Stevie Wonder

[Parkdrive]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> Stevie Wonder vs The Smiths?

>

>

> I think, song for song, they've probably managed

> the same amount of Good Stuff. But then at least

> The Smiths had the decency to cram theirs into

> half a decade - as opposed to half a century.

And thats the sum of total of your in depth critique of Wonders career is it?

[*Bob*]

Yes, but then opinions on music are subjective, right?

[MrBen]

StraferJack Wrote:

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> Judging by the posts so far there isn?t a lot more

> to be said

>

> Must Listen = 2 or 3 albums

> Some good protest songs

> Lots of gloopy ballads

>

> The conversation hasn?t expanded much beyond that

> in several days

Were you talking about The Smiths?!

[Parkdrive]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> Yes, but then opinions on music are subjective,

> right?

Indeed, but usually they are expressed in an articulate manner and should include some kind of persuasive argument or rationale which may bring the reader over to your way of thinking, right?

[StraferJack]

@MrBen

parkdrive mentioned them whilst making a point, so I just rebutted it

[StraferJack]

oh I see what you meant now

But as *Bob* pointed out, they did it over a much shorter period - 2-3 essential albums out of 4 proper is a good ratio. And no saccharine ballads either

as for funny, let's take parkdrive's example song "Heaven knows I'm miserable now" and the lyric:

What she asked of me at the end of the day

Caligula would have blushed

"You've been in the house too long" she said

And I (naturally) fled

In my life

Why do I smile

At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye ?"

several smiles for me ther, teh pick of which is the (naturally)

bittwersweet smiles maybe, but not unfunny

[Parkdrive]

StraferJack Wrote:

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> @MrBen

>

> parkdrive mentioned them whilst making a point, so

> I just rebutted it

Simply offering a listening alternative for Jeremy, thats all.

[*Bob*]

Parkdrive Wrote:

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> Indeed, but usually they are expressed in an

> articulate manner and should include some kind of

> persuasive argument or rationale which may bring

> the reader over to your way of thinking, right?

No, it would simply be a complete waste of time, on account of opinions on music being entirely subjective.

[Parkdrive]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> Parkdrive Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Indeed, but usually they are expressed in an

> > articulate manner and should include some kind

> of

> > persuasive argument or rationale which may

> bring

> > the reader over to your way of thinking, right?

>

> No, it would simply be a complete waste of time,

> on account of opinions on music being entirely

> subjective.

As are opinions on Art, Theatre, etc, but to say that trying to put forward your reasons for liking/not liking something as being a waste of time is a lazy argument.

[Jeremy]

Parkdrive Wrote:

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> And thats the sum of total of your in depth

> critique of Wonders career is it?

Ooh, I love it when people refer to musicians by their surname! It makes you sound like such an expert... in a Patrick Bateman meets Harry Enfield sort of way.

Anyway, nobody is denying that "Wonder" had some great moments, but not everybody likes all of his songs! Deal with it!

[Parkdrive]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> Parkdrive Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > And thats the sum of total of your in depth

> > critique of Wonders career is it?

>

> Ooh, I love it when people refer to musicians by

> their surname! It makes you sound like such an

> expert... in a Patrick Bateman meets Harry Enfield

> sort of way.

>

> Anyway, nobody is denying that "Wonder" had some

> great moments, but not everybody likes all of his

> songs! Deal with it!

I haven't said I LIKE all his work, its the lazy way some of the points of view have been put across that bother me. Deal with that!!

[*Bob*]

Well I've certainly enjoyed your articulate and well thought-out mention of The Smiths - in particular the way you knowledgeably referenced 'Heaven Knows..' - a track which is probably to The Smiths as 'Superstition' is to Stevie Wonder.

[Parkdrive]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> Well I've certainly enjoyed your articulate and

> well thought-out mention of The Smiths - in

> particular the way you knowledgeably referenced

> 'Heaven Knows..' - a track which is probably to

> The Smiths as 'Superstition' is to Stevie Wonder.

