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The 1976 Promo Film For Stevie Wonder's Greatest Album
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 12, 2015
Modified Feb 12, 2015
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 12, 2015
Modified Feb 12, 2015
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Stevie's billboard in Times Square
This 30-minute promo film, filmed in 1976, shows a press pool traveling via school bus from New York City to Long View Farm Studio in Massachusetts. This is how beautifully simple things were before the day of Rihanna Planes, and it's how music critics first heard Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key Of Life album.
The press visit—where each journalist received an autographed copy of the album—probably didn't sway anyone's opinions, as the album is a masterpiece. Rolling Stone's Vince Aletti, however, did tap into his critical voice—one issue he had was with the album's cover, something Stevie (probably) can't be blamed for.
"Wonder's particular genius is that his carefully crafted perfection sounds so convincingly offhand. Unfortunately, the album cover—featuring Wonder's image sinking into a vortex of what resembles orange crepe paper — looks not only offhand but like a last-minute amateur effort; the effect is hideous and offensively cheap, considering the album's $13.98 list price.
The material itself varies so widely that even after weeks of listening it's difficult to get a critical fix on. This is one of the album's pleasures—I found myself constantly discovering and falling in love with new cuts I'd somehow overlooked. The album offers something fresh at each listening, something right for every mood. But it's also one of the record's annoyances—it has no focus or coherence. The eclecticism is rich and welcome, but the overall effect is haphazard, turning what might have been a stunning, exotic feast into a hastily organized potluck supper."
[via Boing Boing]
Tagged
1976
promo film
Songs in the Key of Life
stevie wonder
vintage
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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