Talking Book

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
The two No. 1 hits from this 1972 album perfectly illustrate the contrasting sides of Wonder's complex personality. "Superstition" is a strong rocker, a paranoid bit of wah-wah guitar funk that's as persistent as the best punk music; the opening track, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," is a pure love song that would sound corny coming from any other voice. A hint of bitterness, perhaps owing to Wonder's then-dissolving marriage, gives Talking Book its edge. But overall it's obsessed with love, and while "Sunshine" is still one of the singer/keyboardist's most beloved songs, the closing "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" is much deeper and more rewarding. --Steve Knopper

Talking Book,Stevie Wonder,Motown / Pgd,Pop,R&B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

Talking Book

Tracks:

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Maybe Your Baby
You And I
Tuesday Heartbreak
You've Got It Bad Girl
Superstition
Big Brother
Blame It On The Sun
Lookin' For Another Pure Love
I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)

Amazon.com essential recording

The two No. 1 hits from this 1972 album perfectly illustrate the contrasting sides of Wonder's complex personality. "Superstition" is a strong rocker, a paranoid bit of wah-wah guitar funk that's as persistent as the best punk music; the opening track, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," is a pure love song that would sound corny coming from any other voice. A hint of bitterness, perhaps owing to Wonder's then-dissolving marriage, gives Talking Book its edge. But overall it's obsessed with love, and while "Sunshine" is still one of the singer/keyboardist's most beloved songs, the closing "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" is much deeper and more rewarding. --Steve Knopper

Customer Reviews:

Stevie Wonder's Greatest Album........2007-04-18

Stevie Wonder released many classic albums in the 1970's including "Innervisions", "Fulfilingness First Finale" and the epic "Songs In the Key Of Life". However, in this reviewers opinion, his late 1972 classic "Talking Book" is still Stevie's best overall album.
Like "Music Of My Mind" before it, "Talking Book" finds Stevie Wonder in complete control by writing, producing and performing most of the music himself. His natural songwriting talents combined with the latest technology and his unmistakable vocals make for what is undoubtedly a timeless classic.
Many of the tracks on "Talking Book" have become standards since their initial release including the wonderful "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life", "Tuesday Heartbreak", "Blame It On The Sun", "You've Got It Bad Girl" and the driving funk of "Superstition". Elsewhere are stellar moments such as the hard rock of the jamming "Maybe Your Baby", the folkish "Big Brother", the beautifully orchestrated piano ballad "You and I" and the dynamic spiritual closer "I Believe".
Indeed, all 10 tracks that make up "Talking Book" are some of the best music Stevie Wonder has ever made. This isn't just an album to be listened to in sections, it needs to be played from beginning to end. As mentioned above, Stevie has made albums that have equalled "Talking Book", however this album has an extra little added kick that brings it above the others.
Although I've been familiar with the "Talking Book" album since I was born, I'm very happy to say that I finally own this album all these years later.

A Classic - For Anyone's "Greatest of All Time" Collection.......2007-02-19

This album should be in any serious collection of 20th Century music. One of the best of its genre. Just as fun to listen to now as when it came out decades ago.

A Simply Marvelous Recording.......2006-12-14

In one of the greatest albums recorded, Stevie Wonder writes timeless music with a classic blend of r&b, blues, gospel and jazz.

Though the lyrics may be biting at times, You Are The Sunshine Of My Life is a pop classic. And the grappling with the beauty and desperation of love culminates with the last song, I Believe, that evolves from a wonderful gospel rendition into cutting blues.

Superstition is one bad piece of music and the political awareness in Big Brother is unfortunately timeless, especially for urban residents. Blame It On The Sun has Wonder fully utilizing soft textures on the synthesizer, ultimately showing how technology can work with - and not dominate - other instruments.

Released in November 1972 - the outstanding Music of My Mind was released earlier in the year - Talking Book proved without a doubt that Wonder's ability as a composer/producer/musician had reached iconic status at the age of 22.