High praise indeed Bob, and feeling is mutual. You are a true scholar and no mistake. When trading posts with yourself I'm reminded of the Stevie Wonder lyrics to Mistra Know it all. I can't think why.

[*Bob*]

Parkdrive Wrote:

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When trading

> posts with yourself I'm reminded of the Stevie

> Wonder lyrics to Mistra Know it all. I can't think

> why.

Is it because your understanding of songs is limited to those with very literal titles?

[Jah Lush]

OK fact fans. Did you know that Stevie Wonder wrote Superstition for Jeff Beck? He did. Oh yes pop pickers he did indeed but when Tamla Motown boss Berry Gordy heard what he'd recorded he told Stevie (I'm on first name terms dontcha know) that he wasn't to give the song away and it was going to be his next single.

Jeff (I do so like being on first name terms with these music biz legends) recorded and released Superstition with his group Beck Bogart & Appice on the album of the same name and very good it is to but I don't like the bloke who sings on it. I just really dig the guitar maaaan.

[Parkdrive]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Parkdrive Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> When trading

> > posts with yourself I'm reminded of the Stevie

> > Wonder lyrics to Mistra Know it all. I can't

> think

> > why.

>

>

> Is it because your understanding of songs is

> limited to those with very literal titles?

You are an intellectual giant Bob, how can I hope to compete with such wisdom? Always a pleasure dealing with your posts Bob, never a chore.

[Jah Lush]

Isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful.

[*Bob*]

It's like taking candy from a baby, really. But then I did always have a sweet tooth.

But seriously.. what are you hoping to gain from this utterly pointless 'discussion'?

What do you want to know?

Several hundred squillion people (including myself) mostly only listen to a few Stevie Wonder albums because they find that so much of the rest of it is bland, repetitive, preachy and cheesy.

On the other hand, several hundred squillion other people (myself not included) don't listen to The Smiths because they hate the whining, dreary, monotonous tone of the M'sey, and his general lack of accomplished musicality - in comparison to say, oh, let's just go with Stevie Wonder.

So what have we learned here.. you know - 'about music'?

Oh yeah.. absolutely nothing.

[Parkdrive]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> It's like taking candy from a baby, really. But

> then I did always have a sweet tooth.

>

> But seriously.. what are you hoping to gain from

> this utterly pointless 'discussion'?

>

> What do you want to know?

>

> Several hundred squillion people (including

> myself) mostly only listen to a few Stevie Wonder

> albums because they find that so much of the rest

> of it is bland, repetitive, preachy and cheesy.

>

> On the other hand, several hundred squillion other

> people (myself not included) don't listen to The

> Smiths because they hate the whining, dreary,

> monotonous tone of the M'sey, and his general lack

> of accomplished musicality - in comparison to say,

> oh, let's just go with Stevie Wonder.

>

> So what have we learned here.. you know - 'about

> music'?

>

>

> Oh yeah.. absolutely nothing.

What a load of pompous, ignorant guff. You've learnt nothing thats possibly because nobody is trying to teach you, but then you're Mistra Know it all. Yes I've reverted to my limited unterstanding of this literal title.

[*Bob*]

music is subjective

(whoosh!)

music is subjective

(whoosh!)

(etc)

[Parkdrive]

Far too deep for me Bob, you possess a superior intellect to be admired and looked up to.

[*Bob*]

whoosh

[MrBen]

What stuff are you into *Bob*? I'm keen to know what keeps a man (possibly jaded by "the business") grooving away in his retro '50's Swedish armchair. Apart from Jazz and The Smiths of course.

[*Bob*]

Oh, you know, Mr Ben - take a few insufferably cool contemporary acts, add a handful of classics to demonstrate character and top with a smattering of leftfield wild cards to show quirk.

That's my list.

[Jeremy]

Michael Bolton?