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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: vansmack on August 03, 2007, 01:56:00 pm

Title: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: vansmack on August 03, 2007, 01:56:00 pm
Stevie Wonder plans first U.S. tour in a decade
 Motown legend will play 13 concerts in eight states
 The Associated Press
 Updated: 9:08 p.m. PT Aug 2, 2007
 
 LOS ANGELES - Stevie Wonder said Thursday that he will hold his first U.S. tour in more than a decade, beginning next month in San Diego.
 
 ??A Wonder Summer??s Night? will include 13 concerts from Aug. 23 to Sept. 20 in eight states. Stops in California will include San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Concord, Santa Barbara, Saratoga and Los Angeles. Other cities include Portland, Ore.; Woodinville, Wash.; Chicago; Detroit; Atlanta and Baltimore. The final concert will be in Boston.
 
 Tickets will be available beginning Aug. 11. Ticket prices were not immediately released.
 
 Although the 57-year-old has given numerous performances worldwide, Wonder??s last full-scale tour in the United States was in 1995.
 
 The Motown legend has won some two dozen Grammys and had dozens of hits. His song ??I Just Called to Say I Loved You,? used in the movie ??The Woman in Red,? won the Academy Award for best original song in 1985.
 
 © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 
 URL:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20099299/ (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20099299/)
 
 Thu 08/23/07   San Diego, CA  Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay  
 Sat 08/25/07   Lake Tahoe, NV  Harvey's Lake Tahoe Outdoor Amph.  
 Sun 08/26/07   Concord, CA  Sleep Train Pavilion At Concord  
 Tue 08/28/07   Santa Barbara, CA  Santa Barbara Bowl  
 Thu 08/30/07   Troutdale, OR  McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater  
 Fri 08/31/07   Woodinville, WA  Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery  
 Tue 09/04/07   Saratoga, CA  The Mountain Winery  
 Wed 09/05/07   Los Angeles, CA  Greek Theatre  
 Mon 09/10/07   Chicago, IL  Charter One Pav. @ Northerly Isl.  
 Wed 09/12/07   Rochester Hills, MI  Meadow Brook Music Festival  
 Fri 09/14/07   Atlanta, GA  Chastain Park Amphitheatre  
 Sun 09/16/07   Baltimore, MD  Pier Six Pavilion  
 Tue 09/18/07   New York, NY  Radio City Music Hall  
 Thu 09/20/07   Boston, MA  Bank Of America Pavilion
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: palahniukkubrick on August 03, 2007, 02:12:00 pm
As long as he sticks to his seventies material, it should be a good show.
 
 But I have no idea why he would.
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on August 03, 2007, 02:29:00 pm
I wonder if it will be sponsored by Slim Fast?
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: kcjones119 on August 03, 2007, 02:32:00 pm
Barry's Customer: Hi, do you have the song "I Just Called To Say I Love You?" It's for my daughter's birthday.
 Barry: Yea we have it.
 Barry's Customer: Great, Great, can I have it?
 Barry: No, no, you can't.
 Barry's Customer: Why not?
 Barry: Well, it's sentimental tacky crap. Do we look like the kind of store that sells I Just Called to Say I Love You? Go to the mall.
 Barry:  Do you even know your daughter?  There's no way she likes that song....oh, wait...is she in a coma?
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: HoyaSaxa03 on August 03, 2007, 02:37:00 pm
i just started listening in the last year or so to his early 70s stuff ... some pretty mind-blowing albums in there ... i think people tend to forget his more traditional 60s R&B stuff, which is pretty damn good too
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: vansmack on August 03, 2007, 02:55:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Hoya Paranoia:
  i just started listening in the last year or so to his early 70s stuff ... some pretty mind-blowing albums in there ... i think people tend to forget his more traditional 60s R&B stuff, which is pretty damn good too
Sub-question: is it in fact unfair to criticize a formerly great artist for his latter day sins?
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: HoyaSaxa03 on August 03, 2007, 03:00:00 pm
I happen to know for a fact that the only Stevie Wonder single we have is "Don't Drive Drunk."
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: vansmack on August 03, 2007, 03:14:00 pm
But seriously, Talking Book and Innervisions are brilliant in my mind.  I just don't think I could sit through the rest of the stuff if I went to the show.
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: Sir HC on August 03, 2007, 03:17:00 pm
Go for the drum solos:
 
