Released in 1972, “Talking Book” is the 15th album from Stevie Wonder. It was the second album in a series of five released in what he called the “classic period”. The album is full of introspection and social commentary embedded in the songs which Wonder produced, wrote, and played most of the instruments himself.
If you’ve never heard a full Stevie Wonder album from this period, it’s hard to imagine the mood he creates by the juxtaposition of ballad and funk, of the tension between subject matter and musical mood. What is really interesting is that he writes an upbeat song about a breakup. He employed this approach throughout this era, and the results were nothing but exhilarating. Just listen to “Joy Inside My Tears” on “Songs In The Key Of Life” and you’ll get what I’m talking about.
- Tiana from Ride the Tempo helping you rediscover old music
