Customer Reviews

Innervisions [Vinyl]

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Listening to the sheer breadth of the music presented here, it's hard to believe Stevie Wonder was all of 23 when he released this masterpiece. Continuing a very fruitful collaboration with synth wizards Bob Marguleouff and Malcolm Cecil, Wonder made what is, in my opinion, his most accomplished album ever. Avoiding the artistic excesses that would threaten to topple his later works (1976's "Songs In The Key Of Life" being the most notable example), Stevie perfected his sound, production and vocal delivery on these 9 flawless numbers. "Too High" opens with a bouncing, funky bass/synth line that remains the focal point throughout this jazzy, bracing track which also features superb backing vocals by Lani Groves and Jim Gilstrap. Stevie's cymbal-accented drumming and keyboard work are also miracles unto themselves. This knockout opener segues directly into "Visions" a heartbreakingly beautiful acoustic number envisioning a perfect, "milk and honey land, where hate is a dream, and love forever stands". Sung with an almost childlike innocence, Stevie concludes each verse with the longing question "is this a vision in my mind?" Positively breathtaking. (Special Note: Before the final verse, after a brief pause in the music as the vibes and guitars fade momentarily into silence, listen as Stevie takes a deep breath before continuing the vocal passage, it almost breaks your heart.) This vision of utopia is abruptly interrupted by the looming, deep, almost ominous sounding synthesizer intro to the timeless "Living For The City" (remember Spike Lee's brilliant use of this in "Jungle Fever", and how it blew away every other song in the movie?)From the insistent, pounding rhythm of this song, Stevie's astoundingly detailed lyrics,(you can truly see all of the people he describes in this piece) to the still terrifying vision of the boy from Mississippi arriving in New York City and quickly being set up for arrest and imprisonment, this song has lost none of it's impact almost 27 years after being recorded. Stevie's vocals on this track are extremely impressive, alternating between high-pitched on the choruses to low and (literally) growling on the final verse, perfectly matching the hard and gritty reality of New York faced by the songs protagonist. Still his scariest song ever, and one of his funkiest. "Living"... gives way to the beautiful piano intro and breezy, effortless balladry of the underrated "Golden Lady". Sporting one of his loveliest melodies ever, this song closes side one on a romantic, hopeful note with Stevie repeating the chorus several times into the fade, letting the euphoric feeling wash over the listener. Side Two opens with the outstanding, one man band effort "Higher Ground" Everything Stevie does well is presented here, searing vocals, social commentary in the lyrics, driving drums, funky bass and even funkier clavinet, this was the album's biggest radio hit and still gets your head nodding to the bounding rhythm everytime. Witness his vocal whoooo! after the last chorus and you can tell he knows this one is a smoker too! Fading directly into "Jesus Children of America" another bass synth heavy mid-tempo number that touches on quite a few topics lyrically, from the homeless, religion, trancendental meditation, and drug use that sounds like a warning signal to each of us to awaken from our spiritual and moral complacency. "Al In Love Is Fair" follows and slowly works it's way into your subconcious, with it's simple, straightforward arrangement and passionate vocal delivery, another perfect song on an album chock-full of creativity. The somber mood is lifted immediately by the playful piano figure and playful foreign language come-on at the intro to "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing". The Latin-flavored arrangement and percussive textures make this another ear pleaser. Stevie's double-tracked vocals on the bridge are also spine tingling, you simply can't resist smiling when you hear him harmonize with himself! The largely acoustic "He's Misstra Know It All" closes out the proceedings on a relaxed yet uplifting note with the background repeating the smooth chorus over and over as the tunes drifts along on a bed of piano, laid back bass and drums bringing the track to it's gospel-tinged crescendo. A perfect close to a perfect album. R&B, pop, rock or whatever you choose to call it, this album has stood, and will continue to stand the test of time. This is indispensible and belongs in any comprehensive music collection.

Growing up my musical interest was primarily classic rock and classical. In college I finally started endeavoring to understand jazz. Now I have favorites from about every stlye out there. Inexplicably, "Innervisions" didn't make it into my collection until a couple of months ago and I must say I've been missing out. Sure I was familiar with Stevie Wonder, but the album quickly rose to being ranked among my personal favorites and comparable to albums like "Abbey Road" and "Dark Side of the Moon" as genre-transcendent masterpieces. "Innversions" perhaps even more than the aforementioned titles is an absolute amalgam of genres and styles, seamlessly blended. From the funky standards "Higher Ground" and "Living for the City" to the gorgeous ballads "Visions" and "All in Love is Fair" Stevie doesn't pen a single dud. My personal favorite would probably have to be the album-closing "He's Missta Know-it-all". A song that confounds with its sentimental story of a fairly despicable character. The kicker is the excellent remastering on this disc. I never owned the original and can't compare, but have to say this is one of the best sounding, clearest, and deepest CDs out of my collection of more than 800. On top of that it is a limited edition offering. So what are you waiting for? This is an album that can truly appeal to just about any music fan. Even pretentious indie-rock types can't say anything negative. Truly a timeless masterpiece.

Why they made five stars.

Stevie's best work to that time. Wonderful storytelling, in "Living For The City". Inspiration in "Higher Ground" and especially "Jesus Children of America". Love songs (of course) in "All In Love Is Fair". The reproduction on this disc is positively stunning. After not listening to this for more than a decade, the CD knocked me out.

Eddie Murphy was correct: STEVIE WONDER IS A MUSICAL GENIUS

Stevie Wonder is terrific and this is a terrific album. Everything here is perfect, from fast 'n funky ("Higher Ground") to pointedly outspoken ("Living For The City," "He's Misstra Know It All") to ballads that break your heart ("All In Love Is Fair," "Visions"). He moves through so much music in the space of a little under 40 minutes....and not one dog in the bunch. Wonder has made scads of incredible albums, but INNERVISIONS is first among equals.

