#Stevie November 4

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When you talk about Soul Music there are many names that you can claim were influential. STEVIE Wonder is my top choice.

Today I listened to what many believe is his best studio album. Songs in the Key of Life came out in 1976 and is a double album that includes 21 songs. That album came about for a number of reasons including him getting a new contract with Motown that gave him unparcelled artistic freedom. Fantastic September 28, 2016 article in Rolling Stone Magazine written by Jordan Runtagh on this album.

Songs in the Key of Life

This album took over two years to record. STEVIE’s work ethic became legendary. During those two-and-a-half years recording sessions took place in multiple studios on both coasts. According to his engineer John Fischbach over 200 songs were recorded during this time, many of them never released. Yet the songs that were included two gigantic hits Sir Duke and Isn’t She Lovely.

At the Grammy Awards in 1977 it captured Album of the Year. In 1977 is was the second best selling album in the US falling behind Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album

There are a number of songs on this album that I have heard but I had never listened to this album cover to cover and it treated me to a couple of new favorites. First there is Ngiculela – Es Una Historia – I Am Singing which is just a great tune. The second tune is As which I have heard many times and is my favorite song on the album.

Here are the songs on the album

STEVIE Wonder in the song As gives each listener some marvelous words to listen to

Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I’ll be loving you always

I found a YouTube Video of STEVIE recording As in the studio circa 1976. Herbie Hancock is in this video on a Fender Rhodes Piano

If Songs in the Key of Life don’t move you then you are locked up in a bad place. Give STEVIE a listen. He is one of our musical treasures.