Musical Genius Part X

[????]

... this week I give you Stevie Wonder

Motown stuff in the 1960s showed enormous talent but for me his three consecutive albums of the mid 1970s - Talking Book, Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life are up there with the best albums of any genre for innovation, songwriting and arrangement. For R'n'b/Soul..in terms of albums I'm not sure if they've been bettered. ...

Absolute crap past 1980 which I think has detracted from the blokes' genius

[taper]

Detracted from his genius is an interesting concept in music. Stevie Wonder is a strong case in point. It came as a shock to many of us brought up on his 80s pap, that his previous work was so outstanding. Paul McCartney competes in this field too. The White Album to the Frog song in a few decades, and then teaming up with SW on Ebony and Ivory.

David Bowie often cited among this unhappy group, but less than these two in my view. At least he tries. And his 80s stuff was pretty good.

Who else?

[????]

Have the Stones done anything decent past 1978ish? Although they've effectively their own tribute band since 1980

[jimmy two times]

Undercover of the Night 1983.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Start me Up

Waitin' on a friend

although both of those were written back in teh early 70s I believe

As for Bowie, long term readers will know my thoughts. A couple of decent 80s tracks aside (Absolute Beginners esp) the 80s were a nightmare for him - but from 93 onwards he has made at least as good music as his 70s incarnations. And I get Quite Cross when people compare him to the Wonders and MCCartneys

[????]

Sean's trying to convert me to post 1980 Bowie....with mixed results but I've certainly moved on from refusing to listen (as far as post 1980 Bowie goes anyhow!).

[????]

..classic cross posts (in more ways than one ;-))

[giggirl]

I didn't mind Bowie in the 80s - I played Let's Dance until I wore it out

[????]

well that was 1983ish (?) and ok as a single, don't think the album is up to much

[giggirl]

No it's the album I mean - I wore the album out - I liked it. Well actually I would need to go away and remind myself what's on the album because I haven't played it in years but I did wear it out at the time.

[jimmy two times]

1980 - Fashion

Ashes to Ashes

1983 -China Girl

Lets Dance

All great tracks.

[david_carnell]

Jagger + Bowie + 1980s = Dancing In The Street

*whimpers whilst rocking back and forth in the corner of the room*

"Make it stop.....please...."

[????]

Post 1980 - Ashes To Ashes is a decent album and not post 1980

[giggirl]

david_carnell Wrote:

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

> Jagger + Bowie + 1980s = Dancing In The Street

>

> *whimpers whilst rocking back and forth in the

> corner of the room*

>

> "Make it stop.....please...."

The video is even worse. Two giant egos clashing for equal face time. I think they are both hugely embarrassed by the whole debacle. Righly so.

[jimmy two times]

They actually ruined a great Motown classic. It was a p*ss poor version.

[SeanMacGabhann]

recorded in an hour with a makeshift band for the liveaid thingy (I'm offering as SOME mitigation)

But yes - the 80s Bowie, mostly horrible - my point being that there was a solid 10 years of proper good stuff from 1993 until his heart attack thingy

[giggirl]

Absolutely 2Jimmy2. I like this Motown classic though - it's one of the songs I put on when I'm getting ready to go out for the evening -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zOU056X7YY

[Ted Max]

I liked Reality and Heathen. Some accessible tunes, and some great playing.

Lyrics that wouldn't get him slung out of the Glum Teenage Angst Writers' Workshop. Good stuff.

He looked great around then too. Good advert for heart disease.

[Brendan]

I?ve heard rock ?n roll wouldn?t have been invented if it wasn?t for all these olden days singers.

[giggirl]

Bowie - Without You

Haven't heard this for maybe 20 years and, guess what, I still love it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYGhWjJACrI

"There's no smoke without fire. Oh oh"

I'm dancing round my kitchen

[taper]

Bowie remains our very own South London genius.

I read somewhere (EDF?) that Peter Frampton's dad took him to Kings when he damaged his eye. I hope that's true.

[flapjackdavey]

taper Wrote:

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

>

> David Bowie often cited among this unhappy group,

> but less than these two in my view. At least he

> tries. And his 80s stuff was pretty good.

his 80s stuff was complete crud after Lets Dance

....imo

[taper]

Yes, I draw the line there too. Or at Absolute Beginners, whichever comes last

[jimmy two times]

Bowie's got different colour eyes because he was punched when he was a kid. Frampton's dad did indeed take him to hospital.

[????]

Now we're on eyes can we go back on topic...stevie wonder's genius