Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder

De: Mark Ribowsky

Narrado por: Kevin R. Free

The first definitive biography of music legend Stevie Wonder.

Stevie Wonder's achievements as a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer are extraordinary. During a career that has spanned almost fifty years, he has earned more than 30 Top 10 hits, 26 Grammy Awards, and a place in both the Rock and Roll and Songwriter Halls of Fame - and he's not finished yet. On the verge of turning 60, he is still composing, still touring, and still attracting dedicated fans around the world.

For the first time, Signed, Sealed, and Delivered takes an in-depth look at Stevie Wonder's life and his evolution from kid-soul pop star into a mature artist whose music helped lay the groundwork for the evolution of hip hop and rap.

• Explores the life, achievements, and influence of one of America's biggest musical icons, set against the history of Motown and the last 50 years of popular music.
• Based on extensive interviews with Motown producers, music executives, songwriters, and musicians, including founding Temptation Otis Williams, Mickey Stevenson, surviving Funk Brother Eddie Willis, synthesizer genius Malcolm Cecil, guitar legend Michael Sembello, and many others.
• Traces Stevie's personal and musical development through the decades, from the early 1960s R&B of "Fingertips" to the social and political themes of "Living for the City" and other 1970s classics, through periods of musical and personal confusion, uncertainty, and, later, renewal.

Listen to Signed, Sealed, and Delivered to explore the life and work of one of pop music's most compelling masters of invention.

©2010 Mark Ribowsky (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Stevie! A Genuine Genius

A complete life led by one of the most talented men that ever lived. What more can be said about a pure musician, singer, songwriter. A prolific entertainer and Soul.

Uneven and Self-serving

The most interesting parts of the bio were his early childhood which was filled with accounts I'd never heard. But the author focused too much time on the disgruntled white producers and staffers who he obviously identified with.

One account which was most interesting to me as a fan of Jeff Beck was how he came to lose the battle to release Wonder's breakout "Superstition", which placed the blame on Gordy and failed to mention Beck's reported drug use during that period which made him retreat to his English country home for months on end while he reevaluated his career and worked on his demons. Some accounts suggest Stevie was willing to let Beck release his version for the Rock market first, then follow up with his more R&B treatment later but Beck took too long forming his " supergroup ".

Speaking of Gordy, the author seems consumed with making him the ultimate villain instead of the visionary he was. I don't think the author understands the struggle it must have been for Gordy to operate in the industry that historically exploited Black talent.

Outstanding Listen

The narrator had a very soothing voice and very calming manner that he narrated the book. Very nice listen.

Definitive, but a bit one sided

This is a well written book that feels like the definitive biography of Stevie Wonder so far. There’s good research and good commentary about each album. However it did feel like it was a little too heavily reliant on a few interviews, none of whom were Stevie Wonder or members of his family. There are numerous quotes from the two members of Tonto, Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, which seem to indicate that they were an essential part of the Stevie Wonder’s genius. There may be something to this as Steve’s best was indeed when he was with them in the production booth. However it also sounds a bit like sour grapes. Other than those two members of Tonto other people heavily quoted are Michael Sembello and Nate Watts. There is a little too heavy of a reliance on how Rolling Stone magazine has rated Stevie’s albums. This audio production was very well read by the narrator. He was very easy to listen to through the whole program.

Legendary

This makes me feel like I know my favorite artist even more so now. This was a journey through the life of an artist that has become such an important part of my life. Stevie’s music is the soundtrack to my life. At every moment I recalled what was happening in my own life. I recommend this book to any Stevie fan. Kudos and much love to all of the musicians and even Malcolm Cecil for the contributions that you have contributed to Stevie’s music and sound. The world is better because we have his music in our world.

Disparages Black Business

The author Mark Ribowsky is overtly hostile and disparaging to Motown Records, founder Berry Gordy, and the black entourage that managed Stevie's business affairs. He makes preposterous claims such as that Berry Gordy was a pimp and is entirely dismissive of the success of Motown Records, one of the most successful black businesses in American history. The author does not appear to have received access to the key players for interviews, and is reliant on what appears to be 2 or 3 tertiary characters as sources.

Too in love with his own vocabulary

I admit that I gave up on this book several hours in. The story, which is certainly worth telling, is totally obscured by the author's need to reveal his ability to use convoluted language. He never fails to use five words when two will do. As a result, I gave up on learning anything about Stevie Wonder without having to wade through ridiculous prose.