Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Superstition
2. Sir Duke
3. I Wish
4. Masterblaster (Jammin')
5. Isn't She Lovely
6. I Just Called To Say I Love You
7. Ebony & Ivory
8. As
9. Never Had A Dream Come True
10. I Was Made To Love Her
11. Heaven Help Us All
12. Overjoyed
13. Lately
14. For Your Love
15. If You Really Love Me
16. Higher Ground
17. Do I Do
18. Living For The City
19. Part Time Lover

Disc 2:

1. For Once In My Life
2. Uptight
3. We Can Work It Out
4. Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours
5. Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday
6. I'm Wondering
7. My Cherie Amour
8. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
9. I Don't Know Why (I Love You)
10. A Place In The Sun
11. Blowin' In The Wind
12. Send One Your Love
13. Pastime Paradise
14. I Ain't Gonna Stand For It
15. Fingertips (Part 1 & 2)
16. Boogie On Reggae Woman
17. You Haven't Done Nothin'
18. He's Mister Know It All
19. Happy Birthday

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #417 in Music
• Released on: 2002-10-28
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set

Amazon.co.uk Review
In a career spanning four decades Steveland Judkins Morris has been many things: child star, funk hero, political chronicler, the saviour of Motown Records and depressingly, the instigator of the painfully schmaltzy R&B ballad. Thankfully, this exhaustive "Best Of...", timed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his first appearance as Little Stevie Wonder, focuses mainly on the 1966-1980 glory years and his transition from incendiary soul man to voice of the 70s. The jackhammer beats, shout-along choruses and wailing harmonica peg "Uptight", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and "I Was Made To Love Her" as three of the finest anthems of the Motown era, and "My Cherie Amour" as one of its sweetest love songs. But it was when he turned his attention to grinding keyboard grooves and social concerns that Wonder really came into his own. Inspired by ghetto funk and the unrest in 70s America he delivered three staggering albums, Talking Book, Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life. Those albums highlights, "Living for the City", "Higher Ground", "I Wish", the gospel powered "As" and life-affirming Duke Ellington-tribute "Sir Duke", account for The Definitive Collection's standout tracks, while the rocking synth strut and ferocious horns of "Superstition" provide the defining moment. Next to such musical genius, the 80s slush of Motown's biggest ever selling single, "I Just Called To Say I Love You" seems particularly insipid. But like equally twee Paul McCartney duet "Ebony & Ivory", it's an easily skipped blip in an otherwise essential collection. --Dan Gennoe

CD Description
From the 1963 US number one single 'Fingertips' through to the 1995 single 'For Your Love' this two cd-set brings together songs spanning Stevie Wonder's long career with US soul label Mowtown. The album also includes the UK number one singles 'I Just Called To Say I Love You' and 'Ebony and Ivory'Stevie Wonder's duet with the former Beatle, Paul McCartney.

Customer Reviews

Stevie WONDERFUL!
This collection of Mr Wonder's greatest hits is perfect for any situation, any mood and any person I can think of. Although most of these songs were released decades before I was even born, it is nevertheless my most prized possession at the moment. Stevie is a legend, and it obvious that pretty much every genre of music holds the same view - as you wade through the infamous classics and the lesser-known (to my generation at least) gems, you'll be amazed to discover how many people have sampled Stevie Wonder's music, in varying ways. Who'd have thought that gangster rap and UK garage would cunningly employ Stevie's genius to make him a best-seller a second time round. Ignorant young'uns like myself will say countless times "Oh my goodness, Stevie Wonder wrote that rift/those lyrics/that hook, etc! And there I was thinking it was a new piece of genius"

Listening to this Definitive Collection was a great learning experience for me. The immense respect I already had for Stevie Wonder quadrupled when I heard Fingertips (Parts 1&2). The "13-year-old genius" has remained that way throughout his career, as this CD demonstrates, and he will always have his place amongst the diamonds that emerged from the Motown era and just kept on runnin'!

This album would be a great Valentine's present, if just for the classic, and oh-so-eighties (synthesizer!), "I just called to say I love you"

A must-have for anyone who has a little bit of soul in them.

The best Stevie Wonder compilation
It is easy to be confused by Stevie Wonder compilations. In the nineties, a double CD was released in America titled Song review, while a single CD was released in Britain with the same title and artwork. More recently, a single CD was released in America titled Definitive collection, so (conversely) a double CD was released in Britain with the same title and artwork. This British double CD is much better than the earlier American double CD titled Song review, which had fewer tracks and missed out some important songs. Indeed, this is the best compilation of Stevie's music that I've seen. Even on two CD's, it is not possible to include every Stevie Wonder recording worth hearing, but all the big hits in Britain and America are here.

You probably have your own favorites. I particularly like You are the sunshine of my life, For once in my life, Yester-me yester-you yesterday, Living for the city, I just called to say I love you, Sir Duke, A place in the sun, Lately and Happy birthday. Other classics (also excellent) include Superstition, I wish, Isn't she lovely, Ebony and ivory (with Paul McCartney), Never had a dream come true, Uptight and so many others.

If you only want one collection of Stevie Wonder music, this is by far the best. If you want to build a collection of his music, this is a great starting point.

Music for all generations.
Stevie Wonder is perhaps the most influential figure in musical pop culture over the last 50 years. His enthusiasm and energy that he puts into his music is infectious for all those around him or any listeners. His music has been sampled or covered by such a wide range of artists as thug posturing rapper Ja Rule, to the Boy George lead Culture Club.
The reasons why he has influenced such differing artists become apparent when you listen to this album. The music is brilliant.
Wonder's soulful voice leaps and soars through 38 tracks, ranging from supremely catchy pop classics, to sentimental love ballads, and funky slices of soul pie.
Im only 16 and hadnt really heard much of Stevie Wonder before but liked people like Marvin Gaye, and my parents bought me this album. It is one that I love and my parents love - a very rare feat! This truly is music for all generations.
To say Stevie Wonder is a legend would be an understatement and a insult to the man. He is more than that. Buy this album!