It's a world unto itself. A world of possibilities, of ideas, of dreams and of intimations. It's a world of music, and at times it's a better world than ours. Songs In The Key Of Life is Stevie Wonder's genius in full bloom and on display, in all its ambition and single-mindedness and multifaceted exuberance. Despite the fact that it's absolutely sprawling (in the days of vinyl, it was spread across two full-length LPs and a bonus EP), it has a kind of unity and internal logic that's so strong that even the record's weaker songs seem absolutely necessary. The best songs, meanwhile, are just plain incredible. "I Wish" is a rattled funk monster, and "Village Ghetto Land" is a bitterly ironic piece of social commentary. "Sir Duke" is an ecstatic tribute to Mr. Ellington, and "Contusion" is a ripping slab of jazzy prog-funk. And then you've got the stark, spooky melodicism of "Summer Soft," and the rapturous "Joy Inside My Tears." "Have A Talk With God" expresses personal faith without being preachy, and "Knocks Me Off Of My Feet" professes helpless love without sounding corny. What else? Well, there's "Isn't She Lovely," which is jut fantastic (even though it could stand to be a couple of minutes shorter). And then there's that flawlessly cosmic paean to universal love, "As." And a lot of other great stuff. Like "Black Man." And "Ordinary Pain." And "Saturn." And... oh, just buy the darned thing already!
June 5, 2008Love this cd. Remember hearing it when I was a kid. Although the release is older than I am. The seller delivered the cd on time and I will purchase from seller in hthe future.
May 15, 2008 |  | a definitive set of compositions |  |
Stevie Wonder helps listeners crown him the great American songwriter of post-WWII with "Key of Life." This set of music is a perfect combination of sensitive, meaningful lyrics, memorable melodies, exquisite sound production, and incredible musicianship. (Add in great guest spots from players like Herbie Hancock and George Benson, too.) Certainly we hear great soul music throughout, but the ballads - Love's in Need, I Am Singing, If It's Magic, just to name three - lead this listener to declare Stevie Wonder deserving of recognition for ages and generations to come as one of the greatest American songwriters of all time!
April 14, 2008This album is a master piece! If you are A Stevie Wonder fan and you don't have this CD you're missing out on a true piece of American music history. This is one of the best Albums ever produced.
April 8, 2008This CD is probably the best Stevie Wonder has ever made. I remember when it came out and I knew that Stevie was destined to be great forever. I hoped that he would progress from here but I think this CD remains his best work ever. I still think there is more that Stevie Wonder has to give the world in terms of music. I think he can be one of the greatest composers of our time--right up there with Aaron Copeland and Leonard Bernstein.
April 5, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
