@@lucasphillips2177 Lucas! Dude, come on!!! He said musician. He didn't say artist. Performing artist? Yes, absolutely. Prince is up there with the best. And yes, great musician. Plays every instrument known to man. But when it comes to musicianship, even Prince would have agreed that Stevie is your man. Shit, where d'ya think Prince got most of his chops from? But, in truth I think they both respected each other immensely. So, maybe it isn't about 'the best' at all, right?
@@hahabass As much as Prince would’ve said Stevie is the greatest musician to ever live, Stevie would’ve said the same about Prince. They both were great friends who collaborated and performed with each other. "Prince’s music was so picturesque that even I could see it." - Stevie Wonder
@@afrocialist Not likely. If Stevie were ever forced to say, he would probably say Duke Ellington, or maybe Tatum, Coltrane or Bird were the 20th century's greatest (or maybe Stravinsky). But there really isn't any such thing as the 'best'--it's like saying that Picasso is better than Michelangelo. It doesn't make any sense. All great artists exist because of other artists that surround and inform them. Prince was a good musician and a great performer and entertainer, but as far as musicianship is concerned, he's not really in the same league.
Summer Soft - I mean, it's incredible enough to start with and then he goes off on that repeated chorus, key rising by a semitone at a time and - well, it's stunning. He could have made it simply as a vocalist, let alone his writing and multi-instrumentalism. The man's a genius, we all know that.
and he gave so much that by 1976 he was cooked. I am a die hard fan but after Songs In the Key of Life he tried to go too far, his major then made him stay too low ever since.
@@simonrano8072disagree. The hotter then July album has classics. The Original Musiquarium Compliation album has 4 new singles that are classics “Do I Do, That girl, Ribbon in the Sky”. The In Square Circles had classics released. He also had the underrated songs after that “Love light in Flight”. And the Grammy nominated album Characters was vastly underrated with the hit Skeletons. The whole soundtrack for Spike Lee. Stevie was one that adapted to the times and still put out hits. Maybe not # 1’s, but they were still charting!
@@Keepdapocket having a #1 song doesn't mean a thing for me, neither does a Grammy. I have hotter than July in LP, it like a rebound. Ribbon is the Sky is digested pop music, I just call to say I love you is cheesiers than a Philly steak, Part Time lover would be unforgivable if not for the classic era. A few tunes like Overjoyed or Free are OK along the way the rest in not very interesting and cringe sometimes. To his honnor nothing really good came out of the 80s and 90s beside the birth of Hip Hop and the Jazz that did not over-tried
@@simonrano8072 whoa!! You lost me homie. First off, don’t be talking about Philly like that (haha kidding. I’m from Philly)! You lost at nothing good came out of the 80’s. Those late 70’s bands carried R&B during the early to mid 80’s. Midnight Starr, Atlantic Star, Dazz Band, Force MD’s, Full Force. You even had the Whispers still going very strong in the 80’s. Then mid 80’s you had Loose Ends, Soul 2 Soul, The Deele, Keith Sweat, D-Train. R$B was on on poppin in the 80’s, the last decade for true R&B bands and crooners. Crooners such as Peabo Bryson, Howard Hewitt, Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson, Phyllis Hyman, Angela Bofiel. Stephanie Mills, etc. you HAVE to be young because trust and believe, the 80’s, especially the early to kid 80’s, carried over those 70 funk bands that adjusted to the sound like Cameo. Cameo was everywhere in the 80’s. Come on man, you have to do some research. I think you meant the 90’s. The 90’s was trash for R&B, TRUE R&B. The 90’s R&B had hip hop in it. Not until my city, Philly, came with the Neo. Soul sound. Then everyone jumped on it.
Yes! It was one of those that didn't get a lot of attention when I was growing up (the album had too many "hits"), but I couldn't get enough of it...I wore the grooves out on that part of the record. It almost has a Secret Life of Plants vibe...the depth, the creativity, the celebration of earth 🌍
When I was really little, and aware of Stevie Wonder's Tamla stuff because I'd found (and liked) a cassette tape of Greatest Hits Vol. 2, I was rummaging through boxes up in the loft one day and came across a recordable tape with 'Songs in the Key of Life' handwritten on it. Inside the little inlay card there were no details, no track listing written down. I went down and put the tape on and the experience of the next couple of hours changed my life. For one thing, the songs just kept coming. What was going on? Each song was one of the best I'd ever heard, and totally distinct from the last. There was no end to these songs! How was this possible? What were these songs even called? 'They Can Feel It All Over'? 'Always'? I didn't know music as good as this was possible. This was Stevie Wonder from the hits tape, but it was like a whole other Stevie Wonder and somehow even better than the one I knew. By the time I got to 'Another Star' I was just straight up bawling my eyes out, incapable of dealing with my astonishment and happiness that music like this existed. I'd discovered the greatest album ever made.
