Music of My Mind [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Stevie Wonder | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1972
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B00004S367
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,700 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Stevie Wonder was getting his fusion of soul, rock, and various other styles together when Music of My Mind appeared in early 1972. A bit shapeless compared with Talking Book, the masterpiece he'd release by the end of the year, this disc nonetheless finds the then-21-year-old self-assuredly deploying an array of synthesized textures and natural voices: check out the drawl lurking around the edges of "Sweet Little Girl." Not an essential album, but an entertaining one--and one that, in retrospect, carried enormous implications for the future of American music. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to find the words, April 18, 2008

By 

Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music of My Mind (Audio CD)

It doesn't happen very often but there are some albums I listen to that leave me at a loss for words. I struggle for ages to find the appropriate words to use to describe them in a review and in the end, I often just give up.

This gem from 1972; the first of five albums widely hailed as Wonder's "classic period", is a typical example. (Wonder's 1974 album, Fulfillingness' First Finale was another. I did attempt a review some time ago and ended up babbling for a scant few lines about how listening to it was like being like a "spiritual journey". Sometimes I feel like going back and deleting the review but it's an accurate reflection of how I felt about it, so I leave it be).

And in case anyone is wondering, the other three albums from the period are Talking Book, Innervisions and, of course, Songs in the Key of Life.

"Superwoman" was the popular single from this set, the song most folks remember and the one so many people have covered but people unfamiliar with the album might be surprised to learn that the song is by no means the best thing on offer here. This is only my personal opinion but the incredibly funky tunes "Love Having You Around" & "I Love Every Little Thing About You" and the mid-tempo "Sweet Little Girl" (with it's awesome, mellow, nice & easy refrain) and the ballads "Happier Than The Morning Sun" & "Seems So Long" are much more memorable, much more soulful and much more satisfying.

Produced by the man himself and largely written by him too (he wrote a few with Syreeta Wright, although the CD inner-sleeve notes credit her as "Y. Wright"), the work is described as "virtually the work of one man". Buzzy Feiton plays a guitar solo on "Superwoman" and Art Baron a trombone solo on "Love Having You Around" but every other single instrument is performed by Wonder himself. Including the vocoder, a device Wonder was using way before Herbie Hancock or Roger Troutman (although never to modify or enhance his lead vocal) and a device that seems to be back in vogue these days. "The sounds themselves come from inside his mind," state the inner-sleeve notes. It's entirely possible he performed all the backing vocals as well. Listening to the album, it's very hard to believe (especially listening to the upbeat "Keep On Running", the other single from the album) but no backing singers are credited so, unless someone knows different..?

If you love Stevie, if you love soul or if you just love good, real music, then you either have this already or you need to check it out.

(Phew! Well, I guess I managed to find the words in the end, eh?)

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stevie, The Wonder!, March 9, 2005

By 

Samhot (Star Land) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music of My Mind (Audio CD)

Stevie Wonder has been called a genius for many years now, and I seriously find it hard to disagree with this. The man is simply amazing, and his talent is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Brilliant songwriter, lyricist, musician and person in general, he deserves every single accolade he receives, and then some.

On this early-1972 effort, Stevie is pretty much a one-man band (as said in the liner notes): with the exception of a guitar solo in one track, and a trombone solo in another track, Stevie plays *all* of the instruments; drums, clavinet, bass, organ, piano, harmonica, clavichord, synthesizers -- he does it all, and what's also astonishing is how adept he is at assembling these instruments to create works so beautiful, moving and captivating. Oh, and he also does most of the producing as well.

Some of my favorites from this album:

"Love Having You Around" is a song possibly written for Stevie's wife at the time. A steady groove is punctuated by various synthesizer textures and vocal effects which lead to a triumphant (although brief) chorus. The track is over seven minutes long, but it never drags, and seems like it ends all too quickly, since it's as engrossing as it is.

