Analyzing Stevie Wonder's BEST 7 Moments
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- ⚠️ Warning: This is a ridiculous attempt to pick 7 great Stevie Wonder moments, and somehow ‘rank’ them. ♫ But we hope this brings some communal joy in celebrating the extraordinary artistry of Stevie Wonder. -- Peter
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00:00 Intro
00:42 Summer Soft
04:37 St. Louis Blues
09:22 Feeding Off The Love Of The Land
13:34 Higher Ground
16:36 If It’s Magic
19:02 Big Brother
26:37 I Wish - Hudba
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Stevie Wonder is the greatest musician of the 20th century.
Prince
@@lucasphillips2177 Lucas! Dude, come on!!! He said musician. He didn't say artist. Performing artist? Yes, absolutely. Prince is up there with the best. And yes, great musician. Plays every instrument known to man. But when it comes to musicianship, even Prince would have agreed that Stevie is your man. Shit, where d'ya think Prince got most of his chops from? But, in truth I think they both respected each other immensely. So, maybe it isn't about 'the best' at all, right?
@@hahabass As much as Prince would’ve said Stevie is the greatest musician to ever live, Stevie would’ve said the same about Prince. They both were great friends who collaborated and performed with each other.
"Prince’s music was so picturesque that even I could see it." - Stevie Wonder
@@brionharris4632 Not likely. If Stevie were ever forced to say, he would probably say Duke Ellington, or maybe Tatum, Coltrane or Bird were the 20th century's greatest (or maybe Stravinsky). But there really isn't any such thing as the 'best'--it's like saying that Picasso is better than Michelangelo. It doesn't make any sense. All great artists exist because of other artists that surround and inform them.
Prince was a good musician and a great performer and entertainer, but as far as musicianship is concerned, he's not really in the same league.
You only have one type of video on your channel. What makes you an expert on who's the best. Grow up.
Summer Soft - I mean, it's incredible enough to start with and then he goes off on that repeated chorus, key rising by a semitone at a time and - well, it's stunning. He could have made it simply as a vocalist, let alone his writing and multi-instrumentalism. The man's a genius, we all know that.
Yes we are so very lucky to live in peace with Stevie wonder ❤️
Stevie is EASILY one of the most gifted musicians and songwriters in history!!!
and he gave so much that by 1976 he was cooked. I am a die hard fan but after Songs In the Key of Life he tried to go too far, his major then made him stay too low ever since.
@@simonrano8072disagree. The hotter then July album has classics. The Original Musiquarium Compliation album has 4 new singles that are classics “Do I Do, That girl, Ribbon in the Sky”. The In Square Circles had classics released. He also had the underrated songs after that “Love light in Flight”. And the Grammy nominated album Characters was vastly underrated with the hit Skeletons. The whole soundtrack for Spike Lee. Stevie was one that adapted to the times and still put out hits. Maybe not # 1’s, but they were still charting!
@@Keepdapocket having a #1 song doesn't mean a thing for me, neither does a Grammy.
I have hotter than July in LP, it like a rebound. Ribbon is the Sky is digested pop music, I just call to say I love you is cheesiers than a Philly steak, Part Time lover would be unforgivable if not for the classic era.
A few tunes like Overjoyed or Free are OK along the way the rest in not very interesting and cringe sometimes.
To his honnor nothing really good came out of the 80s and 90s beside the birth of Hip Hop and the Jazz that did not over-tried
@@simonrano8072 whoa!! You lost me homie. First off, don’t be talking about Philly like that (haha kidding. I’m from Philly)!