I totally get it, Fauxie. Stevie's best stuff has had that effect on me too. That post-Tamla moment happened for me when I first heard "Music of My Mind", which preceded "Key of Life." That was his initial "graduation" from Tamla / Berry Gordy world into realizing his own personal vision. The rest, as they say, is history. If you haven't seen the tribute to Stevie concert that Obama hosted in the White House, you should seek it out. Stevie was in the front row (duh) listening to other great musicians pay him homage. My personal favorite moment was Esperanza performing "Overjoyed", singing the vocal AND playing upright bass.
Summer Soft is one of the most beautiful things ever written. it's a perfect example of Stevie's ability to make complexity sound simple and beautiful.
He’s a jokester also. I remember an old interview asking about his complex chord progressions and he said most of them are mistakes from him hitting the ring keys. 😂😂😂
I’ve never thought I’d find someone who appreciates SUMMER SOFT like I do. And I’m no musician but I know that is a special song. The way he can build and then swing back to “Winter wind”… effing amazing
The joy and appreciation you have for all the intricacies that make Stevie's music so powerfully and uniquely soulful is as infectious as Stevie's music itself. You get it.
Your love of this music, especially from a harmonic standpoint, is palpable. I love your approach, your production, the career-spanning deep(er) cuts, the live clips...all of it! Thank you.
Honestly, I consider myself lucky to have lived during Stevie Wonder’s career. Songs In The Key Of Life is simply a masterpiece. In a career of masterpieces….
@@percyvolnar8010 lots of people missed this album ,, sometimes takes knowledge and education to know and understand the value of something "secret life of plants, is of greatest albums ever written is up there with best of the best
Stevie Wonder...It's all in the name as he's the 8th Wonder of the World. Songs in the Key of Life is the best album ever. I first heard this when I was a kid and fell in love with it. When my bro told me Stevie was blind and write, produced and arranged hus own music onto of playing most instruments it blew my mind. 40 odd years later I'm still listening to those classic albums as though they were released yesterday.
Agreed! Even more mind-blowing is the fact that Stevie plays all the instruments on both (with the exception of Willie Weeks's bass on "Misstra Know-It-All"). "Too High" may be my favorite performance by Stevie on drums...
Yes! I had a lesson with Peter Martin when he was in New Zealand. His ability to play piano is only matched by his warm personality. Was definitely one of lifes checkpoints.
Impossible to do just 7 Stevie Wonder moments, because his genius is forevermore. But here's one I love, Stevie singing "Fragile" at Sting's 60th birthday party. Truly amazing.
Been listening to Stevie Wonder's music and collecting his albums since he the early 70's truly timeless masterpieces. Being a piano player myself you've opened up so much what is genius about his work, thanks.
impressed that you only stuck to 7 moments, everything from '71-'77 was true genius. u hipped me to "Feeding Off the Love of the Land" from a great movie by a another modern Black visionary. every album from Talking Book to Songs in the Key had a song like this one: clavinet centered and stripped down, super groovy and political. my fav of this style is "You Haven't Done Nothing". plz do a top 10 Stevie songs list
Yesss you haven’t done nothing is so beautiful my face contorts in so many different ways when listening to it❤ and it includes my other favorite artists, the Jackson 5
Thank you for pointing out a few of the countless genius moments in Stevie Wonder's discography. He will go down in history as one of the great composers, players, singers, etc. Let's face it: He's one of the few who has kept jazz alive in popular music. God bless Stevie!
This video was pure joy for me, the song I Wish made me cry the first time i heard it because everything was so perfect in it. I love stevie i hope i get to see him one day live
Been addicted to Stevie's music since I was introduced to the Songs in The Key of Life album when I was 12. Any time I see a thumbnail suggesting the video analyses Stevie's music, I can't click fast enough, because you know you're in for a fascinating, awe inspiring journey. This was really, really well done; I was honestly 'shocked' by that C G D F movement at the end of the Chorus of Feeding Off The Love of The Land; totally took that for granted before, but, yeah, it sounds sooo good. Anyway, great to see your 'stank face' appreciation of the music.
What’s so good about St. Louis blues is herbie’s comping ecosystem, I remember hearing this behind Stevie and all the details in the single chord vamp and then the chords in the bridge; it was truly mind blowing. No one talks about this!!!! It blew my mind from the 10 second preview to the sweepstake redemption
My favourite stevie moments are: All i do. I love his one man band approach to this song especially his synth bass playing which feels at times loose, sloppy but tight especially when it locks in with his drumming. Creeping - his vocals on this track suggest a sense of eerieness and mystery. Again, his one man band approach is amazing and let's not forget his harmonica playing which gives the song a lift! Black man - One man band funk tour de force! There is so much to love in this song - a We didn't start the fire type of song over a decade before Billy Joel's. Great track!
Why only 60k views??! Peter, you are an amazing educator. I’ve lived these songs my whole life and you’ve achieved the impossible- you’ve enhanced my love of these tunes! Amazing. More Stevie always. And how about turning your fine ear to other soul jazz legends? Your enthusiasm and musicality are infectious. 🙏
Wonderful analysis of some great Stevie moments. One I would like to add is the harmonica solo on Creepin. The phrasing is just amazing - it never ceases to move me.