Proves my point............2006-12-14

This album solidifies why I honestly think Stevie Wonder is the greatest solo recording artist in history. There is not a single bad song on here and is thus far my favorite Stevie Wonder album. Slow ballads like "You & I" and "I Believe". The funk classic "Superstition" AM Gold classic "You are the Sunshine of My Life", and some more that are really great songs are all on here. BUY THIS ALBUM. This is up there w/ "Dark Side of the Moon", "Thriller", "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", or Stevie's very on "Innervisions"

Stevie is amazing........2006-11-29

Prior to purchasing this CD, I was only familiar with some of Stevie's hits, which I heard on the radio, and "the definitive collection" cd which I purchased before seeing him in concert. That being said, I loved everything I had heard of his thus far.

Let me tell you, now this CD just stands out as one of the greatest all times for me. Besides the classics "You Are The Sunshine of My Life" and "Superstition," every song on this CD is great, although I am personally less fond of "Looking for Another Pure Love." "You and I" is another great Stevie Wonder ballad, and he shows off his amazing vocal technique yet again with the final chorus. My favorite song on this CD though is probably "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)." I actually read the lyrics to this track before I had heard it, and the optimism that the song expresses about new love mixed with it's dark melody really touched me.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone and everyone.

Average customer rating:

The Story of Life
The Album every soul artist would like to have made !!!!
Smoothjazz.com Review

Chasing The Green
Talking Book
Manufacturer: Third Angels Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

He Had a Hat
Ladies' Choice
Born 2 Groove
Doc Powell
True

ASIN: B000J4S46E
Release Date: 2006-09-20

Tracks:

Story Of Life
Your Soul Baby
Now
Eye For Love
No Stopping The War
On A September Morn
Two Wings
Chasing The Green
The Movie
On Your Knees
Now (Instrumental)

Product Description

Talking Book offers a signature blend of smooth jazz vocals, thoughtful lyrics, and unforgettable melodies they have named the CEREBRAL SOUL SOUND. The CD offers 11 tracks including 1 instrumental. Talking Book is also thrill to introduce R&B veteran Sam Salter to the smooth jazz and adult contemporary genres.

Customer Reviews:

The Story of Life.......2007-07-04

The 1st track...Story of life is probably the best song I have ever heard..Please pick this album up..The music is very uplifting and inspirational..Can't wait for your next albm to come out

The Album every soul artist would like to have made !!!!.......2007-01-10

This album is nothing short of a soul masterpiece...
Sam salter has been much missed and just oozes class as does Mr jonz..every song is top drawer soul but track 2 (Your soul baby) & track 4 (Eye for love) are just about as good as it gets..i know this is my review on this album but believe me if you like your soul with smooth stylish catchy melodies and you just happened to have stumbled accross this album then you have made the first step in probally finding your best soul album of 2006/7..also just incase i ever manage to damage or lose my cd i have bought 2 copies, that's how good i think it is.....buy it before it disappers into soul heaven.

Smoothjazz.com Review.......2006-11-02

I've lost count of the number of times I've heard someone in our format say, "We've got to develop our own vocal artists." Still though, it's the same old tired vocals and vocalists brought in from other formats that seem to get played over and over and often unfortunately, they get that airplay because of the "name" rather than the quality of the music. Well, here's a chance to put your money where your mouth is... a vocal group with the goods that Smooth Jazz can embrace and hail as its very own. Comprised of musical veterans (J. Kari, Sam Salter, Mr. Jonz, Michael Anthony and Kiana Teal) with songwriting, production and performance muscle, Talking Book combines influences from jazz, urban soul and pop for a blend of music that will appeal to all tastes. The first single from CHASING THE GREEN, "On A September Morn," is tender and graceful as Mr. Jonz uses his vocal stylings to whisper caresses to his listeners. Sam Skelton's sax compliments the vocals and the melody perfectly. Sam Salter handles the vocals on "Now," and it's a triumph. He exudes passion and every lovely lyric is given that much more weight. If you're looking for something a bit more upbeat, the current single,"Your Soul Baby," might be just right. Reminding me a bit in flavor of the Spinners' "I'll Be Around," it's catchy and completely listener friendly. CHASING THE GREEN is on my personal playlist... time to put it on yours. ~ BETH LEWIS

Average customer rating:

Stevie Wonder's Greatest Album.
A Classic - For Anyone's "Greatest of All Time" Collection
A Simply Marvelous Recording
Proves my point.....
Stevie is amazing.

Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Manufacturer: Motown
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Motown | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Innervisions
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Songs in the Key of Life
Music of My Mind
What's Going on

ASIN: B000001A6H
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Maybe Your Baby
You And I
Tuesday Heartbreak
You've Got It Bad Girl
Superstition
Big Brother
Blame It On The Sun
Lookin' For Another Pure Love
I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)

Amazon.com essential recording

Customer Reviews:

Stevie Wonder's Greatest Album........2007-04-18

A Classic - For Anyone's "Greatest of All Time" Collection.......2007-02-19

This album should be in any serious collection of 20th Century music. One of the best of its genre. Just as fun to listen to now as when it came out decades ago.

A Simply Marvelous Recording.......2006-12-14

Proves my point............2006-12-14

Stevie is amazing........2006-11-29

High Lights from TRUE HALLUCINATIONS: The Underground Classic Talking Book

Average customer rating:

High Lights from TRUE HALLUCINATIONS: The Underground Classic Talking Book

Manufacturer: Sound Photosynthesis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000BK6CII

Product Description

A must for the Terence crowd. Hear the coming attractions for the whole TRUE HALLUCINATIONS journey up the Amazon, over the roof tops of Katmandu--truly a virtual reality experience.

Average customer rating:

The Japanese do it again!

Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Manufacturer: Universal Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Motown | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00007KKXG
Release Date: 2003-06-17

Tracks:

You Are the Sunshine of My Life
Maybe Your Baby
You and I (We Can Conquer the World)
Tuesday Heartbreak
You've Got It Bad Girl
Superstition
Big Brother
Blame It on the Sun
Lookin' for Another Pure Love
I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)

Album Description

Japanese exclusive reissue of 1972 album. Packaged in a miniature gatefold LP sleeve. Limited to 5,000 pieces. Motown. 2003.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Customer Reviews:

The Japanese do it again!.......2003-04-03

As an American who loves jazz and soul music, I'm constantly amazed to find that the highest quality releases of this music come from Japan. Records that are long out of print in the United States (or exist in a terrible domestic edition--see Sly's "There's A Riot Going On") can be found in lovingly packaged, remastered versions in Japan!! Certainly this says something about the musical tastes of the Japanese, as well as the priorities of American record companies.

This edition of "Talking Book" is housed in a beautiful reproduction of the original record sleeve. It's a work of art; and music this great deserves to be housed in such a package. Apparently, the release is part of the "Motown Paper Sleeve Series," which hit the market in January 2003. All of the records from Stevie's classic period ("Talking Book," "Innervisions," "Fulfillingness' First Finale," "Songs in the Key of Life," "Hotter Than July") have been re-released in these beautiful paper sleeves. I also bought "Innervisions." If you are a Stevie fanatic, I would recommend picking these up now--especially because each release is limited to 5,000 copies. The only downside, of course, is that the liner notes are in Japanese. But Stevie's music speaks for itself--who needs to read the analysis of some critic?

If you go to Japan, you will find most people have a great awareness and appreciation of all types of music. This release of "Talking Book" only confirms that. American record companies could do themselves a favour and learn from the Japanese.

Very Best of Jackie Martling's Talking Joke Book Cassettes, Vol. 1
Average customer rating:

Be ostracised from society! (Who needs them anyway?)

