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Yet Innervisions is the greatest of the albums Stevie produced when he was doing pretty much all the stuff himself. He plays virtually everything on this record - listen to Living For the City, and you'll be amazed that he's playing every instrument. Whereas SITKOL has a proper 'big band' feel, because he brought in lots of other musicians and created a real wall of sound studio feel, Innervisions remains intimate and personal. That's what gives it its charm.

Unquestionably, these are 9 great songs. Plain and simple. Golden Lady is one of my favourites, a gorgeous song. But Too High is a great opener, All Is Fair in Love is a suitably over the top love ballad, Don't You Worry is a brilliant funky number, and Misstra Know It All (spelt like that because he just wanted to, and about his accountant, apparently) is fantastic, especially the growling finale. Stevie is also the master of the outro, and some can last for several minutes. Don't You Worry and Misstra are ones to look out for here is you are a fan of the over indulgent fade out (as I am). But SITKOL really has the monopoly on outros, and if you're a real connosieur, that's the album for you - look out for As and Another Star in particular, though Isn't She Lovely, Black Man and Summer Soft also clock in impressive repeated choruses.

Stevie is an idiosyncratic musician. Listen to the six second pause on Visions, where he says 'everything must have an ending' before coming back with the next line - geddit?! That's what makes him appeal to me. He has more talent in his sunglasses than most popstars have in the combined body mass of them and their hundred-strong entourage. This is a great album, with immaculate instrumentalism, superb lyrics, that fantastic voice which can do seemingly anything, and funky, groovy, melodic tunes. You should buy this, and then move onto other Stevie terrority, according to taste.


The definitive blind experience?   September 11, 2004
 11 out of 14 found this review helpful

So we all know Stevie Wonder the blind, musical wizard from his handful of pop hits from the 70's and 80's. And we know he's black: the ultimate irony for a blind man. And we start digging through his old albums and we come across Innervisions. Even at first glance, this one is different.

The cover art is Afro-psychadelic-cartoon. It depicts a black man with dark glasses shooting beams out of his eyes onto a landscape of bizarre forms and colors. And the title is "Innvervisions". So I'm wondering if this means that blind people actually "see" things...but only inside their own heads. My imagination soars. Are trees purple? Are stop signs 100' tall?

So we put the album into the player, not sure what to expect. The first song is "Too High". We hear dark, moody, funky, experimental synthesizers playing in slighty-unusual chord progressions. You're wondering "high"...as in drugs? "She's a four-eyed cartoon monster on a TV screen...she's a tangerine". We wonder if Stevie himself been experimenting.

If there was any doubt about the concept of this whole album, the next song "Visions" removes it. Accompanied by just a guitar plucking dark and surreal notes, Stevie quietly meditates "is this just a vision in my mind?" So he's definitely admitted that he "sees" things in his head. So this music is his artistic reflection of that alien kaleidoscope. We close our eyes and try to see what he sees.

The next song, "Living for the City", steps back from the dream world and into day-to-day life...in a grandiose way. It's a hello and welcome to the ghetto. It has a pumping foot pedal, a churning organ rhythm, and a soaring psychadelic synthesizer line. We're wondering what it's like to be a blind man walking around the ghetto. Certainly fear for one's safety must be near the top of the list.

Next comes "Golden Lady". Extraterrestrial synthesizers are working in full effect once again on this slow, beautiful love song. Now we're wondering what it must be like to be blind and experience love and intimacy. He wants to look into his lover's eyes and "go there" to that magical place. So now we're wondering how does love feel without being able to have those long gazes into your lover's eyes? Kind of like a long-distance relationship over the phone? Stevie expresses it to us as something tremendously beautiful and wonderful, yet I feel a hint of sadness in it somehow.

Next comes "Higher Ground". If you've heard the remake by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, you've heard it completely out of context. Here Stevie has a pumping funk beat under futuristic synthesizers for his apocalyptic spiritual prophesy. His admonishment is stern and haunting. He seems to see millions trapped in flames looking down from a mile above. His appeal to reach higher ground is uplifting and he means it.

Next comes "Jesus Children of America". The chords are minor, dark, and haunting. Stevie's voice echoes in a spacey way. Is this blasphemy? Or spiritual fervor? And is Stevie really into transcendental meditation? This song seems to get us asking more questions than it answers.

"All in Love is Fair" comes next. Somber piano chords and few words...almost as if he's too sad to say any more. It's a eulogy for a lost love.

"Don't You Worry Bout a Thing" starts out with an explosive staccato piano intro. A funky latin beat follows and gets your foot tapping. And the lyrics are "Don't worry bout a thing because I'll be standing at the side when you check it out". So now we're wondering how a blind man struggles with this role of a masculine pillar of strength in a relationship...when he is himself is often dependent on others just to walk across a room. Maybe it's what's inside that makes him that pillar of strength.

The final song is an upbeat piano number: "He's Misstra Know it All". He sings "he's a man with a plan and a counterfeit dollar in his hand". If this is some sort of a "feel good" ending, it sure has a heavy message blasting hypocrisy. A fitting ending to an album dark and heavy with criticism.

This album is a tour inside the head of Stevie Wonder for a day. This alien universe is sometimes creepy, sad, dark, and unfair, but it is beautiful. Stevie takes us on this tour on a rocket of fearlessness. And he shows us his compassion every step of the way.