You lost at nothing good came out of the 80’s. Those late 70’s bands carried R&B during the early to mid 80’s. Midnight Starr, Atlantic Star, Dazz Band, Force MD’s, Full Force. You even had the Whispers still going very strong in the 80’s. Then mid 80’s you had Loose Ends, Soul 2 Soul, The Deele, Keith Sweat, D-Train. R$B was on on poppin in the 80’s, the last decade for true R&B bands and crooners. Crooners such as Peabo Bryson, Howard Hewitt, Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson, Phyllis Hyman, Angela Bofiel. Stephanie Mills, etc. you HAVE to be young because trust and believe, the 80’s, especially the early to kid 80’s, carried over those 70 funk bands that adjusted to the sound like Cameo. Cameo was everywhere in the 80’s. Come on man, you have to do some research. I think you meant the 90’s. The 90’s was trash for R&B, TRUE R&B. The 90’s R&B had hip hop in it. Not until my city, Philly, came with the Neo. Soul sound. Then everyone jumped on it.
Summer Soft is one of Stevie Wonder´s Masterpieces of music. It is one of the most beautiful compositions.
the hole "Songs from the key of Life "Album
Yes! It was one of those that didn't get a lot of attention when I was growing up (the album had too many "hits"), but I couldn't get enough of it...I wore the grooves out on that part of the record. It almost has a Secret Life of Plants vibe...the depth, the creativity, the celebration of earth 🌍
Couldn't agree more ...
Totally agree.
Fabuleux
Stevie said he did “Higher Ground” in 3 hrs… 🤯🤯🤯
Gotta add "Knocks Me Off My Feet", "Golden Lady" "Ribbon in the Sky." "Superwoman", "Creepin" guess I like the ballads.
4 of these are my favorite Stevie songs so absolutely agree. All of superwoman is fantastic
“Take me right away” in golden lady just hits a soft spot. Love that one
@@itisnottaken4444 Written almost 50 years ago and still so perfectly modern and great.
Knocks Me Off My Feet would be in my list of 7. One can find great qualities in any of his tunes.
YES! ALL of them are masterpieces.
Honestly, I consider myself lucky to have lived during Stevie Wonder’s career. Songs In The Key Of Life is simply a masterpiece. In a career of masterpieces….
Isn't that the truth? There are some good things about getting older!
Ditto. Even "journey through the secret life of plants" has moments of absolute bliss....
@@percyvolnar8010 lots of people missed this album ,, sometimes takes knowledge and education to know and understand the value of something "secret life of plants, is of greatest albums ever written is up there with best of the best
@@heldersufiano2816 I agree. People tend to sleep alot.
Oh lve always said that
Stevie is pure magic love ❤️ 😍 💖
When I was really little, and aware of Stevie Wonder's Tamla stuff because I'd found (and liked) a cassette tape of Greatest Hits Vol. 2, I was rummaging through boxes up in the loft one day and came across a recordable tape with 'Songs in the Key of Life' handwritten on it. Inside the little inlay card there were no details, no track listing written down. I went down and put the tape on and the experience of the next couple of hours changed my life. For one thing, the songs just kept coming. What was going on? Each song was one of the best I'd ever heard, and totally distinct from the last. There was no end to these songs! How was this possible? What were these songs even called? 'They Can Feel It All Over'? 'Always'? I didn't know music as good as this was possible. This was Stevie Wonder from the hits tape, but it was like a whole other Stevie Wonder and somehow even better than the one I knew. By the time I got to 'Another Star' I was just straight up bawling my eyes out, incapable of dealing with my astonishment and happiness that music like this existed. I'd discovered the greatest album ever made.
I totally get it, Fauxie. Stevie's best stuff has had that effect on me too. That post-Tamla moment happened for me when I first heard "Music of My Mind", which preceded "Key of Life." That was his initial "graduation" from Tamla / Berry Gordy world into realizing his own personal vision. The rest, as they say, is history. If you haven't seen the tribute to Stevie concert that Obama hosted in the White House, you should seek it out. Stevie was in the front row (duh) listening to other great musicians pay him homage. My personal favorite moment was Esperanza performing "Overjoyed", singing the vocal AND playing upright bass.
@@pdxfunkjunkie I loved that performance, too! She's a bit hit and miss for me but that was great.