"Superwoman" is pretty much divided into two distinct halves. The first half is comprised of the most beautiful, intimate R&B to be heard. The brilliant jazzy chords and progressions maximize the dreamy, floating feel, and Stevie's breathy vocals are the guide to this ethereal, yet earthy masterpiece; it's the equivalent of a reflective Summer day, with a cool, gentle breeze for good measure. Almost equal to that of the dreamy artwork. The second half is a post-psychedelic, trippy, yet atmospheric smorgasbord of synthesizer-drenched chords, impassioned vocals and some guitar solos. Excellent stuff, here.

"Sweet Little Girl" is one of Stevie's pleasantly goofy character impersonation-filled tracks. On the verses, Stevie sings in his natural, beautiful voice, which is backed by a funky soundscape of the clavinet, bass, drums, and some harmonica. Then, on the chorus (if it's technically a chorus), the tempo changes, and he goes into this goofy, drawl-filled dialogue about how his girl treats him bad. It's hilarious as all hell.

"Happier Than The Morning Sun" is Stevie on the clavinet (or the clavichord, or synthesizer), and produces a song which is almost Paul McCartneyesque in it's melodicism. A beautiful song, and Stevie's vocals are sweet and pleasantly sugary. The keys that Stevie is using seems to mimic arpeggiated guitar chords.

"Keep On Running" is jittery, rapid-fire funk, and in some ways, it's ominous; as if we feel and sense that something in the shadows is about to jump out and grab us, as the lyrics suggest. The pulsating rhythm which embeds the melody is utterly foreboding, and Stevie's vocals sound slightly hazy, but not lacking the passion that is always present. But, in the least, this fast thing will get that old rump of yours shaking.

"Evil" is the most heart-wrenching track on the album. It's one of the earliest examples in regard to Stevie's socially-conscious musings; here, he talks about the evils of life (e.g. hatred, poverty.) It's a dramatic track, in which things start off low-key, only to escalate in atmosphere and dynamics as time progresses. The keys and synthesizers plow along, eventually reaching powerful orchestral crescendos and choir-like effects, and all along, Stevie's vocals get more intense, dramatic and emotive. All of this breaks me down everytime I hear the track; the passion in the guy's voice, alone, is enough to send one to tears.

There really isn't much more that I can say. Stevie's a genius, and his music is recommended to anyone who is willing to be moved by greatness, regardless of musical preference. You will probably want to own this, and everything up to 1976's _Songs In The Key of Life_, as it represents the best of Stevie Wonder. This album in particular will hold a special place in the hearts of many, due to it's unique, intimate charm.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Beginning Of An Unprecedented Winning Streak, November 18, 2000

By 

Michael Topper (Pacific Palisades, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music of My Mind (Audio CD)

Like most of the fan reviewers on this site, I believe that "Music Of My Mind" is among the most underrated of all Wonder's albums; although generally conceded by most as a good release and the beginning of his classic period, it is always considered minor when compared to what came after. However, not only is "Music Of My Mind" equally as strong as "Talking Book" and "Innervisions", it is superior to the bloated "Songs In The Key Of Life" and sounds fresher than any of the above thanks to its underplayed status. The album begins with the innovative keyboard funk of "Love Having You Around" and then moves right into the epic "Superwoman", one of the most touching and emotionally complex songs in Wonder's repertoire; his use of synthesizers in the second half is disarmingly graceful. The album then coasts from there: tracks like "Happier Than The Morning Sun" and "Girl Blue" utilize unusual keyboard arrangements and low-key vocals to project an aura of understated pleasure which manages to get under one's skin with ease. "Keep On Running" is another epic, which consistently builds its tension before streaking to an incredibly hot finish, which moves right into "Evil", one of the most appropriate closing numbers on any of Wonder's albums. The album is unified in theme and feel, more than a bit influenced by "Rubber Soul", and there is not a single weak track to be found. Instead of the politically-conscious Stevie found on his next few (brilliant) releases, "Music Of My Mind" seems to come straight from his own soul, and avoids all of the soppy sentimentality and attempts at grandiose statement that mars his more recent work. If you're a Wonder fan, this one is a must, and if you are just getting into him, this is also one of the first you should purchase.