stevie is at his best when it comes to love. Only Stevie could make heartbreak and the triumph of love sound so unbelievable.

When Stevie sang "Blame it on the Sun" which was co-written by his late wife, Syreeta, it was as if Stevie reached inside the depth of his soul and put his heart in all of its complexities. THe pain is real and it was fresh too. Stevie had just divorced Syretta by the time this record was made and so when that bridge kicks in--it really kicks. The most memorable moment on the album is the last number, the majestic "I Believe when I fall in love."

"I Believe when I fall in love" is love in all its glory from the uncertainty and its potential to transcend time. "I believe" is Shakesphere's Sonnet 116 in real terms. The arrangement especially his soaring harmonies and the overall production is breathtaking and magical. Stevie isn't talking about idealized love as if love were some unattainable dream but but as if this song is a leaving breathing testimony of love and its power.

It's very simple. Buy Talking Book, it it was on of those albums that will inspire and nourish the soul.

Stevie's musicianship is par excellence...
There's not much I can add to all the glowing reviews. It's nearly unanimous that "Talking Book " gets 5 stars as a perfect blend of funk, rock, soft-rock, soul, gospel and smooth jazz. Stevie's musicianship is par excellence. Moreover, he delivers this product of fused genres and diverse readings as an organic whole.

Suffice to say, for me, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" is one of my favorites. Like a lot of people, the song reflects how I feel about my wife and kids.

"Sunshine of My Life" has also been covered by Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Jim Nabors and Perry Como.

"Superstition" is another great track which hits a nerve into realms unknown.

A longtime and much listened to favorite
In a recent lunch conversation, the topic turned to "who's your favorite singer?" Several around the table said "oh Celine Dion" or "Beyonce has such a great voice." Came around to me.

Me: "I really love Stevie Wonder."
Other person: "Oh yeah, my dad really likes that Ribbon in the Sky song."

Jaw dropping. I'm thinking "that isn't even in the top 50 greatest Stevie Wonder songs!" But I let that conversation slide on to the merits of someone I had never heard of.

There are plenty of other reviews that will tell you what songs the reviewer thinks is great and what was going on with Stevie at the time. I'll let you sort through those. What I will suggest to you is if you have any amount of curiosity at all about this, get it and give it at least 10 listens. If you don't FEEL--and I don't mean intellectualize about what you "think" you should like or what you "should be" listening to--I mean FEEL, and respond in your heart and soul, that this is one of the best cds you've ever heard, then it looks like you can resell it at a good price here. You might lose 4 bucks and I'm sure you've gotten stuff on ITunes you couldn't sell back. So how bad could it be?

And get your heart checked, 'cause if you don't feel this, I'm not sure you have one.

If you do love it, get out your Visa. You'll also want Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life, Fulfillingness' First Finale. It's unreal to say given the quality and the short period of time these were created in, but they are ALL phenomenal. Stevie is pure joy whether he's singing a sad, funky, sweet, angry, bouncy, soulful, loving, or whatever mood he's working with song. Genre-defying. Ineffable excellence.