I love that others have experienced the overwhelm his music brings…. It’s not just me…..lol
Listening to a master with Peter's ears for 20 minutes is a real education even for us non musicians. Always here for this kind content.
I hope there will be more of this type of amazing analysis!!
It's always been Prince for me :) Stevie is a legend though 🙌
I’ve never thought I’d find someone who appreciates SUMMER SOFT like I do. And I’m no musician but I know that is a special song. The way he can build and then swing back to “Winter wind”… effing amazing
How does Beyonce have more Grammy's then Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones? Somebody please help me understand this farce...
We need a 70 Stevie Wonder moments.
To me the key change on "misstra know it all" and the harmonica solo on "too high" are unbelievably good
Agreed! Even more mind-blowing is the fact that Stevie plays all the instruments on both (with the exception of Willie Weeks's bass on "Misstra Know-It-All"). "Too High" may be my favorite performance by Stevie on drums...
Except that there is no key change in "He's Misstra Know It All".
@@cinemusicberlin when you're right, you're right! :)
Those early albums are all inspired .
Stevie Wonder...It's all in the name as he's the 8th Wonder of the World.
Songs in the Key of Life is the best album ever. I first heard this when I was a kid and fell in love with it.
When my bro told me Stevie was blind and write, produced and arranged hus own music onto of playing most instruments it blew my mind.
40 odd years later I'm still listening to those classic albums as though they were released yesterday.
Thank you for pointing out a few of the countless genius moments in Stevie Wonder's discography. He will go down in history as one of the great composers, players, singers, etc. Let's face it: He's one of the few who has kept jazz alive in popular music. God bless Stevie!
Summer Soft is one of the most beautiful things ever written. it's a perfect example of Stevie's ability to make complexity sound simple and beautiful.
No matter how many times i hear this tune, it's STILL a masterpiece.
The joy and appreciation you have for all the intricacies that make Stevie's music so powerfully and uniquely soulful is as infectious as Stevie's music itself. You get it.
Impossible to do just 7 Stevie Wonder moments, because his genius is forevermore. But here's one I love, Stevie singing "Fragile" at Sting's 60th birthday party. Truly amazing.
That sounds amazing!
You are one helluva pianist, Peter! And Stevie is one of the greatest musicians that ever lived!
My favorite!!!!!!!!!!
You know I have respect for Stevie, Herbie and other jazz goons but my highest respect in Music goes to people like you who listen to people's songs, understand it and teach to we the learners. My Grammy goes to you guys, honestly. Thanks a lot for these Ahaaa moments that make us musicians to express goofy faces when those crazy chords and transitions set in. Thanks boss.
Yes! I had a lesson with Peter Martin when he was in New Zealand. His ability to play piano is only matched by his warm personality. Was definitely one of lifes checkpoints.
This video was pure joy for me, the song I Wish made me cry the first time i heard it because everything was so perfect in it. I love stevie i hope i get to see him one day live
Me too!
"if it's magic". Always makes me cry.
impressed that you only stuck to 7 moments, everything from '71-'77 was true genius. u hipped me to "Feeding Off the Love of the Land" from a great movie by a another modern Black visionary. every album from Talking Book to Songs in the Key had a song like this one: clavinet centered and stripped down, super groovy and political. my fav of this style is "You Haven't Done Nothing". plz do a top 10 Stevie songs list
Yesss you haven’t done nothing is so beautiful my face contorts in so many different ways when listening to it❤ and it includes my other favorite artists, the Jackson 5
We saw Patti Smith in concert last night. The last person I'd think of to cover SW. She sang Blame it on the Sun. Enchanting.
A friend of mine saw her last summer in London and told me Patti’s performance of Blame It On The Sun floored the entire audience.
She did “ when doves cry “… it was amazing!💕
My favorite Stevie A-ha Moment? That Girl! The changes are all over the place with a series of four note chords over a pedal point bass!
