Nearly 30 years later, ‘Songs’ still a wonder

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Nov. 19, 2004 | 8:47 a.m.

The 1970s were an incredibly fertile period for Motown star Stevie Wonder.

The vocalist/pianist/composer opened the decade with hit single "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," dropped a pair of classic albums in 1972's "Talking Book" and 1973's "Innervisions" and still found time for other quality releases, such as 1972's "Music of My Mind" and 1974's "Fulfillingness' First Finale."

It's amazing, then, that Wonder had so many ideas left over by 1976 that he needed more than four full record sides to house them all.

That's right, the original vinyl version of "Songs in the Key of Life" actually expanded on the industry's traditionally bloated two-disc concept, spanning a whopping two LPs and a bonus EP.

Totalling 21 tracks -- now neatly collected on one two-CD set -- it might seem an overabundance of music at first consideration. But ultimately "Songs in the Key Life" maintains its appeal nearly 30 years later, thanks largely to its sheer enormity.

How many Wonder fans out there routinely skip over leadoff track "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" when spinning "Talking Book"? A fair number, it's safe to assume, if only because they've played the song to death over the years.

With the sprawling "Songs in the Key of Life," passing over a song or two still leaves so much to enjoy.

Not in the mood for dreamy opener "Love's in Need of Love Today" or somber third cut "Village Ghetto Land"? No problem, the back-to-back funk-rock of "Sir Duke" and "I Wish" are just around the corner, ready to brighten your day.

Want social commentary? Try "Pastime Paradise" (yes, the one rapper Coolio reworked in 1995) or "Black Man." Ballads? Stevie's got plenty, including the lush "Summer Soft" and the buoyant "As."

Heck, the guy even sings in Spanish for part of one track, "Ngiculela -- Es Una Historia -- I Am Singing."

And unless you sit around listening to "Songs in the Key of Life" from start to finish for weeks on end, you'll discover new treasures with each visit. The ends of both discs, in particular, are packed with wonderfully underrated tunes, including "Ordinary Pain" and "Another Star."

Of course, such a diverse and massive batch of music wouldn't truly work without a cohesive force to tie it together.

Thankfully, "Songs in the Key of Life" has one: Wonder's sincere, heartfelt approach to each and every song in the collection.

Artist: Stevie Wonder.

Title: "Songs in the Key of Life."

Year of release: 1976 (reissued 2000, Motown Records).

Tracklisting: Disc 1: "Love's in Need of Love Today," "Have a Talk With God," "Village Ghetto Land," "Contusion," "Sir Duke," "I Wish," "Knocks Me Off My Feet," "Pastime Paradise," "Summer Soft," "Ordinary Pain," "Saturn," "Ebony Eyes." Disc 2: "Isn't She Lovely," "Joy Inside My Tears," "Black Man," "Ngiculela -- Es Una Historia -- I Am Singing," "If It's Magic," "As," "Another Star," "All Day Sucker," "Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)."