This was so fun and interesting. Thank you for sharing Stevie’s genius and your own marvellous talent with we music lovers. Even though I don’t read or play music I loved it. 🎶♥️
I’m 67, so I go back to Fingertips and everything that came after. Thank you for breaking these songs down so perfectly and with such enthusiasm. The word, genius sometimes gets thrown around casually, but not when it comes to Stevie.
Peter my musical brother these Stevie sessions are home runs ! You are divulging all the inner workings, voicings, notational constructs in clear concise ways. Finally someone is doing this and in such a monumental design. Young players get to see the voicings, licks, chord structures and intricate color palettes the Stevie uses in real time with great keyboard visuals. Actually they can play right along. Your contributions to Music Education are vital for the culture moving forward. Finally someone is deep diving into Stevie's material and unmasking the beauty with an understandable delivery. I've been enjoying and performing SW's stuff for decades, never gets old.
You know I have respect for Stevie, Herbie and other jazz goons but my highest respect in Music goes to people like you who listen to people's songs, understand it and teach to we the learners. My Grammy goes to you guys, honestly. Thanks a lot for these Ahaaa moments that make us musicians to express goofy faces when those crazy chords and transitions set in. Thanks boss.
Incredible video, Stevie truly is a master of 'aha' moments and this video introduced me to some new ones. I'm a big fan of the lead sheet style overlay where it shows all of the chords at once with the current chord highlighted as opposed to just showing the current chord. Having the rest of the chords at the same time really helps show the harmonic direction and functionality. I hope to see more of these in future videos!
Oh man, the way he uses the repeating chromatic modulation in Summer Soft to work all the way up to the Em7 near the end of the song, and then using the Bmaj7, Amaj7, Abm7, G7, Gb7sus4, F7 turnaround to keep coming back to the Em7 -> A7 vamp while the organ solo continues at the end of the song is so unbelievably cool 😭
I love the content, one thing about the moment in If It's Magic - it's simply a deceptive cadence, going V-I and then V-VI when a similar phrase gets repeated is super commonplace in church hymn harmonization, for instance
I want to thank you Peter. You turned me on to "Feeding Off the Love of the Land" at your recent Friday concert. Since then I transcribed most of it off the recording, which was a little challenging for me(but you have been motivating me to do it more). Almost done with it, and now here you are helping me along with this video! Thanks man! This tune may be in my top 5 of his (but you're right, impossible to really choose a few with so many masterpieces!)
Overjoyed Always Send one your love Ribbon in the sky All I do Lately Rocket Love All in love is fair Knocks me off my feet From the bottom of my heart Summer Soft Are all gems to me. I swear listening to his Melodie’s makes me feel like I’m in a beautiful enchanted forest after a rain pour.
Thank you, Peter. Stevie’s songs take us all to that special place. You’ve also given us all such an incredible gift with your appreciation and analysis.
This was wonderful (pardon the pun). Stevie the greatest of his generation no doubt. All of these tunes are like little perfect gems waiting to be discovered. You uncovered some here for me👍
Your Stevie Wonder videos are amazing. It allows a chance to take a deeper & insightful look into songs we didn't think too much about before. There's so much there!
Hooo mama. This makes me remember alllllll about Stevie. Gave me goosebumps to hear St Louis Blues come up… I used to listen to that nonstop in 10th grade, got the song for free from a Pepsi bottle cap “1 free song” at Walgreens… (I was a kid in the early 2000’s…. an overlooked period in music consumer history!!!) Good memories
I’ve been listening to these great songs for years, but I haven’t been hearing them!!!!! You are a genius for even hearing the subtle chords and notes that we didn’t even realize were there in the first place! I don’t know how you can “see” into the chords to break down those really intense notes and changes! Kudos to you bro!!!!!
Thank you, sir. Love the joy you bring to this, but also to the whole Open Studio project. The enthusiasm is infectious. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Much, much respect.
That was amazingly lit! Peter. I just discovered OS about a month ago and I love it. I love Stevie 's Clav Rhods and Moog stuff Like "Tuesday Heartbreak" and some of his really nice ballads on Rhodes like "Superwoman" Don't forget his synth chops! Thanks again
Excellent attempt sir! Growing up a kid in a neighborhood that supported food being on the table more than the arts in any form, I was on my own and mostly self-taught (mostly because I was an undiagnosed autistic until my 60s) Stevie Wonder was my unintentional teacher of chord progression! I wish I had the wisdom to learning the keyboard when I was younger instead of depending on my so-called perfectly pitched ear alone...I would have learned so much more, but better late than never...Thank you for the gift of education through your channel, Sir.
I’ve always said that all the theory you need to know if can’t afford to go to school is listen to EWF & Stevie Wonder!!! They have all the theory and feel on every record!!!
This man truly understands soul music and i am so here for it My favorite song by stevie is summer soft and I’m so glad you included it that song is everything
Another great Stevie moments video. Two favorite Stevie moments of mine: Eurythmics 1985 cameo solo on There Must Be An Angel Playing With My Heart and Herbie Hancock’s cover of I Just Called To Say I Love You, Stevie harmonica solo comes in at minute 4 to the end. I like Herbie’s version a gazillion times better.