 tp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SCZv7786KY
 
 Stevie on drums..
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: TheDirector217 on August 03, 2007, 03:55:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by vansmack:
  But seriously, Talking Book and Innervisions are brilliant in my mind.  I just don't think I could sit through the rest of the stuff if I went to the show.
You may be forgetting this little album called Songs In The Key Of Life.  But whatever.  I'll agree there was a drop-off in the 80s & 90s, but after 3 albums that kinda changed the face of music what the fuck do you expect???  By the way,  That Girl (http://www.mediafire.com/?etxepjwnyl1) may be my favorite Stevie song of all time.  That was from the 80s.  Don't get me started on "These 3 Words" (a wedding staple), "Happy Birthday", "Part Time Lover", or "Boogie On Reggae Woman".  Smackie's always all good with me but in the same token, know your history before you make off-brand comments. Some artists escape criticism as a result of their brilliance, & Stevie's one of 'em.  You're talking about UNDISPUTED (not personal opinion, but undisputed) classic LP upon classic LP.  
 
 If I was to go & tell you something like Radiohead's been eating off the brilliance of OK Computer for YEARS now, you cats would lose your fuckin' minds . . .     :roll:
 
 And it's definitely better to burn out.  Just my opinion.
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: thirsty moore on August 03, 2007, 04:04:00 pm
Not everyone on here likes Radiohead!
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  If I was to go & tell you something like Radiohead's been eating off the brilliance of OK Computer for YEARS now, you cats would lose your fuckin' minds . . .      :roll:
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: SalParadise on August 03, 2007, 04:06:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  You may be forgetting this little album called Songs In The Key Of Life.  
if only it were a little album... that thing is like 8 songs too long.
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: TheDirector217 on August 03, 2007, 04:07:00 pm
I'm neither knocking nor endorsing Radiohead, just playing devil's advocate.  
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by econo:
  Not everyone on here likes Radiohead!
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  If I was to go & tell you something like Radiohead's been eating off the brilliance of OK Computer for YEARS now, you cats would lose your fuckin' minds . . .       :roll:  
[/b]
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: TheDirector217 on August 03, 2007, 04:18:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by SalParadise:
   
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  You may be forgetting this little album called Songs In The Key Of Life.  
if only it were a little album... that thing is like 8 songs too long. [/b]
Disc one
 "Love's in Need of Love Today" (Wonder) ?? 7:05
 "Have a Talk with God" (Hardaway/Wonder) ?? 2:42
 "Village Ghetto Land" (Byrd/Wonder) ?? 3:25
 "Contusion" (Wonder) ?? 3:45
 "Sir Duke" (Wonder) ?? 3:54
 "I Wish" (Wonder) ?? 4:12
 "Knocks Me Off My Feet" (Wonder) ?? 3:36
 "Pastime Paradise" (Wonder) ?? 3:27
 "Summer Soft" (Wonder) ?? 4:14
 "Ordinary Pain" (Wonder) ?? 6:23
 
 Disc two
 "Isn't She Lovely" (Wonder) ?? 6:34
 "Joy Inside My Tears" (Wonder) ?? 6:29
 "Black Man" (Byrd/Wonder) ?? 8:29
 "Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing" (Wonder) ?? 3:48
 "If It's Magic" (Wonder) ?? 3:12
 "As" (Wonder) ?? 7:08
 "Another Star" (Wonder) ?? 8:28
 
 A Something's Extra
 "Saturn" (Sembello/Wonder) ?? 4:53
 "Ebony Eyes" (Wonder) ?? 4:08
 "All Day Sucker" (Wonder) ?? 5:05
 "Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)" (Wonder) ?? 3:56
 
 PLEASE tell me which 8 songs you could POSSIBLY be talking about.  I cram to understand you . . .
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: shemptiness on August 03, 2007, 04:27:00 pm
'Songs in the Key....' - definiteley a desert island disc.
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: SalParadise on August 03, 2007, 04:34:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
   
Quote
Originally posted by SalParadise:
   
