Review Summary: 45 minutes of pure greatness. But Talking Book is still better.
Stevie Wonder; what can I say about him? He’s one of the most instantly recognizable faces in music; with his famous sunglasses and that warm smile that signifies a good time. He’s one of the leading figures of the music industry during the 70’s, often considered one of the greatest decades in music; what with the funk; disco; rock genres reaching their ‘golden ages’ simultaneously. And in Signed, Sealed, and Delivered, SW is just as lively as he ever has been.
The first track known as “Never had a Dream Come True” carries a slow reggae like beat while Stevie Wonder sings about a love he has been forced to leave, and that he thinks of her each day. It’s decent, I’ll put that, but I personally am not into this song that much, it’s a (3/5) in my opinion, others might like it more. It’s essentially this album’s outlier, as most of the tracks on this album don’t sound anywhere like this
This is to be followed by Stevie’s cover of “We Can Work It Out” originally by the Beatles. This is a stellar cover with a beat that makes you want to nod you head, tap your feet, and that kind of stuff. It is the kind of music I want when I listen to Stevie; as I am more of a funk listener. Although he can make great songs otherwise (I Just Called to Say I Love You, etc.) Almost as good as the original version. (4/5)
Then comes the albums title track; “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” this is the perfect Stevie Wonder song. I love the beat, which is a catchy as hell Motown melody. I love the lyrics, which only improve on the all-around perfectness, accompanied by Stevie’s excellent soul singing. And I love the chorus given by the top notch background singers. This is the reason I listen to Stevie Wonder. This song signifies all that I love about his music. Well deserved (5/5)
After that lively song, we get Heaven Help Us All. Which starts out as a smooth jazz/blues beat sets the tone as SW sings …“Heaven help the child who never had a home/Heaven help the girl who walks the street alone/Heaven help the roses if the bombs begin to fall/Heaven help us all.” But then turns all-out groovy jam reminiscent of the Jackson 5. It is great, very nice soul singing, great beat, definitely worth checking out. (5/5)
The following tune, You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover sounds more like the Isley Brothers’ “It’s Your Thing” complete with its very own groovy baseline. The only complaint I have with this song is that the singing is somewhat muddled and hard to understand. But otherwise, just another great song with an excellent beat. (4/5)
Then there is “Sugar” which is pretty much the sequel to Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Containing the same love lyrics, same lively beat, and the same Stevie Wonder to sing it all. And best of all. . . It doesn’t disappoint. So yet another (5/5) is there really that much to say about it?
S
tevie softens his melodies in “Don’t Wonder Why” which sounds a bit more like soft R&B/smooth jazz with bongos. He is a bit more emotional in this song, which is about a man’s love for someone else who doesn’t respond. Great song, although I think it could have been done a little better, but that is just me. (4.5/5)
Then there is “Anything You Want Me to Do” which is a nice boogie. Nice beat, singing, etc. Can’t say it is great, but it is pretty decent. (3.5/5)
In “I Can't Let My Heaven Walk Away” Stevie shows his best example of soul. The song is basically about someone’s ex-lover and him contemplating about what he might have done. Great song, though not up to the level of Signed, Sealed, Delivered. (4.5/5)P.S. It might be the other’s side of what happened in Don’t Remember Why.
As we near the end of the album we get the grooviest of any of the songs here; Joy (Takes Over Me) I just have one thing to say of this song, “groovetastic.” If I Can't Let My Heaven Walk Away is this album’s pinnacle of soul, then Joy is this album’s pinnacle of funk. It’s that plain and simple. (5/5)
I Gotta Have a Song is somewhat like Don’t Wonder Why, musically, it’s just softened from the rest of the album . . . again. There is one problem I have with this song. And that is that it is placed directly after Joy. Allowing the song to seem a lot lower than what it is. But it is an excellent song nonetheless (5/5)
And the final song, Something to Say is a great way to close this great album. It’s groovy and Stevie is as good as ever. (4/5)
So if there is something I have to say, it’s that I recommend this album to anyone who enjoys music. As this is 45 minutes of pure greatness. But Talking Book is still better.