Love this Peter, love Stevie. would love you to do a whole series of Stevie video please ... great you have chose so real gems, me and fellow Stevie fans really appreciate that . Thank you Best Wishes Pete
Thank you Peter for giving us your deep dive into Stevie's incomparable harmonic and rhythmic genius!!!!It was a great educational ride which I'm sure I'll be viewing many many times over!!!Wow man!!!!
We have "Stevie Wonder Sundays" in my house...it is exactly wot it sounds like, every Sunday the whole family gets together for Dinner n we play only Stevie Wonder all day, every Sunday...its my favorite day of the week.
Stevie wonder's music is so rich that we always find that the mix doesn't do justice to all the instruments, thanks to this video and others from peter, i realize the harmonic beauty of the piano part. I play bass and while working on most of stevie wonder's standards I also realized that this guy created a lot of incredibly good bass lines, played on the keyboard or not and even putting aside those played by james jamerson (an other genius...).
Thank you Peter, very nice video. I share your passion for Stevie's music. I'd love to see a second part of this video with some more magical moments from Stevie. I propose "Visions", "Girl blue", "That girl", "The sweetest somebody I know", "You will know", "With each beat of my heart" and maybe some early stuff such as "Aint no lovin", "I gotta have a song", "I'd be a fool right now", "Sunshine in their eyes".
in the spirit of extending the aha moment on "I Wish"... check out the counterpoint clav/gtr part on the pre-chrs (Bb7 C7 F-7 Ab-6) against the bassline that both Stevie and Nate Watts play... that is sum Bach Baroque level linear genius... not 2 mention the horn parts which compliment the whole sticky tapestry of harmonic funktitude... gr8 video Peter/Open Studio!!!!
Your way of making us smarter...is incredible... We've known/felt Stevie's genius since first hearing..but now we know how these little ingenuities are made, and what they're made of... We are the lucky ones
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Stevie Wonder is the greatest musician of the 20th century.
Prince
@@lucasphillips2177 Lucas! Dude, come on!!! He said musician. He didn't say artist. Performing artist? Yes, absolutely. Prince is up there with the best. And yes, great musician. Plays every instrument known to man. But when it comes to musicianship, even Prince would have agreed that Stevie is your man. Shit, where d'ya think Prince got most of his chops from? But, in truth I think they both respected each other immensely. So, maybe it isn't about 'the best' at all, right?
@@hahabass As much as Prince would’ve said Stevie is the greatest musician to ever live, Stevie would’ve said the same about Prince. They both were great friends who collaborated and performed with each other.
"Prince’s music was so picturesque that even I could see it." - Stevie Wonder
@@afrocialist Not likely. If Stevie were ever forced to say, he would probably say Duke Ellington, or maybe Tatum, Coltrane or Bird were the 20th century's greatest (or maybe Stravinsky). But there really isn't any such thing as the 'best'--it's like saying that Picasso is better than Michelangelo. It doesn't make any sense. All great artists exist because of other artists that surround and inform them.
Prince was a good musician and a great performer and entertainer, but as far as musicianship is concerned, he's not really in the same league.
You only have one type of video on your channel. What makes you an expert on who's the best. Grow up.
Summer Soft - I mean, it's incredible enough to start with and then he goes off on that repeated chorus, key rising by a semitone at a time and - well, it's stunning. He could have made it simply as a vocalist, let alone his writing and multi-instrumentalism. The man's a genius, we all know that.
Yes we are so very lucky to live in peace with Stevie wonder ❤️
Stevie is EASILY one of the most gifted musicians and songwriters in history!!!
and he gave so much that by 1976 he was cooked. I am a die hard fan but after Songs In the Key of Life he tried to go too far, his major then made him stay too low ever since.
@@simonrano8072disagree. The hotter then July album has classics. The Original Musiquarium Compliation album has 4 new singles that are classics “Do I Do, That girl, Ribbon in the Sky”. The In Square Circles had classics released. He also had the underrated songs after that “Love light in Flight”. And the Grammy nominated album Characters was vastly underrated with the hit Skeletons. The whole soundtrack for Spike Lee. Stevie was one that adapted to the times and still put out hits. Maybe not # 1’s, but they were still charting!
@@Keepdapocket having a #1 song doesn't mean a thing for me, neither does a Grammy.
I have hotter than July in LP, it like a rebound. Ribbon is the Sky is digested pop music, I just call to say I love you is cheesiers than a Philly steak, Part Time lover would be unforgivable if not for the classic era.
A few tunes like Overjoyed or Free are OK along the way the rest in not very interesting and cringe sometimes.
To his honnor nothing really good came out of the 80s and 90s beside the birth of Hip Hop and the Jazz that did not over-tried
@@simonrano8072 whoa!! You lost me homie. First off, don’t be talking about Philly like that (haha kidding. I’m from Philly)!
