Stevie Wonder: Signed, Sealed & Delivered (Japanese Pressing) CD Track Listing

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Stevie Wonder Signed, Sealed & Delivered (Japanese Pressing) (1970)
Signed, Sealed & Delivered (Japanese Pressing)\n1986 Motown Record Corporation\n\nOriginally Released August 7, 1970\nCD Edition Released February 3, 1992\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Stevie Wonder was beginning to rebel against the Motown hit factory mentality in the early '70s. While he certainly hadn't lost his commercial touch, Wonder was anxious to address social concerns, experiment with electronics, and not be restricted by radio and marketplace considerations. Still, he gave the label another definitive smash with the title track, while sneaking in a cover of the Beatles' "We Can Work It Out" and penning more intriguing tunes like "I Can't Let My Heaven Walk Away" and "Never Had a Dream Come True." -- Ron Wynn\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA hidden gem in Stevie's catalog!, October 9, 2005 \nBy D. Lee (Baltimore, Md United States)\nMan this album is good! I mean really, really good! When you open up the cd case, in the upper right hand corner of the cover it reads, "The Motown Sound", which basically means that you are in for a taste of the world's greatest rhythm section and some of the catchiest and most infectious harmonies ever captured on record (of which The Funk Brothers, led by bass virtuoso James Jamerson, were primarily responsible). But of course, that goes without saying if you're at all familiar with Motown. I basically assumed that all of Stevie's albums prior to re-negotiating his contract and gaining full creative control over his material pretty much had the same flaw that many Motown albums from that period had: several brilliant outstanding singles with some left over material used to fill the album out. That is NOT the case with this outstanding piece of work. Don't let that cheesy album cover turn you away, because this is a young Stevie Wonder in top form here, which means that this is likely one of the greatest albums that you'll ever hear. Not that there is no filler at all but even the "lesser" material here, and there is very little (two songs tops) , are still solid efforts. Stevie Wonder is probably the single greatest composer/songsmith in the history of popular music, not to mention one of the greatest vocalists. There may not be a whole lot here in terms of innovation, especially compared to his later work, but Stevie's sense of song here is so incredibly strong that he excels in every aspect of songcraft to the point that I have to simply sit back and marvel. Just listen to everything about "Sugar", especially Stevie's drumming...!!! Songs on this album range from the warm, melodic, and contemplative "Never had a Dream Come True" and "Heaven Help us All" to the hard rockin' "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm yours" and his outstanding cover of The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out". Most Beatles covers by other artist leave much to be desired to put it kindly, but Stevie not only matches The Beatles here, he and The Funk Brothers actually manage to outdo their original. Other highlights include "Anything you want me to do" which once again makes me marvel and wonder how it is even humanly possible for someone to have such a strong basic sense of melody (the same can easily be said of the absolutely phenomenal "Something to Say"), and the near awe-inspiring "Joy". This album is not as groundbreaking or innovative as some of his work, but it's still extremely solid, and easily just as essential as some of his later work from the 70's. So, your in for a real treat if you make it a part of you're collection. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nNot required listening, but at times rewarding, July 11, 2003 \nBy Kyle (Minnesota)\nOne of the songs on this album says "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover." Perhaps he should apply that to the terrible album cover as well. The music inside was pretty good, especially the title track, one of the most feel-good singles in pop history. Laid-back songs like "Never had a dream Come True" and "Don't wonder why" are average; so is "Something to Say." But there are some real solid songs here that are worth discovering. It was pretty ballsy to cover "We can work it out," but Stevie funks it up and it's one of the best covers I've heard of any song. "Heaven help us all" is a gospel-choir-backed prayer for, well, all of us. It builds and builds and has a fake ending and then comes back for more. It has a catchy melody and you might wish it was more than 3 minutes long. There are plenty of short songs here, 7 under 3 minutes. One of the best, "Anything you want me to do," has one of the best grooves you'll find in pre-genius era Stevie. "I Gotta Have a Song" has a rollicking chorus and would have fit much better as the last song on the album. All in all, a handful of great songs and a couple good ones, hard to complain about that. \n\n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: Stevie Wonder \n\nAlbum Notes\nAs you listen to this album, you will inevitably find yourself lamenting the devastating shortage of hours in a day in which to continue grooving. 1970's SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED marks another turning point for Mr. Wonder as his lyrics grow more world-conscious and the music gets indubitably funkier. Swift, dynamic bass-playing, deep clavichord and head-nodding riffs are just some of the elements which drive the new sound. Those who cherish his more sugary Motown nuggets of the '60s needn't fear, though--they too continue to claim a space.\n\nThe title track may well place you unwittingly en marche to the door of your sweetie. The high-stepping horn lines and husky rhythm section lay the foundation for a swinging vocal delivery laced with sitar. Stevie later holds church of the grooviest order on "Heaven Help Us All," raising his good will towards humanity to a thunderous crown of horns and choir. The thrilling "Sugar" and a lively rendition of "We Can Work It Out" display his highly effective technique of vocal layering through overdubs. This album is full of fine R&B with many tasty surprises.\n\nIndustry Reviews\n...Any of the 12 songs on [this album] holds more creative singing than you're likely to find in another performer's entire body of work...there's not one bad cut on the LP...\nRolling Stone Magazine (01/07/1971)\n\n\nROLLING STONE REVIEW\nAny of the 12 songs on Stevie Wonder's new album holds more creative singing than you're likely to find in another performer's entire body of work. And while everything may not reach the energy level of the title song, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," there's not a bad cut on the LP. One of the best is a version of Lennon-McCartney's "We Can Work It Out," which had a startling, brand-new vitality even on an early unmixed tape. In its finished state, it's extraordinary. Stevie seems to accompany himself with a backing track of his own voice in a higher register, and uses both simultaneously to underline the deeper-voiced lead track and as prodding accent. As with the other cuts here, "We Can Work It Out" has a tasteful, unencumbered arrangement, in this case upbeat, driven along by drums and organ and Wonder on harmonica.\n\nThe rest of the album is original material, most of it written in part by Stevie, who also produced the record. Nearly every number has single potential, but a few rise above the rest: "I Can't Let My Heaven Walk Away" is a beautifully-written Lost Love song ("I accused my angel of being a liar / I said the flesh is weak and guys keep tryin'") that Stevie delivers in fine style--the way he slashes at the word "flesh" in the quoted line is worth the whole cut. "Joy Takes Over Me" and "Sugar" are both total pleasures, the first suitably joyous, building to ecstasy in little more than two minutes, the second an equally happy celebration overflowing with wild shouts, harmonica and ripping guitar. "You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover" is a neat little treatise on lovers' poses ("I practice looking bored / so you can feel ignored"), is full of nice flourishes--mainly Stevie's way of snapping off a word by flinging it up into a falsetto. And of course "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" can't go anywhere but up after that raspy opening scream--helped by tight drumming, wonderful girls and a sweet horn section. On this cut Stevie soars, bringing to perfection his technique of singing close to the mike so that his heavy breathing becomes part of the song's texture.\n\nIn this context, "Never Had a Dream Come True," with its violins, seems to lag a little and the most recent single, "Heaven Help Us All," feels uncomfortably religious rather than soulfully spiritual. But it hardly brings the level down. Stevie Wonder shines throughout, yes he does, and joy (takes over me). (RS 74 -- Jan 7, 1971) -- VINCE ALETTI
This rock cd contains 12 tracks and runs 36min 24sec.
Freedb: b008860c
Buy: from Amazon.com

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