Product Description

JOURNEY THROUGH THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS was Stevie Wonder's attempt to create a concept album about the life of plants. Released in 1979, this unusual album failed to connect with Wonder's sizable following. While SECRET LIFE doesn't rank with such Wonder classics as TALKING BOOK or INNERVISIONS,it has aged rather well and features some exceptionally fine music, including the romantic hit single "Send One Your Love".
Though bizarre lyrics and sound effects occasionally dilute the impact of many of the performances, several long instrumentals like the ambient soundscape "Earth's Creation" and the African-flavoured "Kesse Ye Lolo De Ye" are some of Wonder's most adventurous and rewarding compositions. Presumably humbled by the poor response to this album, Wonder never again tried to make as bold an artistic statement as JOURNEY THROUGH THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS and he has since concentrated on the upbeat, R&B-infused pop that has made him so successful for more than three decades.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Earth's Creation
2. The First Garden
3. Voyage To India
4. Same Old Story
5. Venus' Flytrap And The Bug
6. Ai No, Sono
7. Seasons
8. Power Flower
9. Send One Your Love
10. Race Babbling

Disc 2:

1. Send One Your Love
2. Outside My Window
3. Black Orchid
4. Ecclesiastes
5. Kesse Ye Lolo De Ye
6. Come Back As A Flower
7. A Seed's A Star/Tree Medley
8. The Secret Life Of Plants
9. Tree
10. Finale (Stevie Wonder/Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10242 in Music
• Released on: 1995-09-18
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Running time: 88 minutes

Customer Reviews

Only for the devoted and patient
This album ended the remarkable run of albums Wonder wrote, performed and produced in the 70s, starting with Music of my mind and finishing in Songs in the key of life. This album is almost unrecognisable from any of them. It was the sound track of a film which has sunk without trace, but I'd love to see it. I understand that much of the music is written to go with the film with scenes as strange as hooking a plant up to electrodes and measuring it's sensitivity while they chop a head of lettuce in front of it. Consequently much of this album is soundscapes and disappointing to anyone seeking radio friendly pop songs.

The reason it was a commercial flop by Wonder's standards is obvious. There were 3 years between songs in the key of life and this. Three years of building excitement and plenty enough time for him to have produced a second stunning album of creativity. Arguably that's just what he did, but do not buy this album expecting anything like what went before.

That said the chances are if you're even reading this review you're a Stevie fan, and this album requires patience and requires you to be devoted lover of his music. I'd echo what another reviewer says here; if you listen to the whole album some parts actually sound like plants are surrounding you.

The patient listening is ultimately rewarding and amongst the strange stuff are some superb songs. Power Flower, Send one your love, Black Orchid and in particular Come back as a Flower are brilliant songs and not that far removed from the Stevie Wonder sound you know and love.

What makes this album all the more special is it is like a secret - hardly anyone knows these songs, so why not let yourself be one of the lucky ones?

It was a watershed album for Stevie, he never again dared to make such an inventive album, but at the same time he's never again made music as good either.

Every home should have one
I remember, and I'm going back a few years now, that a radio station polled Stevie Wonder fans for their favourite Stevie song. The result was a complete surprise - Black Orchid. Your journey starts now - buy it!

Journey Through A Different Side Of Stevie's Music
Ask every Black arist to chart their influences and somewhere in the list is ALWAYS Stevie wonder, So many Covered/Sampled songs throughout the last 30 years, especially in dance music. And if you are already a fan you love them already(I Wish, Sir Duke, All I Do, Master Blaster).
But, like every one, once in a while you just wanna chill. Thats where this album come into it's own. Listen REALLY hard, don't paint the house while you have it on.(for that i'd recommend Innervisions!) Just sit in a chair and relax. This REALLY is a Journey, and man do you go places! You can feel stuff GROWING around you as you listen. It's Amazing. If it does'nt make you want to grow plants, travel the world or have children of you own to play it to then your stereo is broken. Buy it! (then buy a new stereo!)