You lost at nothing good came out of the 80’s. Those late 70’s bands carried R&B during the early to mid 80’s. Midnight Starr, Atlantic Star, Dazz Band, Force MD’s, Full Force. You even had the Whispers still going very strong in the 80’s. Then mid 80’s you had Loose Ends, Soul 2 Soul, The Deele, Keith Sweat, D-Train. R$B was on on poppin in the 80’s, the last decade for true R&B bands and crooners. Crooners such as Peabo Bryson, Howard Hewitt, Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson, Phyllis Hyman, Angela Bofiel. Stephanie Mills, etc. you HAVE to be young because trust and believe, the 80’s, especially the early to kid 80’s, carried over those 70 funk bands that adjusted to the sound like Cameo. Cameo was everywhere in the 80’s. Come on man, you have to do some research. I think you meant the 90’s. The 90’s was trash for R&B, TRUE R&B. The 90’s R&B had hip hop in it. Not until my city, Philly, came with the Neo. Soul sound. Then everyone jumped on it.
Summer Soft is one of Stevie Wonder´s Masterpieces of music. It is one of the most beautiful compositions.
the hole "Songs from the key of Life "Album
Yes! It was one of those that didn't get a lot of attention when I was growing up (the album had too many "hits"), but I couldn't get enough of it...I wore the grooves out on that part of the record. It almost has a Secret Life of Plants vibe...the depth, the creativity, the celebration of earth 🌍
Couldn't agree more ...
Totally agree.
Fabuleux
When I was really little, and aware of Stevie Wonder's Tamla stuff because I'd found (and liked) a cassette tape of Greatest Hits Vol. 2, I was rummaging through boxes up in the loft one day and came across a recordable tape with 'Songs in the Key of Life' handwritten on it. Inside the little inlay card there were no details, no track listing written down. I went down and put the tape on and the experience of the next couple of hours changed my life. For one thing, the songs just kept coming. What was going on? Each song was one of the best I'd ever heard, and totally distinct from the last. There was no end to these songs! How was this possible? What were these songs even called? 'They Can Feel It All Over'? 'Always'? I didn't know music as good as this was possible. This was Stevie Wonder from the hits tape, but it was like a whole other Stevie Wonder and somehow even better than the one I knew. By the time I got to 'Another Star' I was just straight up bawling my eyes out, incapable of dealing with my astonishment and happiness that music like this existed. I'd discovered the greatest album ever made.
I totally get it, Fauxie. Stevie's best stuff has had that effect on me too. That post-Tamla moment happened for me when I first heard "Music of My Mind", which preceded "Key of Life." That was his initial "graduation" from Tamla / Berry Gordy world into realizing his own personal vision. The rest, as they say, is history. If you haven't seen the tribute to Stevie concert that Obama hosted in the White House, you should seek it out. Stevie was in the front row (duh) listening to other great musicians pay him homage. My personal favorite moment was Esperanza performing "Overjoyed", singing the vocal AND playing upright bass.
@@pdxfunkjunkie I loved that performance, too! She's a bit hit and miss for me but that was great.
I love that others have experienced the overwhelm his music brings…. It’s not just me…..lol
Summer Soft is one of the most beautiful things ever written. it's a perfect example of Stevie's ability to make complexity sound simple and beautiful.
Absolutely
Listening to a master with Peter's ears for 20 minutes is a real education even for us non musicians. Always here for this kind content.
I hope there will be more of this type of amazing analysis!!
It's always been Prince for me :) Stevie is a legend though 🙌
Stevie said he did “Higher Ground” in 3 hrs… 🤯🤯🤯
He’s a jokester also. I remember an old interview asking about his complex chord progressions and he said most of them are mistakes from him hitting the ring keys. 😂😂😂
I’ve never thought I’d find someone who appreciates SUMMER SOFT like I do. And I’m no musician but I know that is a special song. The way he can build and then swing back to “Winter wind”… effing amazing
Definitely one of my fave Stevie tunes of all time. Pure musical bliss.
The joy and appreciation you have for all the intricacies that make Stevie's music so powerfully and uniquely soulful is as infectious as Stevie's music itself. You get it.
Your love of this music, especially from a harmonic standpoint, is palpable. I love your approach, your production, the career-spanning deep(er) cuts, the live clips...all of it! Thank you.
"if it's magic". Always makes me cry.
Honestly, I consider myself lucky to have lived during Stevie Wonder’s career. Songs In The Key Of Life is simply a masterpiece. In a career of masterpieces….
Isn't that the truth? There are some good things about getting older!
Ditto. Even "journey through the secret life of plants" has moments of absolute bliss....
@@percyvolnar8010 lots of people missed this album ,, sometimes takes knowledge and education to know and understand the value of something "secret life of plants, is of greatest albums ever written is up there with best of the best
@@heldersufiano2816 I agree. People tend to sleep alot.
Oh lve always said that
Stevie is pure magic love ❤️ 😍 💖
Stevie Wonder...It's all in the name as he's the 8th Wonder of the World.
Songs in the Key of Life is the best album ever. I first heard this when I was a kid and fell in love with it.
When my bro told me Stevie was blind and write, produced and arranged hus own music onto of playing most instruments it blew my mind.
40 odd years later I'm still listening to those classic albums as though they were released yesterday.