What can I say that no one else has.This album is a bona fide masterpiece.Like a diamond ,it's flawless and has a hard edge.Every song is like a different,yet unique facet.Whereas Talking Book explored Stevie inner emotion,Innervisions looks at the social ills on many songs.From drug usage(Too High),inner city strife(Living For The City)judgement(Jesus Children..)to redemption(Higher Ground)utopia(Visions) the songs and production meld perfectly.Stevie also sings of love awry(All in Love is Fair)that's a perfect postscript to Talking Book,as well as have a bit of fun(Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing).This would be Stevie's last album of this caliber,whereas his post-accident album explored spiritual matters(Fulfillingness First Finale),then onto genius overkill(Songs in The Key Of Life).Stevie's music may have only fleeting brilliance nowadays,but Innervisions is where we're reminded of it at full bloom.

Innervisions is one of Stevie Wonder's greatest albums ever. I wouldn't go as far as saying that it's his best, period - I prefer Songs in the Key of Life. But it's definitely the best standard-length introduction to Stevie I can think of.
It's also the closest to "concept album" Stevie's ever come. Many of these songs center on major social issues, both of the time and now. Of the many protests, the best by far is the powerful "Livin' for the City", a funk classic with a staunch viewpoint on poverty and race relations. Another one I love is "Too High", a drug protest that ironically is slightly druggy in itself, what with the hazy vocals and layered harmonicas and all. "Hello Jesus' Children of America" retains this slow, ominous vibe, protesting religious hypocrisy here. And speaking of hypocrisy, "He's Misstra Know-It-All" is a wonderful piano-based jab against famed liar Richard Nixon. "Visions" is another protest, and while it's the weakest on the album, it sure is pretty. And Stevie really delivers vocally during the climactic last verse. I don't know to call "Higher Ground" a protest or not, but such classifications are meaningless when it comes to a classic song such as that. I assume you're familiar with it. It's the one with the quirky synth introduction and the lyrics about reincarnation. It rules. The Red Hot Chili Peppers did a great cover of it, with Flea playing the synth introduction on his bass, but you can't beat the original.
On the other hand, there are the love songs. "All in Love is Fair" may not seem like much at first, until you pay attention to Stevie's vocals and the clever lyrics. Then you should realize how good it is. The gorgeous acoustic love letter "Golden Lady" is actually my favorite from the album, thanks to a beautiful organ solo and a great sense of anticipation. And "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" is lots of fun.
Every word you've heard about this album is more or less true. Definitely buy it if you don't have it already.

Quite simply the best soul album of all time! Very rarely in music will you find an artist so brilliantly in touch with his musical self that every listener can appreciate his musical statement, and feel it personally relate to their lives. This is an album you MUST have. Please, regardless of your musical taste listen to these beautifully arranged Ballads, Funk Jams, Latin jams, etc,. Stevie's grasp on virtually every instrument and personal expression is unsurpassed. (* Note Stevie played ALL of the instruments on this album)If you love music you owe it to yourself to buy this album you will NOT regret it!!!

A logical progression from the his commercial breakthrough (under his revised Motown contract) "Talking Book", Stevie Wonder again combines his ingeneous production and arranging skills with masterful writing to produce one os his most popular albums.

The hours alone in the studio with synth wizards Bob Margeloef and Malcom Cecil paid dividends in creating a mix that was simultaneously progressive and accesible, ranging from the groove-oriented ("Golden Lady", "Too High", and "Jesus Children of America") to (by now compulsary) ballads ("Visions", "All is Fair In Love") plus surprises such "Higher Ground", bolstered by Wonder's rolling layers of Mutron-flavoured Clavinet in the vain of "Superstition", to the psuedo-latin "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing". Although he brings along a few backing singers, percussionists and guitarists, it is Wonder's heartfelt performances and his use of the technology of the day that give life to his compositions.

Wonder fell slightly under par with this LP's follow up, "Fullfillingness' First Finale", before going on to complete his most celebrated work, the double album (4 LP) "Songs In The Key Of Life". I however believe that it was "Innervisions" that witnessed Wonder's creative peak, perhaps the double album that stretched his ideas too far.

This album is actually one of the greatest of all time. Stevie Wonder created a masterpiece with 'Innervisions'. This album is one you can listen to all the way through- there are no filler songs on this one. All of the songs have meaning, rhythm, groove and life.

"Too High" tackles the problem of drug use, while "All In Love Is Fair", deals with the subject of heartbreak, and "He's Misstra Know-It-All"... loud talkers and schemers. "Jesus Children of America" is a groovy joint, with a beautiful message- Jesus loves you, get to know Him, and be honest with Him. "Visions" is a beautiful piece, which talks about looking at things beyond what the eye can see, but by the way the mind sees things; a real mind excursion. Listening to this one makes you wonder if Stevie sees things clearer than we do.

My all time favorites on this one are, "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" (which has a salsa flare, and a message about people with hang-ups, trying to be things that they're not), and "Golden Lady" (a song which is designed to make any woman feel special, and puts you in a mellow mood). "Living For The City", and "Higher Ground" are the most powerful songs on this disk, but "Living For The City" contains that famous line, "Wow...New York City, just the way I pictured it; skyscrapa's and ev'rythang"! What a classic!

This is a music lover's dream. A disk with melodies, good lyrics, and full of real life. Stevie Wonder is an inspiration to all those who hear his message, and will continue to be until the end of time.

Genre transcendent, this has to be among the best works of art ever. Time transcendent, this work awakens the spirit of every great composer past, present and future.