January 21, 2009 Playlist

"Innervisions" by Stevie Wonder (1973)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Stevie Wonder "Innervisions"  1973 (USA)
Stevie Wonder is a prodigiously talented musician, and this 1973 album for the Motown label may be the finest "art-rock" album ever made by an American.  For the songwriting, high-tech arrangements and dramatic sequencing on Innervisions rivals those of legendary British classics such as the Beatles' Abbey Road and Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon.  This is probably Stevie's most "political" album (featuring the harrowing centerpiece "Living For The City" and the brilliant kiss-off finale "He's Misstra Know-It-All"), but at the same time his lyrics are always personal, emotional and human -- never "didactic."  It's pretty much a perfect album!
Here is Stevie's funky band playing this album's biggest hit single "Higher Ground", and here they are again busting out another classic jam, "Superstition".  Plus, here's a clip of one of my personal favorite Wonder tunes from later in the 70's: "Sir Duke".
Meanwhile, the Godfather of Soul destroys Paris: "Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved / Soul Power" (the beanpole playing bass is a very young Bootsy Collins.)
 
(N) = New Release
(R) = Listener Request
Artist Song Album Year (label) Country
Sly & The Family Stone I Want To Take You Higher Stand! 1969 USA
Curtis Mayfield Future Shock (single version) The Very Best of Curtis Mayfield (compilation)
 1973 USA
Stevie Wonder Living For The City Innervisions
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1973 USA
Stevie Wonder Golden Lady Innervisions
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1973 USA
Stevie Wonder Higher Ground Innervisions
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1973 USA
 
 
Gerald Prokop Give MN Back To Canada Exits & Obstacles (N) 2008 (Prokiev Projects) USA
Vampire Hands
 Stunning Blonde Virgin Dust American Lips (N) 2007 (Freedom From) USA
Mogwai Batcat The Hawk Is Howling (N) 2008 (Matador) UK (Scotland)
Sinkane Thick Device / Color Voice Color Voice (N) 2008 (Emergency Umbrella) Sudan
   
 
So Dang Yang Piñata Piñata EP (N) 2008 (self release) USA
Cribshitter
 Oh Yoko (John Lennon en Español) Cry A Little Rainbow (N) 2008 (Medicated G) USA
Aniv De La Rev El Dishwashero Aniv De La Rev (N) 2008 (Gouda) USA
Made In Mexico Gran Colombia Guerillaton (N) 2008 (Skin Graft) USA
Giraffe Running Infidel Castro Giraffe Running (N) 2008 (Australian Cattle God) Ireland
   
 
Richard Cranium Bury St. Edmunds Behind The Royal Exchange Richard Cranium (N) 2008 (self release) USA
Darker My Love Pale Sun 2 (N)
 2008 (Dangerbird) USA
My Federation Don't Wanna Die Don't Wanna Die (N) 2008 (Eye Industries) UK
Maus Haus Radio Dials Die Lark Marvels (N) 2008 (Pretty Blue Presents) USA
 
  
Nektar (R) Prelude
   / Astronaut's Nightmare		 Journey To The Centre Of The Eye
 1971 UK/Germany
Nektar (R) Flight To Reality
   / Unendless Imagination?		 Recycled
 1975 UK/Germany
Klaatu The Loneliest Of Creatures
   / Prelude		 Hope
 1977 Canada

  
Santana Mother Africa (Herbie Mann) Welcome 1973 Mexico/USA
Steve Lacy with Don Cherry The Mystery Song (Duke Ellington) Evidence 1961 USA
Keith Jarrett Sundance Expectations 1972 USA
Diga Rhythm Band (Mickey Hart) Razooli Diga 1976 USA
Matching Mole Marchides Little Red Record 1972 UK
 
  
The Chambers Brothers A New Time - A New Day A New Time - A New Day 1968 USA
James Brown Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved Star Time (compilation) rec. 1970 USA
          
   
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