To me the key change on "misstra know it all" and the harmonica solo on "too high" are unbelievably good
Agreed! Even more mind-blowing is the fact that Stevie plays all the instruments on both (with the exception of Willie Weeks's bass on "Misstra Know-It-All"). "Too High" may be my favorite performance by Stevie on drums...
Except that there is no key change in "He's Misstra Know It All".
@@cinemusicberlin when you're right, you're right! :)
Those early albums are all inspired .
For me, Living for the City with its radio play segment... also Rocket Love
Yes! I had a lesson with Peter Martin when he was in New Zealand. His ability to play piano is only matched by his warm personality. Was definitely one of lifes checkpoints.
Impossible to do just 7 Stevie Wonder moments, because his genius is forevermore. But here's one I love, Stevie singing "Fragile" at Sting's 60th birthday party. Truly amazing.
That sounds amazing!
One of the most amazing performances I have ever seen...!😮
@@KerryHoweryI mean, truly astounding performance
We need a 70 Stevie Wonder moments.
Gotta add "Knocks Me Off My Feet", "Golden Lady" "Ribbon in the Sky." "Superwoman", "Creepin" guess I like the ballads.
4 of these are my favorite Stevie songs so absolutely agree. All of superwoman is fantastic
“Take me right away” in golden lady just hits a soft spot. Love that one
@@itisnottaken4444 Written almost 50 years ago and still so perfectly modern and great.
Knocks Me Off My Feet would be in my list of 7. One can find great qualities in any of his tunes.
YES! ALL of them are masterpieces.
Been listening to Stevie Wonder's music and collecting his albums since he the early 70's truly timeless masterpieces. Being a piano player myself you've opened up so much what is genius about his work, thanks.
You are one helluva pianist, Peter! And Stevie is one of the greatest musicians that ever lived!
My favorite!!!!!!!!!!
impressed that you only stuck to 7 moments, everything from '71-'77 was true genius. u hipped me to "Feeding Off the Love of the Land" from a great movie by a another modern Black visionary. every album from Talking Book to Songs in the Key had a song like this one: clavinet centered and stripped down, super groovy and political. my fav of this style is "You Haven't Done Nothing". plz do a top 10 Stevie songs list
Yesss you haven’t done nothing is so beautiful my face contorts in so many different ways when listening to it❤ and it includes my other favorite artists, the Jackson 5
there was no Stevie Wonder before Stevie Wonder, and there will never be another Stevie Wonder again
Gawtdamn! I'd love to see Peter just do a whole deep-dive series on Stevie. This is truly some of the best music analysis content on youtube.
Thank you for pointing out a few of the countless genius moments in Stevie Wonder's discography. He will go down in history as one of the great composers, players, singers, etc. Let's face it: He's one of the few who has kept jazz alive in popular music. God bless Stevie!
This video was pure joy for me, the song I Wish made me cry the first time i heard it because everything was so perfect in it. I love stevie i hope i get to see him one day live
Me too!
My friend, you are bringing Stevie's music alive again after all these years! I'm feeling it! Thank you!
Can we have a part2 of this video? Liking all the Wonder videos that you're uploading :)
This content blew me away, it encouraged me to understand melody and harmony to make me a greater musician. Thanks Peter.
My favorite Stevie A-ha Moment? That Girl! The changes are all over the place with a series of four note chords over a pedal point bass!
Been addicted to Stevie's music since I was introduced to the Songs in The Key of Life album when I was 12.
Any time I see a thumbnail suggesting the video analyses Stevie's music, I can't click fast enough, because you know you're in for a fascinating, awe inspiring journey.
This was really, really well done; I was honestly 'shocked' by that C G D F movement at the end of the Chorus of Feeding Off The Love of The Land; totally took that for granted before, but, yeah, it sounds sooo good. Anyway, great to see your 'stank face' appreciation of the music.
What’s so good about St. Louis blues is herbie’s comping ecosystem, I remember hearing this behind Stevie and all the details in the single chord vamp and then the chords in the bridge; it was truly mind blowing. No one talks about this!!!! It blew my mind from the 10 second preview to the sweepstake redemption
My favourite stevie moments are:
All i do. I love his one man band approach to this song especially his synth bass playing which feels at times loose, sloppy but tight especially when it locks in with his drumming.
Creeping - his vocals on this track suggest a sense of eerieness and mystery. Again, his one man band approach is amazing and let's not forget his harmonica playing which gives the song a lift!
Black man - One man band funk tour de force! There is so much to love in this song - a We didn't start the fire type of song over a decade before Billy Joel's. Great track!
Why only 60k views??! Peter, you are an amazing educator. I’ve lived these songs my whole life and you’ve achieved the impossible- you’ve enhanced my love of these tunes! Amazing. More Stevie always. And how about turning your fine ear to other soul jazz legends? Your enthusiasm and musicality are infectious. 🙏
We saw Patti Smith in concert last night. The last person I'd think of to cover SW. She sang Blame it on the Sun. Enchanting.
A friend of mine saw her last summer in London and told me Patti’s performance of Blame It On The Sun floored the entire audience.