Can we have a part2 of this video? Liking all the Wonder videos that you're uploading :)
My favourite stevie moments are:
All i do. I love his one man band approach to this song especially his synth bass playing which feels at times loose, sloppy but tight especially when it locks in with his drumming.
Creeping - his vocals on this track suggest a sense of eerieness and mystery. Again, his one man band approach is amazing and let's not forget his harmonica playing which gives the song a lift!
Black man - One man band funk tour de force! There is so much to love in this song - a We didn't start the fire type of song over a decade before Billy Joel's. Great track!
Some of my favorite Stevie Wonder moments are "Rocket Love", "Ribbon In The Sky", "Send One Your Love", Fun Day" & "Skeletons"
Been listening to Stevie Wonder's music and collecting his albums since he the early 70's truly timeless masterpieces. Being a piano player myself you've opened up so much what is genius about his work, thanks.
"Did you know that true love asks for nothing?
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee?
To last through forever and another day..."
Stevie is Master Peace 💎
Awesome line
This content blew me away, it encouraged me to understand melody and harmony to make me a greater musician. Thanks Peter.
Gawtdamn! I'd love to see Peter just do a whole deep-dive series on Stevie. This is truly some of the best music analysis content on youtube.
Summer Soft and If It’s Magic are simply works of magic.
My friend, you are bringing Stevie's music alive again after all these years! I'm feeling it! Thank you!
Mind blowing harmonic genius all around.. thanks Peter for your expert guidance in explaining to me why I love Stevie Wonder’s music so deeply ❤️🎹😊
The fact that.... yet, another generation of musicians are waking up to the genius of Stevie gives me hope for the future.
This was so fun and interesting. Thank you for sharing Stevie’s genius and your own marvellous talent with we music lovers. Even though I don’t read or play music I loved it. 🎶♥️
Overjoyed
Always
Send one your love
Ribbon in the sky
All I do
Lately
Rocket Love
All in love is fair
Knocks me off my feet
From the bottom of my heart
Summer Soft
Are all gems to me.
I swear listening to his Melodie’s makes me feel like I’m in a beautiful enchanted forest after a rain pour.
I love the content, one thing about the moment in If It's Magic - it's simply a deceptive cadence, going V-I and then V-VI when a similar phrase gets repeated is super commonplace in church hymn harmonization, for instance
Nothing but love for Martin.... He totally gets it. The Music, The pain of the Lyrics...
I call these moments “oooh shit” with an amazed face! Great video! Stevie is the greatest artist of all time!
Wonderful analysis of some great Stevie moments. One I would like to add is the harmonica solo on Creepin. The phrasing is just amazing - it never ceases to move me.
Oh man, the way he uses the repeating chromatic modulation in Summer Soft to work all the way up to the Em7 near the end of the song, and then using the Bmaj7, Amaj7, Abm7, G7, Gb7sus4, F7 turnaround to keep coming back to the Em7 -> A7 vamp while the organ solo continues at the end of the song is so unbelievably cool 😭
I’m 67, so I go back to Fingertips and everything that came after. Thank you for breaking these songs down so perfectly and with such enthusiasm. The word, genius sometimes gets thrown around casually, but not when it comes to Stevie.
Stevie wonder's music is so rich that we always find that the mix doesn't do justice to all the instruments, thanks to this video and others from peter, i realize the harmonic beauty of the piano part. I play bass and while working on most of stevie wonder's standards I also realized that this guy created a lot of incredibly good bass lines, played on the keyboard or not and even putting aside those played by james jamerson (an other genius...).
Been addicted to Stevie's music since I was introduced to the Songs in The Key of Life album when I was 12.
Any time I see a thumbnail suggesting the video analyses Stevie's music, I can't click fast enough, because you know you're in for a fascinating, awe inspiring journey.
This was really, really well done; I was honestly 'shocked' by that C G D F movement at the end of the Chorus of Feeding Off The Love of The Land; totally took that for granted before, but, yeah, it sounds sooo good. Anyway, great to see your 'stank face' appreciation of the music.
