Music of My Mind | 
| Artist: Stevie Wonder
Label: Motown
Category: Music
List Price: $9.98
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Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 7104
Format: Original Recording Reissued, Original Recording Remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 157353
UPC: 601215735321
EAN: 0601215735321
ASIN: B00004S367
Release Date: March 21, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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| Tracks:
| • | Love Having You Around | | • | Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You) | | • | I Love Everylittle Thing About You | | • | Sweet Little Girl | | • | Happier Than The Morning Sun | | • | Girl Blue | | • | Seems So Long | | • | Keep On Running | | • | Evil |
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| 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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
 Stevie, The Wonder! March 10, 2005
Samhot (Star Land)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
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.
...THE DAWNING OF A NEW ERA... January 10, 2005
semaj emorej (dallas, texas United States)
14 out of 17 found this review helpful
in 1971,(after his breakaway motown album "where i'm coming from"-an album that mixed lovesongs of regret and it's social political message)the musical genius stevie wonder exiled himself from the musical restraints of motown and chairman berry gordy-moved to new york and pursued a new ground breaking musical journey and chose "electric ladyland" studios-a studio that was built and made famous by the legendary guitarist jimi hendrix.the sounds of new musical technology was on wonder's mind and he met with robert margouleff and malcolm cecil(who were the experts of synthesizers,the moog and the ARP.)whom wonder had hired for the development of his new sound.wonder felt that synthesizers gave him a way to express what was coming from his mind.so,the title that stevie came up with his new album would be entitled "music of my mind" an album of musical maturity and glorious modern sound.but it was also the first official album in his new second phase of his brilliant career where he was allowed to roam free in flight with a new liberated musical spirit."music of my mind" is the dawning of a new era for stevie and it was the album that had started it all for him in his new beginning for all of his seventies glory.released in march,1972-"music of my mind" opens with the lyrics of all the songs printed inside the album jacket which also opens with a beautiful collage of the earth,human beings and other artifacts including five photographic images of stevie. "music of my mind" opens with the first funk cut of the album 'love having you around'(which was co-written with his ex-wife syreeta wright)which is 7 minutes and 21 seconds of wonder delivering his funky synthesizer magic,and celebrating the funky joy of love with his woman:'and when the day is through/nothin'to do/just sit around groovin'with you/and i say it 'cause i love having you around'-this jam also sounds like a love party.what is also unique about this funk number is it's hypnotic bass drum beat.the song features art baron on trombone.'superwoman'is the album's first love ballad.the song could very well detail his relationship with his ex syreeta.this lovesong of romantic regret is one of the many beautiful lovesongs that is in his loveballad repertoire.'superwoman'has a jazzy soulful sensuality.the song's instrumentation and complexed melody is a thing of wonder to listen to.it takes the listener inside wonder's mind for music of the future.despite the song's beautiful and complexed jazz melody,it is a song that speaks of a romantic relationship that was coming to an end.the romantic but regretful tone that wonder sings in the song about his lover:'mary wants to be a superwoman-but is that really in her head-but i just want to live each day to love her for what she is'...midway thru the song he had to leave her because she tried to 'boss the bull around'...wonder continues:'but very well,wish that you knew me too-very well-and i think i can deal with everything going thru your head'.at the song's conclusion,as the seasons changed from summer into winter he missed his woman as she was nowhere to be found.this love story has heartbreak reality written all over it when one lover wants to dominate the other.heartbreak aside,this masterpiece of a song has many musical treasures to it,with its progressive chord changes,jazz stylings, and the many vocal and musical moods that wonder displays in this piece.it also features great guitar work by buzzy feiton.'i love every little thing about you'is a midtempo groove and is a song about a woman whom he loves very much.the song's glorious celebration is that he loves her because she has been there for him thru thick and thin,and he tells the world that he loves her so.in the song,wonder details the outside forces of those who may criticize him for the love that he has found:a woman that is very good to him of which he vocalizes:'though they put me down because-i love you as much as i do-they don't know what you've done for me-you've made such a happy man out of me'...this song is a good reference