She did “ when doves cry “… it was amazing!💕
Mind blowing harmonic genius all around.. thanks Peter for your expert guidance in explaining to me why I love Stevie Wonder’s music so deeply ❤️🎹😊
Wonderful analysis of some great Stevie moments. One I would like to add is the harmonica solo on Creepin. The phrasing is just amazing - it never ceases to move me.
Some of my favorite Stevie Wonder moments are "Rocket Love", "Ribbon In The Sky", "Send One Your Love", Fun Day" & "Skeletons"
This was so fun and interesting. Thank you for sharing Stevie’s genius and your own marvellous talent with we music lovers. Even though I don’t read or play music I loved it. 🎶♥️
Nothing but love for Martin.... He totally gets it. The Music, The pain of the Lyrics...
The fact that.... yet, another generation of musicians are waking up to the genius of Stevie gives me hope for the future.
I’m 67, so I go back to Fingertips and everything that came after. Thank you for breaking these songs down so perfectly and with such enthusiasm. The word, genius sometimes gets thrown around casually, but not when it comes to Stevie.
Peter my musical brother these Stevie sessions are home runs ! You are divulging all the inner workings, voicings, notational constructs in clear concise ways. Finally someone is doing this and in such a monumental design. Young players get to see the voicings, licks, chord structures and intricate color palettes the Stevie uses in real time with great keyboard visuals. Actually they can play right along. Your contributions to Music Education are vital for the culture moving forward. Finally someone is deep diving into Stevie's material and unmasking the beauty with an understandable delivery. I've been enjoying and performing SW's stuff for decades, never gets old.
THANK YOU!!!!!!! Such a gift to have Stevie broken down with such passion and delight. That's the way I feel about him too,.
Summer Soft and If It’s Magic are simply works of magic.
You know I have respect for Stevie, Herbie and other jazz goons but my highest respect in Music goes to people like you who listen to people's songs, understand it and teach to we the learners. My Grammy goes to you guys, honestly. Thanks a lot for these Ahaaa moments that make us musicians to express goofy faces when those crazy chords and transitions set in. Thanks boss.
No matter how many times i hear this tune, it's STILL a masterpiece.
Incredible video, Stevie truly is a master of 'aha' moments and this video introduced me to some new ones. I'm a big fan of the lead sheet style overlay where it shows all of the chords at once with the current chord highlighted as opposed to just showing the current chord. Having the rest of the chords at the same time really helps show the harmonic direction and functionality. I hope to see more of these in future videos!
I call these moments “oooh shit” with an amazed face! Great video! Stevie is the greatest artist of all time!
Oh man, the way he uses the repeating chromatic modulation in Summer Soft to work all the way up to the Em7 near the end of the song, and then using the Bmaj7, Amaj7, Abm7, G7, Gb7sus4, F7 turnaround to keep coming back to the Em7 -> A7 vamp while the organ solo continues at the end of the song is so unbelievably cool 😭
I love the content, one thing about the moment in If It's Magic - it's simply a deceptive cadence, going V-I and then V-VI when a similar phrase gets repeated is super commonplace in church hymn harmonization, for instance
When I heard “Feeding off the Love of the Land” I knew you were legit. No one talks about that one let alone analyzes it ❤
I want to thank you Peter. You turned me on to "Feeding Off the Love of the Land" at your recent Friday concert. Since then I transcribed most of it off the recording, which was a little challenging for me(but you have been motivating me to do it more). Almost done with it, and now here you are helping me along with this video! Thanks man! This tune may be in my top 5 of his (but you're right, impossible to really choose a few with so many masterpieces!)
Loved how you analysed Stevie's music its fab, thanks dude awesome stuff! No one like Stevie thats for sure👍🏼💖💐
interpretation and execution absolutely brilliant Peter !
Overjoyed
Always
Send one your love
Ribbon in the sky
All I do
Lately
Rocket Love
All in love is fair
Knocks me off my feet
From the bottom of my heart
Summer Soft
Are all gems to me.
I swear listening to his Melodie’s makes me feel like I’m in a beautiful enchanted forest after a rain pour.
Thank you, Peter. Stevie’s songs take us all to that special place. You’ve also given us all such an incredible gift with your appreciation and analysis.
Thank you.
This was wonderful (pardon the pun). Stevie the greatest of his generation no doubt. All of these tunes are like little perfect gems waiting to be discovered. You uncovered some here for me👍
Your Stevie Wonder videos are amazing. It allows a chance to take a deeper & insightful look into songs we didn't think too much about before. There's so much there!
Hooo mama. This makes me remember alllllll about Stevie. Gave me goosebumps to hear St Louis Blues come up… I used to listen to that nonstop in 10th grade, got the song for free from a Pepsi bottle cap “1 free song” at Walgreens… (I was a kid in the early 2000’s…. an overlooked period in music consumer history!!!)
Good memories
Peter's love for Stevie is INFECTIOUS! LOVE IT!
Stevie was my top artist 2021 in spotify, i get the feeling he will be as well in 2022 :)
Great. So much to discover. Long live Stevie.
How does Beyonce have more Grammy's then Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones? Somebody please help me understand this farce...
MORE STEVIE VIDEOS!