Stevie was my top artist 2021 in spotify, i get the feeling he will be as well in 2022 :)
THANK YOU!!!!!!! Such a gift to have Stevie broken down with such passion and delight. That's the way I feel about him too,.
Why only 60k views??! Peter, you are an amazing educator. I’ve lived these songs my whole life and you’ve achieved the impossible- you’ve enhanced my love of these tunes! Amazing. More Stevie always. And how about turning your fine ear to other soul jazz legends? Your enthusiasm and musicality are infectious. 🙏
What? Stevie and Herbie made a record? Where was I? Oh yeah… raising kids, trying to support a family, etc. Thanks for the placeholder and amazing insight!
Loved how you analysed Stevie's music its fab, thanks dude awesome stuff! No one like Stevie thats for sure👍🏼💖💐
His music is so beautiful…he may be blind but he sees more than most of us I guess…
This was wonderful (pardon the pun). Stevie the greatest of his generation no doubt. All of these tunes are like little perfect gems waiting to be discovered. You uncovered some here for me👍
When I heard “Feeding off the Love of the Land” I knew you were legit. No one talks about that one let alone analyzes it ❤
Peter my musical brother these Stevie sessions are home runs ! You are divulging all the inner workings, voicings, notational constructs in clear concise ways. Finally someone is doing this and in such a monumental design. Young players get to see the voicings, licks, chord structures and intricate color palettes the Stevie uses in real time with great keyboard visuals. Actually they can play right along. Your contributions to Music Education are vital for the culture moving forward. Finally someone is deep diving into Stevie's material and unmasking the beauty with an understandable delivery. I've been enjoying and performing SW's stuff for decades, never gets old.
I’ve always said that all the theory you need to know if can’t afford to go to school is listen to EWF & Stevie Wonder!!! They have all the theory and feel on every record!!!
As a massive stevie fan,I wanted so much too learn one of his songs on keyboards. After watching this I realised I will never be able to learn even one.
Hi Peter:
Of course these original tracks are bad ass. But I really love what you’re playing over them as well
interpretation and execution absolutely brilliant Peter !
Even being a fan, I discovered "feeding of the love of the land" though this video... I can only think of a couple things that are more priceless.... Thank you brother.
For me, Living for the City with its radio play segment... also Rocket Love
Great. So much to discover. Long live Stevie.
Incredible video, Stevie truly is a master of 'aha' moments and this video introduced me to some new ones. I'm a big fan of the lead sheet style overlay where it shows all of the chords at once with the current chord highlighted as opposed to just showing the current chord. Having the rest of the chords at the same time really helps show the harmonic direction and functionality. I hope to see more of these in future videos!
I want to thank you Peter. You turned me on to "Feeding Off the Love of the Land" at your recent Friday concert. Since then I transcribed most of it off the recording, which was a little challenging for me(but you have been motivating me to do it more). Almost done with it, and now here you are helping me along with this video! Thanks man! This tune may be in my top 5 of his (but you're right, impossible to really choose a few with so many masterpieces!)
I would k*** to be able to copy Herbies parts so effortlessly... Huge respect Peter!
Your Stevie Wonder videos are amazing. It allows a chance to take a deeper & insightful look into songs we didn't think too much about before. There's so much there!
(Please know that this is a compliment)
I'm an age 67 OG. I remember "Little" Stevie Wonder. I felt his music as a black person (can't explain that). Back in that day, there were white performers and white performers. That started to change with Hendrix, Average White Band, (and others) Anyway, it excites me to see a white man who feels Stevie like a black person. It's no different than dancing Flamenco as a Spaniard (later with the haters of what I'm trying to say) Bottom line. I love your channel
That was amazingly lit! Peter. I just discovered OS about a month ago and I love it.
I love Stevie 's Clav Rhods and Moog stuff Like "Tuesday Heartbreak" and some of his really nice ballads on Rhodes like "Superwoman"
Don't forget his synth chops!