Very Best of Jackie Martling's Talking Joke Book Cassettes, Vol. 1
Jackie Martling
Manufacturer: Oglio Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Country Comedy | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Shock Comedy | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Comedy & Spoken Word | Miscellaneous | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling's Disgustingly Dirty Joke Book

Robert Schimmel Comes Clean

Super Retardo

Brian Regan Live

Craig Shoemaker Meets the Lovemaster

ASIN: B00002EPKF
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Tracks:

Lids & Lads
Ghosts & Gunk
Guzzlers & Gringos
Dopes & Danglers
Bags & Beasts
Jilters & Jerkers
Squawkers & Salamis
Superiors & Stuffers
Potions & Preachers
Sewers & Swiggers
Pissers & Parkers
Sippers & Soakers
Mobsters & Monarchs
Fools & The Faithful
Callers & Coaxers
Bunnies & Blockers
Smilers & Swatters
Wankers & Wipers
Cheaters & Chompers
Shoppers & Sisters
'Fool's Gold'

Album Description

CD debut/ reissue of the first volume of the earliest recordings from America's favorite joker. 21 tracks, including the song 'Fools Gold' as heard on the Howard Stern show. 1998 release.

Customer Reviews:

Be ostracised from society! (Who needs them anyway?).......1999-12-21

If you're a regular listener of the Howard Stern radio (& TV) show, you're already familiar with Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling. He's known as the show's Head Writer... but he got his start touring the comedy club circuit and telling dirty jokes. No poking fun at the state of government, no Seinfeld-esque observational humor, just... jokes.

COME AGAIN? is a "best of" compilation, showcasing some of Jackie's greatest hits during his 'formative' comedy club years (mainly the 80's), both before and after becoming a fixture of the Stern show. The yuks contained within are racist, sexist, and full of frank sexual references, toilet humor, and un-PC ideologies... you know, the good stuff. The kind of jokes you'd leave on a friend's answering machine, and he never returns your calls ever again. The kind that you tell at the company Christmas party and gets you assigned to sensitivity training the next day. Yes sir, this one's definitely NOT for the sensitive, wimpy, or weak-willed.

I do have some complaints about this CD. For one thing, Jackie sometimes has trouble trying to get a punch line out because he's trying hard not to laugh himself. And about half the time, he tells them at a such a rapid-fire pace that you have to go back and listen again just to get the punch line.

However, you do get 78 minutes of comedy, so you get a lot of jokes to laugh & get grossed out at (as well as memorize for the next big shindig you're invited to...).

Oh, one more thing... there's one song on the CD, on the last track. It's an ode to beer, "Fool's Gold", written & performed by Jackie himself. Just skip this track and listen to the CD again. Don't say I didn't warn you...

'Late

Talking Book (Numbered, Limited Edition Digi-Pak)

Average customer rating:

Stevie Wonder's Greatest Album.
A Classic - For Anyone's "Greatest of All Time" Collection
A Simply Marvelous Recording
Proves my point.....
Stevie is amazing.

Talking Book (Numbered, Limited Edition Digi-Pak)
Stevie Wonder
Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Motown | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Innervisions
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Songs in the Key of Life
Music of My Mind
What's Going on

ASIN: B00004S36C
Release Date: 2000-03-21

Tracks:

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Maybe Your Baby
You And I
Tuesday Heartbreak
You've Got It Bad Girl
Superstition
Big Brother
Blame It On The Sun
Lookin' For Another Pure Love
I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)

Amazon.com essential recording

Customer Reviews:

Stevie Wonder's Greatest Album........2007-04-18

A Classic - For Anyone's "Greatest of All Time" Collection.......2007-02-19

This album should be in any serious collection of 20th Century music. One of the best of its genre. Just as fun to listen to now as when it came out decades ago.

A Simply Marvelous Recording.......2006-12-14

Proves my point............2006-12-14

Stevie is amazing........2006-11-29

Average customer rating:

Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Manufacturer: 'E musica
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

Motown | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000KLZO46

Product Description

2001 import edition

Average customer rating:

Outlaw Pilot Talking Book

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000950LR
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Tracks:

My first Sheep Hunt
Mail Drop
Grizzly Stories & Rocky Mountain Sheep Burgers
Long Flight Home
A Man and his Caribou
A Judge's Letter
A Judge's Anecdote
Ballad of the Outlaw Pilot

Album Description

This is a talking book on CD. It has excerpts from the book series "The Outlaw Pilot" True life Adventures of Jimmy 'Midnight' Anderson. (More info see book or video section)