I’ve been listening to these great songs for years, but I haven’t been hearing them!!!!! You are a genius for even hearing the subtle chords and notes that we didn’t even realize were there in the first place! I don’t know how you can “see” into the chords to break down those really intense notes and changes! Kudos to you bro!!!!!
Whenever Stevies songs come on anywhere ppl start smiling. God given gift.
Absolutely fantastic video for listening and learning… and happiness. Thanks, Mr.Peter Martin!
You are a great musician Sir!!
Summersoft is such a beautiful song. The way he describes summer and winter is so vivid and accurate, you swear he's seen it.
The two ah-ha! moments in Tuesday Heartbreak get me every time! One of my favourites from Stevie
Thank you, sir. Love the joy you bring to this, but also to the whole Open Studio project. The enthusiasm is infectious. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Much, much respect.
That was amazingly lit! Peter. I just discovered OS about a month ago and I love it.
I love Stevie 's Clav Rhods and Moog stuff Like "Tuesday Heartbreak" and some of his really nice ballads on Rhodes like "Superwoman"
Don't forget his synth chops!
Thanks again
Excellent attempt sir! Growing up a kid in a neighborhood that supported food being on the table more than the arts in any form, I was on my own and mostly self-taught (mostly because I was an undiagnosed autistic until my 60s) Stevie Wonder was my unintentional teacher of chord progression! I wish I had the wisdom to learning the keyboard when I was younger instead of depending on my so-called perfectly pitched ear alone...I would have learned so much more, but better late than never...Thank you for the gift of education through your channel, Sir.
You can't go wrong with a great musician breaking down the masterful genius that is Stevie Wonder
It was such a pleasure to watch this. I love it. Thank you!!!
I’ve always said that all the theory you need to know if can’t afford to go to school is listen to EWF & Stevie Wonder!!! They have all the theory and feel on every record!!!
This man truly understands soul music and i am so here for it
My favorite song by stevie is summer soft and I’m so glad you included it that song is everything
Another great Stevie moments video. Two favorite Stevie moments of mine: Eurythmics 1985 cameo solo on There Must Be An Angel Playing With My Heart and Herbie Hancock’s cover of I Just Called To Say I Love You, Stevie harmonica solo comes in at minute 4 to the end. I like Herbie’s version a gazillion times better.
Love this Peter, love Stevie. would love you to do a whole series of Stevie video please ... great you have chose so real gems, me and fellow Stevie fans really appreciate that . Thank you
Best Wishes Pete
Stevie and Herbie. God bless these guys.
Thank you Peter for giving us your deep dive into Stevie's incomparable harmonic and rhythmic genius!!!!It was a great educational ride which I'm sure I'll be viewing many many times over!!!Wow man!!!!
We have "Stevie Wonder Sundays" in my house...it is exactly wot it sounds like, every Sunday the whole family gets together for Dinner n we play only Stevie Wonder all day, every Sunday...its my favorite day of the week.
I can't get enough of this topic. We love Stevie!!!!!!!
God given talent to Stevie....
These are all beautiful songs / moments in time. Thank you for sharing them with us and thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for them.
Stevie wonder's music is so rich that we always find that the mix doesn't do justice to all the instruments, thanks to this video and others from peter, i realize the harmonic beauty of the piano part. I play bass and while working on most of stevie wonder's standards I also realized that this guy created a lot of incredibly good bass lines, played on the keyboard or not and even putting aside those played by james jamerson (an other genius...).
Great video.
A lot of joy and entertainment here, ❤🎉it’s been a pleasure. Please give us more.
So good, thanks for doing this. I grew up with Stevie's music and never let it go.
Thank you Peter, very nice video. I share your passion for Stevie's music. I'd love to see a second part of this video with some more magical moments from Stevie. I propose "Visions", "Girl blue", "That girl", "The sweetest somebody I know", "You will know", "With each beat of my heart" and maybe some early stuff such as "Aint no lovin", "I gotta have a song", "I'd be a fool right now", "Sunshine in their eyes".
in the spirit of extending the aha moment on "I Wish"... check out the counterpoint clav/gtr part on the pre-chrs (Bb7 C7 F-7 Ab-6) against the bassline that both Stevie and Nate Watts play... that is sum Bach Baroque level linear genius... not 2 mention the horn parts which compliment the whole sticky tapestry of harmonic funktitude... gr8 video Peter/Open Studio!!!!
Your way of making us smarter...is incredible...
We've known/felt Stevie's genius since first hearing..but now we know how these little ingenuities are made, and what they're made of...
We are the lucky ones
Excellent Presentation From the Open Studio Team. Stevie Wonder uses Jazz Piano stylings to produce unique R&B Pop and Soulful Music.
This was such a dope and entertaining video thanks so much.
Well done, Peter! Thanks for breaking it down with your infectious enthusiasm!
There was no FULLFILLINGNESS SECOND FINALE,,,,, two years later he gave us SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE,,,,, ❤ I loveyou Steve ❤
Hi Peter:
Of course these original tracks are bad ass. But I really love what you’re playing over them as well
came back to this today, can't get enough
The title of this video alone earned this channel a subscription