Caffe` Latte` with Alan Ross

Sunday, March 29, 2020

A new countdown:
100 MOST ESSENTIAL STEVIE WONDER SONGS
This post: #100-91. Continues tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè presents

THE 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY

STEVIE WONDER

On May 13, Stevie Wonder turns 70 years of age. He was only 12 when he released his first singles. In 1963, 13-year old Little Stevie reached #1 for the first time. Over the decades, his vision and creativity has earned him a reputation of genius. As the world marks his 70^th birthday, here are 100 highlights from his remarkable catalogue…

100

CONVERSATION PEACE

1995

The title track from Stevie’s first full-length studio album in 8 years. The song has Stevie playing all the instruments and joined by Sounds Of Blackness on background vocals.

ONE OF A KIND

1987

Featured on Stevie’s ‘Characters’ album from which 6 singles were lifted. As well as lead vocals, he performs on synclavier, wave synthesizer, drums, fairlight and harmonica on this track.

SO WHAT THE FUSS

2005

‘A Time To Love’ remains the most recent studio album of new material unleashed by Stevie. This was its lead single. It features Prince on guitar and En Vogue on backing vocals.

COME LET ME MAKE YOUR LOVE COME DOWN

1987

This was one of the 2 bonus tracks added to the CD version of ‘Characters’. Guitar legends B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan guest on guitar.

I LOVE EVERY LITTLE THING ABOUT YOU

1972

This track is on ‘Music Of My Mind’, where Stevie exhibited significant growth and maturity despite only being 21 years of age at the time of its release.

SKELETONS

1987

The lead single for ‘Characters’ topped the Billboard R&B Chart for 2 weeks and reached #20 on the Hot 100.

CAN’T IMAGINE LOVE WITHOUT YOU

2005

Guest musicians on this ballad from ‘A Time To Love’ include renowned session players Nathan Watts on bass and Greg Phillianganes on electric piano.

HAPPIER THAN THE MORNING SUN

1972

Stevie took 6 months to work on the ‘Music Of My Mind’ album. Initially, his label Motown was unimpressed with the finished product. Its contents demonstrated his versatility and evolution as a musician.