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  You may be forgetting this little album called Songs In The Key Of Life.  
if only it were a little album... that thing is like 8 songs too long. [/b]
Disc one
 "Love's in Need of Love Today" (Wonder) ?? 7:05
 "Have a Talk with God" (Hardaway/Wonder) ?? 2:42
 "Village Ghetto Land" (Byrd/Wonder) ?? 3:25
 "Contusion" (Wonder) ?? 3:45
 "Sir Duke" (Wonder) ?? 3:54
 "I Wish" (Wonder) ?? 4:12
 "Knocks Me Off My Feet" (Wonder) ?? 3:36
 "Pastime Paradise" (Wonder) ?? 3:27
 "Summer Soft" (Wonder) ?? 4:14
 "Ordinary Pain" (Wonder) ?? 6:23
 
 Disc two
 "Isn't She Lovely" (Wonder) ?? 6:34
 "Joy Inside My Tears" (Wonder) ?? 6:29
 "Black Man" (Byrd/Wonder) ?? 8:29
 "Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing" (Wonder) ?? 3:48
 "If It's Magic" (Wonder) ?? 3:12
 "As" (Wonder) ?? 7:08
 "Another Star" (Wonder) ?? 8:28
 
 A Something's Extra
 "Saturn" (Sembello/Wonder) ?? 4:53
 "Ebony Eyes" (Wonder) ?? 4:08
 "All Day Sucker" (Wonder) ?? 5:05
 "Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)" (Wonder) ?? 3:56
 
 PLEASE tell me which 8 songs you could POSSIBLY be talking about.  I cram to understand you . . . [/b]
glad you asked...
 
 getting the axe:
 "have a talk with god"
 "village ghetto land"
 "contusion"
 "isn't she lovely"
 "ngiculela"
 "if it's magic"
 "saturn"
 "ebony eyes"
 
 'innervisions' would be taking a backseat had he released it like this.
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: TheDirector217 on August 03, 2007, 04:59:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by SalParadise:
   
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
   
Quote
Originally posted by SalParadise:
     
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  You may be forgetting this little album called Songs In The Key Of Life.  
if only it were a little album... that thing is like 8 songs too long. [/b]
Disc one
 "Love's in Need of Love Today" (Wonder) ?? 7:05
 "Have a Talk with God" (Hardaway/Wonder) ?? 2:42
 "Village Ghetto Land" (Byrd/Wonder) ?? 3:25
 "Contusion" (Wonder) ?? 3:45
 "Sir Duke" (Wonder) ?? 3:54
 "I Wish" (Wonder) ?? 4:12
 "Knocks Me Off My Feet" (Wonder) ?? 3:36
 "Pastime Paradise" (Wonder) ?? 3:27
 "Summer Soft" (Wonder) ?? 4:14
 "Ordinary Pain" (Wonder) ?? 6:23
 
 Disc two
 "Isn't She Lovely" (Wonder) ?? 6:34
 "Joy Inside My Tears" (Wonder) ?? 6:29
 "Black Man" (Byrd/Wonder) ?? 8:29
 "Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing" (Wonder) ?? 3:48
 "If It's Magic" (Wonder) ?? 3:12
 "As" (Wonder) ?? 7:08
 "Another Star" (Wonder) ?? 8:28
 
 A Something's Extra
 "Saturn" (Sembello/Wonder) ?? 4:53
 "Ebony Eyes" (Wonder) ?? 4:08
 "All Day Sucker" (Wonder) ?? 5:05
 "Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)" (Wonder) ?? 3:56
 
 PLEASE tell me which 8 songs you could POSSIBLY be talking about.  I cram to understand you . . . [/b]
glad you asked...
 
 getting the axe:
 "have a talk with god"
 "village ghetto land"
 "contusion"
 "isn't she lovely"
 "ngiculela"
 "if it's magic"
 "saturn"
 "ebony eyes"
 
 'innervisions' would be taking a backseat had he released it like this. [/b]
That sound you hear is crickets chirping.  I have no rebuttal. Do you . . .
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: SalParadise on August 03, 2007, 05:35:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
   
Quote
Originally posted by SalParadise:
   
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
     
Quote
Originally posted by SalParadise:
     
