Show #113: Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions

Posted on in The 59 Sound

Stevie Wonder has always had musical talent to spare, and Tamla’s 1973 Innervisions is no exception. Wonder plays most of the instruments on this classic himself, making this one of the highlights of his impressive discography.

Setlist (“Song Name” – Artist – Album)

“The ’59 Sound” – The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound

“Too High” – Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

“Visions” – Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

“Living For The City” – Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

“Golden Lady” – Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

“Higher Ground” – Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

“Jesus Children Of America” – Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

“All In Love Is Fair” – Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

“Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” – Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

“He’s Misstra Know-It-All” – Stevie Wonder – Innervisions

“Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” – Stevie Wonder – Up-Tight [by Request]

For Haans!

“U Can’t Hold No Groove…” – Victor Wooten – A Show Of Hands [by Request]

Victor Wooten is a fellow musical virtuoso that is know to cover Stevie Wonder songs. Wonder’s influence on his career has been noted by the bassist many times.

“Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” – Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

Marvin Gaye was another fixture on Motown Records at the time of Stevie Wonder, crafting similarly politically themed epics.

“Back To The Future (Part I)” – D’Angelo & The Vanguard – Black Messiah

D’Angelo’s recent classic is surely influenced by Stevie Wonder.

“We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue” – Curtis Mayfield – Curtis

Curtis Mayfield is one of Stevie Wonder’s closest musical contemporaries.

 
“Harvest For The World” – The Isley Brothers – Harvest For The World [by Request]
This Isley Brothers track is a similarly socially conscious track to those heard onInnervisions.
 
“Down Under” – Men At Work – Business As Usual [by Request]
For Tony in honor of Matthew Dellavedova! Not Stevie Wonder related, but I would be remiss to deny a Delly-related request on the eve of the 4th Cavs-Warriors NBA Final game!
 
“Higher Ground” – The Red Hot Chili Peppers – Mother’s Milk
This is perhaps the best known cover “Higher Ground.” I’ve always liked the Chili Pepper’s take on it because it feels like a tribute to Stevie and not just a cover. 
 
“Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” – Jeff Beck – Blow By Blow
Stevie Wonder composed this track as a tribute to guitarist Roy Buchanan for Jeff Beck’s first solo album.
 
“The Lonely One” – Dave Mason – It’s Like You Never Left
Stevie Wonder lends his harmonica chops to this track.
 
“Crack In The Pearly, Pt. II” – Mark Ronson Feat. Stevie Wonder & Jeff Bhasker – Uptown Special
Stevie Wonder is also featured on this hit Mark Ronson album.
“Vision One” – Röyksopp – Junior
This cut features a distorted sample of “Too High.”
“California Roll” – Snoop Dogg Feat. Stevie Wonder – Bush
Stevie Wonder also lends his considerable talents to this song from the latest Snoop Dogg record.
 
This week’s show will be archived here until 8am on June 18th: http://wruw-stream.wruw.org/archives/128/the-59-sound.mp3