Member:
daddysangbassdude
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by daddysangbassdude)
Date:
10/24/2003
Format:
CD (Album)
Songs In The Key Of Life was Stevie Wonder’s magnum opus, a collection of 21 songs that - when they first came out on vinyl - took up two LP records plus a 33 1/3 rpm EP recording about the size of a 45 rpm record.
He followed this album up with another two-record set that was widely pooh-poohed (Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants) and ignored by critics and fans, and his next ‘more-focused’ and lyrical studio recording after that (Hotter Than July) had its moments of sheer brilliance. But this would be the last album to take such a strong stance on - and broad examination of - love, life in general, and the troubles we all must face sooner or later in how we relate to each other and the self-examination we can all go through in our lives.
This was indeed a potpourri of songs in the key of life, whether they were celebratory (“Sir Duke”, “I Wish”, “Isn’t She Lovely”, “Ebony Eyes”), spiritual (“Have A Talk With God”) or just simply lovely (“Knocks Me Off My Feet”, “Joy Inside My Tears”, “If It’s Magic”). There was also some ferocious fusion going on with the instrumental bit “Contusion”, featuring some blistering guitar work from Michael Sembello, the man responsible for driving many of us crazy in the ‘80s with the song “Maniac” from the Flashdance soundtrack.
And then there were the harsher looks at life. If one ever hears their relatively well-provided-for children complaining about their hardships in life, all one has to do is play for them the song “Village Ghetto Land” and tell them to focus on the lyrics.
”Families buying dog food now
Starvation roams the streets
Babies die before they’re born
Infected by the grief”
Stevie’s written some heartbreaking songs in his career, and “Village Ghetto Land” just might be unbeatable in its far-reaching grip on our hearts and minds. It’s all wrapped around lush string sounds coming from Stevie’s keyboard that makes it a modern classical piece.
Another song definitely worth focusing complete attention upon is “Pastime Paradise”, and its message of bleakness among those desperately hoping for better days they might never see in this world, yet there’s still a final message of hope lying underneath.
”Black Man” was also a crowning achievement on this album, giving an exhaustive history of the role people of all colors have played in the building up of America - all coming in America’s Bicentennial year.
Stevie continues to write outstanding music that touches millions worldwide. But from 1972-76, he was a man with infinitely unique vision - truly unique INNER vision. And he knew how to reach into our souls and make us see that same vision - no, not just see it, but FEEL it as well.
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