Thanks again
I’ve been listening to these great songs for years, but I haven’t been hearing them!!!!! You are a genius for even hearing the subtle chords and notes that we didn’t even realize were there in the first place! I don’t know how you can “see” into the chords to break down those really intense notes and changes! Kudos to you bro!!!!!
Thank you, Peter. Stevie’s songs take us all to that special place. You’ve also given us all such an incredible gift with your appreciation and analysis.
Thank you.
Thank you Peter for giving us your deep dive into Stevie's incomparable harmonic and rhythmic genius!!!!It was a great educational ride which I'm sure I'll be viewing many many times over!!!Wow man!!!!
You can't go wrong with a great musician breaking down the masterful genius that is Stevie Wonder
My brain is melting. This is like a chocolate sundae on top of a banana split - too much goodness at once!! Thanks so much for this brilliantly executed and very deftly produced video.
Maaaan...I went throughout the entire video listening to the songs completely to see your point. I agree with all. This was an amazing Stevie Wonder trip. Thank you so much. Greetings from Mexico.
my nth time watching this video. my husband tells meet move on I'm obsessed. but I can't help myself. hahaha. I really appreciate your expert knowledge which has helped me understand things about Stevie's music I've always just felt and loved and I really LOVE your passion in your videos. so rare these days and so genuine too. when you point your finger down when Stevie sings low in Big Brother, I point my finger down too. I can feel it! 20:20
Peter's love for Stevie is INFECTIOUS! LOVE IT!
You have to wonder (no pun intended) or perhaps the word is marvel how he assembled these completely unique chord sequences and how he forced them to make sense with his overwhelming melodic sense. It's not like Giant Steps which is a pure mathematical pattern or Have You Met Miss Jones which is a bit contrived, though still fun. Surely it has to do with his use of altered chords and how he could weave melody through them. Unique, not found anywhere else in pop music.
So good, thanks for doing this. I grew up with Stevie's music and never let it go.
Love this Peter, love Stevie. would love you to do a whole series of Stevie video please ... great you have chose so real gems, me and fellow Stevie fans really appreciate that . Thank you
Best Wishes Pete
Really love this guided tour. Thanks, Peter!
Steve Wonder stands in a line with Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Edvard Grieg...timeless
Fabulous video, entertaining and brilliantly constructed right to the end. More like this please!
MORE STEVIE VIDEOS!
speechless. please do a whole masterclass on stevie wonder!!
The two ah-ha! moments in Tuesday Heartbreak get me every time! One of my favourites from Stevie
Thank you, sir. Love the joy you bring to this, but also to the whole Open Studio project. The enthusiasm is infectious. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Much, much respect.
These videos are my absolute favourite. Could watch this all day!
So glad to hear you do St Louis Woman. I can’t believe how many friends of mine never know this. Very hip video. Appreciate the onscreen notation and chords.
This was such a dope and entertaining video thanks so much.
Excellent attempt sir! Growing up a kid in a neighborhood that supported food being on the table more than the arts in any form, I was on my own and mostly self-taught (mostly because I was an undiagnosed autistic until my 60s) Stevie Wonder was my unintentional teacher of chord progression! I wish I had the wisdom to learning the keyboard when I was younger instead of depending on my so-called perfectly pitched ear alone...I would have learned so much more, but better late than never...Thank you for the gift of education through your channel, Sir.
Beautiful summary man!!!Love it.
Songs In The Key Of Like is Stevie's masterpiece.
Well done, Peter! Thanks for breaking it down with your infectious enthusiasm!
Absolutely fantastic video for listening and learning… and happiness. Thanks, Mr.Peter Martin!
Love this! Yes please more breakdowns like this ❤
Whenever Stevies songs come on anywhere ppl start smiling. God given gift.
Lovin this. Thanks for sharing, Peter.
Feel free to make these videos for the rest of time, I’ll be here 👏