Wonder, Stevie

Band members               Related acts

- Stevie Wonder - vocals, keyboards, percussion, guitar, harmonica

 

 - Eivets Rednow 

 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Signed Sealed and Delivered

Company: Motown

Catalog: MS-176V1

Year: 1969

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: 70s reissue; still in shrink wrap; notched edge

Available: 1

Price: $5.00

 

 Known for his reputation as a practical joker, 1970's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" may been Wonder's sly warning that with contract renewal with Motown looming in the near future, things were about to change in a big way. Along with the fact the set found Wonder stepping into the production seat, musically the album offered up hints of forthcoming changes. Like most of his earlier sets the LP was far from perfect. Offering up a frustrating mix of classic material, those jewels were surrounded by throwaway originals ("I Gotta Have a Song") and a needless cover of The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out" (naturally released as a single it went top-20). While "Never Had a Dream Come True" and "Joy (Takes Over Me)" found Wonder experimenting with synthesizers, "Heaven Help Us All" offered up a slice of cutting social commentary (and another top-10 single), while "You Can't Judge a Book By It's Cover" combined both features into a great slice of funk. Once again, released as a single, the title track b/w "I'm More Than Happy (I'm Satisfied)" (Tamla catalog number T 54196F) provided Wonder with a top-10 hit. Other highlights included the pretty ballad "Don't Wonder Why", the retro-sounding "Anything You Want Me To Do" and the blazing "Sugar". While it wasn't perfect, it stood as one of Wonder's better early-'70s releases. It also sold well, hitting #25.

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered" track listing:
1.) Never Had a Dream Come True (Sylvia Moy - Stevie Wonder - Henry Cosby) - 2:59
2.) We Can Work It Out (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 3:05
3.) Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours (Stevie Wonder - Syreeta Wright - Lee Garrett - Lula Hardaway) - 2:46
4.) Heaven Help Us All (Ron Miller) - 2:59
5.) You Can't Judge a Book By It's Cover (Sylvia Moy - Stevie Wonder - Henry Cosby) - 2:32
6.) Sugar (Don Hunter - Stevie Wonder) - 2:51
7.) Don't Wonder Why (L. Caston) - 4:45
8.) Anything You Want Me To Do (D. Hunter - Stevie Wonder - Lula Hardaway - Paul Riser) - 2:24
9.) I Can't Let My Heaven Walk Away (Pam Sawyer - J. Hinton) - 2:50
10.) Joy (Takes Over Me) (B. Browner) - 2:25
11.) I Gotta Have a Song (Don Hunter - Stevie Wonder - Lula Hardaway - Paul Riser) - 2:32
12.) Something To Say (Don Hunter - Stevie Wonder) - 3:15

Wonder's original contract with Motown expired at the start of 1971. Having turned 21, he was entitled to collect royalties which had accumulated for him under a state appointed guardianship. Having earned Motown some $30 million over the previous thirteen years, much to his dismay, Wonder discovered he was only entitled to $1 million. In the ensuing negotiations Wonder resigned with Motown, but extracted numerous concessions from the company, including increased royalty rates, complete control over his own work, including the right to serve as his own producer, and the right to work on outside projects of his choosing. Proving himself an adept businessman, Wonder quickly formed his own production and publishing companies (Taurus Productions and Black Bull Publishing). He also made changes in his personnel life, marrying former Motown secretary/writing partner Syreeta Wright (the marriage proved brief) and relocating to New York.

Back to Bad Cat search

Want to buy this LP from BadCat Records - click here