If you keep digging through the Stevie Wonder record collection, you'll find that this is the only album that is billed as a personal tour of his head. You'll find great music in all of Stevie's albums. But the music on Innervisions is the most consistent in theme, mood, and tone. It's also clearly some of his best. This is Stevie's most spiritual work. Yet he has an I-don't-give-a-damn attitude as well. I encourage you to explore this amazing place.



Visionary!!!   December 2, 2005
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

Released in 1973, Stevie Wonder's classic `Innervision' still stands head and shoulders above albums of today.

Right from the psychedelic cover art, through the psychedelic synthesizer laced funk, Stevie raised the bar in R&B and music in general with this album. The only other artist giving him a run for his money then was fellow label mate Marvin Gaye.

Dealing with a variety of social issues; spiritual on the beautiful questioning `Jesus children of America' and `Higher ground', Racism on the gigantic funky epic `Living for the city', drugs on `Too high', then president Richard Nixon on `He's misstra know it all', and world peace on `Visions' (featuring wonderful acoustic and electric guitar).

There were also light, airy, beautiful jazz tinged ballads, `Golden lady', and `All in love is fair', (both featuring especially outstanding vocals) and the catchy latin laced joyous `Don't you worry `bout a thing'.

Strong songwriting and tight instrumentation (largely played by Wonder himself), this was (and still is) a stunning look at society.

The album hit #1 R&B and #4 pop, had 3 hit singles; `Higher ground' #4 pop #1 R&B, `Living for the city' #8 pop #1 R&B, and `Don't you worry `bout a thing' #16 pop #2 R&B, and won him Grammys for album of the year (the first of 3 he won) and best R&B song for `Living for the city'.

A visionary masterpiece!


Endless Hyperboles !!!   September 21, 2007
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Once in a very long while, an artist comes out with a blockbuster album that truly overshadows the competition. Stevie Wonder's Innervisions is one such album. Indeed, Innervisions is so strong that the music on this album remains stunningly beautiful and memorable after several decades. Stevie was in his very best form on this great album; and Stevie Wonder fans will obviously want this in their collections.

The CD track set begins with the ballad entitled "Too High." Stevie sings about a woman who tries drugs to ease her pain but the drugs don't get her very far. The backup chorus and musical arrangement work well and they have that 1970s funky, catchy sound to them. Stevie's voice is in perfect form; the percussion and guitars enhance the natural beauty of this fine melody. Awesome! In addition, "Visions" is a beautiful ballad that uses guitars and bass while Stevie sings so well about the possibility that he may finally live in a world of peace.

"Living For The City," a strong and somewhat gritty number, explores the tough fight African Americans often face when trying to get ahead in life. "Living For The City" uses an awesome guitar arrangement with drums and percussion to really make this ballad shine! Great sound effects, too.

"Golden Lady" starts with a beautiful piano arrangement; and when Stevie comes in this number takes flight! Stevie sings joyfully and confidently about the love he shares with his woman. The melody stuns me with its charm and beauty; and the chord changes evoke a sense of depth, sincerity and intimacy as Stevie sings with all his heart and soul. The piano, electric guitars and percussion work wonders for "Golden Lady," too. I predict that you will enjoy "Golden Lady" very, very much.

"Higher Ground" is yet another masterpiece on Innervisions; this 1970s funky melody proves catchy and very memorable. Stevie sings flawlessly of how he's going to turn over a new leaf and get his life going in the right direction. Stevie's character also puts his faith in his religion in order to give him the security and confidence he needs to turn over a new leaf. "Higher Ground" has a firm tempo just right for the mood of the song.

"All In Love Is Fair" is a thoughtful, painful ballad that tells the truth about love and romantic relationships. Sure, people vow to stay in love--but all too often they don't. Stevie sings of how his love with his woman did not stand the test of time; Stevie sings this with passion and style. "All In Love Is Fair" is a remarkably tender ballad that makes me cry whenever I listen to it--and I never cry! The elegant musical arrangement uses guitars, percussion and a stunning piano arrangement to bolster the song. "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" again sports that funky 1970s style which works so well for this fine number. "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" features Stevie singing of how he'll always be there for his lover; he also encourages her not to pay attention to superficial people who claim their lifestyle is too tame. Stevie's desire to remain at his lover's side touches me with its message; and the funky rock and roll 1970s beat stands in contrast to the depth of the romantic, passionate lyrics about the consistency of his love for his woman. "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" is easily a masterpiece.

The CD track set ends with another thoughtful song with another important message; "He's Misstra Know-It-All" criticizes phony people who can't be relied upon when the chips are down. Stevie mocks this type of person even as he sings his name as "Misstra Know-It-All" instead of "Mister Know-It-All." The piano, guitars and percussion again contribute to a gorgeous melody; and "Misstra Know-It-All" provides a strong ending for this album.

The liner notes give us the lyrics and credits for each song; and the artwork reflects good judgment. Great!

Stevie Wonder was and is both a genius and a gentleman; but this album in particular proves his masterful talents without any doubt. We are all better off for Stevie's sharing his gift with us; and hopefully Stevie Wonder will continue to entertain us and spread his message of peace as only he can for many years to come.

Thank you, Stevie Wonder!