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  You may be forgetting this little album called Songs In The Key Of Life.  
if only it were a little album... that thing is like 8 songs too long. [/b]
Disc one
 "Love's in Need of Love Today" (Wonder) ?? 7:05
 "Have a Talk with God" (Hardaway/Wonder) ?? 2:42
 "Village Ghetto Land" (Byrd/Wonder) ?? 3:25
 "Contusion" (Wonder) ?? 3:45
 "Sir Duke" (Wonder) ?? 3:54
 "I Wish" (Wonder) ?? 4:12
 "Knocks Me Off My Feet" (Wonder) ?? 3:36
 "Pastime Paradise" (Wonder) ?? 3:27
 "Summer Soft" (Wonder) ?? 4:14
 "Ordinary Pain" (Wonder) ?? 6:23
 
 Disc two
 "Isn't She Lovely" (Wonder) ?? 6:34
 "Joy Inside My Tears" (Wonder) ?? 6:29
 "Black Man" (Byrd/Wonder) ?? 8:29
 "Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing" (Wonder) ?? 3:48
 "If It's Magic" (Wonder) ?? 3:12
 "As" (Wonder) ?? 7:08
 "Another Star" (Wonder) ?? 8:28
 
 A Something's Extra
 "Saturn" (Sembello/Wonder) ?? 4:53
 "Ebony Eyes" (Wonder) ?? 4:08
 "All Day Sucker" (Wonder) ?? 5:05
 "Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)" (Wonder) ?? 3:56
 
 PLEASE tell me which 8 songs you could POSSIBLY be talking about.  I cram to understand you . . . [/b]
glad you asked...
 
 getting the axe:
 "have a talk with god"
 "village ghetto land"
 "contusion"
 "isn't she lovely"
 "ngiculela"
 "if it's magic"
 "saturn"
 "ebony eyes"
 
 'innervisions' would be taking a backseat had he released it like this. [/b]
That sound you hear is crickets chirping.  I have no rebuttal. Do you . . . [/b]
haha, sounded more like plain ol' silence from someone without a rebuttal.
 
 and no, i don't have a rebuttal for my own post.
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: Mobius on August 03, 2007, 05:36:00 pm
Songs In the Key of Life does sound more dated to me than Talking Book and Innvervisions.  Its like a movie encapusulating (defining?) a certain aspect of urban life in the late 70's.  Its also exhausting if you listen to the whole thing straight through.  I find Talking Book and Innervisions more timeless and interesting (as a single white male from the burbs who was not there when it was released) - although all three are border-line miraculous.  
 
 Like Ray Charles (or Willie Nelson) in later years, he sort of has become a 'character' which has overshadowed his classic work. Ebony and Ivory also didn't help.  I will say that I Just Called to Say I Love You is pretty great in an uber-80's way.  When you hear his name people should think 'equal to Brian Wilson, Marvin Gaye or even McCartney (and not E&I either)', rather than Eddie Murphy on SNL . . . maybe they do, but probably most don't.
 
 Radiohead remains strong like bull.
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: vansmack on August 03, 2007, 06:46:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  Smackie's always all good with me but in the same token, know your history before you make off-brand comments.
First off, the vast majority of my comments on this thread are those of an author of fiction, so your beef is with Nick Hornby's portyral of Stevie Wonder, not Smackies.  Now is the time that I tell you that I agree with most of what is said about Stevie in the book, but you didn't know that when you posted.
 
 Secondly, I never said Songs in the Key of Life was a bad album.  I rather like that album and would put it third on my list of Stevie albums.  I just wouldn't put it in the "Brilliant" category, as I would the other two.  But it's waaaay ahead of any Stevie album I would put fourth on my list.  
 
 Thirdly, no artist escapes criticism.  But just because they are criticized does not mean they are not brilliant.  They are more likely criticized in duration because they are brilliant.  The rest become the butt of a joke as somebody who was forgotten, and certainly not brilliant.
Title: Re: Is it better to burn out or fade away?
Post by: vansmack on August 03, 2007, 06:53:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by TheDirector217:
  If I was to go & tell you something like Radiohead's been eating off the brilliance of OK Computer for YEARS now, you cats would lose your fuckin' minds . . .      :roll:  
Actually, I would agree with you whole heartedly on that statement and have argued the same on this board back when Markie was still a regular poster and loved to flame this discussion.
 
 The one and only thing that me and Smackette can get into heated discussions about is Radiohead in the new millenium.  No joke.  We've actually agreed to just stop talking about it and don't listen to Radiohead while we're in the same room.  When I'm alone, I listen to the first three albums and when she's alone she listens to Kid A on, which is too bad for her because she likes the first three albums too.