point for couples who are truly in love and just ignore people who are jealous of couples who have a strong loving bond together.'sweet little girl'is wonder's most funniest erotic song in his entire catalogue,but it is done in good taste.the song is split in half:part vocal and part talk rap.the track's subject matter is a hunger from the man waiting in vain for his woman to make love to him.in a spoken word slow rap tone wonder implies:'come on now honey-sugar,you know your baby loves you,more than i love my clavinet.so baby,do me good,do me good baby'...near the song's ending wonder tries to influence his woman to make love to him by taking her to see the classic 1971 movie"sweet,sweetback"(a film by melvin van peebles)by the song's conclusion he begged her to the very end to no avail.'happier than the morning sun'is one of wonder's most simplest of melodies that is so heartfelt and warm.the melody although very simple in sound with just wonder's classic voice and clavinet.it's the type of song that you could wake up to in the morning when the sun is shinning it's rays through your window.the song's lyrics are not complex in any way,but they are simple enough for you to understand the song's meaning about simple happy love about the sweet lady that he has found:'all my life i was alone,didn't think i'd find my part,now i see there's joy inside your arms'...i'm happier than the morning sun/and that's the way it will always be/ever since the day you came inside my life/bom bom bom-i love you...(this song's simple melody is a precursor twin to 'big brother'-a political song that would be on wonder's next album later in the same year of 1972-"talking book"...in fact,'you are the sunshine of my life'was written and recorded around this time which was inspired by his new girlfriend,gloria barley at the time and it could have been included on "music of my mind" but wonder saved the song for "talking book" he did not want to include the song on "music of my mind" because of his breakup with syreeta.)'girl blue'co-written with yvonne wright is a song that has a'bluedawn'feeling to it,with some of the greatest poetry ever written in a songpiece.the sound of this track reminds me of fall weather on a cloudy afternoon.this track is about a sad girl who is feeling down with depression as wonder cheers her up with beautiful lines of songpoetry:'in an instant there'll be sunshine sprinkled every place.drops of rain will kiss the softness of your lovely face'...a great poetic songpiece...'seems so long'the second and final loveballad on this album.words cannot describe how cool this song really is.i would have to put this song in wonder's top ten of his many classic loveballads.though it is often very much overlooked and ignored i rank it in the top ten of his collection of lovesongs.this song would fit nicely after 'superwoman'because both songs melodies are similar in style and composition.'seems so long'has wonder's keyboard mastery of the synthesizer with such glorious musical textures.it is amazing how wonder opens this track with a synthesized wind breeze as if one needed to put a jacket on when hearing the track's wind sounding introduction.despite the song's romantic sounding vibe,it is about having love and suffering without love when it leaves you.stevie intones this topic perfectly:'lady loved and lady cared,and lady went away,and left me all alone to suffer...lady loved and lady stayed,until she was too pleased she knew i wouldn't leave for her to suffer.i'd never make her suffer...by song's end he is on the rebound:'now i think i've found someone to make me trust in someone again'...'seems so long'is a song about losing and regaining love.'keep on running'is a relentless funk assault.although the lyrics are repetitive,the song's message can still be understood.this is a song about a man who is pursuing a woman who he desperately wants of which she keeps on running from his love for her and he informs her that the man that she is with is no good,and that he will break her heart.the powerful backing vocalists on this funk workout add to the tune's power and climatic ending.'evil'co-written with yvonne wright,is the final cut on this album and is his first gospel song of his new musical era.the song's opening somber synthesizer gospel chords is setting the tone for a spiritual revelation in wonder's music.in the song, wonder questions the evil forces that hurts the souls of humanity:'evil,why have you destroyed so many minds...leaving ,room for darkness where lost dreams can hide'...midway through this spiritual gospel saga,his backing vocalists give wonder outstanding backing support as their voices reach a heavenly crescendo,as wonder continue to question the negative forces of evil's wrath on society:'evil,why have you broken so many homes...leaving sweet love all alone,an outcast of the world'...this was the perfect song for wonder to conclude the first album of his new era.stevie wonder's "music of my mind" was the the first major milestone in his career.and as the album cover liner notes states:'this album is a gift to the spirit from one who really cares'...
Difficult to find the words April 18, 2008
Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
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?)
A genius is allowed to fly September 18, 2003
Ronald Washington (Los Angeles, CA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
If you were around in 1971 and had been used to Stevie's 60's sound, this album would have blown you away! After a decade of having to deal with papa Berry's rules of album recording (3 pop hits and the rest filler), Stevie turns 21, goes off to record this classic, and goes back to Berry to say, "I want full control over my music or else!!" Of course papa Berry gave him that freedom and the rest is American music history. On the album, he plays every instrament. As always, I'll take the album song by song.
I Say It 'Cause I Love Having You Around: A classic. A precursor to George Clinton's sound in the 70's, this song is actually a jump for joy. Sprinkled with joyous shouts and yelps, it's a very funky, synth driven romp. Stevie sings in his regular voice and his Louis Armstrong growl in this one. It's a fun song that shouldn't be taken seriously at all. Just enjoy the music and the fun and have some fun. One of the best album openers of his illustrious career. Superwoman: Another classic. This is a look into the future for Stevie. It was also a look more in depth into his relationship with his then wife Syreeta. Syreeta was a singer too and sometimes her career interfered with his. Or, more to the point, she wasn't around when he needed her. Stevie has been known to be somewhat of a male chauvinist in the past. And the title of this song kind of brings this out. He's basically saying that Syreeta should be home for him, "And all the things she wants to do she needs to leave behind". He ends each phrase by saying, "But, very well. I believe I know you very well. Wish that you knew me too very well. I and think I can deal with everything going through your head. The first part of the song is in mid-tempo then there is a musical interlude done on the synth to slow things down. The second part of the song is in a slower tempo and stripped down to just synth, drums and voice. There's a guitar solo by Jeff Beck in the mid section of the second part of the song that lifts it to another level. Overall it's a beautiful song that should not be missed. I Love Every Little Thing About You: An upbeat song basically singing about what the title suggest. I've always felt that this was his nod to the earlier work he'd done at Motown, only with a more 70's sound to it. Sweet Little Girl: Another fun song with Stevie doing a lot of things musically to make it interesting. He does his best mack daddy voice in this one, uses major and minor keys throughout, and does things on the harmonica that you've never heard before. It's probably the most erotic song he's ever done. All in good taste though, no hardcore stuff for Stevie. Happier Than The Morning Sun: Another major change musically for Stevie. This is all clavinet and voice. A beautiful, quiet and yet great song. Girl Blue: The best song on the album. This is Stevie's first collabaration with lyricist Yvonne Wright (not his ex wife Syreeta as many believe when seeing Wonder/Wright as song writers) and happily it wasn't his last. This is one of my 4 how-to-learn-about-music songs I've spoken about in the past. Ironicly, Yvonne wrote the lyrics for another one of my "how-to" songs from Stevie, They Won't Go When I Go". Much is abound in this one. Oriental percussion, poly-rhythms, distorted vocals, a great harmonica solo and great lyrics. "Little girl be fair, show yourself you care. Let others care for you. Before it's too late 'cause time won't wait 'til your hearts no longer blue". A great song and a great moment for pure music. Seems So Long: A heartwrenching song about finding someone, finally, to love. "It's been so long, since I've touched a wanting hand". It includes a great vocal by Stevie and some very moody synth work too. A must hear. Keep On Runnin': My least favorite song on the album. Ok, to be honest, I skip it all the time. It's too repetitive. He does play a mean clavinet on it though. Evil: My second favorite song on this one. Musically, he's using key changes to, I feel, relay a message. The song starts off in a minor, very dangerous sounding key and after each line, it goes up a key. It talks about evil and the power it seemingly has over many people. The final key the song ends on is very high as it ends with Stevie singing, "Leaving sweet love all alone, an outcast of the world", with the last note on the word world. The song is very cinematic, also operatic in style and leaves me with the feeling of hope. It is Stevie after all you know.
All in all, this was the beginning. The beginning of an unprecedented run of success, both commercially and critically for the one man band. It is an album that should not be missed.
The Beginning Of An Unprecedented Winning Streak November 18, 2000
Michael Topper (Pacific Palisades, California United States)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
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.
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